Developing a universal Navy uniform adoption model for use in forecasting

MBA Professional ReportThe Navy Exchange Command (NEXCOM) Uniform Program Management Office (UPMO) is responsible for providing initial sales estimates to the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) for new uniform programs, as a part of a Supply Request Package (SRP). The SRP contains a fielding plan that projects sale quantities through the Navy exchange (NEX) outlets, Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, and the Reserve Component. UPMO also provides annual revisions to DLA that reflect changes to expected sales, due to policy changes. As the item manager for most uniform programs, the DLA relies on these sales’ forecasts provided by the UPMO. In turn, the NEXCOM sources these uniforms from the DLA for commercial sales through the NEXs. This project endeavors to develop an accurate sales forecasting model for use by the NEXCOM to support SRP development. Data analysis software will be used to identify relationships between uniform sales, time, manpower, and allowance data in order to build the model. Once chosen, the best candidate model will be validated against alternate sales data from a comparable uniform program. By using this model, the NEXCOM can provide more accurate procurement estimates to DLA, thereby reducing the risk of inventory shortage or excess inventory holding costs caused by overestimation.http://archive.org/details/developinguniver1094547983Outstanding ThesisLieutenant, United States NavyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Comparison of the Immune Responses Induced by Chimeric Alphavirus-Vectored and Formalin-Inactivated Alum-Precipitated Measles Vaccines in Mice

A variety of vaccine platforms are under study for development of new vaccines for measles. Problems with past measles vaccines are incompletely understood and underscore the need to understand the types of immune responses induced by different types of vaccines. Detailed immune response evaluation is most easily performed in mice. Although mice are not susceptible to infection with wild type or vaccine strains of measles virus, they can be used for comparative evaluation of the immune responses to measles vaccines of other types. In this study we compared the immune responses in mice to a new protective alphavirus replicon particle vaccine expressing the measles virus hemagglutinin (VEE/SIN-H) with a non-protective formalin-inactivated, alum-precipitated measles vaccine (FI-MV). MV-specific IgG levels were similar, but VEE/SIN-H antibody was high avidity IgG2a with neutralizing activity while FI-MV antibody was low-avidity IgG1 without neutralizing activity. FI-MV antibody was primarily against the nucleoprotein with no priming to H. Germinal centers appeared, peaked and resolved later for FI-MV. Lymph node MV antibody-secreting cells were more numerous after FI-MV than VEE/SIN-H, but were similar in the bone marrow. VEE/SIN-H-induced T cells produced IFN-γ and IL-4 both spontaneously ex vivo and after stimulation, while FI-MV-induced T cells produced IL-4 only after stimulation. In summary, VEE/SIN-H induced a balanced T cell response and high avidity neutralizing IgG2a while FI-MV induced a type 2 T cell response, abundant plasmablasts, late germinal centers and low avidity non-neutralizing IgG1 against the nucleoprotein

The reliability and validity of novel clinical strength measures of the upper body in older adults.

Introduction: Research investigating psychometric properties of multi-joint upper body strength assessment tools for older adults is limited. This study aimed to assess the test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of novel clinical strength measures assessing functional concentric and eccentric pushing activities compared to other more traditional upper limb strength measures. Methods: Seventeen participants (6 males and 11 females; 71 ± 10 yrs) were tested 2 days apart, performing three maximal repetitions of the novel measurements: vertical push-off test and dynamometer-controlled concentric and eccentric single-arm press. Three maximal repetitions of hand-grip dynamometry and isometric hand-held dynamometry for shoulder flexion, shoulder abduction and elbow extension were also collected. Results: For all measures, strong test-retest reliability was shown (all ICC > 0.90, p 0.8, p < 0.001). Discussion: The push off test and dynamometer-controlled concentric and eccentric single-arm press are reliable and valid strength measures feasible for testing multi-joint functional UE strength assessment in older adults. Higher precision error compared to traditional uni-planar measures warrants caution when completing comparative clinical assessments over time

Developing a Universal Navy Uniform Adoption Model for Use in Forecasting

MBA Professional ReportThe Navy Exchange Command (NEXCOM) Uniform Program Management Office (UPMO) is responsible for providing initial sales estimates to the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) for new uniform programs, as a part of a Supply Request Package (SRP). The SRP contains a fielding plan that projects sale quantities through the Navy exchange (NEX) outlets, Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, and the Reserve Component. UPMO also provides annual revisions to DLA that reflect changes to expected sales, due to policy changes. As the item manager for most uniform programs, the DLA relies on these sales’ forecasts provided by the UPMO. In turn, the NEXCOM sources these uniforms from the DLA for commercial sales through the NEXs. This project endeavors to develop an accurate sales forecasting model for use by the NEXCOM to support SRP development. Data analysis software will be used to identify relationships between uniform sales, time, manpower, and allowance data in order to build the model. Once chosen, the best candidate model will be validated against alternate sales data from a comparable uniform program. By using this model, the NEXCOM can provide more accurate procurement estimates to DLA, thereby reducing the risk of inventory shortage or excess inventory holding costs caused by overestimation.http://archive.org/details/developinguniver1094547983Outstanding ThesisLieutenant, United States NavyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Needy or resilient? how women with breast cancer think about peer support

