Abstract Background In 2020–2022, U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS) used SARS-CoV-2 mitigation protocols that included masking, social distancing, avoiding contact with others outside of training and games, testing, quarantine, and isolation. In addition to isolation for those who tested positive, a SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequencing strategy was developed to identify whether infections were associated with intra-league transmission. Methods Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected by MLS club medical staff from players and staff from February 2021 through September 2022. During this time, surveillance testing changed from daily to weekly to testing only symptomatic players and staff. SARS-CoV-2 positive samples were analyzed using amplicon-based whole genome sequencing. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using Nextstrain to visualize genomes from infected players and staff in the context of genomes available on GISAID circulating in the United States during corresponding time periods. To identify transmission links, all genomes were compared in a pairwise fashion. Genomes that were 0–2 nucleotides different were considered part of direct transmission clusters. Results Of 250 samples that were rtPCR positive for SARS-CoV-2, 215 (86%) were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis showed a broad diversity of lineages, including some predominant overseas (e.g., AY.98.1). Pairwise comparison revealed SARS-CoV-2 sequences from 7 individuals appeared to be linked. These individuals were on 2 different MLS teams; there was an off-field exposure (dinner). Five (71%) had identical SARS-CoV-2 sequences; 2 had sequences that were 1 nucleotide different at the consensus level. Subconsensus genome analysis revealed that differences of 1 nucleotide were due to subconsensus mutations fluctuating below and above 50%, suggesting all 7 individuals were part of a transmission cluster. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the sequences from the cluster were distinct from reference sequences and were likely a unique transmission chain. Conclusion SARS-CoV-2 transmission may occur within, and even between, professional sports teams. Pairwise comparison of individual genomes can provide improved granularity to identify clusters and understand SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Disclosures Davidson H. Hamer, MD, Kephera Diagnostics: Grant/Research Support|Takeda: Advisor/Consultant|Takeda: Grant/Research Support|Trinity Biotech, LLC: Advisor/Consultant|Valneva: Advisor/Consultant|Valneva: Grant/Research Support Daniel Bourque, MD, Kephera Diagnostics: Grant/Research Support

PurposeThis paper introduces a novel quality measure, the percent-within-distribution, or PWD, for acceptance and payment in a quality control/quality assurance (QC/QA) performance specification (PS).Design/methodology/approachThe new quality measure takes any sample size or distribution and uses a Bayesian updating process to re-estimate parameters of a design distribution as sample observations are fed through the algorithm. This methodology can be employed in a wide range of applications, but the authors demonstrate the use of the measure for a QC/QA PS with upper and lower bounds on 28-day compressive strength of in-place concrete for bridge decks.FindingsThe authors demonstrate the use of this new quality measure to illustrate how it addresses the shortcomings of the percent-within-limits (PWL), which is the current industry standard quality measure. The authors then use the PWD to develop initial pay factors through simulation regimes. The PWD is shown to function better than the PWL with realistic sample lots simulated to represent a variety of industry responses to a new QC/QA PS.Originality/valueThe analytical contribution of this work is the introduction of the new quality measure. However, the practical and managerial contributions of this work are of equal significance.

A theoretical study of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) beams subjected to biaxial bending moments is presented with a focus on the influence of higher-order effects on maximum normal stresses. It is shown that the biaxial bending type of loading causes a dramatic increase in the maximum normal stress for a GFRP beam when induced torsional effects are included. The study demonstrates that the traditional first-order theory can grossly underestimate the maximum normal stress in a GFRP beam. Based on the numerical results presented using a higher-order theory which also accounts for induced warping normal stresses, the maximum normal stress is found to be about two to three times larger than that determined using the first-order theory.

