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Clay ball is a pavement surface defect which refers to a clump in which clay or dirt is mixed with hot asphalt mixture. Clay ball is typically caused by a combination of aggregate contamination of clay or soil, high aggregate moisture, and low production temperature at the asphalt plant. It usually appears a few weeks or months after paving under traffic load, after being liquefied and knocked from the pavement surface. Clay balls can be the source of potholing, raveling, and other issues such as moisture infiltration and reduced ride quality. This paper presents an investigation of the clay balls on US-31 one winter after construction in Hamilton County, Indiana. In order to understand the pavement condition, their severity was measured using both visual observation and infrared image collection system. In addition, a clay ball distribution pattern, its density, and cores condition were evaluated. A precipitation effect on clay ball formation was investigated for finding a cause of the clay balls. The investigation found that infrared image collection system was appropriate in detecting the clay balls. The clay balls were elliptic in shape with 1 inch to 4 inches in diameter, and the maximum clay ball depth is almost penetrating the entire surface course. It was also found that the asphalt paving on the raining days or right after raining could increase the potential of clay balls. Monitoring of aggregate moisture during construction on or after raining days should be able to reduce the risk of clay balls.

Calcifying fibrous tumour (CFT) is a recently recognised rare benign lesion characterised by dense hyalinised collagenous tissue, psammomatous or dystrophic calcifications and a lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate. The usual locations of the lesion are the soft tissues of the extremities, but rarely it occurs in the abdomen. Recently, we experienced a case of CFT found in the liver of a 29-year-old woman. Here, we describe the characteristic radiological and histopathological findings, along with a review of the relevant literature.

© 2015 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA , Weinheim. A facile microwave method was employed to synthesize NiCo2O4 nanosheets as electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors. The structure and morphology of the materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, fieldemission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller methods. Owing to the porous nanosheet structure, the NiCo2O4 electrodes exhibited a high reversible capacity of 891 mAhg-1 at a current density of 100 mAg-1, good rate capability and stable cycling performance. When used as electrode materials for supercapacitors, NiCo2O4 nanosheets demonstrated a specific capacitance of 400 Fg-1 at a current density of 20 Ag-1 and superior cycling stability over 5000 cycles. The excellent electrochemical performance could be ascribed to the thin porous structure of the nanosheets, which provides a high specific surface area to increase the electrode-electrolyte contact area and facilitate rapid ion transport.

Tin dioxide was investigated as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries. The Na/SnO2 cell delivered a first discharge capacity of 747 mAh/g, but the first charge capacity was 150 mAh/g. The irreversible capacity in the first cycle was examined through characterization by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the SnO2 active material was not reduced fully to metallic Sn. Furrows and wrinkles were formed on the electrode surface owing to the volumetric expansion upon first discharge, which led to a deterioration of the electrode structure and a loss of electrical contact between the active materials. The analysis is summarized in the schematic drawing. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Like IL-12, IFN-γ-inducing factor/IL-18 has been shown to stimulate T cells for IFN-γ production and growth promotion. Considering the NK-stimulatory capacity of IL-12, we investigated the effect of IL-18 on NK lineage cells. A CD4−CD8−surface Ig−Ia− fraction of freshly prepared C57BL/6 spleen cells proliferated strikingly in response to combinations of IL-12 + IL-18 or IL-2 + IL-18, but not to the individual cytokines or IL-2 + IL-12. Cells proliferating in response to IL-2 + IL-18 were NK1.1+CD3−, whereas IL-12 + IL-18-responsive cells were NK1.1−CD3−. Restimulation of the former cells with IL-12 + IL-18 or the latter cells with IL-2 + IL-18 resulted in the generation of NK1.1−CD3− or NK1.1+CD3− cells, respectively. Moreover, a NK1.1+CD3−CD4−CD8−surface Ig−Ia− population isolated from spleen cells was found to form NK1.1+CD3− or NK1.1−CD3− blasts by stimulation with IL-2 + IL-18 or IL-12 + IL-18, respectively, and the NK1.1 positivity on these blasts was again reversed after restimulation with an alternative combined stimulus. Both types of blasts produced enormously large amounts of IFN-γ in response to IL-12 + IL-18 and exhibited strikingly high levels of NK activity. These results indicate that IL-18 plays an obligatory role in inducing proliferation and activation of NK1.1+CD3−CD4−CD8− cells and that the expression of the NK1.1 marker is reversible, depending on the cytokine used for stimulation in combination with IL-18.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive, irreversible disease resulting in the loss of secretory and excretory function of the kidney, due to the destruction of the nephrons (Jacob and others 2002). Early detection of CKD is important for the treatment and management of dogs with CKD. The current tests available for diagnosing CKD in small animals, involve detecting proteinuria and the lack in ability to concentrate urine (Jacob and others 2005). There have been several renal biomarkers proposed (eg, KIM-1, cystatin C, IL-18) for the early detection of renal injuries (Soni and others 2010, Devarajan 2011). The list has increased gradually and is being used routinely in human beings (Dieterle and others 2010). Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) belongs to the lipocalin family of proteins. It is known by other names, such as: NL (neutrophil lipocalin), lipocalin, oncogene protein 24p3 or uterocalin (Hraba-Renevery and others 1986, Kjeldsen and others 1993, Garay-Rojas and others 1996, Supavekin and others 2003). NGAL has been identified as a potential marker for acute renal injury in human beings where it is highly elevated due to epithelial damage (Kjeldsen and others 1993, Uttenthal 2005, Zappitelli and others 2007, Bennettand others 2008, Nelson and others 2008). This has been reported in patients with acute renal injury, occurring between 24 and 48 hours earlier than elevated creatinine levels (Mishra and others 2005, Dent and others 2007, Nickolas and others 2008). Recent veterinary studies reported a direct correlation between urinary NGAL concentrations and the degree of renal damage (Nabity and others 2012, Kai and others 2013, Lee and others 2012). Kai and others (2013). Induced acute renal injury in beagle dogs with gentamycin and found a marked increase in urine NGAL levels. Furthermore, Lee and others (2012) noted that …

