ABSTRACT
The recent COVID-19 pandemic has led to a nearly world-wide shelter-in-place strategy. This raises several natural concerns about the safe relaxing of current restrictions. This article focuses on the design and operation of heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in the context of transportation. Do HVAC systems have a role in limiting viral spread? During shelter-in-place, can the HVAC system in a dwelling or a vehicle help limit spread of the virus? After the shelter-in-place strategy ends, can typical workplace and transportation HVAC systems limit spread of the virus? This article directly addresses these and other questions. In addition, it also summarizes simplifying assumptions needed to make meaningful predictions. This article derives new results using transform methods first given in Ginsberg and Bui. These new results describe viral spread through an HVAC system and estimate the aggregate dose of virus inhaled by an uninfected building or vehicle occupant when an infected occupant is present within the same building or vehicle. Central to these results is the derivation of a quantity called the "protection factor"-a term-of-art borrowed from the design of gas masks. Older results that rely on numerical approximations to these differential equations have long been lab validated. This article gives the exact solutions in fixed infrastructure for the first time. These solutions, therefore, retain the same lab validation of the older methods of approximation. Further, these exact solutions yield valuable insights into HVAC systems used in transportation.
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is to update the available literature with information on the current use of robotic assisted surgery (RAS) in the Department of Defense (DoD) compared to the civilian world, and how the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic impacted RAS in the DoD. A total of 9,979 RAS cases between 01st October 2017 and 31st December 2020 were reviewed from every DoD Military Treatment Facility (MTF) that meets our inclusion criteria and employs various models of da Vinci robotic surgical systems (Intuitive Surgical). Specialty, number, and facility were recorded for each case. These data were then compared to previously known trends about RAS use in the DoD as well as with civilian trends. Before COVID-19, the use of RAS had increased over time, but not at the same rate as in the civilian sector. General surgery cases constituted most RAS cases in both the DoD and the civilian sector. The arrival of COVID-19 in the United States significantly decreased the use of RAS in the DoD as well as in the civilian sector in all surgical specialties because it led to postponement or cancellation of many non-emergent surgical procedures. In conclusion, the use of RAS has continued to increase, and general surgery cases continue to constitute most of these cases. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic began, there was a significant decline in both DoD and civilian RAS cases, with a more pronounced decline in the DoD.
ABSTRACT
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common type of interstitial lung disease, with a median survival of 2-4 years from the time of diagnosis [1]. It is estimated that the prevalence of IPF in the US is approximately 10-60 cases per 100,000 people, with limited pharmacological therapies available [2, 3]. IPF is a chronic, progressive disease characterized by alveolar injury, increased extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and resultant alveolar destruction. Macroscopically, this leads to poor lung compliance, impaired trans-alveolocapillary membrane gas exchange and ultimately, end-stage respiratory failure, necessitating lung transplantation [2, 4, 5]. Several non-genetic risk factors, such as male sex, older age, and smoking, increase the risk of developing IPF [4, 6]. More recently, several genetic risk factors for IPF have also been discovered, including a single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs35705950) in the promoter region of MUC5B [7-9], which codes for an essential protein for airway clearance and innate immune response, along with genes associated with telomere maintenance, such as telomerase RNA component (TERC) and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) [1, 10].
ABSTRACT
The initial phases of the study began late in the third quarter, having been delayed by the closing of the Kilbaugh lab for approx. six months due to Covid-19 pandemic. However, during the fourth quarter it was decided that the dose levels to be evaluated in this dose response/PK study should be increased on a mg/kg basis. The reason we have decided to increase the dose level is that earlier in 2020 we requested CRL to perform a single-dose, maximum tolerated dose study (the MTD study) to confirm the dose levels we had originally envisioned for the repeat-dose tox study. (This MTD study was not originally thought to be necessary, was not planned as a part of the Award, and, consistent with the fixed-price nature of the Award, was paid for 100% by Ischemix.) The result of the MTD study was that no toxicity was seen at levels up to and including 320 mg/kg. Therefore we have decided to increase the amount of drug to be administered in higher dose groups of the dose response/PK study to accommodate a potentially higher efficacious dose in later human studies than was originally anticipated.
