Sample records for analyses contracted development

  1. Guidelines for cost control and analysis of cost-type research and development contracts

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sibbers, C. W.

    1981-01-01

    The cost information which should be obtained from a contractor(s) on a major, cost type research and development contract(s), and the analyses and effective use of these data are discussed. Specific type(s) of information which should be required, methods for analyzing such information, and methods for effectively using the results of such analyses to enhance NASA contract and project management are included. The material presented is based primarily on the principal methods which have been effectively used in the management of major cost type research and development contracts.

  2. Process Improvement for Interinstitutional Research Contracting

    PubMed Central

    Logan, Jennifer; Bjorklund, Todd; Whitfield, Jesse; Reed, Peggy; Lesher, Laurie; Sikalis, Amy; Brown, Brent; Drollinger, Sandy; Larrabee, Kristine; Thompson, Kristie; Clark, Erin; Workman, Michael; Boi, Luca

    2015-01-01

    Abstract Introduction Sponsored research increasingly requires multiinstitutional collaboration. However, research contracting procedures have become more complicated and time consuming. The perinatal research units of two colocated healthcare systems sought to improve their research contracting processes. Methods The Lean Process, a management practice that iteratively involves team members in root cause analyses and process improvement, was applied to the research contracting process, initially using Process Mapping and then developing Problem Solving Reports. Results Root cause analyses revealed that the longest delays were the individual contract legal negotiations. In addition, the “business entity” was the research support personnel of both healthcare systems whose “customers” were investigators attempting to conduct interinstitutional research. Development of mutually acceptable research contract templates and language, chain of custody templates, and process development and refinement formats decreased the Notice of Grant Award to Purchase Order time from a mean of 103.5 days in the year prior to Lean Process implementation to 45.8 days in the year after implementation (p = 0.004). Conclusions The Lean Process can be applied to interinstitutional research contracting with significant improvement in contract implementation. PMID:26083433

  3. Process Improvement for Interinstitutional Research Contracting.

    PubMed

    Varner, Michael; Logan, Jennifer; Bjorklund, Todd; Whitfield, Jesse; Reed, Peggy; Lesher, Laurie; Sikalis, Amy; Brown, Brent; Drollinger, Sandy; Larrabee, Kristine; Thompson, Kristie; Clark, Erin; Workman, Michael; Boi, Luca

    2015-08-01

    Sponsored research increasingly requires multiinstitutional collaboration. However, research contracting procedures have become more complicated and time consuming. The perinatal research units of two colocated healthcare systems sought to improve their research contracting processes. The Lean Process, a management practice that iteratively involves team members in root cause analyses and process improvement, was applied to the research contracting process, initially using Process Mapping and then developing Problem Solving Reports. Root cause analyses revealed that the longest delays were the individual contract legal negotiations. In addition, the "business entity" was the research support personnel of both healthcare systems whose "customers" were investigators attempting to conduct interinstitutional research. Development of mutually acceptable research contract templates and language, chain of custody templates, and process development and refinement formats decreased the Notice of Grant Award to Purchase Order time from a mean of 103.5 days in the year prior to Lean Process implementation to 45.8 days in the year after implementation (p = 0.004). The Lean Process can be applied to interinstitutional research contracting with significant improvement in contract implementation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  4. Special environmental control and life support equipment test analyses and hardware

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Callahan, David M.

    1995-01-01

    This final report summarizes NAS8-38250 contract events, 'Special Environmental Control and Life Support Systems Test Analysis and Hardware'. This report is technical and includes programmatic development. Key to the success of this contract was the evaluation of Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) test results via sophisticated laboratory analysis capabilities. The history of the contract, including all subcontracts, is followed by the support and development of each Task.

  5. Network meta-analyses performed by contracting companies and commissioned by industry.

    PubMed

    Schuit, Ewoud; Ioannidis, John Pa

    2016-11-25

    Industry commissions contracting companies to perform network meta-analysis for health technology assessment (HTA) and reimbursement submissions. Our objective was to estimate the number of network meta-analyses performed by consulting companies contracted by industry, to assess whether they were published, and to explore reasons for non-publication. We searched MEDLINE for network meta-analyses of randomized trials. Papers were included if they had authors affiliated with any contracting company. All identified contracting companies as well as additional ones from the list of the exhibitors at the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research, an annual meeting that representatives from many contracting companies attend and exhibit at, were surveyed regarding conduct and publication of network meta-analyses. In 162 of 822 (20%) network meta-analysis papers, authors were affiliated to 66 contracting companies. Another 36 contracting companies were identified by the exhibitors list. Three companies had no contact information and six merged with others, therefore 93 companies were contacted. Thirty seven out of ninety three (40%) companies responded, and 19 indicated that they had performed a total of 476 network meta-analyses, but only 102 (21%) papers were published. Thirteen companies that disclosed to have conducted 174 network meta-analyses (45 published) provided reasons for non-publication. Of the 129 still unpublished meta-analyses, for 40 there were plans for future publication, for 37 the sponsor did not allow publication, for 16 the contracting companies did not plan to publish the meta-analysis, for another 23 plans were unclear, and the remaining 13 were used as HTA submission. The protocol of the network meta-analysis was publically available from 11/162 (6.8%) network meta-analyses published by authors affiliated with contracting companies. There is a prolific sector of professional contracting companies that perform network meta-analyses. Industry commissions many network meta-analyses, but most are not registered before or published after analyses in the scientific literature. Mechanisms to improve publication rates of network meta-analysis commissioned by industry are warranted.

  6. Space Station engineering and technology development

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1985-01-01

    Historical background, costs, organizational assignments, technology development, user requirements, mission evolution, systems analyses and design, systems engineering and integration, contracting, and policies of the space station are discussed.

  7. The development and validation of a psychological contract of safety scale.

    PubMed

    Walker, Arlene

    2010-08-01

    This paper builds on previous research by the author and describes the development and validation of a new measure of the psychological contract of safety. The psychological contract of safety is defined as the beliefs of individuals about reciprocal safety obligations inferred from implicit and explicit promises. A psychological contract is established when an individual believes that perceived employer and employee safety obligations are contingent on each other. A pilot test of the measure is first undertaken with participants from three different occupations: nurses, construction workers, and meat processing workers (N=99). Item analysis is used to refine the measure and provide initial validation of the scale. A larger validation study is then conducted with a participant sample of health care workers (N=424) to further refine the measure and to determine the psychometric properties of the scale. Item and correlational analyses produced the final employer and employee obligations scales, consisting of 21 and 17 items, respectively. Factor analyses identified two underlying dimensions in each scale comparable to that previously established in the organizational literature. These transactional and relational-type obligations provided construct validity of the scale. Internal consistency ratings using Cronbach's alpha found the components of the psychological contract of safety measure to be reliable. The refined and validated psychological contract of safety measure will allow investigation of the positive and negative outcomes associated with fulfilment and breach of the psychological contract of safety in future research. 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  8. Shopping for health: purchasing health services through contracts.

    PubMed

    Howden-Chapman, P; Ashton, T

    1994-01-01

    The 1993 New Zealand health service reforms were based on the purported efficiencies of the purchaser/provider split. Purchasers are required to contract for services that will maintain, improve and restore the health of the populations they serve. The purchasing role, which requires the development of contracting skills as well as the setting of strategic directions and priorities, is new and as yet poorly developed. This paper describes the role of purchasing agents in setting priorities, the different approaches that are being taken to contracting for services and some of the problems that have arisen in the first year of contracting. It explores the trade-off that is evident between the potential for improving efficiency through contestable contracting and the need to minimise transaction costs associated with the contracting process. The purchasers' accountability to the public and the Minister is analysed in the broader political context of the purchasers' role in shaping a public health service and improving the health of the population.