Sodium-ion batteries are being considered as a promising system for stationary energy storage and conversion, owing to the natural abundance of sodium. It is important to develop new cathode and anode materials with high capacities for sodium-ion batteries. Herein, we report the synthesis of β-MnO2 nanorods with exposed tunnel structures by a hydrothermal method. The as-prepared β-MnO2 nanorods have exposed {111} crystal planes with a high density of (1 × 1) tunnels, which leads to facile sodium ion (Na-ion) insertion and extraction. When applied as cathode materials in sodium-ion batteries, β-MnO2 nanorods exhibited good electrochemical performance with a high initial Na-ion storage capacity of 350 mAh g-1. β-MnO2 nanorods also demonstrated a satisfactory high-rate capability as cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries.

Single crystalline rhombus-shaped Na0.7MnO2 nanoplates have been synthesized by a hydrothermal method. TEM and HRTEM analyses revealed that the Na0.7MnO2 single crystals predominantly exposed their (100) crystal plane, which is active for Na +-ion insertion and extraction. When applied as cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries, Na0.7MnO2 nanoplates exhibited a high reversible capacity of 163 mA h g-1, a satisfactory cyclability, and a high rate performance. The enhanced electrochemical performance could be ascribed to the predominantly exposed active (100) facet, which could facilitate fast Na+-ion insertion/extraction during the discharge and charge process. © 2013 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

NiCo2O4 nanorods were synthesized by a hydrothermal method followed by low temperature calcination. FESEM and TEM analyses confirmed that the as-prepared materials consist of a hierarchical nanorod structure. When applied as cathode catalysts in rechargeable Li-O2 batteries, NiCo2O4 nanorods exhibited a superior catalytic activity, including low charge over-potential, high discharge capacity and high-rate capability. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Polypyrrole conducting polymers with different dopants have been synthesized and applied as the cathode catalyst in Li-O2 batteries. Polypyrrole polymers exhibited an effective catalytic activity towards oxygen reduction in lithium oxygen batteries. It was discovered that dopant significantly influenced the electrochemical performance of polypyrrole. The polypyrrole doped with Cl- demonstrated higher capacity and more stable cyclability than that doped with ClO4-. Polypyrrole conducting polymers also exhibited higher capacity and better cycling performance than that of carbon black catalysts. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Highly ordered mesoporous Co3O4 nanostructures were prepared using SBA-15 silica as hard templates. The mesoporous structures were characterized by X-ray diffraction, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, and N2 adsorption/desorption isotherm analysis. The results demonstrated that the as-prepared mesoporous Co3O4 has an ordered P6mm symmetric mesoporous structure. The optical absorption properties of the mesoporous Co3O4 were investigated by UV-Vis spectroscopy and the results indicate that the mesoporous Co 3O4 materials are semiconducting with direct band gaps of 2, 1.385 and 0.38 eV. The gas-sensing performance of the mesoporous Co 3O4 was tested towards a series of typical solvents. They demonstrated a good sensing performance towards these vapour with rapid response and high sensitivity at low operating temperature. Copyright © 2013 American Scientific Publishers.

