Comprehensive Fire and Life Safety Analysis- MOA Public Works Building- Anchorage, Alaska

This report is a Comprehensive Fire and Life Safety Analysis addressing both prescriptive and performance based engineering analysis of the MOA Public Works building located in the Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska. The Public Works building was originally built in 1997 under the code requirements of the Uniform Building Code, as a Type II-N building. An addition was constructed in 2002 using the International Building Code (IBC), 2000 Edition. A prescriptive analysis is performed using the requisite building code and standards currently adopted by the State of Alaska, and by the Municipality of Anchorage. The currently adopted building codes and standards include the 2009 Edition of the International Building Code (IBC), the 2009 Edition of the International Fire Code (IFC), the 2010 Standard of NFPA 13, 2010, Standard for the installation of Sprinkler Systems, and the 2010 Edition of NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. The prescriptive analysis reviews the occupancy type and load, construction type, allowable area of construction per floor, the use of an atrium, fire resistance ratings for building elements, means of egress, fire protection systems including water based sprinkler system, and alarm, detection, and notification system requirements. The required safe egress time (RSET) is also determined using a calculation method outlined in the SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, and by the use of the egress model simulation software PyroSim by Thunderhead Engineering. (Pathfinder 2014). The performance based analysis addresses the ability of the occupants to egress the building within an available safe egress time (ASET) before tenable conditions are reached. Two potential fire conditions are analyzed using representative heat release rate curves as determined from full scale testing and by references. A model is created and analyzed using a computational fluid dynamics simulator program, otherwise known as FDS. (NIST 2014) The simulation results are then used to determine if untenable conditions of visibility and heat are reached. The data file for the FDS simulation was created using the graphical interface program PyroSim, by Thunderhead Engineering (PyroSim 2014). RSET values are compared to ASET values, to determine whether or not all persons can egress safely from the building during a significant fire before untenable conditions area reached. The end result of this project study is that if the fire sprinklers operate as expected, the calculated RSET value is less than the performance based ASET value, by a margin of safety. This allows enough time for all occupant to egress before untenable conditions are reached. Assuming the sprinklers do not operate as expected, the calculated RSET value is greater than or equal to the performance based ASET value. In this case the performance based objectives are not met, meaning untenable conditions are reached, and/or no safety factor exist before untenable conditions are reached. Suggestions of improving the RSET is given, along with suggestions of improving the performance based model. Appendix F provides questions and answers asked by the project reviewers during the project presentation on June 12, 2014

Behavioural ecology and communication in the Cape grysbok

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First John structure resolved : exegetical analysis, Part 2

Numerous attempts have been suggested regarding the structure of First John. The only nearly unanimous agreement amongst commentators is concerning the prologue (1:1–4) and the conclusion (5:13–21). The lack of unanimity can be frustrating for the majority of those who seek to understand the macrostructure of the First Epistle of John. Consequentially, some commentators have opined that it is impossible to determine a notable structure of First John, and the epistle is thus regarded as a relatively imprecise series of various thoughts that were composed on the basis of mere association. Many exegetes have therefore proposed suggested outlines to aid the understanding of First John as opposed to providing genuine efforts to articulate a discernable structure of the epistle. The final part of this exegetical analysis seeks to demonstrate that exegetes need not succumb to such pessimism because there does appear to be a discernable structure to First John. Providing and stating resolve concerning the First John structure is fundamental for understanding the revealed contents of the epistle.Dr Ron J. Bigalke is a research associate and was a doctoral student of Prof. Dr Jacobus (Kobus) Kok in the Department of New Testament Studies, University of Pretoria. His article represents a reworked version of aspects from the approved PhD dissertation (University of Pretoria, April 2013), with Prof. Kok as supervisor. (http://hdl.handle.net/2263/33000)http://www.hts.org.zaam201