  9. 48 CFR 815.404-1 - Proposal analysis techniques.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... technical reviews. (See 801.602-70.) (b) Contracting officers determine the level of technical analyses... under them, and contract modifications. Contracting officers must request technical analyses of the proposals from the appropriate technical personnel. The technical analyses must address, as a minimum, the...

  10. 48 CFR 815.404-1 - Proposal analysis techniques.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... technical reviews. (See 801.602-70.) (b) Contracting officers determine the level of technical analyses... under them, and contract modifications. Contracting officers must request technical analyses of the proposals from the appropriate technical personnel. The technical analyses must address, as a minimum, the...

  11. Status of SAFT silver hydrogen cell development

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Goualard, B. J.

    1983-01-01

    Nickel-hydrogen cells appear to be an improvement over the nickel-cadmium in applications requiring longer lifetime and reduced weight. An even more efficient couple, the silver-hydrogen couple, is also considered. After a theoretical study first performed by the Battelle Institute of Geneva under ESA (European Space Agency) contract, SAFT has undertaken more detailed analyses of the silver-hydrogen degradation mechanisms. ESA and the French Department of Defense contracted with SAFT for a full-development program of the silver-hydrogen technology.

  12. TASAR Certification and Operational Approval Requirements - Analyses and Results

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Koczo, Stefan, Jr.

    2015-01-01

    This report documents the results of research and development work performed by Rockwell Collins in addressing the Task 1 objectives under NASA Contract NNL12AA11C. Under this contract Rockwell Collins provided analytical support to the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) in NASA's development of a Traffic Aware Strategic Aircrew Requests (TASAR) flight deck Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) application for technology transition into operational use. The two primary objectives of this contract were for Rockwell Collins and the University of Iowa OPL to 1) perform an implementation assessment of TASAR toward early certification and operational approval of TASAR as an EFB application (Task 1 of this contract), and 2) design, develop and conduct two Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) simulation experiments that evaluate TASAR and the associated Traffic Aware Planner (TAP) software application to determine the situational awareness and workload impacts of TASAR in the flight deck, while also assessing the level of comprehension, usefulness, and usability of the features of TAP (Task 2 of this contract). This report represents the Task 1 summary report. The Task 2 summary report is provided in [0].

  13. The impact of contracting-out on health system performance: a conceptual framework.

    PubMed

    Liu, Xingzhu; Hotchkiss, David R; Bose, Sujata

    2007-07-01

    Despite the increased popularity of contracting-out of health services in developing countries, its effectiveness on overall health system performance is not yet conclusive. Except for substantial evidence of contracting-out's positive effect on access to health services and some evidence on improved equity in access, there is little evidence of contracting-out's impact on quality and efficiency. Most studies on the subject evaluate specific contracting-out projects against narrowly specified project objectives, not against more broadly defined health system goals. For this reason, conclusions of positive effects pertaining to project level may not hold at system level. This paper presents a conceptual framework that is expected to facilitate comprehensive, rigorous, and standardized evaluation of contracting-out at health system level. Specifically, this framework supports: full and standardized description of contracting-out interventions, study of the determinants of effectiveness, examination of provider and purchaser responses, assessment of the impact of contracting-out on all dimensions of health system performance, and cross-project analyses.

  14. 77 FR 4556 - Environmental Management Advisory Board

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-01-30

    ... activities, cost/ benefit analyses, program performance, human capital development, and contracts and... conduct of the Department's mission and to be in the public interest in connection with the performance of...

  15. 2010 Review on the Extension of the AMedP-8(C) Methodology to New Agents, Materials, and Conditions

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-12-01

    tularemia ). Applied Research Associates (ARA), under contract to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), has begun the development of similar...x P Included in IDA 2010 Analyses 1 Biological Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B x P Included in IDA 2010 Analyses 1 Biological Tularemia x P

  16. Cost and Schedule Analytical Techniques Development

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1998-01-01

    This Final Report summarizes the activities performed by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) under contract NAS 8-40431 "Cost and Schedule Analytical Techniques Development Contract" (CSATD) during Option Year 3 (December 1, 1997 through November 30, 1998). This Final Report is in compliance with Paragraph 5 of Section F of the contract. This CSATD contract provides technical products and deliverables in the form of parametric models, databases, methodologies, studies, and analyses to the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center's (MSFC) Engineering Cost Office (PP03) and the Program Plans and Requirements Office (PP02) and other user organizations. Detailed Monthly Reports were submitted to MSFC in accordance with the contract's Statement of Work, Section IV "Reporting and Documentation". These reports spelled out each month's specific work performed, deliverables submitted, major meetings conducted, and other pertinent information. Therefore, this Final Report will summarize these activities at a higher level. During this contract Option Year, SAIC expended 25,745 hours in the performance of tasks called out in the Statement of Work. This represents approximately 14 full-time EPs. Included are the Huntsville-based team, plus SAIC specialists in San Diego, Ames Research Center, Tampa, and Colorado Springs performing specific tasks for which they are uniquely qualified.

  17. Methods development for total organic carbon accountability

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Benson, Brian L.; Kilgore, Melvin V., Jr.

    1991-01-01

    This report describes the efforts completed during the contract period beginning November 1, 1990 and ending April 30, 1991. Samples of product hygiene and potable water from WRT 3A were supplied by NASA/MSFC prior to contract award on July 24, 1990. Humidity condensate samples were supplied on August 3, 1990. During the course of this contract chemical analyses were performed on these samples to qualitatively determine specific components comprising, the measured organic carbon concentration. In addition, these samples and known standard solutions were used to identify and develop methodology useful to future comprehensive characterization of similar samples. Standard analyses including pH, conductivity, and total organic carbon (TOC) were conducted. Colorimetric and enzyme linked assays for total protein, bile acid, B-hydroxybutyric acid, methylene blue active substances (MBAS), urea nitrogen, ammonia, and glucose were also performed. Gas chromatographic procedures for non-volatile fatty acids and EPA priority pollutants were also performed. Liquid chromatography was used to screen for non-volatile, water soluble compounds not amenable to GC techniques. Methods development efforts were initiated to separate and quantitate certain chemical classes not classically analyzed in water and wastewater samples. These included carbohydrates, organic acids, and amino acids. Finally, efforts were initiated to identify useful concentration techniques to enhance detection limits and recovery of non-volatile, water soluble compounds.

  18. Analysing the Continuity of Teaching and Learning in Classroom Actions: When the Joint Action Framework in Didactics Meets the Pragmatist Approach to Classroom Discourses

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ligozat, Florence; Lundqvist, Eva; Amade-Escot, Chantal

    2018-01-01

    One strand of comparative didactics aims at discussing the relationships between the theoretical constructions developed within subject didactics and how these can contribute to research about teaching and learning. This article explores the relationships between categories for analysing joint actions of teacher and students (didactic contract,…

  19. Estimation of potential scour at bridges on local government roads in South Dakota, 2009-12

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Thompson, Ryan F.; Wattier, Chelsea M.; Liggett, Richard R.; Truax, Ryan A.

