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Slides from a Powerpoint presentation describing a project where the goals were to: Identify ground penetrating radar (GPR) systems that can perform "rapid, non-invasive inspection of pavement layer(s)--focusing on base course"; Develop fiield methods; Identify and develop lab methods to provide material properties needed to systematically analyze GPR data into useful engineering and construction information; and Develop analytical methods to convert raw GPR data into material properties--focusing on modulus and volumetrics.

Abstract: Background: A bidirectional association between atopic dermatitis and chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been revealed in observational studies, whereas the causality of this association was unclear. We conducted a Mendelian randomization study to determine the bidirectional causal association between atopic dermatitis and CKD. Methods: Independent genetic instruments associated with atopic dermatitis and CKD at the genome-wide significance level were chosen from corresponding meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies. Summary-level data for atopic dermatitis were obtained from the EAGLE Eczema consortium (30,047 cases and 40,835 controls) and FinnGen consortium (7,024 cases and 198,740 controls). Summary-level data for CKD were derived from CKDGen consortium (64,164 cases and 625,219 controls) and FinnGen consortium (3,902 cases and 212,841 controls). The inverse-variance weighted method was used in the main analysis and supplemented with three sensitivity analyses. Results: Genetic predisposition to atopic dermatitis was associated with an increased risk of CKD. For a one-unit increase in the prevalence of atopic dermatitis, the odds ratio of CKD was 1.07 (95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.12). In the reverse Mendelian randomization analysis, the odds ratio of atopic dermatitis was 1.14 (95% confidence interval: 1.03-1.26) for a one-unit increase in the prevalence of CKD. The associations persisted in sensitivity analyses and no pleiotropy was detected. Conclusion: This Mendelian randomization study suggests a bidirectional positive association between atopic dermatitis and CKD

Constructed wetlands are extensively applied in waste water treatment and water ecosystem restoration. However, the accumulation and migration characteristics and potential ecology risks of heavy metals, particularly in a long-running large-scale constructed wetland for wastewater treatment, are still unclear. In this study, the variation of heavy metals in the sediment-plant system of a wetland that had been in operation for 14 years was quantified. Results show that the sediments of the constructed wetland were the sink for heavy metals but with apparent difference between them. Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd and Cr contents were significantly increased (P 0.05) in sediments within 0-40 cm depth and Zn and Cr have even accumulated at 40-60 cm depth. Along with the surface flow direction, heavy metal concentrations mostly showed a decline trend. In comparison, Cu and Cr transported longer distance. Bioconcentration factors show that the two common wetland plants, P australis and Typha, exhibited obvious differences in enrichment performance of heavy metals, with the orders of Zn Cr > Cd > Cu > Pb > As and Cd > Zn > Cr > Cu > As > Pb, respectively. Harvested plants above ground removed a small part of heavy metals from the wetland system, with the translocation factors less than 1, indicating a suitable condition for phytostabilization. Root zone of the wetland system effectively restricted the leaching of heavy metals. Sediment organic matter was the primary environmental factor affecting the distribution and migration of heavy metals in the wetland system. The discrepancy in the migration characteristics of pollutants, especially heavy metals, should be seriously considered in the design and management of wetland systems, including highly-enrichment plants, appropriate hydraulic residence time, and effective surficial filling medium.

This project expanded on the technology readiness of three non-destructive tools for potentially enhancing quality inspection, asset management, or forensic investigations in flexible pavements. These tools included mechanics-based models for base course, compaction monitoring system (CMS) for asphalt mixture process control, and ground penetrating radar (GPR) for asphalt mixture construction quality assessment. The mechanics-based models showed good promise for measuring density and moisture content of the base course. Results showed estimating flexible base course modulus at a controlled test site tracked reasonably with the falling weight deflectometer (FWD) with an average error of about 14 ksi or less. The mechanics-based models did not work well on non-plastic base layers. On new pavements, the FWD shows more variability than the modulus predictions from mechanics-based results. The CMS provides real-time feedback of the adequacy of breakdown roller coverage, but the concept to estimate mat density from the CMS proved quite complex. Even after development of revised model factors, the ability of the CMS to estimate density is limited. The best potential use of the CMS is likely in process control to provide continuous feedback with far more testing coverage than routine use of a density gauge. The use of GPR for measuring asphalt mixture density has a high technology readiness. Applications in both construction and forensic settings show strong potential, and this tool should be viable for some form of implementation.