Innovative test method for the reliable evaluation of joint sealants in concrete pavements

Joint sealants as indispensable filling systems in jointed plain concrete pavements (JPCP) are permanently exposed to various stresses during their service life, which often leads to a replacement of the sealing after approx. 7 to 10 years. Aside from seasonal unsteady climatic changes, the cyclical stresses caused by traffic and the ageing of joint sealants are especially significant. Considering the rising number of damages that occur within the overall "joint" system, an increased demand for a durable solution is requested as it is a relevant element for the life cycle costs of concrete pavements. In this context, a testing and ageing method was developed which comprises of the entire "joint" system, including the saw-cut concrete joint flanks, the primer as well as the joint sealant. This procedure depicts the decisive scenarios of in-situ stresses and allows the characterization of joint sealants. For this purpose, specimens were subjected to horizontal and vertical loads (static/cyclic) as well as to various ageing effects (temperature conditioning, UV-conditioning and freeze-thaw-cycles). After conditioning, a significant influence of the artificial ageing on the residual strength was observed in the tensile/shear tests. By comparing the artificially aged samples tested in the laboratory with extracted and in-situ aged samples, a reliable correlation was determined. Considering these system tests an initial approach was established which enables the evaluation of joint sealants in both unaged and artificially aged conditions on the basis of scientific parameters and limits.

Variability of sleep bruxism—findings from consecutive nights of monitoring

Objectives To determine sleep bruxism (SB) behavior during five consecutive nights and to identify correlations between SB episodes per hour (SB index) and sleep-time masseter-muscle activity (sMMA). Material and methods Thirty-one participants were included in the study. Of these, 10 were classified as sleep bruxers (group SB-1) and nine as non-sleep bruxers (group non-SB). The bruxism status of these 19 patients was identified by means of questionnaires, an assessment of clinical symptoms, and electromyographic/electrocardiographic data (Bruxoff® device). The remaining 12 participants were also identified as bruxers, but based exclusively on data from the Bruxoff device (group SB-2). Data analysis included descriptive statistics and Spearman’s correlation to assess the relationship between the SB index and sMMA. Results Participants in group SB-1 showed an overall mean SB index of 3.1 ± 1.6 and a mean total sMMA per night of 62.9 ± 38.3. Participants in group SB-2 had an overall mean SB index of 2.7 ± 1.5 and a mean total sMMA of 56.0 ± 29.3. In the non-SB group, participants showed an overall mean SB index of 0.8 ± 0.5 and a mean total sMMA of 56.8 ± 30.3. Spearman’s correlation yielded values of − 0.27 to 0.71 for the correlation between sMMA and SB index. Conclusions The data revealed variable SB activity and the absence of a reliable correlation between sMMA and the SB index. Clinical relevance The high variation in SB activity and lack of correlation between sMMA and the SB index should be considered when diagnosing SB. Trial registration Clinical Trials [NIH], clinical trial no. NCT03039985.

Link of cognitive functions from special training of qualified boxers

Purpose: to establish links of cognitive functions from special training of qualified boxers. Material and methods. Preceding victorious methods have been used: analysis of scientific-methodical information and dzherel to the Internet; chronodynamometry; psychophysiological methods of education; methods of mathematical statistics. There were 26 qualified boxers in bulo, 18-24 years old. According to the index of creatine phosphate preceding of all boxers, there were two different groups. The first group with a high level of performance (from 200 and above conventional units) and a group with a low level of special performance (below 200 conventional units). Before the first group, 12 individuals were consumed, before the other – 14 athletes. Results: on the basis of the analysis of scientific-methodical information, the Internet connection and communication of the advanced practical information in the field of sports was established, and the structure of sports martial arts, and especially boxing, is characterized by the call of synchronization between the two sportsmen and the conversion For an effective reception of information, analysis and acceptance of the solution of a similar response to the supernatural, it is necessary to activate cognitive functions, such as: verbal and non-verbal intelligence and memory. A correlation analysis was carried out for the development of the peculiarities of the links in the special prasezdatnost and the cognitive characteristics. Conclusions. The results of a correlation analysis between special training and indicators of the cognitive test «Establishing Regularities» allowed for the emergence of reliable links among boxers because of the high level of precision of special performance indicators and efficiency. Boxers due to the decrease in the level of special praise rate help to achieve a reliable correlation without being an indicator of productivity. An analysis of the results in the field of special training and indicators of the cognitive test «Correspondence of numbers» has shown the prevalence of correlation in boxers due to the high level of special training. Boxers due to the decrease in the level of special performance help to promote the appearance of reliable links due to the indicators of efficiency, latency and stability. Carrying out a correlation analysis between special training and indicators of the cognitive test «Memory for words» has shown in the absence of one basic connection between special training and performance indicators among boxers due to low reduction. Boxers from the highest level of special prazdatnosty reliable correlation links in the tests are not possible. Keywords: boxing, cognitive functions, special performance, qualified athletes, correlation analysis.

