Using Large Linked Field Data Sets to Investigate Density’s Impact on the Performance of Washington State Department of Transportation Asphalt Pavements

Large data sets of Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) pavement construction and condition data are linked together and used to investigate an implemented change in in-place density to lower specification limit (LSL) from 91% to 92%. This serves as a test case for using such large in-service data sets to create analysis value for a state DOT. Findings include: (1) WSDOT field density has remained relatively steady at 93% for over 20 years; (2) raising the density LSL to 92% will likely result in more contractor effort to achieve higher densities; (3) no clear trend links density with better pavement condition; (4) raising the density LSL will likely result in fewer problematically low densities; and (5) there is no evidence of differing pavement performance based on asphalt content, gradation, or nominal maximum aggregate size.

Adding Life to Years: Adopting Age-Friendly Public Health in Washington State

Age-Friendly Public Health is an emerging concept and practice aiming to equip the public health infrastructure to more readily address aging issues. In 2019, the Washington State Department of Health (WA DOH), began operationalizing Age-Friendly Public Health within the agency. Work entailed bringing together a cross-agency workgroup on healthy aging and drawing on expertise from agency programs including environmental health, immunizations, falls prevention, emergency preparedness, chronic disease and many others. The workgroup conducted an internal assessment of ‘touch points’ regarding aging work within WA DOH. The Life Course Perspective was used as a theoretical framework to categorize current efforts, and existing research on social determinants of health in aging were used to identify potential areas for future impact. In addition, the Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Road Map for public health was used to identify current and potential approaches to addressing Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias. This workgroup inventoried WA DOH’s current efforts that align with the HBI agenda, and identified 88 opportunities to promote healthy aging and brain health. This work contributes to the emerging field of Age-Friendly Public Health by demonstrating strengths and challenges of advancing healthy aging through state public health agencies.

Continued Age Shift of Confirmed Positive COVID-19 Incidence Over Time to Children and Young Adults: Washington State March - August 2020

BackgroundAs the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic passed the initial infection peak in Washington State, phased re-opening lifted stay-at-home orders and restrictions leading to increased non-essential work, social activities and gathering, especially among younger persons.MethodsA longitudinal cohort analysis of Washington State Department of Health COVID-19 confirmed case age distribution 1) March-April 2020 (N=13,934) and 2) March-August 2020 (N=76,032) for proportional change over time using chi square tests for significance.ResultsFrom March 1st to April 19, 2020 COVID-19 case positive age distribution shifted with a 10% decline in cases age 60 years and older and a 20% increase in age 0-19/20-39 years (chi-square = 223.10, p <.001). Number of cases over the eight-week analysis period were 0-19 years n = 515, 20-39 years n = 4078, 40-59 years n =4788, 60-79 years n = 3221, 80+ years n = 1332. After the peak (March 22, 2020), as incidence declined in older age groups, the combined percentage of cases age 0-19 and 20-39 increased from 20% to 40% of total cases. During this time testing expanded with more testing among older age groups while case positivity shifted young. Percent positive cases by age through August 2020 increased to a consistent average of 60% less than age 40 [age 0-19 increased to 19% (N = 10257), age 20-39 increased to 42% (N = 30215)].ConclusionsAn increased share of COVID-19 incidence among children (age 0-19) and young adults (age 20-39) indicates their elevated role in propagating the epidemic by creating a reservoir of disease with risk of spillovers to more vulnerable older persons and those with comorbid conditions. Media savvy and age appropriate COVID-19 messaging may increase mitigation compliance among these less vulnerable, more mobile and lower priority vaccination age groups. As vaccines become available, mitigation will continue to be a priority to reduce overall population incidence.

Beyond Data Recovery: Developing Digital Information Systems for Cultural Resources in the Online Era

ABSTRACTFor historic property types such as archaeological sites and historic buildings, data recovery is often the main part of mitigation plans offered by federal agencies with undertakings that will destroy part or all of a cultural resource. In theory, by extracting important information before destruction, we recover some part of a historic resource's cultural value. In some situations, however, data recovery is impossible or otherwise undesirable, and “creative” or off-site mitigation measures are necessary to mitigate adverse effects. In such circumstances, the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation has accepted funding from federal agencies to create, implement, and enhance an online digital information system for cultural resources. This article describes the Washington Information System for Architectural and Archaeological Records Data (WISAARD) and provides an example of a federal agency funding WISAARD development as creative mitigation for the transfer of archaeological sites out of federal ownership. We discuss the benefits of such systems and address how their development meets preservation goals established by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.

