Evaluation of the ground contamination environment for STS payloads

The cleanliness and contamination control requirements for the shuttle program are reviewed. The objectives of the facility verification program are discussed

Spacecraft contamination experience

Effective contamination control must encompass all aspects of ground and flight from design of the system through the end of mission life. Design systems are needed to minimize sensitivity to contamination, ease of cleaning, and contaminant production. Facilities and procedures are critical to maintaining cleanliness during ground operations. Flight operations should be planned so as to minimize contamination. More data from flights are required to assess the adequacy of designs and operations. Standards and specifications should include contamination control requirements

The nature of multiple procurement rules and the policy issues arising from multiplicity of rules: a case study of Ghana

Many African countries such as Ghana have adopted rules and procedures that regulate the conduct of public procurement. These developing countries usually rely on foreign aid, which is disbursed through public procurement, to undertake major development projects. However, unreliable domestic systems contribute to the motivation of donors who usually require beneficiary countries to apply procurement rules and procedures set out by the donor for the implementation of development projects funded by the donor. Different rules of donors are applicable to procurement in addition to existing rules under the domestic regime, which results in the application of multiple procurement rules. Adopting a doctrinal approach, this thesis examines the issues of multiple procurement regimes using Ghana as a case study. It seeks to analyse the manner of interaction between the rules of the different regimes and to identify and elaborate the policy issues arising from the application and interaction of the different sets of rules. The thesis concludes that policies of the multiple procurement rules are almost the same but rather expressed in different terminologies. However, implementation of the multiple rules may have negative implications not only for the achievement of domestic policies such as value for money and simplification of procedures, but also for policies of the development partners that seek to promote domestic development on issues such as corruption and local capacity development. Particularly, the significant complexity created in the system, may work against other policies on domestic developmen

The Mini-Cog as a Screen for Dementia: Validation in a Population-Based Sample

To test the Mini-Cog, a brief cognitive screening test, in an epidemiological study of dementia in older Americans. Design : A population-based post hoc examination of the sensitivity and specificity of the Mini-Cog for detecting dementia in an existing data set. Setting : The Monongahela Valley in Western Pennsylvania. Participants : A random sample of 1,119 older adults enrolled in the Monongahela Valley Independent Elders Survey (MoVIES). Measurements : The effectiveness of the Mini-Cog in detecting independently diagnosed dementia was compared with that of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and a standardized neuropsychological battery. Results : The Mini-Cog, scored by an algorithm as “possibly impaired” or “probably normal,” and the MMSE, at a cutpoint of 25, had similar sensitivity (76% vs 79%) and specificity (89% vs 88%) for dementia, comparable with that achieved using a conventional neuropsychological battery (75% sensitivity, 90% specificity). Conclusion : When applied post hoc to an existing population, the Mini-Cog was as effective in detecting dementia as longer screening and assessment instruments. Its brevity is a distinct advantage when the goal is to improve identification of older adults in a population who may be cognitively impaired. Prior evidence of good performance in a multiethnic community-based sample further supports its validity in the ethnolinguistically diverse populations of the United States in which widely used cognitive screens often fail.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/65703/1/j.1532-5415.2003.51465.x.pd

The nature of multiple procurement rules and the policy issues arising from multiplicity of rules: a case study of Ghana

Many African countries such as Ghana have adopted rules and procedures that regulate the conduct of public procurement. These developing countries usually rely on foreign aid, which is disbursed through public procurement, to undertake major development projects. However, unreliable domestic systems contribute to the motivation of donors who usually require beneficiary countries to apply procurement rules and procedures set out by the donor for the implementation of development projects funded by the donor. Different rules of donors are applicable to procurement in addition to existing rules under the domestic regime, which results in the application of multiple procurement rules. Adopting a doctrinal approach, this thesis examines the issues of multiple procurement regimes using Ghana as a case study. It seeks to analyse the manner of interaction between the rules of the different regimes and to identify and elaborate the policy issues arising from the application and interaction of the different sets of rules. The thesis concludes that policies of the multiple procurement rules are almost the same but rather expressed in different terminologies. However, implementation of the multiple rules may have negative implications not only for the achievement of domestic policies such as value for money and simplification of procedures, but also for policies of the development partners that seek to promote domestic development on issues such as corruption and local capacity development. Particularly, the significant complexity created in the system, may work against other policies on domestic developmen

Survivors of Aortic Dissection: Activity, Mental Health, and Sexual Function

BackgroundCurrently no research exists assessing lifestyle modifications and emotional state of acute aortic dissection (AAD) survivors. We sought to assess activity, mental health, and sexual function in AAD survivors.HypothesisPhysical and sexual activity will decrease in AAD survivors compared to pre‐dissection. Incidence of anxiety and depression will be significant after AAD.MethodsA cross sectional survey was mailed to 197 subjects from a single academic medical center (part of larger IRAD database). Subjects were ≥18 years of age surviving a type A or B AAD between 1996 and 2011. 82 surveys were returned (overall response rate 42%).ResultsMean age ± SD was 59.5 ± 13.7 years, with 54.9% type A and 43.9% type B patients. Walking remained the most prevalent form of physical activity (49 (60%) pre‐dissection and 47 (57%) post‐dissection). Physical inactivity increased from 14 (17%) before AAD to 20 (24%) after AAD; sexual activity decreased from 31 (38%) to 9 (11%) mostly due to fear. Most patients (66.7%) were not exerting themselves physically or emotionally at AAD onset. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) at 36 months post‐discharge for patients engaging in ≥2 sessions of aerobic activity/week was 126.67 ± 10.30 vs. 141.10 ± 11.87 (p‐value 0.012) in those who did not. Self‐reported new‐onset depression after AAD was 32% and also 32% for new‐onset anxiety.ConclusionsAlterations in lifestyle and emotional state are frequent in AAD survivors. Clinicians should screen for unfounded fears or beliefs after dissection that may reduce function and/or quality of life for AAD survivors.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/116073/1/clc22418_am.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/116073/2/clc22418.pd