Is It Possible to Establish a Reliable Correlation between Maximum Standardized Uptake Value of 18-Fluorine Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography and Histological Types of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer? Analysis of the Italian VATS Group Database

Background. Although positron emission tomography/computed tomography, often integrated with 2-deoxy-2-[fluorine-18] fluorine-D-glucose (18F-FDG-PET/CT), is fundamental in the assessment of lung cancer, the relationship between metabolic avidity of different histotypes and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) has not yet been thoroughly investigated. The aim of the study is to establish a reliable correlation between Suvmax and histology in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), in order to facilitate patient management. Methods. We retrospectively assessed the data about lung cancer patients entered in the Italian Registry of VATS Group from January 2014 to October 2019, after establishing the eligibility criteria of the study. In total, 8139 patients undergoing VATS lobectomy were enrolled: 3260 females and 4879 males. The relationship between SUVmax and tumor size was also analyzed. Results. The mean values of SUVmax in the most frequent types of lung cancer were as follows: a) 4.88 ± 3.82 for preinvasive adenocarcinoma; b) 5.49 ± 4.10 for minimally invasive adenocarcinoma; c) 5.87 ± 4.18 for invasive adenocarcinoma; and d) 8.85 ± 6.70 for squamous cell carcinoma. Processing these data, we displayed a statistically difference (p < 0.000001) of FDG avidity between adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Moreover, by classifying patients into five groups based on tumor diameter and after evaluating the SUVmax value for each group, we noted a statistical correlation (p < 0.000001) between size and FDG uptake, also confirmed by the post hoc analysis. Conclusions. There is a correlation between SUVmax, histopathology outcomes and tumor size in NSCLC. Further clinical trials should be performed in order to confirm our data.

Correlation between Sphenoclivus angle and Gnathic angle with age and gender in Iranian population using CT-Scan

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess whether is a reliable correlation between the cranial and gnathic angulations in the Iranian population. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 140 patients of Tehran University of Medical Sciences hospitals (70 males and 70 females with an age range of 18-60 years) were selected. Sphenoclivus (cranial base) and gnathic angles were calculated for each case. Then, the data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. Results: Statistical analysis showed a relationship between gnathic angle and female (P < 0.05), but no positive relationship was seen between sphenoclivus angle and gender. There was a significant relationship between sphenoclivus angle and age among men. No significant relationship was found between the gnathic and sphenoclivus angles. Conclusion: Sphenoclivus angle has the closest link with age in males. The gnathic angle has also a positive relationship with females. Our findings suggest an independent growth pattern between the sphenoclivus angle and the gnathic angle.

Indicators of Intratissue Pressure in the Carpal Tunnel in Fractures of the Distal Radius

Summary. According to the literature, the pathogenesis of the secondary carpal tunnel syndrome in distal radius fractures remains poorly studied; local post-traumatic compartment syndrome is one of the possible mechanisms of its development. Objective: to study the indicators of subfascial pressure in the carpal tunnel in fractures of the distal radius in the acute period of injury and their relationship with the severity of the fracture, skialogic indicators of displacement, the severity of pain syndrome, the patient's age, and time since the injury. Materials and Methods. The study included 24 patients with acute fractures aged 48.4±19.0 years, among them 8 males and 16 females. The time from the moment of injury to the measurement of pressure with the “Stryker monitor pressure system” device was 10.5±9.8 hours; the indicators were correlated with pain syndrome according to the VAS scale, skialogic indicators of distal epimetaphysis deformity, and the severity of fractures according to the classification of fractures of the Association of Osteosynthesis (AO). By interviewing patients in a long-term period, the complaints which are a characteristic of lesions of the median nerve at the level of the carpal canal were determined. Results. In distal radius fractures in the acute period of injury, the level of subfascial pressure is on average 26.5±12.3 mm Hg; however, more than a third of patients (37.5%) reach critical values, 30 mm Hg and more, which can lead to ischemic damage to the soft tissues of the hand, including the median nerve. A moderate reliable relationship between the subfascial pressure parameters in the carpal canal and the severity of the fracture according to the AO classification, the level of pain syndrome according to the VAS scale, the age of patients, and a weak probable relationship with the period after injury, the degree of relative shortening of the radius, indicators of intra-articular displacement and loss of ulnar inclination of the distal epimetaphysis were determined. No significant and reliable correlation between the indicators of intra-tissue pressure in the carpal tunnel and the angle of the palmar inclination of the articular facet in distal epimetaphysis of the radial bone fractures was found. None of the examined patients developed carpal tunnel syndrome, so there is no direct correlation between increased subfascial carpal tunnel pressure in the acute period after the injury and the incidence of median nerve compression neuropathy. Conclusions. A moderate reliable relationship between the subfascial pressure parameters in the carpal canal and the severity of the fracture according to the AO classification, the level of pain syndrome according to the VAS scale, and the age of the patients, as well as a weak reliable correlation with the post-injury period, the degree of post-traumatic deformity of distal epimetaphysis of the radial bone in the form of its relative shortening and loss of inclination, and indicators of intra-articular displacement were determined. In this study, no correlation was found between increased subfascial pressure in the carpal canal in the acute period after trauma and the occurrence of compression neuropathy of the median nerve.