    2014-01-01

    In 2009, the U.S. Geological Survey and South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) began a study to estimate potential scour at selected bridges on local government (county, township, and municipal) roads in South Dakota. A rapid scour-estimation method (level-1.5) and a more detailed method (level-2) were used to develop estimates of contraction, abutment, and pier scour. Data from 41 level-2 analyses completed for this study were combined with data from level-2 analyses completed in previous studies to develop new South Dakota-specific regression equations: four regional equations for main-channel velocity at the bridge contraction to account for the widely varying stream conditions within South Dakota, and one equation for head change. Velocity data from streamgages also were used in the regression for average velocity through the bridge contraction. Using these new regression equations, scour analyses were completed using the level-1.5 method on 361 bridges on local government roads. Typically, level-1.5 analyses are completed at flows estimated to have annual exceedance probabilities of 1 percent (100-year flood) and 0.2 percent (500-year flood); however, at some sites the bridge would not pass these flows. A level-1.5 analysis was then completed at the flow expected to produce the maximum scour. Data presented for level-1.5 scour analyses at the 361 bridges include contraction, abutment, and pier scour. Estimates of potential contraction scour ranged from 0 to 32.5 feet for the various flows evaluated. Estimated potential abutment scour ranged from 0 to 40.9 feet for left abutments, and from 0 to 37.7 feet for right abutments. Pier scour values ranged from 2.7 to 31.6 feet. The scour depth estimates provided in this report can be used by the SDDOT to compare with foundation depths at each bridge to determine if abutments or piers are at risk of being undermined by scour at the flows evaluated. Replicate analyses were completed at 24 of the 361 bridges to provide quality-assurance/quality-control measures for the level-1.5 scour estimates. An attempt was made to use the same flows among replicate analyses. Scour estimates do not necessarily have to be in numerical agreement to give the same results. For example, if contraction scour replicate analyses are 18.8 and 30.8 feet, both scour depths can indicate susceptibility to scour for which countermeasures may be needed, even though one number is much greater than the other number. Contraction scour has perhaps the greatest potential for being estimated differently in replicate visits. For contraction scour estimates at the various flows analyzed, differences between results ranged from -7.8 to 5.5 feet, with a median difference of 0.4 foot and an average difference of 0.2 foot. Abutment scour appeared to be nearly as reproducible as contraction scour. For abutment scour estimates at the varying flows analyzed, differences between results ranged from -17.4 to 11 feet, with a median difference of 1.4 feet and an average difference of 1.7 feet. Estimates of pier scour tended to be the most consistently reproduced in replicate visits, with differences between results ranging from -0.3 to 0.5 foot, with a median difference of 0.0 foot and an average difference of 0.0 foot. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Hydraulics Engineering Center River Analysis Systems (HEC-RAS) software package was used to model stream hydraulics at the 41 sites with level-2 analyses. Level-1.5 analyses also were completed at these sites, and the performance of the level-1.5 method was assessed by comparing results to those from the more rigorous level-2 method. The envelope curve approach used in the level-1.5 method is designed to overestimate scour relative to the estimate from the level-2 scour analysis. In cases where the level-1.5 method estimated less scour than the level-2 method, the amount of underestimation generally was less than 3 feet. The level-1.5 method generally overestimated contraction, abutment, and pier scour relative to the level-2 method, as intended. Although the level-1.5 method is designed to overestimate scour relative to more involved analysis methods, many assumptions, uncertainties, and estimations are involved. If the envelope curves are adjusted such that the level-1.5 method never underestimates scour relative to the level-2 method, an accompanying result may be excessive overestimation.

  20. Employment contracts: cross-sectional and longitudinal relations with quality of working life, health and well-being.

    PubMed

    Kompier, Michiel; Ybema, Jan Fekke; Janssen, Julia; Taris, Toon

    2009-01-01

    The aim of this study was to enhance (i) insight in the relationship between different types of employment contract and the quality of working life, health and well-being, and (ii) our causal understanding of these relationships by comparing employees whose contract type changes across time. Analyses were based on a two-year prospective cohort study. Cross-sectional analyses were based upon a sample of 2,454 Dutch employees (2004). Longitudinal data were available for 1,865 respondents (2004-2006). We distinguished among 5 contract types, and subgroups of 'Upward' (i.e., towards permanent employment) and 'Downward' (towards temporary employment) movers across time. Data were analysed with analysis of variance and cross table analysis. Cross-sectionally, we found differences between contract types in quality of working life: generally permanent employees had better jobs, whereas temporary agency workers and on call workers had more 'bad work characteristics'. We also found a difference in health behaviour (smoking) and that psychological health was worst among temporary agency workers. In longitudinal analyses we found some evidence that a positive change in employment contract was associated with a better quality of working life and better psychological health, whereas the opposite was true for a negative contract change. The quality of working life, health and well-being are unequally distributed over employment contract groups. Temporary agency workers and on-call workers deserve special attention in terms of job design and human resource management.

  1. The influence of confounding factors on the relationship between muscle contraction level and MF and MPF values of EMG signal: a review.

    PubMed

    Roman-Liu, Danuta

    2016-01-01

    The purpose of this article is to gather results of studies on the relationship between median frequency (MF) and mean power frequency (MPF) and the level of muscle contraction, and to use those results to discuss the differences in the trends according to factors related to measurement technique and subject. Twenty-one studies with 63 cases for upper limb muscles and nine studies with 31 cases for lower limb muscles were analysed. Most results showed an increase in parameters with an increased level of muscle contraction, only some studies showed a decrease. The influence on parameters of the level of muscle contraction and factors such as subjects, type of contraction, muscle length and electrodes was analysed for each muscle. It was concluded that when analysing the influence of different factors on MF and MPF, because those factors interact they should be considered together, not separately.

  2. Microfluidic chest cavities reveal that transmural pressure controls the rate of lung development.

    PubMed

    Nelson, Celeste M; Gleghorn, Jason P; Pang, Mei-Fong; Jaslove, Jacob M; Goodwin, Katharine; Varner, Victor D; Miller, Erin; Radisky, Derek C; Stone, Howard A

    2017-12-01

    Mechanical forces are increasingly recognized to regulate morphogenesis, but how this is accomplished in the context of the multiple tissue types present within a developing organ remains unclear. Here, we use bioengineered 'microfluidic chest cavities' to precisely control the mechanical environment of the fetal lung. We show that transmural pressure controls airway branching morphogenesis, the frequency of airway smooth muscle contraction, and the rate of developmental maturation of the lungs, as assessed by transcriptional analyses. Time-lapse imaging reveals that branching events are synchronized across distant locations within the lung, and are preceded by long-duration waves of airway smooth muscle contraction. Higher transmural pressure decreases the interval between systemic smooth muscle contractions and increases the rate of morphogenesis of the airway epithelium. These data reveal that the mechanical properties of the microenvironment instruct crosstalk between different tissues to control the development of the embryonic lung. © 2017. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

  3. Flight Control Laws for NASA's Hyper-X Research Vehicle

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Davidson, J.; Lallman, F.; McMinn, J. D.; Martin, J.; Pahle, J.; Stephenson, M.; Selmon, J.; Bose, D.

    1999-01-01

    The goal of the Hyper-X program is to demonstrate and validate technology for design and performance predictions of hypersonic aircraft with an airframe-integrated supersonic-combustion ramjet propulsion system. Accomplishing this goal requires flight demonstration of a hydrogen-fueled scramjet powered hypersonic aircraft. A key enabling technology for this flight demonstration is flight controls. Closed-loop flight control is required to enable a successful stage separation, to achieve and maintain the design condition during the engine test, and to provide a controlled descent. Before the contract award, NASA developed preliminary flight control laws for the Hyper-X to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed scramjet test sequence and descent trajectory. After the contract award, a Boeing/NASA partnership worked to develop the current control laws. This paper presents a description of the Hyper-X Research Vehicle control law architectures with performance and robustness analyses. Assessments of simulated flight trajectories and stability margin analyses demonstrate that these control laws meet the flight test requirements.

  4. The influence of confounding factors on the relationship between muscle contraction level and MF and MPF values of EMG signal: a review

    PubMed Central

    Roman-Liu, Danuta

    2016-01-01

    The purpose of this article is to gather results of studies on the relationship between median frequency (MF) and mean power frequency (MPF) and the level of muscle contraction, and to use those results to discuss the differences in the trends according to factors related to measurement technique and subject. Twenty-one studies with 63 cases for upper limb muscles and nine studies with 31 cases for lower limb muscles were analysed. Most results showed an increase in parameters with an increased level of muscle contraction, only some studies showed a decrease. The influence on parameters of the level of muscle contraction and factors such as subjects, type of contraction, muscle length and electrodes was analysed for each muscle. It was concluded that when analysing the influence of different factors on MF and MPF, because those factors interact they should be considered together, not separately. PMID:26654476

  5. 76 FR 36583 - New Postal Product

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-06-22

    ... Docket No. CP2010-36 serve as the baseline contract for future functional equivalence analyses of the... commitments, do not alter the contract's functional equivalency. Id. at 4. The Postal Service asserts that... offered or the fundamental structure of the contract. Therefore, it requests that the instant contract be...

