Granular Layer Research Articles

Challenge of Media Noise Suppression With Oxidation Control in Granular Structure for CoPtCr-Based Sputtered Tape Toward 400 Gb/in2

A sputtered tape that uses a CoPtCr-based granular recording layer consisting of magnetic grains and grain boundary oxides was developed for practical applications in next-generation large-capacity magnetic tapes. The role of oxides in CoPtCr-oxide composite targets in forming nanostructures for the granular layer was investigated under the distinctive conditions of a roll-to-roll sputtering system. It was confirmed that 1) increasing the amount of Co <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</sub> O <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">4</sub> in the CoPtCr-SiO <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> -Co <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</sub> O <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">4</sub> composite target improved the magnetic isolation between magnetic grains and the magnetic anisotropy of the granular recording layer due to diffusion of Si and Cr from within magnetic grains to oxide grain boundaries by oxidation, 2) this magnetic isolation led to 3.6 dB improvement in the broadband signal-to-noise ratio (BB-SNR) at a linear density of 353 kfci through a suppression of noise, and 3) overlaying CoPtCrB alloy layer to this sample as a cap layer brought the higher BB-SNR of 2.3 dB than that for the sample reported by us in TMRC2017. Applying the latest track-following technology, this SNR improvement was estimated to have the potential to achieve an areal density of 375 Gb/in <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> .

Tetrabromobisphenol A exerts thyroid disrupting effects but has little overt impact on postnatal brain development and neurobehaviors in mice

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is a widely used brominated flame retardant. There is evidence showing that TBBPA can exert thyroid disrupting effects in mammals, but different results were also reported, along with inconsistent reports regarding its neurotoxicity. Here, we investigated thyroid disrupting effects and neurotoxicity of TBBPA (5, 50, 500 µg/(kg·day)) to male mice following maternal and direct exposure through drinking water, with the anti-thyroid drug propylthiouracil (PTU) as the positive control. On postnatal day (PND) 15, we expectedly observed severe thyroid compensatory hyperplasia and cerebellar developmental retardation in PTU-treated pups. The highest dose of TBBPA also caused thyroid histological alteration but had no effects on cerebellar development in terms of Purkinje cell morphology and the thickness of the internal granular layer and the molecular layer of the cerebellum. During puberty and adulthood, the thyroid morphological alterations became more pronounced in the TBBPA-treated animals, accompanied by decreased serum thyroid hormone levels. Furthermore, the 50 and 500 µg/(kg·day) TBBPA groups showed a significant decrease in the serum level of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with anxiety behaviors. Correspondingly, the highest dose group displayed anxiety-like behaviors in the elevated plus-maze test on PND 35, but this neurobehavioral alteration disappeared on PND 56. Moreover, no changes in neurobehavioral parameters tested were found in TBBPA-treated animals at puberty and adulthood. Altogether, all observations show that TBBPA can exert thyroid disrupting effects but has little overt impact on brain development and neurobehaviors in mice, suggesting that thyroid disruption does not necessarily cause overtly adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Single-subject cortical morphological brain networks: Phenotypic associations and neurobiological substrates

Although single-subject morphological brain networks provide an important way for human connectome studies, their roles and origins are poorly understood. Combining cross-sectional and repeated structural magnetic resonance imaging scans from adults, children and twins with behavioral and cognitive measures and brain-wide transcriptomic, cytoarchitectonic and chemoarchitectonic data, this study examined phenotypic associations and neurobiological substrates of single-subject morphological brain networks. We found that single-subject morphological brain networks explained inter-individual variance and predicted individual outcomes in Motor and Cognition domains, and distinguished individuals from each other. The performance can be further improved by integrating different morphological indices for network construction. Low-moderate heritability was observed for single-subject morphological brain networks with the highest heritability for sulcal depth-derived networks and higher heritability for inter-module connections. Furthermore, differential roles of genetic, cytoarchitectonic and chemoarchitectonic factors were observed for single-subject morphological brain networks. Cortical thickness-derived networks were related to the three factors with contributions from genes enriched in membrane and transport related functions, genes preferentially located in supragranular and granular layers, overall thickness in the molecular layer and thickness of wall in the infragranular layers, and metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 and dopamine transporter; fractal dimension-, gyrification index- and sulcal depth-derived networks were only associated with the chemoarchitectonic factor with contributions from different sets of neurotransmitter receptors. Most results were reproducible across different parcellation schemes and datasets. Altogether, this study demonstrates phenotypic associations and neurobiological substrates of single-subject morphological brain networks, which provide intermediate endophenotypes to link molecular and cellular architecture and behavior and cognition.