Two types of MnO2 polymorphs, α-MnO2 and β-MnO2 nanorods, have been synthesized by a hydrothermal method. Their crystallographic phases, morphologies, and crystal structures were characterized by XRD, FESEM and TEM analysis. Different exposed crystal planes have been identified by TEM. The electrochemical properties of α-MnO 2 and β-MnO2 nanorods as cathode materials in Na-ion batteries were evaluated by galvanostatic charge/discharge testing. Both α-MnO2 and β-MnO2 nanorods achieved high initial sodium ion storage capacities of 278 mA h g-1 and 298 mA h g-1, respectively. β-MnO2 nanorods exhibited a better electrochemical performance such as good rate capability and cyclability than that of α-MnO2 nanorods, which could be ascribed to a more compact tunnel structure of β-MnO2 nanorods. Furthermore, the one-dimensional architecture of nanorods could also contribute to facile sodium ion diffusion in the charge and discharge process. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2013.

An in situ hydrothermal synthesis approach has been developed to prepare SnO2@graphene nanocomposites. The nanocomposites exhibited a high reversible sodium storage capacity of above 700 mA h g-1 and excellent cyclability for Na-ion batteries. In particular, they also demonstrated a good high rate capability for reversible sodium storage. © 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

The electrochemical properties of Na/TiS2 cells fabricated from Na anodes and TiS2 cathodes and 1M sodium trifluoromethanesulfonate in tetraethyleneglycol dimethylether liquid electrolyte have been investigated. The discharge curve has two plateau regions of 2.1 V and 1.6 V. The loss of discharge capacity appeared mainly in the upper plateau (UP) region (2.0-2.6 V) and the discharge capacity in the low plateau (LP) region (0.8-2.0 V) does not decrease and is consistent during 40 cycles. The discharge process between Na and TiS2 has a complex reaction mechanism, the intercalation at the upper plateau region and the conversion at the low plateau region. Because, a distorted TiS2 phase appeared in the upper plateau, a new phase of NaxTiS2 was observed in the lower plateau, and the Na xTiS2 phase was disappeared after full discharge from the XRD and TEM results. The decrease of discharge capacity during cycling is occurred from the formation of NaxTiS2 phase in the cathode after full charging and is accumulated over cycling. © 2012 The Electrochemical Society.

New emerging large scale battery market has demanded low cost and high power or energy density materials. Sodium (Na) is a promising candidate for an anode material because of its low cost and natural abundance. Also molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is an attractive cathode material with layered structure. In this study a Na/MoS2 cell was assembled so as to evaluate its electrochemical properties as a rechargeable battery. In the first discharge Na/MoS2 cell showed two characteristic plateaus at 0.93 V and 0.8 V. Galvanostatic charge/discharge cycle was carried out in different voltage ranges according to the discharge depths (0.85 V and 0.4 V). The electrochemical behaviors of Na/MoS2 cells at each discharge depth were analyzed through characterization of the crystallographic changes by employing ex situ X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Finally, Na/MoS2 reaction mechanism was suggested. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