  6. 75 FR 69715 - New Postal Product

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-11-15

    ... contract for future functional equivalence analyses of the GEPS 3 product. \\1\\ Notice of United States... GEPS contracts, a description of applicable GEPS contracts, formulas for prices, an analysis of the... information and volume commitments, do not alter the contracts' functional equivalency. Id. at 3-4. The Postal...

  7. DEVELOPMENT OF A GEOCHEMICAL MODEL FOR URANIUM TRANSPORT IN THE UNSATURATED AND SATURATED SEDIMENTS AT THE 200 WEST AREA OF THE US DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY HANFORD SITE WASHINGTON (SEPTEMBER 2004)

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    ADAMS SC; PETERSEN SW

    2010-03-24

    Final Deliverable under GWP-HQ-LMT-02 contract for Hanford Sci. & Tech. Gp. to BHI. The scope of work covered laboratory analyses and gephysical logging for 299-W19-43 near the 200 West U Plant. Other isotopic analyses were conducted for holes around 216-U-1&2, including U-236.

  8. Advanced laser stratospheric monitoring systems analyses

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Larsen, J. C.

    1984-01-01

    This report describes the software support supplied by Systems and Applied Sciences Corporation for the study of Advanced Laser Stratospheric Monitoring Systems Analyses under contract No. NAS1-15806. This report discusses improvements to the Langley spectroscopic data base, development of LHS instrument control software and data analyses and validation software. The effect of diurnal variations on the retrieved concentrations of NO, NO2 and C L O from a space and balloon borne measurement platform are discussed along with the selection of optimum IF channels for sensing stratospheric species from space.

  9. Extending transaction cost economics: towards a synthesised approach for analysing contracting in health care markets with experience from the Australian private sector.

    PubMed

    Donato, Ronald

    2010-12-01

    Transaction cost economics (TCE) has been the dominant economic paradigm for analysing contracting, and the framework has been applied in a number of health care contexts. However, TCE has particular limitations when applied to complex industry settings and there have been calls to extend the framework to incorporate dynamic theories of industrial organisation, specifically the resource-based view (RBV). This paper analyses how such calls for theoretical pluralism are particularly germane to health care markets and examines whether a combined TCE-RBV provides a more comprehensive approach for understanding the nature of contractual arrangements that have developed within the Australian private health care sector and its implications for informing policy. This Australian case study involved a series of interviews with 14 senior contracting executives from the seven major health funds (i.e. 97% of the insured population) and seven major private hospital groups (i.e. 73% of the private hospital beds). Study findings reveal that both the TCE perspective with its focus on exchange hazards, and the RBV approach with its emphasis on the dynamic nature of capabilities, each provide a partial explanation of the developments associated with contracting between health funds and hospital groups. For a select few organisations, close inter-firm relational ties involving trust and mutual commitment attenuate complex exchange hazards through greater information sharing and reduced propensity to behave opportunistically. Further, such close relational ties also provide denser communication channels for creating and transmitting more complex information enabling organisations to tap into each other's complementary resources and capabilities. For policymakers, having regard to both TCE and RBV considerations provides the opportunity to apply competition policy beyond the current static notions of efficiency and welfare gains, and cautions policymakers against specifying ex ante the specific nature of contractual arrangements that ought to prevail in health care markets. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  10. The consequences of hospital autonomization in Colombia: a transaction cost economics analysis.

    PubMed

    Castano, Ramon; Mills, Anne

    2013-03-01

    Granting autonomy to public hospitals in developing countries has been common over recent decades, and implies a shift from hierarchical to contract-based relationships with health authorities. Theory on transactions costs in contractual relationships suggests they stem from relationship-specific investments and contract incompleteness. Transaction cost economics argues that the parties involved in exchanges seek to reduce transaction costs. The objective of this research was to analyse the relationships observed between purchasers and the 22 public hospitals of the city of Bogota, Colombia, in order to understand the role of relationship-specific investments and contract incompleteness as sources of transaction costs, through a largely qualitative study. We found that contract-based relationships showed relevant transaction costs associated mainly with contract incompleteness, not with relationship-specific investments. Regarding relationships between insurers and local hospitals for primary care services, compulsory contracting regulations locked-in the parties to the contracts. For high-complexity services (e.g. inpatient care), no restrictions applied and relationships suggested transaction-cost minimizing behaviour. Contract incompleteness was found to be a source of transaction costs on its own. We conclude that transaction costs seemed to play a key role in contract-based relationships, and contract incompleteness by itself appeared to be a source of transaction costs. The same findings are likely in other contexts because of difficulties in defining, observing and verifying the contracted products and the underlying information asymmetries. The role of compulsory contracting might be context-specific, although it is likely to emerge in other settings due to the safety-net role of public hospitals.

  11. Managing the financial risk of low water levels in Great Lakes with index-based contracts

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Meyer, E.; Characklis, G. W.; Brown, C. M.; Moody, P.

    2014-12-01

    Low water levels in the Great Lakes have recently had significant financial impacts on the region's commercial shipping, responsible for transporting millions of dollars' worth of bulk goods each year. Low lake levels can significantly affect shipping firms, as cargo capacity is a function of draft, or the distance between water level and the ship's bottom. Draft increases with weight, and lower lake levels force ships to reduce cargo to prevent running aground in shallow harbors, directly impacting the finances of shipping companies. Risk transfer instruments may provide adaptable, yet unexplored, alternatives for managing these financial risks, at significantly less expense than more traditional solutions (e.g., dredging). Index-based financial instruments can be particularly attractive as contract payouts are directly linked to well-defined transparent metrics (e.g., lake levels), eliminating the need for subjective adjustors, as well as concerns over moral hazard. In developing such instruments, a major challenge is identifying an index that is well correlated with financial losses, and thus a contract that reliably pays out when losses are experienced (low basis risk). In this work, a relationship between lake levels and shipping revenues is developed, and actuarial analyses of the frequency and magnitude of revenue losses is completed using this relationship and synthetic water level data. This analysis is used to develop several types of index-based contracts. A standardized suite of binary contracts is developed, with each indexed to lake levels and priced according to predefined thresholds. These are combined to form portfolios with different objectives (e.g. options, collars), with optimal portfolio structure and length of coverage determined by limiting basis risk and contract cost, using simulations over the historic dataset. Results suggest that portfolios of these binary contracts can substantially reduce the risk of financial losses during periods of low lake level at a cost of only 1-3% of total revenues.

  12. SRB Environment Evaluation and Analysis. Volume 3: ASRB Plume Induced Environments

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bender, R. L.; Brown, J. R.; Reardon, J. E.; Everson, J.; Coons, L. W.; Stuckey, C. I.; Fulton, M. S.

    1991-01-01

    Contract NAS8-37891 was expanded in late 1989 to initiate analysis of Shuttle plume induced environments as a result of the substitution of the Advanced Solid Rocket Booster (ASRB) for the Redesigned Solid Rocket Booster (RSRB). To support this analysis, REMTECH became involved in subscale and full-scale solid rocket motor test programs which further expanded the scope of work. Later contract modifications included additional tasks to produce initial design cycle environments and to specify development flight instrumentation. Volume 3 of the final report describes these analyses and contains a summary of reports resulting from various studies.