Numerical Modelling and Predicting Performance of Geogrid-Reinforced Low-Volume Unpaved Roads over Soft Subgrades

AbstractPavement performance is usually predicted by large-scale laboratory experiments, expensive field tests and/or comparatively cheaper numerical modelling alternative. In this study, a finite element limiting strain model has been developed to investigate the strain response of both unreinforced and geogrid-reinforced pavements on unpaved roads where the geogrid is placed at the bottom of the unbound granular base layer. A two-dimensional (2D) axisymmetric finite element model (FEM) is used to analyse the behaviour of both unreinforced and geogrid-reinforced granular base. The critical pavement responses (vertical surface deformation, compressive strain and compressive stress at the top of subgrade, etc.) are simulated numerically using ABAQUS. These critical responses are used to develop the pavement performance models (strain limiting models) and to predict long-term service life of pavement or the reduction of thickness of granular base for equivalent service life or a combination of both. The parametric results are then used to develop design charts to aid practitioners to use directly in designs. The numerical model is verified using published literature-based information and found to be reasonable. The results show that the traffic benefit ratio (TBR) of 3.1 at a 20 mm rut depth can be achieved for a thin granular base built over soft subgrade using a medium stiff geogrid.

Airfield pavement resiliency assessment against extreme dynamic events by explicit axisymmetric finite element models

Infrastructure resiliency has become an essential element in ensuring community recovery after unexpected events. In airfield pavement, resilience can be achieved through an improved design approach by understanding the fundamental elements of damage mitigation and thus allowing rapid recovery. The objective of this study was to numerically evaluate easy-to-implement alternatives for mitigating damage in rigid airfield layered pavement systems when subjected to dynamic events such as blasts or high-velocity impacts. This was accomplished by developing an efficient axisymmetric explicit finite element model, which served as an analytical tool for the study. The model was developed in LS-DYNA and the methodology consisted of a comprehensive parametric analysis. The results showed that the concrete pavement layer parameters—mass density and compressive strength—have the most significant effect on the damage to the pavement when subjected to extreme dynamic events. The material parameters for the pavement layers were optimized to minimize the damage, caused by dynamic loads, achieving more than 70% damage mitigation. Furthermore, adding a granular base layer to the rigid airfield pavement design reduces the concrete pavement layer damage by almost 40%. An asphalt concrete overlay reduces the concrete pavement layer damage by about 55%. Moreover, adding an asphalt concrete overlay to the optimized rigid airfield pavement design reduces the damage by 10%. In contrast, adding a granular base layer to the optimized rigid airfield pavement design is ineffective.

Comparative immunohistochemical analysis suggests a conserved role of EPS8L1 in epidermal and hair follicle barriers of mammals.

The mammalian skin and its appendages depend on tightly coordinated differentiation of epithelial cells. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway substrate 8 (EPS8) like 1 (EPS8L1) is enriched in the epidermis among human tissues and has also been detected in the epidermis of lizards. Here, we show by the analysis of single-cell RNA-sequencing data that EPS8L1 mRNA is co-expressed with filaggrin and loricrin in terminally differentiated human epidermal keratinocytes. Comparative genomics indicated that EPS8L1 is conserved in all main clades of mammals, whereas the orthologous gene has been lost in birds. Using a polyclonal antibody against EPS8L1, we performed an immunohistochemical screening of skin from diverse mammalian species and immuno-electron microscopy of human skin. EPS8L1 was detected predominantly in the granular layer of the epidermis in monotremes, marsupial, and placental mammals. The labeling was partly associated with cell membranes, and it was evident along the perimeter of keratinocytes at the transition with the cornified layer of the epidermis, similar to involucrin distribution. Basal, spinous, and the fully mature cornified layers lacked immunolabeling of EPS8L1. In addition to the epidermis, the hair follicle inner root sheath (IRS) was immunolabeled. Both epidermal granular layer and IRS contribute to the barrier function of the skin, suggesting that EPS8L1 is involved in the regulation of these barriers.

