Analysis of Construction Management at Risk Projects for Unites States Air Force Applicability

Construction management at risk is a project delivery method that sees widespread use in the private and public non-federal construction sectors. There is interest in the federal government of using a project delivery method such as construction management at risk. However, guiding regulations prohibit the federal government from using it as it is utilized in the private sector. This research analyzes private sector use of construction management at risk through a literature review and Delphi Panel, in order to determine its effects on project performance. The Delphi Panel consisted of two rounds of questions; the experts were selected through a peer-nomination process. Statistical analysis revealed the experts generally preferred design-build over construction management at risk, and construction management at risk over design-bid-build. Contextual analysis revealed advantages and disadvantages to using construction management at risk. The Air Force can utilize construction management at risk or a construction management at risk-like project delivery method if the project is accomplished with the Air Force Civil Engineer Center as the construction agent. There is a growing trend of desire to move towards a construction management at risk-like project delivery method in the federal sector

A 4-Year Analysis of the Incidence of Injuries Among CrossFit-Trained Participants

Background: High-intensity functional training (HIFT) is a new training modality that merges high-intensity exercise with functional (multijoint) movements. Even though others exist, CrossFit training has emerged as the most common form of HIFT. Recently, several reports have linked CrossFit training to severe injuries and/or life-threatening conditions, such as rhabdomyolysis.Empirical evidence regarding the safety of this training modality is currently limited. Purpose: To examine the incidence of injuries related to CrossFit participation and to estimate the rate of injuries in a large cross-sectional convenience sample of CrossFit participants from around the world. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: A total of 3049 participants who reported engaging in CrossFit training between 2013 and 2017 were surveyed. Results: A portion (30.5%) of the participants surveyed reported experiencing an injury over the previous 12 months because oftheir participation in CrossFit training. Injuries to the shoulders (39%), back (36%), knees (15%), elbows (12%), and wrists (11%)were most common for both male and female participants. The greatest number of injuries occurred among those who participatedin CrossFit training 3 to 5 days per week (w2¼12.51;P¼.0019). Overall, and based on the assumed maximum number of workouthours per week, the injury rate was 0.27 per 1000 hours (females: 0.28; males: 0.26), whereas the assumed minimum number ofworkout hours per week resulted in an injury rate of 0.74 per 1000 hours (females: 0.78; males: 0.70). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that CrossFit training is relatively safe compared with more traditional training modalities.However, it seems that those within their first year of training as well as those who engage in this training modality less than 3 daysper week and/or participate in less than 3 workouts per week are at a greater risk for injuries

Performance Qualification Test of the ISS Water Processor Assembly (WPA) Expendables

The Water Processor Assembly (WPA) for use on the International Space Station (ISS) includes various technologies for the treatment of waste water. These technologies include filtration, ion exchange, adsorption, catalytic oxidation, and iodination. The WPA hardware implementing portions of these technologies, including the Particulate Filter, Multifiltration Bed, Ion Exchange Bed, and Microbial Check Valve, was recently qualified for chemical performance at the Marshall Space Flight Center. Waste water representing the quality of that produced on the ISS was generated by test subjects and processed by the WPA. Water quality analysis and instrumentation data was acquired throughout the test to monitor hardware performance. This paper documents operation of the test and the assessment of the hardware performance

The Impact of Volunteering on Seniors’ Health and Quality of Life: An Assessment of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program

Past research suggests that senior citizens often face challenges related to deteriorating physical and men- tal health, and the quality of their lives may suffer as a result. Past research also suggests that volunteering can improve the health and quality of life for seniors. In the present study, 451 volunteers enrolled in the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) completed surveys including questions regarding their volunteer experiences and how these experiences have affected their health and quality of life. The results suggest that volunteering through RSVP is associated with improvements in health and quality of life across a variety of dimensions. Furthermore, these improvements may be particularly greater for women, current volunteers, and older seniors. These findings may help guide interventions designed to enhance the health and well-being of senior citizens in a variety of settings

Modeling peptide fragmentation with dynamic Bayesian networks for peptide identification