  13. Flow caused by the stalk contraction of Vorticella

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ryu, Sangjin; Chung, Eun-Gul; Admiraal, David

    2016-11-01

    Vorticella is a stalked protozoan, and its ultrafast stalk contraction moves the spherically-shrunken cell body (zooid) and thus causes surrounding water to flow. Because the fluid dynamics of this water flow is important for understanding the motility of Vorticella, we investigated the flow based on various fluid dynamics approaches. To find why Vorticella contracts its stalk, we propose a hypothesis that the protist utilizes the contraction-induced water flow to augment transport of food particles. This hypothesis was investigated using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model, which was validated with an experimental scale model of Vorticella. The CFD model enabled calculating the motion of particles around Vorticella and thus quantifying the transport effect of the stalk contraction. Also, we have developed a hydrodynamic drag model for easier estimation of Vorticella's contractility without using the CFD model. Because the contractile force of the stalk equals the drag on the moving zooid, the model enabled evaluating the contractile force and energetics of Vorticella based on its contraction speed. Analyses using the drag model show that the stalk contractility of Vorticella depends on the stalk length. This study was supported by UNL Layman Seed Grant and Nebraska EPSCoR First Award Grant.

  14. Protecting the Environment Through Public Procurement Law - The Case of Poland

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kozik, Renata; Karasińska-Jaśkowiec, Izabela

    2016-10-01

    The article presents the results of studies whose aim was to analyse public procurement procedures in the context of environmental protection, especially wastewater infrastructure, performed in the selected Polish municipalities. The selection criterions were the time of public procurement procedure - from 2009 until 2015 and that the contract was cofinanced by the European Union funds. The contracting authorities responsible for awarding specific contracts, were asked series of detailed questions about the environmental criteria and requirements contained in the tender documents for the construction contracts related to the wastewater infrastructure. The aim of the detailed study was to determine whether the actions taken by the contracting authorities in a tender procedure for the construction or operation of wastewater infrastructure include environmental issues. Authors examine also the applicable public procurement law regulation in Poland and Europe in the context of sustainable development and environmental protection. The study of public procurement law was to check whether the law regulation fully takes into account the environmental aspects of the planned investments. On this basis, conclusions have been made that laws are consistent and do not constitute an obstacle to awarding a contract positively affecting the environment.

  15. Dealing with resistance in temporary agency nurses. The role of fear in identity-building processes.

    PubMed

    Cicellin, Mariavittoria; Pezzillo Iacono, Mario; Berni, Alessia; Esposito, Vincenza

    2015-01-01

    The purpose of this paper is to interpret employees' resistance using the perspective of a Foucaultian/post-structuralist approach in critical management studies. The authors examine the relationship between management of diversity, based on employment contract, emotional construction of identity and processes of resistance. The authors explore the ways in which temporary agency nurses understand and experience their contract, respond to tensions regarding temporary employment, develop collective emotions and show processes of resistance. The study adopted an interpretive and qualitative approach. The authors analysed empirical material collected in the Haematology Department of a hospital in Naples, Italy, to illustrate actual experiences in the workplace. Fear turns out to be the discursive resource through which resistance is actually exerted. Through emotions, temporary nurses build a community of coping and enhance their collective identity. They use fear to develop solidarity and to mobilize collective resistance in the workplace. Although no traditional resistance behaviours are reported, they aim to undermine the reputation of top managers and challenge and re-write the prevailing discourses of the organization. The paper contributes to the critical literature because the authors analysed a relationship that is rarely theoretically and empirically examined in literature, that between employment contract, collective identity-building dynamics and processes of resistance. We showed that the creation of a community of coping enabled minorities to voice their distance from and opposition to management.

  16. Sonomyographic responses during voluntary isometric ramp contraction of the human rectus femoris muscle.

    PubMed

    Chen, Xin; Zheng, Yong-Ping; Guo, Jing-Yi; Zhu, Zhenyu; Chan, Shing-Chow; Zhang, Zhiguo

    2012-07-01

    This paper aims to investigate the relationship between torque and muscle morphological change, which is derived from ultrasound image sequence and termed as sonomyography (SMG), during isometric ramp contraction of the rectus femoris (RF) muscle, and to further compare SMG with the electromyography (EMG) and mechanomyography (MMG), which represent the electrical and mechanical activities of the muscle. Nine subjects performed isometric ramp contraction of knee up to 90% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) at speeds of 45, 22.5 and 15% MVC/s, and EMG, MMG and ultrasonography were simultaneously recorded from the RF muscle. Cross-sectional area, which was referred to as SMG, was automatically extracted from continuously captured ultrasound images using a newly developed image tracking algorithm. Polynomial regression analyses were applied to fit the EMG/MMG/SMG-to-torque relationships, and the regression coefficients of EMG, MMG, and SMG were compared. Moreover, the effect of contraction speed on SMG/EMG/MMG-to-torque relationships was tested by pair-wise comparisons of the mean relationship curves at different speeds for EMG, MMG and SMG. The results show that continuous SMG could provide important morphological parameters of continuous muscle contraction. Compared with EMG and MMG, SMG exhibits different changing patterns with the increase of torque during voluntary isometric ramp contraction, and it is less influenced by the contraction speed.

  17. Framing the decision to contract out elderly care and primary health care services – perspectives of local level politicians and civil servants in Finland

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Background In the literature there are only few empirical studies that analyse the decision makers’ reasoning to contract out health care and social services to private sector. However, the decisions on the delivery patterns of health care and social services are considered to be of great importance as they have a potential to influence citizens’ access to services and even affect their health. This study contributes to filling this cap by exploring the frames used by Finnish local authorities as they talk about contracting out of primary health care and elderly care services. Contracting with the private sector has gained increasing popularity, in Finland, during the past decade, as a practise of organising health care and social services. Methods Interview data drawn from six municipalities through thematic group interviews were used. The data were analysed applying frame analysis in order to reveal the underlying reasoning for the decisions. Results Five argumentation frames were found: Rational reasoning; Pragmatic realism; Promoting diversity among providers; Good for the municipality; Good for the local people. The interviewees saw contracting with the private sector mostly as a means to improve the performance of public providers, to improve service quality and efficiency and to boost the local economy. The decisions to contract out were mainly argued through the good for the municipal administration, political and ideological commitments, available resources and existing institutions. Conclusions This study suggests that the policy makers use a number of grounds to justify their decisions on contracting out. Most of the arguments were related to the benefits of the municipality rather than on what is best for the local people. The citizens were offered the role of active consumers who are willing to purchase services also out-of-pocket. This development has a potential to endanger the affordability of the services and lead to undermining some of the traditional principles of the Nordic welfare state. PMID:22805167

  18. Framing the decision to contract out elderly care and primary health care services - perspectives of local level politicians and civil servants in Finland.

    PubMed

    Tynkkynen, Liina-Kaisa; Lehto, Juhani; Miettinen, Sari

    2012-07-17

    In the literature there are only few empirical studies that analyse the decision makers' reasoning to contract out health care and social services to private sector. However, the decisions on the delivery patterns of health care and social services are considered to be of great importance as they have a potential to influence citizens' access to services and even affect their health. This study contributes to filling this cap by exploring the frames used by Finnish local authorities as they talk about contracting out of primary health care and elderly care services. Contracting with the private sector has gained increasing popularity, in Finland, during the past decade, as a practise of organising health care and social services. Interview data drawn from six municipalities through thematic group interviews were used. The data were analysed applying frame analysis in order to reveal the underlying reasoning for the decisions. Five argumentation frames were found: Rational reasoning; Pragmatic realism; Promoting diversity among providers; Good for the municipality; Good for the local people. The interviewees saw contracting with the private sector mostly as a means to improve the performance of public providers, to improve service quality and efficiency and to boost the local economy. The decisions to contract out were mainly argued through the good for the municipal administration, political and ideological commitments, available resources and existing institutions. This study suggests that the policy makers use a number of grounds to justify their decisions on contracting out. Most of the arguments were related to the benefits of the municipality rather than on what is best for the local people. The citizens were offered the role of active consumers who are willing to purchase services also out-of-pocket. This development has a potential to endanger the affordability of the services and lead to undermining some of the traditional principles of the Nordic welfare state.