ABSTRACT
The overall goal of this award is to find ways to prolong the efficacy of cabazitaxel chemotherapy in patients with castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) who have previously been treated with and developed resistance to Abiraterone Acetate (ABI) or enzalutamide (ENZ). In months 1-12 of this award, we aimed to determine whether a novel galectin-1 (Gal-1) inhibitor, S-LLS30 developed by the applicant, prevents ABI/ENZ resistance and/or sensitizes the cells to cabazitaxel (Major task 1). We have shown that indeed S-LLS30 sensitizes CRPC cells to ENZ and strongly affected cells expressing Gal-1. The experiments with cabazitaxel are continuing despite prolonged operational shutdown at the University due to COVID-19 restrictions. We have also started to investigate the role of Gal-1 nuclear localization, and its binding partners Gemin4 and HSP90 in this process (Major task 2, subtask 1). It appears that Gemin4 plays a substantial role in Gal-1 activity in this context but the role of HSP90 is unclear. Finally, we conducted preliminary experiments to evaluate the toxicity of S-LLS30 and determine the maximum tolerated dose (Major task 3, subtask 1). S-LLS30 was deemed to be of limited toxicity and very well tolerated in mice up to 30 mg/Kg doses. S-LLS30 is a viable potential drug candidate to overcome resistance to ABI/ENZ in models of CRPC.
ABSTRACT
The Coalition Capability Demonstration and Assessment series, known as Bold Quest, fosters Joint and Coalition resource pooling, collaborative data collection, and data analysis to inform capability development on a Joint and Coalition scale. The Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) Initiatives Maturing ADL in Exercises (MADLx) project participated in Bold Quest 20.2 held in October 2020 at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. The exercise sponsor, Joint Chiefs of Staff J-6 (Command, Control Communications, and Computers/Cyber), agreed to allow participants to receive pre-event online training focused on the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK), a suite of software to provide geospatial information for warfighter collaboration. After the exercise, participant performance data was shared with the MADLx team for analysis. This report provides the results and findings and includes impacts on exercise performance due to COVID-19 pandemic circumstances. It documents the ADL contributions to the exercise, the planning process and implementation protocol ("how to"), lessons learned, and recommendations.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Dizziness and imbalance are common symptoms following head injury that can continue for months or years in some individuals. Chronic dizziness is a serious health concern that can lead to increased fall risk, emotional and psychological distress, as well as work disability. Multiple causes of post-concussive dizziness can present a challenge to diagnosis, and obstacle to treatment. The Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense (VA/DoD) developed clinical practice guidelines that outline recommendations for managing individuals with post-concussive dizziness, but it is unclear how these recommendations impact treatment for post-concussion dizziness/imbalance. In addition, some Veterans may seek care outside the VA or use alternative approaches to manage their post-concussive dizziness. The purpose of this study is to determine factors that contribute to successful outcomes of patients with concussion/blast-related dizziness. Methodology: We will use VA and DoD health databases to identify and examine characteristics of Veterans with specific (for example, inner ear balance dysfunction) and non-specific diagnoses of post-concussion dizziness. Then, we will survey Veterans using questionnaires and access the VA electronic medical records to determine factors that impact long-term recovery of post-concussion dizziness. Specifically, we will examine the impact of factors such as type of treatment, the presence or absence of health conditions such as headache and anxiety, the severity of head injury, as well as age and gender. Findings: We have sent survey invitations to 2724 Veterans, and received 674, for a response rate of 25%. Due to COVID, our mailing schedule has been delayed and additional surveys will be mailed in FY21 to achieve our goal of 1050 completed surveys. Chart abstraction has been completed on 486 subjects.
