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In the last decade, many departments of transportation around the United States have experimented with using the A + B bidding method. In this method contractors bid on the cost (part A) and on the time (part B), and the lowest combined bidder (A + B) is awarded the project. This paper analyzes 101 projects that have been awarded using this method and compares the results to the cost and the time of similar projects that were bid using conventional methods (cost only). The conclusions from the research show that substantial savings in construction time have been achieved when using the A + B method with almost no addition in cost. This was achieved by better planning and management of motivated contractors that were using the time element as part of their bidding strategy. The paper includes details on several case studies that demonstrate these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Major Depressive Disorder(MDD) and its frequent partial response to antidepressants are a major health concern and therefore an important focus of research. Despite the efforts, MDD pathogenesis and the mechanisms of antidepressant action are only partially understood. In the last few years, the need of rethinking the classification of depressive disorders and psychiatric disorders, in general, has been suggested, in order to provide a nosology that reflects more closely the biological background associated with disease pathogenesis and its role/significance in treatment. The classification proposed by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), namely the research domain criteria (RDoC), may represent a key framework to guide research in this direction., Methods: A literature search was performed on PubMed and Google Scholar databases in order to retrieve data regarding Antidepressants effects on specific RDoC constructs. Further, the targets of drugs of interest were identified through the Drug bank database, and their possible function within RDoC constructs was discussed., Discussion: In this review, we summarize and discuss the significance of the results of pre-clinical and clinical studies investigating specific RDoC paradigms relevant to depressive phenotypes and antidepressant effects., Conclusion: The RDoC framework may facilitate a more specific use of antidepressants based on the individual's spectrum of symptoms and the development of new compounds that target specific depressive symptoms., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)