Utility Cut Repair Techniques— Investigation of Improved Cut Repair Techniques to Reduce Settlement in Repaired Areas, December 2005

Pavement settlement occurring in and around utility cuts is a common problem, resulting in uneven pavement surfaces, annoyance to drivers, and ultimately, further maintenance. A survey of municipal authorities and field and laboratory investigations were conducted to identify the factors contributing to the settlement of utility cut restorations in pavement sections. Survey responses were received from seven cities across Iowa and indicate that utility cut restorations often last less than two years. Observations made during site inspections showed that backfill material varies from one city to another, backfill lift thickness often exceeds 12 inches, and the backfill material is often placed at bulking moisture contents with no Quality control/Quality Assurance. Laboratory investigation of the backfill materials indicate that at the field moisture contents encountered, the backfill materials have collapse potentials up to 35%. Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) deflection data and elevation shots indicate that the maximum deflection in the pavement occurs in the area around the utility cut restoration. The FWD data indicate a zone of influence around the perimeter of the restoration extending two to three feet beyond the trench perimeter. The research team proposes moisture control, the use of 65% relative density in a granular fill, and removing and compacting the native material near the ground surface around the trench. Test sections with geogrid reinforcement were also incorporated. The performance of inspected and proposed utility cuts needs to be monitored for at least two more years.

Report on Special Investigation of the Lee County Protective Payee Program, For the Period September 1, 2001 through February 1, 2005

Other Audit Reports - Special Investigation

Report on Special Investigation of the Boone Community School District, For the Period July 1, 2001 through November 30, 2005

Other Audit Reports - Special Investigation

Report on Special Investigation of the City of Reasnor, For the Period of May 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005

Other Audit Reports - Special Investigation

Special Investigation of Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Department of Facilities Planning & Management, For the Period February 3, 2003 through December 7, 2005

Other Audit Reports - Special Investigation

Field investigation of hydraulic structures facilitating fish abundance & passage through bridges in western Iowa streams, March 2006

The overarching goal of the proposed research was to evaluate the hydraulic performance of twenty two (22) fish-passage structures located in close proximity to bridges in western Iowa and within the HCA (Hungry Canyon Alliance) territory. Such structures include riprap weirs, fish ladders and grouted ripraps. The hydraulic performance of the aforementioned structures was evaluated via detailed field tests for a range of flow conditions relevant to fish migration through bridge waterways in different streams in western Iowa.

Report on Special Investigation of the City of Ocheyedan, For the Period January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2005

City Audit Report - Special Investigation

Report on the Special Investigation of the City of Hamburg, For the period January 1, 2004 through October 6, 2005

City Audit Report - Special Investigation

Report on Special Investigation of the Linn County Emergency Management Agency, For the Period July 1, 2003 through April 21, 2006

County Audit Report - Special Investigation

Special Investigation of the Dallas County Sheriff's Office, January 1, 2002 through July 5, 2006

County Audit Report - Special Investigation

Excess Entry, Ambiguity Seeking, and Competence: An Experimental Investigation

Excess entry refers to the high failure rate of new entrepreneurial ventures. Economic explanations suggest 'hit and run' entrants and risk-seeking behavior. A psychological explanation is that people (entrepreneurs) are overconfident in their abilities (Camerer & Lovallo, 1999). Characterizing entry decisions as ambiguous gambles, we alternatively suggest following Heath and Tversky (1991) that people seek ambiguity when the source of uncertainty is related to their competence. Overconfidence, as such, plays no role. This hypothesis is confirmed in an experimental study that also documents the phenomenon of reference group neglect. Finally, we emphasize the utility that people gain from engaging in activities that contribute to a sense of competence. This is an important force in economic activity that deserves more explicit attention.

Report on the Special Investigation of the Nutrition Department of the Boone Community School District, For the Period August 30, 2004 through March 31, 2006 and Selected Activity for the period February 28, 2000 through March 31, 2006

Community School District Audit Report - Special Investigation

Report on Special Investigation of the City of Pleasant Plain, For the period January 1, 2004 through May 3, 2006

City Audit Report - Special Investigation

A pedicled bone graft from the acromion: an anatomical investigation regarding surgical feasibility.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the technical feasibility of harvesting a vascularized bone graft from the acromion pedicled on the acromial branch. BACKGROUND: Complex fractures of the proximal humerus may result in partial or total avascular necrosis of the head fragment. Treatment of avascular necrosis of the humeral head is dependent upon the stage of disease as well as the dimension and location of necrosis. In general, the outcome is poor and complete restoration of the shoulder function is rarely attained. Contrary to osteonecrosis of carpal bones (where vascularized bone grafts have been routinely carried out for decades), reports of analogous procedures at the humeral head are anecdotal. METHODS: Based on selective post-mortem computer-tomographic angiography of 5 and the dissection of 30 embalmed human cadaver shoulders, we describe the anatomy of the acromial branch of the thoracoacromial trunk. The main focus was the constancy of its anatomical course, its dimensions and potential use as a nutrient vessel for a pedicled bone graft from the acromion. RESULTS: The course of the acromial branch revealed a constant topographic relationship to anatomical landmarks. Its terminal branches reliably supplied the anterior part of the acromion. The vascularized bone graft could be sufficiently mobilized to allow tension-free transfer to the humeral head as well as to the lateral two-thirds of the clavicle. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated the feasibility of vascularized bone graft harvesting from the acromion. This technique could be a joint-preserving procedure for osteonecrosis of the humeral head or may assist in the revision of a clavicular pseudoarthrosis.

Investigation into Randolph Public Library's Closed Session Violations, December 11, 2006

Investigative report produced by Iowa Citizens' Aide/Ombudsman