Modernizing a Preventive Maintenance Strategy for Facility and Infrastructure Maintenance

Preventive maintenance (PM) is defined as regularly scheduled maintenance actions based on average failure rates. A properly implemented PM strategy can provide many benefits to an organization in terms of extending equipment life, optimizing resource expenditures, and balancing work schedules. Periodic evaluation of a PM strategy can help identify ways to improve efficiencies and maximize effectiveness. This research effort was accomplished by performing a case study of the United States Air Force’s infrastructure and facility PM program known as the Recurring Work Program (RWP). The methodology consisted of two phases. The first phase, intended to develop an understanding of the gap between the current program and what it needs to become, consisted of two segments: data collection and a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis. Data was collected during 25 interviews with a wide variety of Air Force members highly experienced with the RWP. Using the interview data, the SWOT analysis compared the state of the current program to relevant maintenance management theory and best practices from industry; this analysis resulted in the identification of one strength, six weaknesses, eight opportunities, and seven threats to the RWP. The second phase of the methodology consisted of developing a model to bridge the gap between the current RWP and what it needs to become. It resulted in eight Focus Areas (FAs) that were based on the findings from the SWOT analysis; each FA represents a unique theme of practical recommendations for improving the program. As a result of this research, maintenance managers have a practical tool to help evaluate and modernize their facilities and infrastructure PM strategy. Additionally, the Air Force has a model for modernizing its RWP

MMP-28 as a regulator of myelination

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Matrix metalloproteinase-28 (MMP-28) is a poorly understood member of the matrix metalloproteinase family. Metalloproteinases are important mediators in the development of the nervous system and can contribute to the maturation of the neural micro-environment.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>MMP-28 added to myelinating rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) co-cultures reduces myelination and two antibodies targeted to MMP-28 (pAb180 and pAb183) are capable of binding MMP-28 and inhibiting its activity in a dose-dependent manner. Addition of 30 nM pAb180 or pAb183 to rat DRG cultures resulted in the 2.6 and 4.8 fold enhancement of myelination respectively while addition of MMP-28 to DRG co-cultures resulted in enhanced MAPK, ErbB2 and ErbB3 phosphorylation. MMP-28 protein expression was increased within demyelinated lesions of mouse experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE) and human multiple sclerosis lesions compared to surrounding normal tissue.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>MMP-28 is upregulated in conditions of demyelination in vivo, induces signaling in vitro consistent with myelination inhibition and, neutralization of MMP-28 activity can enhance myelination in vitro. These results suggest inhibition of MMP-28 may be beneficial under conditions of dysmyelination.</p