First John structure resolved : exegetical analysis, Part 2

Numerous attempts have been suggested regarding the structure of First John. The only nearly unanimous agreement amongst commentators is concerning the prologue (1:1–4) and the conclusion (5:13–21). The lack of unanimity can be frustrating for the majority of those who seek to understand the macrostructure of the First Epistle of John. Consequentially, some commentators have opined that it is impossible to determine a notable structure of First John, and the epistle is thus regarded as a relatively imprecise series of various thoughts that were composed on the basis of mere association. Many exegetes have therefore proposed suggested outlines to aid the understanding of First John as opposed to providing genuine efforts to articulate a discernable structure of the epistle. The final part of this exegetical analysis seeks to demonstrate that exegetes need not succumb to such pessimism because there does appear to be a discernable structure to First John. Providing and stating resolve concerning the First John structure is fundamental for understanding the revealed contents of the epistle.Dr Ron J. Bigalke is a research associate and was a doctoral student of Prof. Dr Jacobus (Kobus) Kok in the Department of New Testament Studies, University of Pretoria. His article represents a reworked version of aspects from the approved PhD dissertation (University of Pretoria, April 2013), with Prof. Kok as supervisor. (http://hdl.handle.net/2263/33000)http://www.hts.org.zaam201

Base metal budgets of a small catchment in a tropical montane forest in South Ecuador

In a tropical montane rain forest in south Ecuador, the alkali and earth alkali metals Ca, Mg, K, and Na are supplied by weathering of the parent substrate consisting of phyllites and metasandstones and by atmospheric inputs. Phases of acid deposition are interrupted by alkalinization through episodic basic dust deposition. Although the biological productivity of most terrestrial ecosystems is thought to be N- and/or P-limited, there is increasing evidence that the essential plant nutrients K, Na, Mg and Ca can also limit biological functioning. We quantified biological and geochemical contributions to base metal fluxes and set up a metal budget of a ca. 9.1-ha large catchment from 1998 to 2013. The catchment is characterized by a high annual interception loss (28–50 %) and a low contribution of stem flow to throughfall. Mean total annual soil input (throughfall + stemflow + litterfall) was 13800 ± 1500 mg m-2 (Ca, mean ± SD), 19000 ± 1510 (K), 4690 ± 619 (Mg) and 846 ± 592 (Na) of which 22 ± 6 % (Ca), 45 ± 16 (K), 39 ± 10 (Mg) and 84 ± 33 (Na) were leached to soil horizons below the organic layer. The three nutrient metals Ca, K and Mg were thus to a large part retained in the biotic part of the catchment. The canopy budget of K was consistently and most pronouncedly negative. The canopy budgets of Ca and Mg were closely correlated and in most years negative, while the budget of Na was consistently positive, indicating net retention of this element in the canopy. The mineral soil retained 79–94 % of Ca, K and Mg, while Na was net released from the mineral soil. The size of mainly biologically controlled aboveground fluxes of Ca, K and Mg was 1-2 orders of magnitude larger than that of mainly geochemically controlled fluxes which are driven by sorption to soil and weathering. Annual net hydrological fluxes (bulk deposition – stream flow) were –66 ± 278 mg m-2 (Ca), 361 ± 421 (K), –188 ± 159 (Mg) and –1700 ± 587 (Na). If estimated dry deposition was included, the system accumulated 86 kg Ca ha-1 and 199 kg K ha-1, had a nearly balanced budget of Mg (+0.3 kg ha-1) and lost 56 kg of Na ha-1 in the last 15 years. The strongest driver of all budgets was the input flux into the various compartments

Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging Feature Tracking: Impact of Training on Observer Performance and Reproducibility

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT) is increasingly used for myocardial deformation assessment including ventricular strain, showing prognostic value beyond established risk markers if used in experienced centres. Little is known about the impact of appropriate training on CMR-FT performance. Consequently, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of training on observer variance using different commercially available CMR-FT software. METHODS: Intra- and inter-observer reproducibility was assessed prior to and after dedicated one-hour observer training. Employed FT software included 3 different commercially available platforms (TomTec, Medis, Circle). Left (LV) and right (RV) ventricular global longitudinal as well as LV circumferential and radial strains (GLS, GCS and GRS) were studied in 12 heart failure patients and 12 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Training improved intra- and inter-observer reproducibility. GCS and LV GLS showed the highest reproducibility before (ICC \u3e0.86 and \u3e0.81) and after training (ICC \u3e0.91 and \u3e0.92). RV GLS and GRS were more susceptible to tracking inaccuracies and reproducibility was lower. Inter-observer reproducibility was lower than intra-observer reproducibility prior to training with more pronounced improvements after training. Before training, LV strain reproducibility was lower in healthy volunteers as compared to patients with no differences after training. Whilst LV strain reproducibility was sufficient within individual software solutions inter-software comparisons revealed considerable software related variance. CONCLUSION: Observer experience is an important source of variance in CMR-FT derived strain assessment. Dedicated observer training significantly improves reproducibility with most profound benefits in states of high myocardial contractility and potential to facilitate widespread clinical implementation due to optimized robustness and diagnostic performance