Abstract Background The BioFire® FilmArray® Gastrointestinal (GI) Panel provides results for 22 bacterial, viral, and protozoan pathogens responsible for GI infection in about an hour. This test is indicated for use with stool specimens in Cary-Blair media (SCB) as a specimen type. For many patients, a stool sample can be difficult to provide during a single clinic visit, potentially delaying diagnosis and treatment. Rectal swabs in Cary-Blair (RSCB; an off-label sample type) are a more convenient and faster specimen type to collect, as collection can occur during a patient’s healthcare visit. The purpose of this study was to assess the performance of the GI Panel when testing RSCB compared to SCB. Methods Paired SCB and RSCB specimens were collected from outpatient subjects with signs of GI infection and tested in parallel using the GI Panel. All detections were confirmed using culture (for some bacterial analytes) and PCR/sequencing. Performance of the GI Panel in RSCB versus SCB specimen types was assessed using the ratios (RSCB/SCB) of sensitivities and false positive rates (FPR). Positive percent agreement (PPA) and negative percent agreement (NPA) for the GI Panel test in RSCB compared to SCB were also evaluated. Results A total of 299 paired SCB and RSCB specimens were collected and tested with the GI Panel. Detections for 17 of the 22 analytes on the GI Panel were observed in both specimen types. When comparing results from RSCB and SCB specimen types, the overall ratio of sensitivity was 0.86 and the overall ratio of FPR was 0.31. Further, overall PPA was 76.6% and overall NPA was 99.8%. Conclusion Overall, the GI Panel is sensitive and specific for the rapid detection of many of the organisms responsible for GI infection when using either specimen type, however RSCB specimens have a lower diagnostic yield (i.e. fewer detections) compared to SCB. As a result, GI Panel performance for the RSCB is characterized as less sensitive compared to performance for SCB specimens. Acknowledging these limitations, the convenience and time-to-result benefits of the RSCB specimen type may aid in the effective diagnosis and management of GI infection in outpatient settings. The BioFire FilmArray GI Panel is not cleared or approved for use with rectal swabs in Cary-Blair. Disclosures Jared Goos, PhD, bioMerieux: Employee|bioMerieux: Stocks/Bonds Crissy Neff, n/a, bioMerieux: Employee|bioMerieux: Stocks/Bonds Kristen Holmberg, n/a, bioMerieux: Employee Annie Lyons, n/a, bioMerieux: Employee Nicole Monroe, Dr. sc. nat., bioMerieux: Employee Rangaraj Selvarangan, BVSc, PhD, D(ABMM), FIDSA, F(AAM), BioFire: Grant/Research Support|Luminex: Grant/Research Support Kimberle Chapin, MD, Cepheid: Employee Bradley A. Connor, MD, BioMerieux: Advisor/Consultant Cynthia Andjelic, PhD, bioMerieux: Employee.

As state agencies want greater assurance that their asphalt materials will last longer, the inclusion of performance testing during mixture design and production has gained popularity. In particular, the concept of determining the asphalt content that optimizes asphalt mixture rutting and fatigue cracking resistance, called balanced mixture design (BMD), is being explored in the U.S. In this study, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) orchestrated a statewide evaluation of their asphalt mixtures under the BMD concept. Eleven asphalt mixtures, representing a majority of what is utilized as surface courses on New York (NY) asphalt pavements, were first volumetrically verified and then evaluated using BMD to determine the range of asphalt content where rutting and fatigue cracking resistance optimization are achieved. Three laboratory rutting tests (asphalt pavement analyzer [APA], Hamburg wheel tracking [HWT], and high temperature indirect tensile strength [HT-IDT]), and three fatigue cracking tests (overlay tester, semi-circular bending [SCB] flexibility index, and indirect tensile asphalt cracking test [IDEAL-CT] index) were utilized during the performance testing. The results showed that 6 of the 11 volumetrically designed asphalt mixtures were under-asphalted with respect to achieving minimum fatigue cracking resistance based on the laboratory tests. None of the volumetrically designed asphalt mixtures were determined to have rutting issues. The addition of polymer modification in the asphalt binders was found to increase the range of asphalt contents achieving a balanced condition. The study also showed that, when appropriate performance criteria are selected, it is possible to utilize different test methods.