ABSTRACT
We are interested in determining whether ambient air pollutants impact the development of Parkinson's disease (PD) by increasing -synuclein pathology via inflammation. After completing Specific Aim 2, wherein we found no differences between experimental groups in spread of -syn, nor the expected nPM-induced neuroinflammatory changes. We repeated Specific Aim 2 mouse experiments with a new batch of nPM that showed in vitro activity. We collected tissues during the first week of SARS-CoV-2 quarantine. After restrictions were relaxed, we began analyzing tissues for neuroinflammation. This on-going analysis has yet to show strong inflammatory effects of the in vivo nPM exposure. Due to continued pandemic quarantine and travel restrictions we are discussing option with our collaborators. We will plan and execute novel experiments to explore the effects of LPS-induced olfactory inflammation on spread of -syn by histological (VAI) and biochemical (USC) analyses. We are interested in determining whether ambient air pollutants impact the development of Parkinson's disease (PD) by increasing -synuclein pathology via inflammation. After completing Specific Aim 2, wherein we found no differences between experimental groups in spread of -syn, nor the expected nPM-induced neuroinflammatory changes. We repeated Specific Aim 2 mouse experiments with a new batch of nPM that showed in vitro activity. We collected tissues during the first week of SARS-CoV-2 quarantine. After restrictions were relaxed, we began analyzing tissues for neuroinflammation. This on-going analysis has yet to show strong inflammatory effects of the in vivo nPM exposure. Due to continued pandemic quarantine and travel restrictions we are discussing option with our collaborators. We will plan and execute novel experiments to explore the effects of LPS-induced olfactory inflammation on spread of -syn by histological (VAI) and biochemical (USC) analyses.
ABSTRACT
Metal additive manufacturing (AM) has significant relevance to the missions of all branches of the Department of Defense (DoD) as it has the capability to bring parts to the warfighter more quickly and cost effectively However, DoD's goals of utilizing and deploying AM will not be achieved without substantial research and development to address the technology's current limitations, which exist at every facet of the AM value chain. The DURIP award, along with supplementary funding provided by Virginia Tech, enabled the acquisition of a reactive metal laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) AM system. The advanced AM system acquired through this program features open-access to all process parameters and features integrated in-situ monitoring technologies that enable research focused in increasing materials selection, creating new design for AM tools and methods, enhancing part quality through process-property-structure models, in-situ monitoring and post-processing techniques, and securing the platforms from cyber-physical vulnerabilities. The system is installed as a showcase piece in a newly created multidisciplinary educational and research space dedicated to preparing undergraduate and graduate students for future careers in Industry 4.0 technologies. As such, the new system will enable multi-disciplinary research and education across the entire value chain of AM.
ABSTRACT
The SUMOylation system, a type of protein regulatory system present in all cells, is rapidly increased upon exposure to different types of stress, including influenza virus infection. For influenza, if the increase is large enough, the virus cant multiply and infection is blocked. The goal of this study is to determine whether a process known as alternative splicing, which produces small but meaningful changes in the templates used to make proteins, plays a central role in regulating the activity of the SUMOylation system. To explore this possibility, we proposed to measure the abundance of the different templates that code for the SUMO proteins (the central players in the SUMOylation system) under different types of stress conditions. We also proposed to study how changing the proportion of those templates affects the ability of the SUMOylation system to respond to stress and characterize the activity of new forms of the SUMO proteins that up to now had remained unknown. Although the activities proposed for the first year of this grant were greatly affected by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, we made some progress on the development of some of the constructs proposed for achieving some of the experimental goals.
ABSTRACT
The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program is a residential, quasi-military program for youth ages 16 to 18 who are experiencing academic difficulties and exhibiting problem behaviors inside school, outside school, or both;have either dropped out or are in jeopardy of dropping out of their high school;and, in some cases, have had run-ins with the law. ChalleNGe's stated mission is to "intervene in and reclaim the lives of 16-18-year-old high school dropouts, producing program graduates with the values, life skills, education, and self-discipline necessary to succeed as productive citizens" (National Guard Youth ChalleNGe, 2015, p. 2). Participating states operate the program, which began in the mid-1990s, with supporting federal funds and oversight from state National Guard organizations. At the beginning of 2020, there were 39 sites in 28 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico (two sites closed during the summer of 2020, but three other sites are in various planning phases). Nearly 250,000 young people have taken part in the ChalleNGe program;roughly 184,000 have completed it. The ChalleNGe program is 17.5 months in length, broken into a 5.5-month residential phase (comprising a two-week acclimation period, called Pre-ChalleNGe, and the five-month ChalleNGe) followed by a 12-month post-residential phase. During the post-residential phase, graduates may continue their education, find employment, enlist in the military, or undertake some combination of these. Each graduate has a mentor whose role is to provide advice, assist with the transition after ChalleNGe, and provide monthly reports back to the program about the graduates placement (i.e., pursuing education, being employed, enlisting in the military, or some combination thereof). Graduates and mentors are expected to meet regularly.