  19. Orbital transfer vehicle concept definition and system analysis study. Volume 2: OTV concept definition and evaluation. Book 3: Subsystem trade studies

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dickman, Glen J.

    1987-01-01

    The technical trade studies and analyses reported in this book represent the accumulated work of the technical staff for the contract period. The general disciplines covered are as follows: (1) Guidance, Navigation, and Control; (2) Avionics Hardware; (3) Aeroassist Technology; (4) Propulsion; (5) Structure and Materials; and (6) Thermal Control Technology. The objectives in each of these areas were to develop the latest data, information, and analyses in support of the vehicle design effort.

  20. Reducing composite restoration polymerization shrinkage stress through resin modified glass-ionomer based adhesives.

    PubMed

    Naoum, S J; Mutzelburg, P R; Shumack, T G; Thode, Djg; Martin, F E; Ellakwa, A E

    2015-12-01

    The aim of this study was to determine whether employing resin modified glass-ionomer based adhesives can reduce polymerization contraction stress generated at the interface of restorative composite adhesive systems. Five resin based adhesives (G Bond, Optibond-All-in-One, Optibond-Solo, Optibond-XTR and Scotchbond-Universal) and two resin modified glass-ionomer based adhesives (Riva Bond-LC, Fuji Bond-LC) were analysed. Each adhesive was applied to bond restorative composite Filtek-Z250 to opposing acrylic rods secured within a universal testing machine. Stress developed at the interface of each adhesive-restorative composite system (n = 5) was calculated at 5-minute intervals over 6 hours. The resin based adhesive-restorative composite systems (RBA-RCS) demonstrated similar interface stress profiles over 6 hours; initial rapid contraction stress development (0-300 seconds) followed by continued contraction stress development ≤0.02MPa/s (300 seconds - 6 hours). The interface stress profile of the resin modified glass-ionomer based adhesive-restorative composite systems (RMGIBA-RCS) differed substantially to the RBA-RCS in several ways. Firstly, during 0-300 seconds the rate of contraction stress development at the interface of the RMGIBA-RCS was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than at the interface of the RBA-RCS. Secondly, at 300 seconds and 6 hours the interface contraction stress magnitude of the RMGIBA-RCS was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than the stress of all assessed RBA-RCS. Thirdly, from 300 seconds to 6 hours both the magnitude and rate of interface stress of the RMGIBA-RCS continued to decline over the 6 hours from the 300 seconds peak. The use of resin modified glass-ionomer based adhesives can significantly reduce the magnitude and rate of polymerization contraction stress developed at the interface of adhesive-restorative composite systems. © 2015 Australian Dental Association.

  1. Training Opportunities and Employee Exhaustion in Call Centres: Mediation by Psychological Contract Fulfilment

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Chambel, Maria Jose; Castanheira, Filipa

    2012-01-01

    The aim of this study is to analyse psychological contract fulfilment as a mechanism through which training affects stress in call centres. The hypotheses were tested on a sample of 412 call centre operators, using structural equation modelling to analyse their survey responses. Our results demonstrated that training is negatively related to…

  2. Contracting private sector providers for public sector health services in Jalisco, Mexico: perspectives of system actors

    PubMed Central

    Nigenda, Gustavo H; González, Luz María

    2009-01-01

    Introduction Contracting out health services is a strategy that many health systems in the developing world are following, despite the lack of decisive evidence that this is the best way to improve quality, increase efficiency and expand coverage. A large body of literature has appeared in recent years focusing on the results of several contracting strategies, but very few papers have addressed aspects of the managerial process and how this can affect results. Case description This paper describes and analyses the perceptions and opinions of managers and workers about the benefits and challenges of the contracting model that has been in place for almost 10 years in the State of Jalisco, Mexico. Both qualitative and quantitative information was collected. An open-ended questionnaire was used to obtain information from a group of managers, while information provided by a self-selected group of workers was collected via a closed-ended questionnaire. The analysis contrasted the information obtained from each source. Discussion and Evaluation Findings show that perceptions of managers and workers vary for most of the items studied. For managers the model has been a success, as it has allowed for expansion of coverage based on a cost-effective strategy, while for workers the model also possesses positive elements but fails to provide fair labour relationships, which negatively affects their performance. Conclusion Perspectives of the two main groups of actors in Jalisco's contracting model are important in the design and adjustment of an adequate contracting model that includes managerial elements to give incentives to worker performance, a key element necessary to achieve the model's ultimate objectives. Lessons learnt from this study could be relevant for the experience of contracting models in other developing countries. PMID:19849831

  3. Factors associated with perception of risk of contracting HIV among secondary school female learners in Mbonge subdivision of rural Cameroon.

    PubMed

    Tarkang, Elvis Enowbeyang

    2014-01-01

    Since learners in secondary schools fall within the age group hardest hit by HIV/AIDS, it is obvious that these learners might be at high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. However, little has been explored on the perception of risk of contracting HIV among secondary school learners in Cameroon. This study aimed at examining the perception of risk of contracting HIV among secondary school learners in Mbonge subdivision of rural Cameroon using the Health Belief Model (HBM) as framework. A quantitative, correlational design was adopted, using a self-administered questionnaire to collect data from 210 female learners selected through disproportional, stratified, simple random sampling technique, from three participating senior secondary schools. Statistics were calculated using SPSS version 20 software program. Only 39.4% of the respondents perceived themselves to be at high risk of contracting HIV, though the majority, 54.0% were sexually active. Multinomial logistic regression analyses show that sexual risk behaviours (p=0.000) and the Integrated Value Mapping (IVM) of the perception components of the HBM are the most significant factors associated with perception of risk of contracting HIV at the level p<0.05. The findings of this study can play an instrumental role in the development of effective preventive and interventional messages for adolescents in Cameroon.

  4. Analysis of EDP performance

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1994-01-01

    The objective of this contract was the investigation of the potential performance gains that would result from an upgrade of the Space Station Freedom (SSF) Data Management System (DMS) Embedded Data Processor (EDP) '386' design with the Intel Pentium (registered trade-mark of Intel Corp.) '586' microprocessor. The Pentium ('586') is the latest member of the industry standard Intel X86 family of CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer) microprocessors. This contract was scheduled to run in parallel with an internal IBM Federal Systems Company (FSC) Internal Research and Development (IR&D) task that had the goal to generate a baseline flight design for an upgraded EDP using the Pentium. This final report summarizes the activities performed in support of Contract NAS2-13758. Our plan was to baseline performance analyses and measurements on the latest state-of-the-art commercially available Pentium processor, representative of the proposed space station design, and then phase to an IBM capital funded breadboard version of the flight design (if available from IR&D and Space Station work) for additional evaluation of results. Unfortunately, the phase-over to the flight design breadboard did not take place, since the IBM Data Management System (DMS) for the Space Station Freedom was terminated by NASA before the referenced capital funded EDP breadboard could be completed. The baseline performance analyses and measurements, however, were successfully completed, as planned, on the commercial Pentium hardware. The results of those analyses, evaluations, and measurements are presented in this final report.