To enhance the stability of sulfur cathode for a high energy lithium-sulfur battery, sulfur-activated carbon (S-AC) composite was prepared by encapsulating sulfur into micropores of activated carbon using a solution-based processing technique. In the analysis using the prepared specimen of S-AC composite by the focused ion beam (FIB) technique, the elemental sulfur exists in a highly dispersed state inside the micropores of activated carbon, which has a large surface area and a narrow pore distribution. The S-AC composite was characterized through X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method, selected area electron diffraction (SAED), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). A lithium-sulfur cell using the S-AC composite has a high first discharge capacity over 800 mA h g -1 S even at a high current density such as 2C (3200 mA g -1 S) and has good cycleability around 500 mA h g-1 S discharge capacity at the 50th cycle at the same current density. © 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Two types of MnO2 polymorphs, I?-MnO2 and I?-MnO2 nanorods, have been synthesized by a hydrothermal method. Their crystallographic phases, morphologies, and crystal structures were characterized by XRD, FESEM and TEM analysis. Different exposed crystal planes have been identified by TEM. The electrochemical properties of I?-MnO2 and I?-MnO2 nanorods as cathode materials in Na-ion batteries were evaluated by galvanostatic charge/discharge testing. Both I?-MnO2 and I?-MnO2 nanorods achieved high initial sodium ion storage capacities of 278 mA h ga??1 and 298 mA h ga??1, respectively. I?-MnO2 nanorods exhibited a better electrochemical performance such as good rate capability and cyclability than that of I?-MnO2 nanorods, which could be ascribed to a more compact tunnel structure of I?-MnO2 nanorods. Furthermore, the one-dimensional architecture of nanorods could also contribute to facile sodium ion diffusion in the charge and discharge process.

Ni3S2 powder has been fabricated by mechanical alloying Ni and S powders and the electrochemical properties of Na/Ni 3S2 cells fabricated from Na anodes and Ni 3S2 cathodes and 1 M sodium trifluoromethanesulfonate in tetraethyleneglycol dimethylether liquid electrolyte have been investigated. Upon discharging, the Ni3S2 cathode transformed to amorphous Na2S, Ni and residual unconverted Ni3S 2. On charging, the pristine structure of Ni3S2 is fully recovered. The reversibility of this anode/cathode pair has been demonstrated and the discharge capacity loss of Na/Ni3S2 cells has been investigated over 100 cycles. From TEM, EDS, XRD, and EIS results, the degradation mechanism appears to be the formation of nano-particles of Ni3S2 and Na2S which become detached from the bulk cathode material causing the continuous increase in the interfacial resistance. Furthermore, many small cracks in Ni3S2 cathode material are caused during repeated cycling and this is an additional phenomenon that leads to further degradation of the discharge capacity during cycling. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

One-dimensional magnetite (3O4) nanowires were synthesized by the low temperature hydrothermal method. The as-prepared 3O4 nanowires were systematically characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy have confirmed the cubic structure of 3O4 nanowires with a space group of Fd3m. Electrochemical properties of 3O4 nanowires were tested as anodes in lithium-ion cells by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge. 3O4 nanowires exhibited an excellent reversible lithium storage capacity and a satisfactory cycling performance. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Prepared by the deposition of a solid electrode and electrolyte, all-solid-state batteries are a promising next generation battery system. Aerosol deposition (AD) offers many advantages compared to the conventional thin film deposition methods, including the deposition of a crystallized thin film with no heat treatment and a fast deposition rate. In this study, a LiFePO 4/C composite thin film is directly fabricated using a LiFePO 4/C composite raw powder. SEM and EDS results show the successful deposition of a LiFePO4/C composite thin film on a stainless steel substrate and X-ray diffraction patterns reveal that the as-deposited thin film has a crystalline structure, corresponding to the olivine phase, without any heat treatment. In a CV test, oxidation and reduction peaks appear at 3.51 and 3.36 V, corresponding closely to the peaks of bulk olivine LiFePO4. Furthermore, the profiles of the charge and discharge curves are similar to those of the bulk electrode and the discharge capacity is 31.1 μAh cm -2 μm-1 in the first cycle. After 20 cycles of 10.65 and 106.5 μ-2 μm-1, the capacity is recovered to 30.7 μAh cm-2 μm-1. Aerosol deposition can potentially be used in the fabrication of all-solid-state batteries. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

An elemental sulfur and multi-walled carbon nanotube (S-MWNT) composite was synthesized by dissolving sulfur in ammonium sul?des and then precipitating on MWNT. Morphology observation by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) con?rmed that S-MWNT product was successfully prepared by incorporating sulfur into MWNT network. Without additional conducting material, the S-MWNT composite cathodes were prepared for electrochemical tests. The properties measured in discharge-charge cycling test showed that the composite had the initial discharge capacity of 1024 mAh g -1, which is about 61% sulfur utilization. However, in the subsequent cycling, the capacities faded. To determine the reason of rapid capacity drop, S-MWNT composite cathodes were compared in the cycling tests with varying three kinds of electrolytes and the cathode was subjected to physical force by rolling. The changes in the cycle performances proved that the deterioration of S-MWNT composite cathodes was not related to the electrolytes but to physical bonding that may not maintain the conducting path between sulfur and MWNT. © 2012 American Scientific Publishers.

