Hierarchical Risk Communication Management Framework for Construction Projects

Risk, as an effect of uncertainty, is associated with every human activity. Like any other industry, construction companies are eager to reduce the uncertainty of reluctant events. A well-planned risk communication system could contribute to the success of a construction project. A proper announcement protocol could be a mitigating lever for identified or unidentified risks during planning and monitoring processes. This research aims to present a risk communication management system (RCMS) for construction companies involved in large projects. The proposed model includes a step-by-step communication procedure considering the authority level within the organisational hierarchical structure. The model aims to remove the ambiguity of risk communications during the construction process under uncertain conditions. It leaves no or little room for the emergence of unplanned risks. The proposed communication structure has been implemented in GRC cladding construction projects, and the risk communication time and response have been significantly improved

The Effects of Disinfectants on Dimensional Accuracy and Surface Quality of Impression Materials and Gypsum Casts

Abstract Background: The study aimed to evaluating the effect of disinfecting impression materials on the dimensional accuracy and surface quality of the resulting casts

Multiple Myeloma Baseline Immunoglobulin G Level and Pneumococcal Vaccination Antibody Response

Infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in multiple myeloma (MM), a cancer of the immune system. Vaccination clinical efficacy endpoints have not been demonstrated, and there are limited data on surrogate markers of efficacy. This pilot study evaluated sequential immunologic markers after standard pneumococcal vaccination (PV) in patients with MM and non-MM controls. Vaccination was standard for PV (PCV13 or PPV23), with laboratory testing at baseline and at 2, 4, 12 and 24 weeks after vaccination. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to pneumococcal antigens were detected by ELISA. Prevaccination total IgG levels and IgG subclass levels were also measured by ELISA. Four of 6 controls responded with at least a 2-fold increase in antibody concentration; only 2 controls had a sustained increase in concentration. Six of 8 patients with MM had at least a 2-fold antibody increase; however, only 2 of these patients showed a sustained increase of antipneumococcal antibody. Response rate differences were not statistically significant in this small pilot, and there was no relationship between responsiveness to PV and initial serum total IgG levels or IgG subclasses at study entry. Future prospective studies are needed to ascertain the immunological and clinical efficacy and effectiveness of various vaccines and vaccination strategies in MM

Systematic review protocol for assessing central auditory functions of Alzheimer\u27s disease and its preclinical stages

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ. Introduction A number of studies have reported an association between peripheral hearing impairment, central auditory processing and Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD) and its preclinical stages. Both peripheral hearing impairment and central auditory processing disorders are observed many years prior to the clinical manifestation of AD symptoms, hence, providing a long window of opportunity to investigate potential interventions against neurodegenerative processes. This paper outlines the protocol for a systematic review of studies examining the central auditory processing functions in AD and its preclinical stages, investigated through behavioural (clinical assessments that require active participation) central auditory processing tests. Methods and analysis We will use the keywords and Medical Subject Heading terms to search the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, PsychINFO, PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE and CINAHL Plus. Studies including assessments of central auditory function in adults diagnosed with dementia, AD and its preclinical stages that were published before 8 May 2019 will be reviewed. This review protocol will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols guidelines. Data analysis and search results will be reported in the full review. This manuscript has designed the protocols for a systematic review that will identify the behavioural clinical central auditory processing measures that are sensitive to the changes in auditory function in adults with AD and its preclinical stages. Such assessments may subsequently help to design studies to examine the potential impact of hearing and communication rehabilitation of individuals at risk of AD. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval is not required as this manuscript only reports the protocols for conducting a systematic review as primary data will only be reviewed and not be collected. The results of this systematic review will be disseminated through publication and in scientific conferences. PROSPERO registration number CRD42017078272

An Analysis of Pedestrian Waiting Time at Uncontrolled Crosswalks Using Discrete Choice Model

A study of pedestrians crossing behavior is conducted at an uncontrolled mid-block crosswalk in Istanbul Turkey, to model the pedestrians waiting time, related to their behavior for making the crossing decision. This article focused on the issues encountered in the modeling of the operational behavior of pedestrians. The discrete choice framework is used because of its capacity to deal with individuals’ choice behavior. Pedestrians waiting time is classified into three levels, including low, medium, and high levels based on the level of service of pedestrians waiting time. The pedestrians’ behavior prediction has been improved by analyzing, taking into account three levels for pedestrian behavior

Completion of the Brightness upgrade of the ALS

The Advanced Light Source (ALS) at Berkeley Lab remains one of the brightest sources for soft x-rays worldwide. A multiyear upgrade of the ALS is underway, which includes new and replacement x-ray beamlines, a replacement of many of the original insertion devices and many upgrades to the accelerator. The accelerator upgrade that affects the ALS performance most directly is the ALS brightness upgrade [1], which reduces the horizontal emittance from 6.3 to 2.0 nm (2.5 nm effective). Magnets for this upgrade were installed in late 2012 and early 2013 followed by user operation with the reduced emittance

In-Hospital Mortality Trends After Surgery for Traumatic Thoracolumbar Injury: A National Inpatient Sample Database Study

INTRODUCTION: Given the increasing incidence of traumatic thoracolumbar injuries in recent years, studies have sought to investigate potential risk factors for outcomes in these patients. RESEARCH QUESTION: The aim of this study was to investigate trends and risk factors for in-hospital mortality after fusion for traumatic thoracolumbar injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing thoracolumbar fusion after traumatic injury were queried from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2012 to 2017. Analysis was performed to identify risk factors for inpatient mortality after surgery. RESULTS: Patients in 2017 were on average older (51.0 vs. 48.5, P = 0.004), had more admitting diagnoses (15.5 vs. 10.7, p \u3c 0.001), were less likely to be White (75.8% vs. 81.2%, p = 0.006), were from a ZIP code with a higher median income quartile (Quartile 1: 31.4% vs. 28.6%, p = 0.011), and were more likely to have Medicare as a primary payer (22.9% vs. 30.1%, p \u3c 0.001). Bivariate analysis of demographics and surgical characteristics demonstrated that patients in the in-hospital mortality group (n = 90) were older (70.2 vs. 49.6, p \u3c 0.001), more likely to be male (74.4% vs. 62.8%, p = 0.031), had a great number of admitted diagnoses (21.3 vs. 12.7, p \u3c 0.001), and were more likely to be insured by Medicare (70.0% vs. 27.0%, p \u3c 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis found age (OR 1.06, p \u3c 0.001) and Black race (OR 3.71, p = 0.007) were independently associated with in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: Our study of nationwide, traumatic thoracolumbar fusion procedures from 2012 to 2017 in the NIS database found older, black patients were at increased risk for in-hospital mortality after surgery