Peer support is based on the premise that sharing mutual experience provides a unique and valuable form of psychosocial support. In this approach, the connection of shared personal experience provides insight into effective ways to cope, decreases social isolation, and promotes hope and optimism for the future.1 In cancer care, peer support first emerged most strongly in breast cancer; however, despite being available across multiple delivery formats (eg, support groups, online discussion forums, and one‐to‐one services),1 less than 12% of women facing breast cancer access such services.2 To date, research has not addressed how these services might be best presented to encourage uptake of peer support. In this regard, social prototypes may have theoretical and practical utility for understanding how women with breast cancer view peer support. This construct originates from prototype matching,3 a theory of decision making that asserts a person decides to enter a social situation by comparing themselves to that prototype (ie, image of the typical person perceived to be found in that situation). Previous research has shown that perceptions of similarity with peers predicts the helpfulness of peer support programs for women with breast cancer.4 Describing common peer support prototypes after breast cancer and the extent to which women feel similar to these images may provide insight into factors that might encourage use of peer support.3 This could then be translated into how such services are presented to optimise uptake.5 Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to describe what peer support prototypes are reported by women newly diagnosed with breast cancer and to assess the extent to which women see themselves as similar to these images

A prospective and population-based inquiry on the use and acceptability of peer support for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer

The degree to which peer support is used and accepted as a supportive care approach by women with breast cancer is unclear. We examine peer support use across three major modalities (i.e. support groups, online platforms, one-on-one) and identify enablers and barriers to peer support using the beliefs framework of the theory of planned behaviour. A population-based sample of women newly diagnosed with breast cancer (n = 3105) who were on average 54.08 weeks since diagnosis completed mailed surveys at baseline measuring beliefs about peer support and intention. Peer support use was measured via telephone interview at baseline and prospectively at 12-month follow-up (n = 2780). In all, 37% of women had used at least one peer support service since diagnosis (support group = 20%, online = 18%, one-on-one = 10%). A path analysis examined what beliefs enabled or acted as barriers to peer support use at follow-up adjusting for past behaviour (i.e. baseline use), sociodemographic characteristics, and treatment. In order of relative strength, enablers included beliefs that peer support is an outlet for honest expression of feelings (β = .35), a source of empathy (β = .30), approved by doctors (β = .07), and approved by family/partner (β = .04). Barriers were beliefs that it encourages dwelling about breast cancer (β = − .06) and involves exposure to negative stories about this disease (β = − .04). Strategies which communicate the potential emotional support benefits of a shared illness experience and social approval by others, particularly the medical profession, may help to promote acceptance of peer support and encourage service uptake in breast cancer

Characteristics that predict volunteer retention and fundraising in community-based challenge events

The financial viability of many not-for-profit organisations is linked to community fundraising by volunteers. This study explored predictors of volunteer retention and fundraising performance in relay for life (RFL), an international volunteer community-based cancer fundraising event. A self-report survey completed by 1298 RFL volunteers (24% response) assessed: satisfaction with volunteering; organisational commitment; psychological sense of connection; motives; social norms; capacity to volunteer as in perceived behavioural control and barriers to volunteering; satisfaction with community; behavioural intention. Primary outcomes were return participation in RFL and funds raised. Returning volunteers reported higher perceived behavioural control and satisfaction with community. Indirect effects through age-moderated intention-to-return were higher satisfaction with volunteering; organisational commitment; psychological sense of connection; capacity to volunteer. Funds raised were higher in teams with volunteers who were older, strongly committed to the organisation and motivate to fight cancer; with low interest in social/entertainment. Strategies to nurture the volunteer-organisation relationship and enhance volunteer capabilities may be most crucial for event success and long-term viability

Kinetics of the germinal center response after immunization.

<p>Cells from popliteal draining lymph nodes harvested at various times after immunization with VEE/SIN-H, FI-MV, SRBCs (positive control) or PBS were analyzed for GC B cells by flow cytometry. Cells were stained with antibody to CD19 and PNA at day 7 (<b>A</b>) and periodically over an 80-day time course (<b>B</b>). All flow cytometry data points represent values from cells pooled from 2 mice.</p

Measles virus-specific T cell responses after immunization.

<p>IFN-γ (<b>A</b>) and IL-4–secreting cells (<b>B</b>) from the dLN were measured at day 7 after immunization with VEE/SIN-H or FI-MV. Media-only stimulation represents <i>ex vivo</i> spontaneous secretion. This value has been subtracted from the MVL stimulation values. At days 7, 14 and 21 after immunization, cells from dLNs (<b>C, D</b>) and the spleen (<b>E, F</b>) were evaluated for IFNγ and IL-4 secretion after <i>ex vivo</i> stimulation with MVL antigen in ELISpot assays. Spot-forming cells are per 5×10⁵ total cells. Assays were performed in triplicate (error bars represent S.D. of assay replicates) with cells pooled from 3 mice.</p