In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. A key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process vs. those that measure flux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process); thus, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation needs to be differentiated from stimuli that result in increased autophagic activity, defined as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (in most higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the field understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field. © 2012 Landes Bioscience.

LiNi0.4Co0.3Mn0.3O2 thin film electrodes are fabricated from LiNi0.4Co0.3Mn0.3O2 raw powder at room temperature without pretreatments using aerosol deposition that is much faster and easier than conventional methods such as vaporization, pulsed laser deposition, and sputtering. The LiNi0.4Co0.3Mn0.3O2 thin film is composed of fine grains maintaining the crystal structure of the LiNi0.4Co0.3Mn0.3O2 raw powder. In the cyclic voltammogram, the LiNi0.4Co0.3Mn0.3O2 thin film electrode shows a 3.9-V anodic peak and a 3.6-V cathodic peak. The initial discharge capacity is 44.6 μAh/cm2, and reversible behavior is observed in chargedischarge profiles. Based on the results, the aerosol deposition method is believed to be a potential candidate for the fabrication of thin film electrodes. © 2012 Kim et al.

The first discharge curve of a sodium-sulfur cell using a tetra ethylene glycol dimethyl ether liquid electrolyte at room temperature shows two different regions: a sloping region and a plateau region of 1.66 V. The first discharge capacity is 538 mAh g-1 sulfur and then decreases with repeated charge-discharge cycling to give 240 mAh g-1 after ten cycles. Elemental sulfur of the cathode changes to sodium polysulfides Na 2S2 and Na2S3, during full discharge. The sodium polysulfides, however, do not reduce completely to elemental sulfur after full charging. In summary, the mechanism of the battery with liquid electrolyte is 2Na + nS → Na2Sn(4 > n ≥ 2) on discharge and Na2Sn(4 > n ≥ 2) → x(2Na + nS) + (1 - x)Na2Sn(5 > n > 2) on charge. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.

In order to investigate the role of iron additive in the Ni 3S2 electrode, the Ni3S2 electrode was prepared by addition of iron. The discharge properties of Na/Ni 3S2 cells using 1 M NaCF3SO3 in tetra(ethylene glycol)dimethyl ether liquid electrolyte were investigated at room temperature. The Na/Ni3S2 cell had an initial discharge capacity of 400 mAh g-1 with a plateau potential at 0.84 V versus Na/Na+. The discharge capacity decreased to 255 mAh g -1 after 15 cycles. Iron additive in Ni3S2 electrode played a role as a conductive agent and did not form iron sulfide during charging. © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

We investigated the first charge-discharge behavior and cycling property of Li batteries using MoS2 electrodes with multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) as a conducting agent. The MoS2 electrode was prepared using MWNT as the conducting agent. The battery gave a high first discharge capacity of 440 mAhg-1 with a plateau potential region at 1.1 V. The Li/MoS2 battery using MWNT showed a higher discharge capacity compared to acetylene black. After ten cycles of the battery using MWNT, the discharge capacity decreased to 120 mAhg-1, which corresponded to 30% of the first discharge capacity. Adding a carbon nanotube into the MoS 2 electrode improved the first discharge behavior, but did not affect the cycling property of the Li/MoS2 cell. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010.

Most mobile business processes are executed under uncertain and dynamic working environments. This makes the traditional centralized approach for the management of mobile tasks inappropriate to respond to the changes in working environment quickly as collecting the changing information from geographically distributed workforces in real time is expensive if not impossible. This raises the need of a distributed approach in the management of mobile tasks. This paper proposes a distributed architecture for team-based coordination support for mobile task management. In this architecture, tasks are managed via peer-to-peer style coordination between team members who have better understanding on the changing working environment than a centralised system. The novelty of the design of the architecture is explained by applying it to a real business process in the UK.