  5. Musculoskeletal simulation can help explain selective muscle degeneration in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

    PubMed

    Hu, Xiao; Blemker, Silvia S

    2015-08-01

    Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disease that occurs due to the deficiency of the dystrophin protein. Although dystrophin is deficient in all muscles, it is unclear why degeneration progresses differently across muscles in DMD. We hypothesized that each muscle undergoes a different degree of eccentric contraction during gait, which could contribute to the selective degeneration in lower limb muscle, as indicated by various amounts of fatty infiltration. By comparing eccentric contractions quantified from a previous multibody dynamic musculoskeletal gait simulation and fat fractions quantified in a recent imaging study, our preliminary analyses show a strong correlation between eccentric contractions during gait and lower limb muscle fat fractions, supporting our hypothesis. This knowledge is critical for developing safe exercise regimens for the DMD population. This study also provides supportive evidence for using multiscale modeling and simulation of the musculoskeletal system in future DMD research. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  6. Acceptance of selective contracting: the role of trust in the health insurer

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    Background In a demand oriented health care system based on managed competition, health insurers have incentives to become prudent buyers of care on behalf of their enrolees. They are allowed to selectively contract care providers. This is supposed to stimulate competition between care providers and both increase the quality of care and contain costs in the health care system. However, health insurers are reluctant to implement selective contracting; they believe their enrolees will not accept this. One reason, insurers believe, is that enrolees do not trust their health insurer. However, this has never been studied. This paper aims to study the role played by enrolees’ trust in the health insurer on their acceptance of selective contracting. Methods An online survey was conducted among 4,422 people insured through a large Dutch health insurance company. Trust in the health insurer, trust in the purchasing strategy of the health insurer and acceptance of selective contracting were measured using multiple item scales. A regression model was constructed to analyse the results. Results Trust in the health insurer turned out to be an important prerequisite for the acceptance of selective contracting among their enrolees. The association of trust in the purchasing strategy of the health insurer with acceptance of selective contracting is stronger for older people than younger people. Furthermore, it was found that men and healthier people accepted selective contracting by their health insurer more readily. This was also true for younger people with a low level of trust in their health insurer. Conclusion This study provides insight into factors that influence people’s acceptance of selective contracting by their health insurer. This may help health insurers to implement selective contracting in a way their enrolees will accept and, thus, help systems of managed competition to develop. PMID:24083663

  7. Acceptance of selective contracting: the role of trust in the health insurer.

    PubMed

    Bes, Romy E; Wendel, Sonja; Curfs, Emile C; Groenewegen, Peter P; de Jong, Judith D

    2013-10-02

    In a demand oriented health care system based on managed competition, health insurers have incentives to become prudent buyers of care on behalf of their enrolees. They are allowed to selectively contract care providers. This is supposed to stimulate competition between care providers and both increase the quality of care and contain costs in the health care system. However, health insurers are reluctant to implement selective contracting; they believe their enrolees will not accept this. One reason, insurers believe, is that enrolees do not trust their health insurer. However, this has never been studied. This paper aims to study the role played by enrolees' trust in the health insurer on their acceptance of selective contracting. An online survey was conducted among 4,422 people insured through a large Dutch health insurance company. Trust in the health insurer, trust in the purchasing strategy of the health insurer and acceptance of selective contracting were measured using multiple item scales. A regression model was constructed to analyse the results. Trust in the health insurer turned out to be an important prerequisite for the acceptance of selective contracting among their enrolees. The association of trust in the purchasing strategy of the health insurer with acceptance of selective contracting is stronger for older people than younger people. Furthermore, it was found that men and healthier people accepted selective contracting by their health insurer more readily. This was also true for younger people with a low level of trust in their health insurer. This study provides insight into factors that influence people's acceptance of selective contracting by their health insurer. This may help health insurers to implement selective contracting in a way their enrolees will accept and, thus, help systems of managed competition to develop.

  8. Contraction of the Ventral Abdomen Potentiates Extracardiac Retrograde Hemolymph Propulsion in the Mosquito Hemocoel

    PubMed Central

    Andereck, Jonathan W.; King, Jonas G.; Hillyer, Julián F.

    2010-01-01

    Background Hemolymph circulation in mosquitoes is primarily controlled by the contractile action of a dorsal vessel that runs underneath the dorsal midline and is subdivided into a thoracic aorta and an abdominal heart. Wave-like peristaltic contractions of the heart alternate in propelling hemolymph in anterograde and retrograde directions, where it empties into the hemocoel at the terminal ends of the insect. During our analyses of hemolymph propulsion in Anopheles gambiae, we observed periodic ventral abdominal contractions and hypothesized that they promote extracardiac hemolymph circulation in the abdominal hemocoel. Methodology/Principal Findings We devised methods to simultaneously analyze both heart and abdominal contractions, as well as to measure hemolymph flow in the abdominal hemocoel. Qualitative and quantitative analyses revealed that ventral abdominal contractions occur as series of bursts that propagate in the retrograde direction. Periods of ventral abdominal contraction begin only during periods of anterograde heart contraction and end immediately following a heartbeat directional reversal, suggesting that ventral abdominal contractions function to propel extracardiac hemolymph in the retrograde direction. To test this functional role, fluorescent microspheres were intrathoracically injected and their trajectory tracked throughout the hemocoel. Quantitative measurements of microsphere movement in extracardiac regions of the abdominal cavity showed that during periods of abdominal contractions hemolymph flows in dorsal and retrograde directions at a higher velocity and with greater acceleration than during periods of abdominal rest. Histochemical staining of the abdominal musculature then revealed that ventral abdominal contractions result from the contraction of intrasegmental lateral muscle fibers, intersegmental ventral muscle bands, and the ventral transverse muscles that form the ventral diaphragm. Conclusions/Significance These data show that abdominal contractions potentiate extracardiac retrograde hemolymph propulsion in the abdominal hemocoel during periods of anterograde heart flow. PMID:20886066

  9. hnRNP U protein is required for normal pre-mRNA splicing and postnatal heart development and function.

    PubMed

    Ye, Junqiang; Beetz, Nadine; O'Keeffe, Sean; Tapia, Juan Carlos; Macpherson, Lindsey; Chen, Weisheng V; Bassel-Duby, Rhonda; Olson, Eric N; Maniatis, Tom

    2015-06-09

    We report that mice lacking the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U (hnRNP U) in the heart develop lethal dilated cardiomyopathy and display numerous defects in cardiac pre-mRNA splicing. Mutant hearts have disorganized cardiomyocytes, impaired contractility, and abnormal excitation-contraction coupling activities. RNA-seq analyses of Hnrnpu mutant hearts revealed extensive defects in alternative splicing of pre-mRNAs encoding proteins known to be critical for normal heart development and function, including Titin and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II delta (Camk2d). Loss of hnRNP U expression in cardiomyocytes also leads to aberrant splicing of the pre-mRNA encoding the excitation-contraction coupling component Junctin. We found that the protein product of an alternatively spliced Junctin isoform is N-glycosylated at a specific asparagine site that is required for interactions with specific protein partners. Our findings provide conclusive evidence for the essential role of hnRNP U in heart development and function and in the regulation of alternative splicing.

  10. Influence of prolonged unilateral cervical muscle contraction on head repositioning--decreased overshoot after a 5-min static muscle contraction task.

    PubMed

    Malmström, Eva-Maj; Karlberg, Mikael; Holmström, Eva; Fransson, Per-Anders; Hansson, Gert-Ake; Magnusson, Måns

    2010-06-01

    The ability to reproduce a specified head-on-trunk position can be an indirect test of cervical proprioception. This ability is affected in subjects with neck pain, but it is unclear whether and how much pain or continuous muscle contraction factors contribute to this effect. We studied the influence of a static unilateral neck muscle contraction task (5 min of lateral flexion at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction) on head repositioning ability in 20 subjects (10 women, 10 men; mean age 37 years) with healthy necks. Head repositioning ability was tested in the horizontal plane with 30 degrees target and neutral head position tests; head position was recorded by Zebris((R)), an ultrasound-based motion analyser. Head repositioning ability was analysed for accuracy (mean of signed differences between introduced and reproduced positions) and precision (standard deviation of the differences). Accuracy of head repositioning ability increased significantly after the muscle contraction task, as the normal overshoot was reduced. An average overshoot of 7.1 degrees decreased to 4.6 degrees after the muscle contraction task for the 30 degrees target and from 2.2 degrees to 1.4 degrees for neutral head position. The increased accuracy was most pronounced for movements directed towards the activated side. Hence, prolonged unilateral neck muscle contraction may increase the sensitivity of cervical proprioceptors.

  11. Integrin receptor involvement in actin cable formation in an in vitro model of events associated with wound contraction.