Protective Effects of Aqueous Extract of Allium Sativum (Garlic) On the Histomorphology and Biochemical Parameters of Lead -Induced Cerebellar Injury on the Adult Male Wistar Rats

The study was aimed at evaluating the effects of an aqueous extract of Allium sativum on the biochemical parameters and histo-architecture of lead-induced cerebella damage in male Wistar rats. Sixteen male rats were procured for the study. They were divided into 4 groups, with 4 rats in each group. Group 1 (Control group) received only food and water, those in group 2 were given lead at the dosage of 120 mg/kg body weight. Group 3 received lead at the dosage of 120 mg/kg body weight and the extract at 300 mg/kg body weight while those in group 4 were given lead at the dosage of 120 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight of the extract. The extracts were administered orally for 21 days. Blood samples were collected for biochemical evaluation. The rats were sacrificed, and their cerebella were harvested for histo-morphological studies. The levels of Superoxide dismutase (22.49 ± 1.21) and Malondialdehyde (1.17 ± 0.092) were normal in group 1. There was significant derangement in their levels in group 2, Superoxide dismutase (9.83 ± 0.93) and Malondialdehyde (11.42 ± 1.82). In groups 3 and 4, the levels of Superoxide dismutase increased towards the levels of the control group (12.81 ± 1.13, 16.06 ± 0.29), while those of Malondialdehyde also decreased towards the levels of the control group (6.49 ± 0.57, 3.12 ± 0.36). The histo-architecture of the cerebella in group 1, appeared normal, those in group 2 showed traumatic encephalopathy of the granular cell layer. In groups 3 and 4, there was mild tissue traumatic encephalopathy. The extract of A. sativum showed a significant protective effect on the biochemical parameters and histo-architecture of lead-induced cerebella damage in adult male Wistar rats.

Exposure to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol leads to a rise in caspase-3, morphological changes in microglial, and astrocyte reactivity in the cerebellum of rats.

The present study aimed to elucidate the effect of 10mg/kg Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on cerebellar neuronal and glial morphology, apoptosis and inflammatory gene expression using a series of histological assays including stereology, Sholl analysis, immunofluorescence and real-time qPCR in male Wistar rats. A decrease in the number of Purkinje neurons and the thickness of the granular layer in the cerebellum was reported in THC-treated rats. Increased expression of Iba-1 and arborization of microglial processes were evidence of microgliosis and morphological changes in microglia. In addition, astrogliosis and changes in astrocyte morphology were other findings associated with THC administration. THC also led to an increase in caspase-3 positive cells and a decrease in autophagy and inflammatory gene expression such as mTOR, BECN1 and LAMP2. However, there were no significant changes in the volume of molecular layers and white matter, the spatial arrangement of granular layers and white matter, or the spatial arrangement of granular layers and white matter in the cerebellum. Taken together, our data showed both neuroprotective and neurodegenerative properties of THC in the cerebellum, which require further study in the future.

Energy calibration through X-ray absorption of the DECAL sensor, a monolithic active pixel sensor prototype for digital electromagnetic calorimetry and tracking

In calorimetry, the predominant detection principle is to measure the energy deposited by particles within a shower initiated by an incident particle. An alternative concept is a sampling calorimeter where the highly granular active layers rather measure the number of secondary particles in the shower by detecting hits through binary readout similar to sensors for tracking applications. In this context, the DECAL sensor is a fully-depleted monolithic active pixel sensor prototype with reconfigurable readout for digital electromagnetic calorimetry and tracking. Its 64 × 64 pixels with a pitch of 55 µm are fabricated in a modified TowerJazz 180 nm CMOS imaging process using a 25 µm epitaxial silicon layer. The readout at 40 MHz is configurable in counting hits in the sensor grouped as either 64 strips or 4 pads. In this article, we present the energy calibration of this sensor using a gamma source of americium-241 as well as X-ray fluorescence at various wavelengths. The uniformity of the pixel responses is shown, allowing the summation of counts across all pixels. By that, two standalone energy calibration methods are developed that describe the X-ray absorption in the energy range of 4–60 keV and agree with each other. The signal pulse height is related to the absorbed photon energy with a 5.54 ± 0.37 mV/keV scale which corresponds to a conversion gain of cg = 19.95 ± 1.32 μV/e−. The relative energy resolution for photon absorption is found to be σE/E = 11.8 ± 3.0%. The absolute counts observed with the DECAL sensor agree with expectations and substantiate the assumption of a fully depleted epitaxial layer. The understanding of the photon absorption is an important input for further development of the sensor towards a multi-layer calorimeter.

Antidepressant-like effects of the Punica granatum and citalopram combination are associated with structural changes in dendritic spines of granule cells in the dentate gyrus of rats.

