ABSTRACT
This paper aims to assess the influence of encapsulated rejuvenators on plant-produced asphalt's performance. The polymeric capsules are evaluated as cellular materials that deform and absorb energy while they experience a progressive collapse of their porous structure, rather than a simply means to release the rejuvenator. Additionally, variables during asphalt manufacturing that may affect their plastic deformation under loading are assessed too. Firstly, plant-produced asphalt's mechanical and morphological properties were evaluated, including the capsules' distribution and integrity after mixing. Then, results were contrasted with lab-produced asphalt under controlled conditions. Lastly, the capsules' deformation was qualitatively evaluated using a FE model to verify findings from the testing campaign. It was concluded that (i) cellular capsules can resist mixing at an asphalt plant without compromising their performance; (ii) the deformation of the capsules affected asphalt's stability by up to 13%, reduced the particle loss by up to 25% and increased asphalt's macrotexture by 10%; (iii) to maximize their energy absorption, the cellular capsules must be part of the aggregate skeleton.
ABSTRACT
Antithrombin is a serine protease inhibitor that exerts a crucial role in hemostasis as the main inhibitor of the coagulation cascade. It plays also critical roles in other processes, such as inflammation and cancer. Here we show that exosomes released by Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells cultured in the presence of heparin incorporate antithrombin from the serum. Exosomal antithrombin is found complexed with the serine protease high temperature requirement A1 (HTRA1), whose cellular levels are increased after serum deprival, the condition used to collect exosomes. Although the biological relevance of the presence of antithrombin in exosomes remains to be investigated, our results suggest a functional interplay between antithrombin and HTRA1.
