Sustainability in the built environment is becoming a strong force in the construction industry to achieve social and environmental benefits and to lower negative environment impacts. The research objectives of this study were to identify the main drivers and barriers of sustainable design and construction in the US construction industry and to prioritise the identified drivers and barriers with respect to implementation of sustainability in the construction industry. To achieve the research objectives, this study identified the main drivers and barriers of sustainable design and construction factors with a two-step process, including an in-depth literature review and an experts' review. The identified drivers and barriers were then prioritised using a survey research method using a survey instrument developed by the authors. The sample used in the survey was comprised of members in the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) North Carolina (NC) Triangle Chapter. USGBC NC Triangle Chapter members were selected for the survey because of their interest in sustainable design and construction practices in North Carolina. After collecting data from the survey participants, the authors developed descriptive statistics to rank the main drivers and barriers of sustainable design and construction. The result indicated that the most important driving factors of sustainable design and construction were energy conservation, improving indoor environmental quality, environmental/resource conservation, and waste reduction. In addition, the most significant barriers to sustainable design and construction were first cost premium of the project, long pay back periods from sustainable practices, tendency to maintain current practices, and limited knowledge and skills of subcontractors. Based on these findings, the study suggests the direction of sustainability policies and programmes as well as the direction of future research and development.

UAV-based technologies are evolving and improving at a rapid pace. The abundance of solutions and systems available today can make it difficult to identify the best option for construction and civil projects. The purpose of this literature review is to examine the benefits and limitations of UAV-based sensing systems in the context of construction management and civil engineering, with a focus on camera-based and laser-based systems. The risk factors associated with UAV operations at construction sites are also considered.

Context: Chronic supraphysiological glucocorticoid therapy controls the androgen excess of 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD) but contributes to the high prevalence of obesity, glucose intolerance, and reduced bone mass in these patients. Abiraterone acetate (AA) is a prodrug for abiraterone, a potent CYP17A1 inhibitor used to suppress androgens in the treatment of prostate cancer. Objective: The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that AA added to physiological hydrocortisone and 9α-fludrocortisone acetate corrects androgen excess in women with 21OHD without causing hypertension or hypokalemia. Design: This was a phase 1 dose-escalation study. Setting: The study was conducted at university clinical research centers. Participants: We screened 14 women with classic 21OHD taking hydrocortisone 12.5–20 mg/d to enroll six participants with serum androstenedione greater than 345 ng/dL (>12 nmol/L). Intervention: AA was administered for 6 days at 100 or 250 mg every morning with 20 mg/d hydrocortisone and 9α-fludrocortisone acetate. Main Outcome Measure: The primary endpoint was normalization of mean predose androstenedione on days 6 and 7 (< 230 ng/dL [<8 nmol/L)] in greater than 80% of participants. Secondary end points included serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone and testosterone (T), electrolytes, plasma renin activity, and urine androsterone and etiocholanolone glucuronides. Results: With 100 mg/d AA, mean predose androstenedione fell from 764 to 254 ng/dL (26.7–8.9 nmol/L). At 250 mg/d AA, mean androstenedione normalized in five participants (83%) and decreased from 664 to 126 ng/dL (23.2–4.4 nmol/L), meeting the primary end point. Mean androstenedione declined further during day 6 to 66 and 38 ng/dL (2.3 and 1.3 nmol/L) at 100 and 250 mg/d, respectively. Serum T and urinary metabolites declined similarly. Abiraterone exposure was strongly negatively correlated with mean androstenedione. Hypertension and hypokalemia were not observed. Conclusion: AA 100–250 mg/d added to replacement hydrocortisone normalized several measures of androgen excess in women with classic 21OHD and elevated serum androstenedione.