COVID-19 Confirmed Case Incidence Age Shift to Young Persons Age 0-19 and 20-39 Years Over Time: Washington State March - April 2020

BackgroundAs the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic passes the peak infection rate in some states and counties a phased re-opening with changes of stay-at-home restrictions and social distancing recommendations may lead to an increase of nonessential work, social activities and gathering, especially among younger persons.MethodsA longitudinal cohort analysis of Washington State Department of Health COVID-19 confirmed case age distribution March 1-April 19 2020 for proportional change over time using chi square tests for significance (N = 13,934).ResultsFrom March 1st to April 19, 2020 age distribution shifted with a 10% decline in cases age 60 years and older and a 20% increase in age 0-19/20-39 years (chi-square = 223.10, p <.001). Number of cases over the eight-week analysis period were 0-19 years n = 515, 20-39 years n = 4078, 40-59 years n =4788, 60-79 years n = 3221, 80+ years n = 1332. New cases increased steadily among 0-19 and 20-39-year olds. After the peak (March 22, 2020), there was no decline among age 0-19 and a lesser decline among age 20-39 than older groups. As incidence declined in older age groups, the combined percentage of cases age 0-19 and 20-39 increased from 20% to 40% of total cases.ConclusionsIncreased COVID-19 infection among children and young adults is not without serious morbidity and mortality risk to them and others they may come in contact with, indicating a targeted approach for awareness and safety measures is advisable to reduce incidence among the supposedly less vulnerable but more mobile young population age 0-19 and 20-39 years.

Measuring the Psychological Impacts of Prison-Based Dog Training Programs and In-Prison Outcomes for Inmates

As interest grows in programs that improve prison inmates’ behavior and psychosocial well-being, any such interventions must be rigorously examined and their underlying mechanisms for change must be understood. This pilot study examined the use of prison-based dog training programs across Washington State Department of Corrections facilities for their impacts on inmates’ infraction rates. The study also compared levels of empathy, self-efficacy, and anxiety between program participants and nonparticipants. Findings indicated that prison dog program participants’ infraction rates improved and that participants had lower levels of anxiety than nonparticipants.

Criminal Competencies

Chapter 22 includes cases that are important for one of the staples of forensic psychiatric practice, competence to stand trial evaluations. Knowledge of the legal standards required for one to defend oneself, either with or without an attorney, is necessary for a practitioner to be able to capably assess whether a mental illness prevents a defendant from participating in the adjudication process. The cases in this chapter are Dusky v. U.S., Wilson v. U.S., Jackson v. Indiana, Drope v. Missouri, Godinez v. Moran, Cooper v. Oklahoma and Indiana v. Edwards. The newest case (Trueblood v. Washington State Department of Social and Helth Services) looks at the practical issue of the wait time for competency restoration treatment as a potential constitutional violation.

Comparison of DB to DBB on highway projects in Washington State, USA

Comparative evaluations of design-build (DB), to design-bid-build (DBB), aredocumented in literature. However, a recent study suggests that even though several studies have been completed to compare DB and DBB, there are few statistically significant comparative results. Comparative analyses of highway projects of the same scope, size, and type could provide the basis to make the argument for the use of either DB or DBB on highway projects. The objective of this research is to compare DB to DBB on highway projects. The basis of comparison includes project cost, contract duration, number and type of contract change orders. Projects used for this research were obtained from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). The projects were subsequently selected based on project scope,size, and type, and then analysed using quantitative methods. The research found that there is enough evidence to support the use of DB over DBB on highway projects. The findings of this study have significant implications for practitioners and policymakers on highway projects and should inform decisions on the choice of project delivery method. The main limitation of the research is that the study used only 14 projects due to the difficulty of finding matching projects,and as such the results could not be generalized. However, the findings add to the body of research on criteria for comparing DB to DBB. To enhance understanding of how project scope, size, and type might affect or be affected by project delivery methods,the research recommends the standardization of project types classification for highway projects