Introduction: Natural products such as phytoestrogens-enriched foods or supplements have been considered as an alternative therapy to reduce depressive symptoms associated with menopause. It is known that the aqueous extract of Punica granatum (AE-PG) exerts antidepressant-like effects by activating β-estrogen receptors and facilitates the antidepressant response of the clinical drug citalopram (CIT). However, the effects on neuroplasticity are unknown. Objectvie investigated the antidepressant-like response of combining AE-PG and CIT at sub-optimal doses, analyzing their effects on the formation and maturation of dendrite spines in granule cells as well as on the dendrite complexity. Methods: Ovariectomized Wistar rats (3-month-old) were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: A) control (saline solution as vehicle of CIT and AE-PG, B) AE-PG at a sub-threshold dose (vehicle of CIT plus AE-PG at 0.125mg/kg), C) CIT at a sub-threshold dose (0.77mg/kg plus vehicle of AE-PG), and D) a combination of CIT plus AE-PG (0.125mg/kg and 0.77mg/kg, respectively). All rats were treated intraperitoneally for 14 days. Antidepressant-like effects were evaluated using the force swimming test test (FST). The complexity of dendrites and the number and morphology of dendrite spines of neurons were assessed in the dentate gyrus after Golgi-Cox impregnation. The expressions of the mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (mBDNF) in plasma and of mBDNF and synaptophysin in the hippocampus, as markers of synaptogenesis, were also determined. Results: Administration of CIT combined with AE-PG, but not alone, induced a significant antidepressant-like effect in the FST with an increase in the dendritic complexity and the number of dendritic spines in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus, revealed by the thin and stubby categories of neurons at the granular cell layer. At the same time, an increase of mBDNF and synaptophysin expression was observed in the hippocampus of rats that received the combination of AE-PG and CIT.

Effect of Cement Content and Aggregate Gradation on Compressive Strength, Flexural Strength, and Elastic Modulus of Cement-Treated Base

Cement-treated base (CTB) is an aggregate mixture with relatively low water and cement content for pavement base layers, which can provide a stronger and stiffer base layer and requires a lower thickness than using granular layers but has the potential to form reflective cracks in the surface layer. Therefore, CTB should not be too stiff and the compressive strength needs to be limited. The research was carried out to analyze the effect of variations in cement content, gradation, and mix density on compressive strength, flexural strength, and elastic modulus. This research also analyzed the resistance of flexible pavement structures with CTB to asphalt fatigue and permanent deformation failure using the AUSTROADS 2017 method and the CIRCLY 6.0 program. The stiffness of CTB with Bina Marga gradation is built by the aggregate material (initially stiff), while the stiffness of CTB with FAA gradation is built by cement and the aggregate material tends to give flexible behavior because it is easier to move. The results showed that CTB with FAA gradation and 5% cement content resulting in a 7-day compressive strength of 3,28 MPa was stated as the optimum mix combination because it provides better resistance to fatigue and permanent deformation failure.

Penetration of a solid spherical particle into artificial and natural wet granular ice layers: Dynamic strength characterization

The strength of wet granular ice layers is an important quantity for modelling the behaviour of ice accretions encountered in aircraft engine icing since it determines the dynamics of the collision of ice crystals, their penetration into the layer, breakup and the characteristics of the ejected material. In the present study, impact tests of 3.18 mm nylon spheres are conducted on wet granular ice layers for a dynamic strength characterization. An experimental setup and methodology are designed to measure the crater depth for impact velocities ranging from 5 ms−1 to 90 ms−1. Experiments are conducted using both ice layers generated by ice crystal accretion on a solid substrate inside an icing wind tunnel and artificial ice layers prepared in a laboratory environment. By fitting the Poncelet penetration equation to the experimental data, two dimensionless parameters are derived that characterize the strength of the investigated ice layers in relation to the layer inertial resistance and apparent yield strength. A key finding is that strong connections between individual ice particles exist for ice layer generated in the wind tunnel, originating from re-freezing of liquid water near the particle contacts. Only by re-enforcing the ice particle connections in ice layers prepared in the laboratory, comparable strength values are obtained. The presented methodology enables measurement of ice layer strength and comparison at different facilities as well as conducting advanced experiments with realistic ice layers in a laboratory environment.

