An Analysis of the Impact of Variation in Mean Time between Demand on Air Force Fleet Level Aircraft Parts Inventories

This thesis researched the accuracy of demand forecasting and impact of demand variation on requirements definition for Air Force aircraft secondary items. Specifically, this thesis sought to answer three questions: How does the Air Force calculate item requirements? , How accurate is the current system at predicting future item requirements? , and How do variations in predicted demand change item requirements? The literature review described the Air Force supply system for aircraft secondary items. Analysis into current demand forecast accuracy found that the level of error between actual and predicted historic demand was as high as 92% for the items studied. Furthermore, this analysis identified a flaw in the calculation used by supply specialists to measure demand forecast accuracy. Research found that demand rates are the most influential factor in computing item requirements. A 50% change in TOIMDR resulted in a Total Gross Requirement change of 33%. A 25% increase or decrease in TOIMDR created a 16% respective change in Total Gross Requirement. This thesis concluded by providing recommendations for effective accuracy measures and future research topics to improve item requirement forecasting

Five year prognosis in patients with angina identified in primary care : incident cohort study

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Induction of human immunodeficiency virus type 1-specific T cells by a bluetongue virus tubule-vectored vaccine prime-recombinant modified virus Ankara boost regimen.

In the absence of strategies for reliable induction of antibodies broadly neutralizing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), vaccine efforts have shifted toward the induction of cell-mediated immunity. Here we describe the construction and immunogenicity of novel T-cell vaccine NS1.HIVA, which delivers the HIV-1 clade A consensus-derived immunogen HIVA on the surface of tubular structures spontaneously formed by protein NS1 of bluetongue virus. We demonstrated that NS1 tubules can accommodate a protein as large as 527 amino acids without losing their self-assembly capability. When injected into BALB/c mice by several routes, chimeric NS1.HIVA tubules induced HIV-1-specific major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted T cells. These could be boosted by modified virus Ankara expressing the same immunogen and generate a memory capable of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) production, proliferation, and lysis of sensitized target cells. Induced memory T cells readily produced IFN-gamma 230 days postimmunization, and upon a surrogate virus challenge, NS1.HIVA vaccine alone decreased the vaccinia virus vv.HIVA load in ovaries by 2 orders of magnitude 280 days after immunization. Thus, because of its T-cell immunogenicity and antigenic simplicity, the NS1 delivery system could serve as a priming agent for heterologous prime-boost vaccination regimens. Its usefulness in primates, including humans, remains to be determined

Nephron-sparing surgery for Wilms tumor

The algorithm that has been used successfully in the surgical management of unilateral Wilms tumor, radical nephroureterectomy, cannot be used in children who present with synchronous bilateral renal masses. Instead, a surgical approach that removes all tumor masses while preserving as much normal renal parenchyma as possible is encouraged to avoid acute and long-term renal insufficiency. We will review technical aspects of the conduct of nephron-sparing surgery for synchronous bilateral Wilms tumor, including the more recent advances in the use of imaging adjuncts such as pre-operative 3D imaging and fluorescence-guided surgery. The potential role of nephron-sparing surgery for unilateral Wilms tumor will also be discussed

Dose-response modelling of resistance exercise across outcome domains in strength and conditioning: a meta-analysis.

Resistance exercise is the most common training modality included within strength and conditioning (S&C) practice. Understanding dose-response relationships between resistance training and a range of outcomes relevant to physical and sporting performance is of primary importance for quality S&C prescription. The aim of this meta-analysis was to use contemporary modelling techniques to investigate resistance-only and resistance-dominant training interventions, and explore relationships between training variables (frequency, volume, intensity), participant characteristics (training status, sex) and improvements across a range of outcome domains including maximum strength, power, vertical jump, change of direction, and sprinting performance. Data were obtained from a database of training studies conducted between 1962-2018, which comprised healthy trained or untrained adults engaged in resistance-only or resistance-dominant interventions. Studies were not required to include a control group. Standardized mean difference effect sizes were calculated and interventions categorized according to a range of training variables describing frequency (number of sessions per week), volume (number of sets and repetitions performed), overall intensity (intensity of effort and load, categorised as low, medium, or high), and intensity of load (represented as % 1RM prescribed). Contemporary modelling techniques including Bayesian mixed effects meta-analytic models were fitted to investigate linear and non-linear dose-responses with models compared based on predictive accuracy. Data from a total of 295 studies comprising 535 groups and 6710 participants were included with analyses conducted on time points ≤26 weeks. The best performing model included: duration from baseline, average number of sets, and the main and interaction effects between outcome domain and intensity of load (%1RM) expressed non-linearly. Model performance was not improved by the inclusion of participant training status or sex. The current meta-analysis represents the most comprehensive investigation of dose-response relationships across a range of outcome domains commonly targeted within strength and conditioning to date. Results demonstrate the magnitude of improvements are predominantly influenced by training intensity of load and the outcome measured. When considering the effects of intensity as a %1RM, profiles differ across outcome domains with maximum strength likely to be maximised with the heaviest loads, vertical jump performance likely to be maximised with relatively light loads (~30%1RM), and power likely to be maximised with low to moderate loads (40-70% 1RM)

Evaluation of fishing gears modified to reduce ecological impacts in commercial fisheries

To sustainably and responsibly harvest commercial aquatic species in the world’s fisheries, consideration must be given towards the negative physical and biological effects that fishing gears place on marine ecosystems. Fish habitat degradation, bycatch of undersized and non-target species, carbon footprint, reductions in biodiversity and biomass are just some of the negative impacts of fishing gears. One novel method to reduce impacts while maintaining commercially viable catch rates of target species is through modification of fishing gears. Two experimental studies, conducted for this thesis, evaluated the catch characteristics of innovative, modified fishing gears designed to mitigate ecological concerns specific to each study’s respective fishery. In the first study, the Newfoundland cod pot was modified in an attempt to target flatfish species while avoiding the capture of snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio). Major findings include the importance of artificial light and entrance shape in capturing American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides). Also, non-baited pots that contained only artificial light were successful in capturing plaice while greatly reducing the capture of snow crab. In the second study, at-sea catch characteristics of northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) and non-targeted bycatch species were compared between two trawls, one containing a traditional rockhopper ground gear currently used in the northern shrimp fishery, the other containing an experimental ground gear designed to reduce seabed contact. Catch rates and size of shrimp were found to be comparable between trawls however the experimental trawl captured significantly more bycatch