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) started collecting AASHTO element-based inspection data as part of bridge inspections in 2016 after retiring its legacy condition inspection system that was in use for more than four decades. A research project was initiated to develop a methodology to integrate AASHTO element-based inspection data into NYSDOT bridge management decision-making processes, guidelines, and bridge performance measures. A logic was developed, based primarily on AASHTO element inspection data, for identifying the work needs for each bridge and predicting the change in element condition states should the resulting work recommendations be implemented. Based on a thorough evaluation of the developed logic, appropriate changes to NYSDOT’s bridge management system are recommended. This paper briefly describes the current study and findings.

DSR based rheological tests of 5 non-polymer modified and 5 polymer modified asphalt emulsion residues were performed and its relationships with force ductility parameters (AASHTO T300) were investigated. Some results are presented in this paper. One of the observations from temperature sweep test is that as temperature increases, phase angle of an emulsion residue increases, reaches a maximum and then decreases. Polymer modified asphalt emulsions have comparatively lower phase angle than non-polymer modified asphalt emulsions and the maximum phase angle of all the polymer modified asphalt emulsion residues falls below 81° whereas the maximum phase angle of all the non-polymer modified emulsion falls above 87°. MSCR at 58 °C, 70 °C and equal stiffness (2.2 kPa) temperature clearly demonstrates that percent recovery of polymer modified residues are significantly higher than non-polymer modified emulsion residues. In case of 58 °C and 0.1 kPa creep stress, maximum average percent recovery is 7.7 for non-polymer modified asphalt emulsions while the minimum average percent recovery is 29.7 for polymer modified emulsions. Three force ductility parameters namely, f2 (force at 30 cm), f2/f1 and force at 35 cm were correlated with two DSR-based parameters, phase angle and percent recovery at different temperatures. Based on the analyses of linear coefficient of determination values, it is recommended that phase angle and percent recovery of MSCR be used for polymer identification and to replace force ductility requirements (AASHTO T300) for asphalt emulsions. At 58°C, a maximum phase angle of 81° and a minimum MSCR percent recovery of 30 (at 0.1 kPa creep stress) are recommended.

We present two Delta (B.1.617.2) vaccine breakthrough individuals, a father and son living in separate households. The older, 63-year-old patient's symptoms were severe enough to require hospitalization. Despite having a high titer of anti-spike IgG in his serum, his symptoms resolved within 24 hours following monoclonal antibody (bamlanivimab/etesevimab) therapy.

Previous studies by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have shown significant variability in the rating of bridge elements through visual inspection. In this study, a detailed evaluation of the consistency of inspection ratings of four representative bridges in New York State has been conducted, using inspection data reported by 21 inspection teams employed by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). The bridge condition rating scale of NYSDOT ranges from 7 to 1, with 7 being new and 1 being in a failed condition. In addition, the NYSDOT assigns ratings 8 and 9 to cases “not applicable” and “condition and/or existence unknown,” respectively. In general, consistency is defined as “conformity with practices and procedures.” In this study, consistency of inspection of elements has been quantified as a percentage of inspectors that rated the bridge element within ±1 of the median rating for elements with ratings 7 to 1, or as a percentage of inspectors who have assigned a rating of 8 or 9 to elements expected to be rated 8 or 9. Based on the evaluation of the consistency of elements of the four bridges in the study, the results show that 96% of the elements have a consistency of at least 90%. Only seven elements have been identified to have a consistency of less than 90%. For elements whose rating was supposed to be 8, approximately 97% of the elements had a consistency of at least 90%, whereas, for elements whose rating was supposed to be 9, 91% of the elements were inspected with a consistency of at least 95%. Overall team consistency based on inspection of all elements was approximately 98%. The results imply that the NYSDOT bridge inspection and training programs are effective, as evidenced by the reporting of consistent bridge ratings by multiple inspection teams.