Motivation: Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) is an indispensable technology for identification of proteins from complex mixtures. Proteins are digested to peptides that are then identified by their fragmentation patterns in the mass spectrometer. Thus, at its core, MS/MS protein identification relies on the relative predictability of peptide fragmentation. Unfortunately, peptide fragmentation is complex and not fully understood, and what is understood is not always exploited by peptide identification algorithms

Targeted online liquid chromatography electron capture dissociation mass spectrometry for the localization of sites of in vivo phosphorylation in human Sprouty2

We demonstrate a strategy employing collision-induced dissociation for phosphopeptide discovery, followed by targeted electron capture dissociation (ECD) for site localization. The high mass accuracy and low background noise of the ECD mass spectra allow facile sequencing of coeluting isobaric phosphopeptides, with up to two isobaric phosphopeptides sequenced from a single mass spectrum. In contrast to the previously described neutral loss of dependent ECD method, targeted ECD allows analysis of both phosphotyrosine peptides and lower abundance phosphopeptides. The approach was applied to phosphorylation analysis of human Sprouty2, a regulator of receptor tyrosine kinase signaling. Fifteen sites of phosphorylation were identified, 11 of which are novel

Modeling high-genus surfaces

The goal of this research is to develop new, interactive methods for creating very high genus 2-manifold meshes. The various approaches investigated in this research can be categorized into two groups -- interactive methods, where the user primarily controls the creation of the high-genus mesh, and automatic methods, where there is minimal user interaction and the program automatically creates the high-genus mesh. In the interactive category, two different methods have been developed. The first allows the creation of multi-segment, curved handles between two different faces, which can belong to the same mesh or to geometrically distinct meshes. The second method, which is referred to as ``rind modeling'', provides for easy creation of surfaces resembling peeled and punctured rinds. The automatic category also includes two different methods. The first one automates the process of creating generalized Sierpinski polyhedra, while the second one allows the creation of Menger sponge-type meshes. Efficient and robust algorithms for these approaches and user-friendly tools for these algorithms have been developed and implemented

Proteomic analysis of the Plasmodium male gamete reveals the key role for glycolysis in flagellar motility.

BACKGROUND: Gametogenesis and fertilization play crucial roles in malaria transmission. While male gametes are thought to be amongst the simplest eukaryotic cells and are proven targets of transmission blocking immunity, little is known about their molecular organization. For example, the pathway of energy metabolism that power motility, a feature that facilitates gamete encounter and fertilization, is unknown. METHODS: Plasmodium berghei microgametes were purified and analysed by whole-cell proteomic analysis for the first time. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD001163. RESULTS: 615 proteins were recovered, they included all male gamete proteins described thus far. Amongst them were the 11 enzymes of the glycolytic pathway. The hexose transporter was localized to the gamete plasma membrane and it was shown that microgamete motility can be suppressed effectively by inhibitors of this transporter and of the glycolytic pathway. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes the first whole-cell proteomic analysis of the malaria male gamete. It identifies glycolysis as the likely exclusive source of energy for flagellar beat, and provides new insights in original features of Plasmodium flagellar organization

Perspectives of US women participating in a candidate PrEP study: adherence, acceptability and future use intentions

Introduction Limited data exist on acceptability of candidate pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) regimens among US women. We evaluated PrEP experiences, attitudes and future use intentions among sexually active women who completed the US‐based HIV Prevention Trials Network 069/AIDS Clinical Trials Group 5305 study. Methods Women participated in the study between March 2013 and November 2015. We analysed computer‐assisted self‐interview (CASI) surveys among 130 women and conducted in‐depth interviews among a subset of 26 women from three sites. Interviews were conducted in mid/late‐2015. Results Most women (57%) reported very good/excellent PrEP adherence on CASI, although 21% acknowledged over‐reporting adherence at least some of the time. Commitment to preventing HIV infection, a sense of ownership of the study, and keeping pills stored in a visible location facilitated adherence. Adherence barriers included “simply forgetting” and being away from home. Most women interviewed did not intend to use PrEP in the future because of lack of perceived need due to their own (as opposed to their partners’) low‐risk behaviour and concerns about affordability – but not because of side effects or other characteristics of the regimens. Conclusions Improving HIV prevention options for US women will require access to affordable PrEP as well as expanding women\u27s understanding of relationship‐ and community‐level factors that increase their risk of acquiring HIV