ABSTRACT
We propose to study 2nd and 3rd trimester archival serum samples of women in the Child Health and Development Studies (CHDS) pregnancy cohort who subsequently developed breast cancer, compared to 2nd and 3rd trimester archival serum samples from women who did not develop breast cancer, to identify predictive gestational biomarkers which could lead to new approaches to prevent breast cancer. For this, we will apply powerful high-resolution metabolomics (HRM) with advanced computational tools to identify chemicals and biochemical metabolic networks in pregnancy which are linked to subsequent breast cancer occurrence. There were minor delays caused by staff and offices transitioning to remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We still accomplished all major tasks specified in the first year (obtaining all human subjects approvals, sample selection, preparation and order of archived pregnancy serum for delivery to Site 2).
ABSTRACT
Last year was filled with chaos, but from that crisis came opportunitiesopportunities to reinvent the reputation and purpose of distributed learning, and to reimagine its uses around the world. We faced a sink-or-swim moment, and Im proud to say that this community excelled. Distributed learning emerged as a silver lining to the years hardships. We met last years unprecedented demands, and the value of our DADLAC community was demonstrated time and again as we collectivelyand successfullyaccelerated and expanded defense distributed learning by orders of magnitude. This report highlights our communitys activities, along with important policies and plans impacting our respective programs.
ABSTRACT
As the Secretary of Defense, I am committed to ensuring that the Department develops the right people, priorities, and purpose of mission to continue to defend our Nation from enemies foreign and domestic. This will require aligning our priorities and capabilities to a changing and dynamic threat landscape. We will do so in a way that is based on a sober assessment of our strategic needs and recognize the importance of building and sustaining a strong workforce and unity within our Department, across the Nation and with our allies and partners around the world. Three priorities -defending the Nation, taking care of our people, and succeeding through teamwork -will guide our efforts.
ABSTRACT
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is a software solution used to perform mundane repetitive work previously done by people. RPAs emerged in the 2000s and grew as a subset of Business Process Management and the three technologies of screen scraping, workflow automation tools, and artificial intelligence. It was not until 2015 that RPAs began to enter the mainstream (Welsh, 2019, p. 2). Private industry reacted quickly and took advantage of the many benefits of RPA use, while reducing the burden of employee rote tasks.This research paper explores current Robotic Process Automation (RPA) use and identifies application areas of RPAs that could cross over from private industry to government or from one government agency to another. Additionally, this paper reports and analyzes efficiencies gained by automating mundane simple processes, which allow redirection of employees' efforts and a shift to more challenging work.A study of private industry and government entities revealed the business areas of finance and operations to be the top areas for RPA application. The benefits of an RPA application include cost savings, increased accuracy, increased productivity, increased scalability, and shift to high-level work. A secondary benefit of RPA use is employee job satisfaction.The Office and Management Budgets RPA directive should be implemented swiftly and with diligence, thus the paper strongly recommends that government entities look at their internal processes to assess, which of these might be improved by RPA application. Another recommendation is that government offices interested in RPAs contact the Federal RPA community of practice as a resource to planning and implementing a good RPA process. This would reduce the risk of duplicating RPA efforts that already exist and allow utilization of existing RPAs.
ABSTRACT
Chairman Reed, Ranking Member Inhofe, and distinguished members of the Committee, I am honored to appear before you today and to represent the men and women of United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM). 2020 presented some unique challenges to USCYBERCOM that will inform our actions over the next year. Indeed, 2021 is offering opportunities for USCYBERCOM to build upon. USCYBERCOM was established in 2010 and became a unified combatant command in 2018. Our mission is to plan and execute global cyberspace operations, activities, and missions to defend and advance national interests in collaboration with domestic and international partners across the full spectrum of competition and conflict. We direct, synchronize, and coordinate cyber planning and operations. Our three enduring lines of operation are as follows: Provide mission assurance for the Department of Defense (DoD) by directing the operation and defense of the Department of Defense Information Networks (i.e. the DoDIN) and its key terrain and capabilities;Defeat strategic threats to the United States and its national interests;and Assist Combatant Commanders to achieve their missions in and through cyberspace.