Application of metagenomics for diagnosis of broilers displaying neurological symptoms

BackgroundThirty-two-day-old broiler chickens at a farm located in northwestern South Korea displayed adverse neurological symptoms including limping, lying down, and head shaking. Approximately 2.1% of chickens died or were culled due to severe symptoms. Five carcasses were submitted to the Avian Disease Division of the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) for disease diagnosis.ResultsBroilers displayed severe pericarditis and perihepatitis associated with gross lesions. Broilers also displayed microscopic lesions in the cerebrum and in the granular layer of the cerebellum, which were associated with multifocal perivascular cuffing and purulent necrosis in the cerebrum, and severe meningitis with heterophil and lymphocyte infiltration. Staphylococcus spp. were identified in the liver and heart using bacteriological culture. PCR/RT-PCR assays revealed that broilers were negative for avian Clostridium botulinum, Newcastle disease virus, and avian encephalomyelitis virus. Bacterial and viral metagenomic analysis of brain sample further revealed the presence of Pseudomonas spp. and Marek’s disease virus, which are known etiological agents of chicken meningoencephalitis.ConclusionsThis study reports a diagnostic analysis of gross and histopathological lesions from 32-day-old broilers displaying unique neurological symptoms that revealed the presence of the several neurological diseases including meningoencephalitis. The causative agents associated with meningoencephalitis of broilers that had not been identified by routine diagnostic methods could be diagnosed by metagenomics, which proves the usefulness of metagenomics as a diagnostic tool for unknown neurological diseases in broilers.

Sublingual Epidermoid Cyst: Diagnosis, Surgical Treatment, and Follow-Up in a 22-Year-Old Male-A Case Report.

Epidermoid inclusion cysts are rare in the oral cavity, accounting for less than 0.01% of cysts found there. These cysts are defined as epidermoid if they contain only epithelial lining, dermoid if skin appendages, and teratoid if they contain other tissues such as muscle, cartilage, and bone. This case report describes a case of a plunging ranula that was later diagnosed as an epidermoid inclusion cyst. The patient is a 22-year-old male who presented with swelling in the floor of the mouth and difficulty eating solid foods for the past 4 months. Upon examination, a shiny, pink-colored mass measuring 1 cm × 5 cm was observed, which displaced the tongue upward and backward. MRI scan of the brain, face, and neck revealed a well-defined, non-enhancing cystic mass measuring 6.6 cm × 4.5 cm that extended beyond the sublingual area. Histopathological examination after surgical removal of the cyst revealed that the cyst wall was lined with stratified squamous keratinized epithelium with a retained granular layer, and the cavity was filled with lamellated keratin flakes. The patient recovered well after surgery; no recurrence was observed at the 6-month follow-up.

Paradoxical Pustular Psoriasis Following Treatment of Chronic Plaque Psoriasis with Ustekinumab

A 51-year-old female with red plaques and scales for 20 years, aggravated with pustules for more than 10 days.Physical examination: scattered red patches, silver-white scales, thin film, Auspitz sign (+) can be seen on the head and face.The trunk and limbs were scattered in large erythema and erythema, on which were dense pustules of the size of chestnut. The central color of local pustules was brown, presenting target-shaped lesions, and some pustules fused into pus lake.Vulvar mucosa scattered in pustules, erosion surface.Nail clipping thimble changes, deck thickening changes.Histopathology: Hyperkeratosis, fusion keratosis, thinning or disappearance of granular layer, epidermal psoriatic hyperplasia, munro and Kogoj microabscess, dermal papilloma, vascular dilatation, perivascular lymphocyte infiltration.Diagnosis: pustular psoriasis.

Calculation Method for Traffic Load-Induced Permanent Deformation in Soils under Flexible Pavements

Rutting is one of the most common types of distress in flexible pavement structures. There are two fundamental methods of designing pavement structures: conventional empirical methods and analytical approaches. Many analytical and empirical design procedures assume that rutting is mostly of asphalt origin and can be reduced by limiting the vertical deformation or stress at the top of the subgrade, but they do not quantify the rutting depth itself. Mechanistic–empirical models to predict the permanent deformations of unbound pavement layers have been well investigated and are rather common in North America; however, they are not widely utilized in the rest of the world. To date, there is no generally accepted, widely recognized, and documented procedure for calculating permanent deformations and thus for determining the rutting depth in flexible pavement courses originating from the unbound granular layers. This paper presents a layered calculation method with which the deformation of soil layers (base, subbase, and subgrade courses) under flexible pavements due to repeated traffic load can be determined. In the first step, the cyclic strain amplitude is calculated using a nonlinear material model that is based on particle size distribution parameters (d50 and CU) and dependent on the mean normal stress, relative density, and actual strain level. In the second step, the HCA (High Cycle Accumulation) model is used to calculate the residual settlement of each sublayer as a function of the number of cycles. It is shown that the developed model is suitable for describing different types of subgrades and pavement cross-sections. It is also demonstrated with finite element calculations that the developed model describes both the elastic and plastic strains sufficiently accurately. The developed model can predict the settlement and rutting of pavement structures with sufficient accuracy based on easily available particle size distribution parameters without the need for complex laboratory and finite element tests.