INFLUENCE OF MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF GULLIES ON THE RATE OF THEIR GROWTH IN THE TERRITORY OF UDMURTIA

The results of the correlation analysis of the influence of the width and depth of the head ledge of gullies on the rate of their annual growth in the territory of the Udmurt Republic are presented. The data were obtained on the basis of monitoring 168 heads of various types of gullies for the period from 1998 to 2020, located in different landscape and geomorphological conditions of the republic. The table shows statistical data of morphometric indicators for 5 types of gullies. The graphs show the variations in the average annual values of the depth of the head ledge of all ravines and their width over the period under review. A gradual decrease in the depth of the head ledges and a general positive trend in their width have been established, which is particularly evident in the last 5 years of observations. The correlation analysis showed that there is a fairly reliable correlation between the average depth and the average rate of linear growth of gullies (r=0,570). The greatest relationship with the analyzed indicator is characteristic of the linear growth of bottom gullies (r=0,752), while the second place was taken by the vertex gullies (r=0,688). A fairly close relationship with the depth of the head ledge was also found in the near-valley gullies (r=0,674). When analyzing the average annual growth rates of all gullies from the average width of their heads, a weak relationship was found (r=0,389). At the same time, a reliable significant relationship was found only for the head ravines (r=0,582). A reliable moderate relationship was established for the near-watershed gullies (r=0,485) and a weak positive relationship was found for the bottom gullies (r=0,335). In both cases, the connection was not found only with the gulch ravines. The considered dependences were also calculated for 6 groups of ravines that erode various lithological complexes of sediments.

OF THE LONGEST BACK MUSCLE OF KEMEROVO PIGS AND THEIR CROSSBREEDS WITH COMMERCIAL BREEDS

The results of the assessment of the amino acid profile of the longest muscle of the back of the Kemerovo breed of pigs and its two-breed and three-breed crosses with commercial breeds are presented. The largest amount of amino acids is found in the meat of purebred animals in comparison with two- and threebreed animals. In terms of the content of such amino acids as phenylalanine, aspartic acid, serine, glutamic acid, purebred animals significantly exceeded hybrids. It was shown that the studied groups of animals for all amino acids exceeded the FAO reference values, with the exception of lysine. The influence of gender on the amino acid composition of meat in purebred animals was revealed, since boars significantly exceeded pigs in 8 amino acids out of 17 studied. Reliable correlation coefficients were established between the content of a number of amino acids in meat samples, which coincide in all groups of pigs.

Phylostratigraphic analysis of gene networks of human diseases

Phylostratigraphic analysis is an approach to the study of gene evolution that makes it possible to determine the time of the origin of genes by analyzing their orthologous groups. The age of a gene belonging to an orthologous group is def ined as the age of the most recent ancestor of all species represented in that group. Such an analysis can reveal important stages in the evolution of both the organism as a whole and groups of functionally related genes, in particular gene networks. In addition to investigating the time of origin of a gene, the level of its genetic variability and what type of selection the gene is subject to in relation to the most closely related organisms is studied. Using the Orthoscape application, gene networks from the KEGG Pathway, Human Diseases database describing various human diseases were analyzed. It was shown that the majority of genes described in gene networks are under stabilizing selection and a high reliable correlation was found between the time of gene origin and the level of genetic variability: the younger the gene, the higher the level of its variability is. It was also shown that among the gene networks analyzed, the highest proportion of evolutionarily young genes was found in the networks associated with diseases of the immune system (65 %), and the highest proportion of evolutionarily ancient genes was found in the networks responsible for the formation of human dependence on substances that cause addiction to chemical compounds (88 %); gene networks responsible for the development of infectious diseases caused by parasites are signif icantly enriched for evolutionarily young genes, and gene networks responsible for the development of specif ic types of cancer are signif icantly enriched for evolutionarily ancient genes.

Individual differences in proprioception predict the extent of implicit sensorimotor adaptation

Recent studies have revealed an upper bound in motor adaptation, beyond which other learning systems may be recruited. The factors determining this upper bound are poorly understood. The multisensory integration hypothesis states that this limit arises from opposing responses to visual and proprioceptive feedback. As individuals adapt to a visual perturbation, they experience an increasing proprioceptive error in the opposite direction, and the upper bound is the point where these two error signals reach an equilibrium. Assuming that visual and proprioceptive feedback are weighted according to their variability, there should be a correlation between proprioceptive variability and the limits of adaptation. Alternatively, the proprioceptive realignment hypothesis states that the upper bound arises when the (visually biased) sensed hand position realigns with the expected sensed position (target). When a visuo-proprioceptive discrepancy is introduced, the sensed hand position is biased towards the visual cursor, and the adaptive system counteracts this discrepancy by driving the hand away from the target. This hypothesis predicts a correlation between the size of the proprioceptive shift and the upper bound of adaptation. We tested these two hypotheses by considering natural variation in proprioception and motor adaptation across individuals. We observed a modest, yet reliable correlation between the upper bound of adaptation with both proprioceptive measures (variability and shift). While these results do not favor one hypothesis over the other, they underscore the critical role of proprioception in sensorimotor adaptation, and moreover, motivate a novel perspective on how these proprioceptive constraints drive implicit changes in motor behavior.