seroepidemiology in United States air force recruits: A retrospective cohort study comparing immunogenicity of varicella vaccination and natural infection" (2017 a b s t r a c tBackground/Objectives: Infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV) produces lifelong immunity, but duration of post-vaccination immunity has not been established. The purpose of this study is to determine if a difference exists in the long-term seropositivity of anti-VZV antibodies in a cohort of young adults who were vaccinated against varicella as compared to a similar cohort with a history of chickenpox disease, and to determine which variables best predict waning seropositivity following varicella vaccination. Methods: This retrospective cohort study captures immunization and serology data from approximately 10,000 recruits who entered basic military training between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2015, and who have childhood immunization records in the Air Force Aeromedical Services Information Management System. Varicella vaccine immunogenicity was determined relative to the immunogenicity of chickenpox disease, as measured by multiplex flow immunoassay. Among vaccine recipients, waning seroimmunity was modeled and adjusted for several important covariates. Results: Basic military trainees who received varicella vaccine in childhood were 24% less likely to be seropositive to VZV than trainees who were exempt from vaccine due to a history of chickenpox disease. There was no significant difference in seropositivity between male and female trainees. The odds of a vaccinated trainee being seropositive to VZV decreased by 8% with each year elapsed since vaccination. Seroprevalence declined below estimated herd immunity thresholds in vaccinated trainees born after 1994, and in the cohort as a whole for trainees born after 1995. Conclusion: Despite prior vaccination, seroimmunity in a large cohort of young adults unexposed to wildtype VZV failed to meet the estimated threshold for herd immunity. If vaccination in accordance with the current US VZV vaccination schedule is inadequate to maintain herd immunity, young adults not previously exposed to wild-type VZV may be at increased risk for varicella outbreaks.Published by Elsevier Ltd.

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Seroprevalences for measles, mumps, and rubella antibodies among a large cohort of recruits entering U.S. Air Force basic training were generally lower than levels required to maintain herd immunity. In order to reduce the incidence of mumps infections, the Department of Defense should consider obtaining antibody titers for measles, mumps, and rubella and vaccinating all individuals susceptible to one or more of the viruses.

Purpose A workshop on Product Category Rule (PCR) alignment was organized by the American Center for LCA PCR Committee. PCR alignment refers to the process of assuring that PCRs (rules for developing LCA-based claims like EPDs) developed by different parties are consistent within product categories. Methods The workshop was held as a special session in the LCA XI conference. The goals of the workshop were to identify the state of progress on PCR development worldwide, to establish consensus on the need for PCR alignment, and to propose the actions towards global alignment of PCRs.Speakers presented on these topics and a moderated discussion was held to discuss the implications of PCR alignment, to determine the scale on which alignment is appropriate, and to identify the actions and institutional roles to promote alignment. Results and conclusions Approximately 120 persons from EPD programs, industry associations, standards organizations, LCA consulting firms, government agencies, NGOs and academia participated. The discussion was engaging and positive feedback was received. The American Center for LCA PCR Committee intend to use the outcomes of this workshop to engage others in the PCR community, make

As the Green Building movement gains momentum, more buildings are being evaluated and rated using the environmental assessment systems. A number of these systems now include acoustical requirements or award points for achieving a certain level of acoustical performance. However, how do these environmental assessment systems compare in terms of acoustical requirements? This paper examines and compares some of the leading national and international environmental assessment systems including LEED, BREEAM, Green Globes, and Collaborative for High Performance Schools, and evaluates the importance that acoustical performance is playing in green building rating systems.