Attentional effects on local V1 microcircuits explain selective V1-V4 communication

Selective attention implements preferential routing of attended stimuli, likely through increasing the influence of the respective synaptic inputs on higher-area neurons. As the inputs of competing stimuli converge onto postsynaptic neurons, presynaptic circuits might offer the best target for attentional top-down influences. If those influences enabled presynaptic circuits to selectively entrain postsynaptic neurons, this might explain selective routing. Indeed, when two visual stimuli induce two gamma rhythms in V1, only the gamma induced by the attended stimulus entrains gamma in V4. Here, we modelled induced responses with a Dynamic Causal Model for Cross-Spectral Densities and found that selective entrainment can be explained by attentional modulation of intrinsic V1 connections. Specifically, local inhibition was decreased in the granular input layer and increased in the supragranular output layer of the V1 circuit that processed the attended stimulus. Thus, presynaptic attentional influences and ensuing entrainment were sufficient to mediate selective routing.

GABA-immunoreactive neurons in the Central Nervous System of the viviparous teleost Poecilia sphenops

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) functions as the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter within the central nervous system (CNS) of vertebrates. In this study, we examined the distribution pattern of GABA-immunoreactive (GABA-ir) cells and fibres in the CNS of the viviparous teleost Poecilia sphenops using immunofluorescence method. GABA immunoreactivity was seen in the glomerular, mitral, and granular layers of the olfactory bulbs, as well as in most parts of the dorsal and ventral telencephalon. The preoptic area consisted of a small cluster of GABA-ir cells, whereas extensively labelled GABA-ir neurons were observed in the hypothalamic areas, including the paraventricular organ, tuberal hypothalamus, nucleus recessus lateralis, nucleus recessus posterioris, and inferior lobes. In the thalamus, GABA-positive neurons were only found in the ventral thalamic and central posterior thalamic nuclei, whereas the dorsal part of the nucleus pretectalis periventricularis consisted of a few GABA-ir cells. GABA-immunoreactivity was extensively seen in the alar and basal subdivisions of the midbrain, whereas in the rhombencephalon, GABA-ir cells and fibres were found in the cerebellum, motor nucleus of glossopharyngeal and vagal nerves, nucleus commissuralis of Cajal, and reticular formation. In the spinal cord, GABA-ir cells and fibres were observed in the dorsal horn, ventral horn, and around the central canal. Overall, the extensive distribution of GABA-ir cells and fibres throughout the CNS suggests several roles for GABA, including the neuroendocrine, viscerosensory, and somatosensory functions, for the first time in a viviparous teleost.

A semi-empirical impact force model of irregular rockfall on granular layer and its experimental validation

A semi-empirical impact force model of irregular rockfall on granular layer and its experimental validation

Investigation of resilient modulus and permanent deformation of tropical soil with Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement

By the end of 2020, the mechanistic-empirical method for pavement design had come into effect in Brazil. Several studies have analyzed the use of alternative or non-conventional materials in pavement structures and have shown that local soils can be improved by the incorporation of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP). Therefore, this paper aims to analyze the performance of mixtures of Brazilian lateritic soil with RAP for applications in granular layers of asphalt pavements. Different proportions of the mixture were used: mixture 1 (0 % RAP, 100 % Soil), mixture 2 (25 % RAP, 75 % Soil) and mixture 3 (50 % RAP, 50 % Soil). The study’s methodology involves the characterization of lateritic soil, the mechanical performance analysis of the proposed mixtures by the resilient modulus and permanent deformation tests, and mechanistic-empirical pavement performance simulation, using the specific Brazilian MeDiNa software, which was developed and calibrated for specific Brazilian traffic, climate and material conditions. The results indicated that the addition of RAP to lateritic soil can improve the performance of the material for granular layers of asphalt pavements. In addition, the mixture with 25 % RAP showed the best behavior, in terms of the appearance of a cracked area and a less significant worsening, in terms of deformation, when compared to the soil without the addition of RAP. Thus, this study contributes to knowledge in the transportation infrastructure field, regarding the mechanistic-empirical parameters for composite mixtures of lateritic soils and RAP and enabling the implementation of satisfactory sustainable solutions involving the disposal of waste in pavement construction.