Do contaminants compromise the use of recycled nutrients in organic agriculture? A review and synthesis of current knowledge on contaminant concentrations, fate in the environment and risk assessment

Use of nutrients recycled from societal waste streams in agriculture is part of the circular economy, and in line with organic farming principles. Nevertheless, diverse contaminants in waste streams create doubts among organic farmers about potential risks for soil health. Here, we gather the current knowledge on contaminant levels in waste streams and recycled nutrient sources, and discuss associated risks. For potentially toxic elements (PTEs), the input of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) from mineral feed supplements remains of concern, while concentrations of PTEs in many waste streams have decreased substantially in Europe. The same applies to organic contaminants, although new chemical groups such as flame retardants are of emerging concern and globally contamination levels differ strongly. Compared to inorganic fertilizers, application of organic fertilizers derived from human or animal feces is associated with an increased risk for environmental dissemination of antibiotic resistance. The risk depends on the quality of the organic fertilizers, which varies between geographical regions, but farmland application of sewage sludge appears to be a safe practice as shown by some studies (e.g. from Sweden). Microplastic concentrations in agricultural soils show a wide spread and our understanding of its toxicity is limited, hampering a sound risk assessment. Methods for assessing public health risks for organic contaminants must include emerging contaminants and potential interactions of multiple compounds. Evidence from long-term field experiments suggests that soils may be more resilient and capable to degrade or stabilize pollutants than often assumed. In view of the need to source nutrients for expanding areas under organic farming, we discuss inputs originating from conventional farms vs. non-agricultural (i.e. societal) inputs. Closing nutrient cycles between agriculture and society is feasible in many cases, without being compromised by contaminants, and should be enhanced, aided by improved source control, waste treatment and sound risk assessments

Impact of Right Atrial Physiology on Heart Failure and Adverse Events after Myocardial Infarction

Background: Right ventricular (RV) function is a known predictor of adverse events in heart failure and following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). While right atrial (RA) involvement is well characterized in pulmonary arterial hypertension, its relative contributions to adverse events following AMI especially in patients with heart failure and congestion need further evaluation. Methods: In this cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)-substudy of AIDA STEMI and TATORT NSTEMI, 1235 AMI patients underwent CMR after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in 15 centers across Germany (n = 795 with ST-elevation myocardial infarction and 440 with non-ST-elevation MI). Right atrial (RA) performance was evaluated using CMR myocardial feature tracking (CMR-FT) for the assessment of RA reservoir (total strain εs), conduit (passive strain εe), booster pump function (active strain εa), and associated strain rates (SR) in a blinded core-laboratory. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) 12 months post AMI. Results: RA reservoir (εs p = 0.061, SRs p = 0.049) and conduit functions (εe p = 0.006, SRe p = 0.030) were impaired in patients with MACE as opposed to RA booster pump (εa p = 0.579, SRa p = 0.118) and RA volume index (p = 0.866). RA conduit function was associated with the clinical onset of heart failure and MACE independently of RV systolic function and atrial fibrillation (AF) (multivariable analysis hazard ratio 0.95, 95% confidence interval 0.92 to 0.99, p = 0.009), while RV systolic function and AF were not independent prognosticators. Furthermore, RA conduit strain identified low- and high-risk groups within patients with reduced RV systolic function (p = 0.019 on log rank testing). Conclusions: RA impairment is a distinct feature and independent risk factor in patients following AMI and can be easily assessed using CMR-FT-derived quantification of RA strain