    PubMed

    Stephens, P; Genever, P G; Wood, E J; Raxworthy, M J

    1997-01-01

    Actin cables have been reported to act in vivo as contractile 'purse strings' capable of closing embryonic wounds through generation of circumferential tension. Furthermore, their involvement in wounds within in vitro model systems suggests that actin cable contraction may be an important mechanism involved in the process of wound closure. The aim of this study therefore, was to investigate the appearance of actin cables in a contracting fibroblast populated collagen lattice, an in vitro model of events associated with wound contraction. Utilising this in vitro model, the time-course of actin cable production was investigated and the involvement of integrin receptors analysed using immunofluorescent labelling techniques. Over a period of hours distinct cellular cable-like structures developed at the edges of collagen lattices coinciding with the onset of contraction. Cellular organisation within the cable was evident as was polymerisation of actin microfilaments into elongated stress fibres forming a continuous cell-cell 'actin cable' around the circumference of the lattice. Immunolocalisation demonstrated that integrin receptor subunits beta 1 and alpha 2 but not alpha 5 were involved in apparent intimate cell-cell contact between juxtaposed fibroblasts within this actin cable. This study demonstrates the involvement of integrin receptors in actin cable formation within collagen lattice systems undergoing reorganisation. Such integrin involvement may enable participating cells to respond to the tensional status of their surrounding environment and via cell-cell communication, to permit a co-ordinated contraction of the cable. It is concluded that integrin receptor involvement in active actin cable contraction may be involved in the process of wound contraction.

  12. Purchasing health services abroad: practices of cross-border contracting and patient mobility in six European countries.

    PubMed

    Glinos, Irene A; Baeten, Rita; Maarse, Hans

    2010-05-01

    Contracting health services outside the public, statutory health system entails purchasing capacity from domestic non-public providers or from providers abroad. Over the last decade, these practices have made their way into European health systems, brought about by performance-oriented reforms and EU principles of free movement. The aim of the article is to explain the development, functioning, purposes and possible implications of cross-border contracting. Primary and secondary sources on purchasing from providers abroad have been collected in a systematic way and analysed in a structured frame. We found practices in six European countries. The findings suggest that purchasers from benefit-in-kind systems contract capacity abroad when this responds to unmet demand; pressures domestic providers; and/or offers financial advantages, especially where statutory purchasers compete. Providers which receive patients tend to be located in countries where treatment costs are lower and/or where providers compete. The modalities of purchasing and delivering care abroad vary considerably depending on contracts being centralised or direct, the involvement of middlemen, funding and pricing mechanisms, cross-border pathways and volumes of patient flows. The arrangements and concepts which cross-border contracting relies on suggest that statutory health purchasers, under pressure to deliver value for money and striving for cost-efficiency, experiment with new ways of organising health services for their populations. Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. Factors associated with perception of risk of contracting HIV among secondary school female learners in Mbonge subdivision of rural Cameroon

    PubMed Central

    Tarkang, Elvis Enowbeyang

    2014-01-01

    Introduction Since learners in secondary schools fall within the age group hardest hit by HIV/AIDS, it is obvious that these learners might be at high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. However, little has been explored on the perception of risk of contracting HIV among secondary school learners in Cameroon. This study aimed at examining the perception of risk of contracting HIV among secondary school learners in Mbonge subdivision of rural Cameroon using the Health Belief Model (HBM) as framework. Methods A quantitative, correlational design was adopted, using a self-administered questionnaire to collect data from 210 female learners selected through disproportional, stratified, simple random sampling technique, from three participating senior secondary schools. Statistics were calculated using SPSS version 20 software program. Results Only 39.4% of the respondents perceived themselves to be at high risk of contracting HIV, though the majority, 54.0% were sexually active. Multinomial logistic regression analyses show that sexual risk behaviours (p=0.000) and the Integrated Value Mapping (IVM) of the perception components of the HBM are the most significant factors associated with perception of risk of contracting HIV at the level p<0.05. Conclusion The findings of this study can play an instrumental role in the development of effective preventive and interventional messages for adolescents in Cameroon. PMID:25309659

  14. [The Patient Rights Act (PatRG)--part 1: legislative procedure, treatment contract, contracting parties and their obligations to cooperate and inform].

    PubMed

    Parzeller, Markus; Zedler, Barbara

    2013-01-01

    The article deals with the new regulations in the German Civil Code (BGB) which came into effect in Germany on 26 Feb 2013 as the Patient Rights Act (PatRG). In Part I, the legislative procedure, the treatment contract and the contracting parties (Section 630a Civil Code), the applicable regulations (Section 630b Civil Code) and the obligations to cooperate and inform (Section 630c Civil Code) are discussed and critically analysed.

  15. Energy Storage Systems Program Report for FY99

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    BOYES,JOHN D.

    2000-06-01

    Sandia National Laboratories, New Mexico, conducts the Energy Storage Systems Program, which is sponsored by the US Department of Energy's Office of Power Technologies. The goal of this program is to develop cost-effective electric energy storage systems for many high-value stationary applications in collaboration with academia and industry. Sandia National Laboratories is responsible for the engineering analyses, contracted development, and testing of energy storage components and systems. This report details the technical achievements realized during fiscal year 1999.

  16. Contract-Based Integration of Cyber-Physical Analyses

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-10-14

    for cyber-physical systems , 2013 [3] Torngren et al. Integrating viewpoints in the development of mechatronic products, 2013 [4] Rajhans et al...Conference on Embedded Software Report Documentation Page Form ApprovedOMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for the collection of information is...failures 5 Analytic aspect of integration Sensor Sampling PID Controller Actuator Controller Communication bus Sensor board CPU Actuator board System Bin

  17. Labor progress indices and dynamics of the individual uterine contraction during the active stage of labor.

    PubMed

    Ophir, Ella; Bornstein, Jacob; Odeh, Marwan; Kaminsky, Svetlana; Shnaider, Oleg; Megel, Yuri; Barnea, Ofer

    2014-03-01

    To obtain and study new data on the dynamics of the labor process and to develop a contraction-based index of labor progress. This study was carried out at the Delivery Room, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Western Galilee Hospital, Nahariya, Israel, using a new device (Birth Track). We continuously monitored cervical dilatation (CD) and head descent (HD) in 30 nulliparaous women during active labor with (augmented group) and without (study group) oxytocin augmentation. This led to the development and validation of progress indices based on features extracted from continuous monitoring. There were no significant differences between the average of each parameter in the study and augmented groups, except for HD velocity. Average HD velocity was faster in the study group. Linear regression analyses demonstrated that head station (HS) amplitude and Toco amplitude were the best parameters for predicting HD velocity in both groups. In the study group, average HD velocity was also significantly related to Toco rate and contraction efficiency. In the augmented group, only a weak correlation with Toco rate was seen, and no correlation with contraction efficiency. With the assistance of the Birth Track device, we can obtain continuous data on the labor process and indices to estimate the labor progress process without the use of vaginal (manual) examination. © 2013 The Authors. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research © 2013 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

  18. Hospital contract management: a descriptive profile.

    PubMed Central

    Alexander, J A; Lewis, B L

    1984-01-01

    Despite the dramatic growth in hospital contract management in the last decade, research only recently has begun to provide insights into the structure, operation, and effectiveness of these arrangements. Two descriptive questions regarding hospital contract management are addressed in an effort to increase correspondence between theoretical and evaluative research in this area: (1) how do contract-managed hospitals differ from traditionally managed hospitals? and (2) how do contract-managed hospitals differ from each other? Principal discriminating variables in the analyses are hospital size, control, urban-rural location, region, management organization control, and management organization size. Results of the analysis on a sample of 406 contract-managed hospitals and 401 unaffiliated hospitals reveal important differences between contract-managed and traditionally managed hospitals as well as among contract management organizations. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for future research and performance evaluations on contract management arrangements. PMID:6490376

  19. Choice of Contract Type and Other Policy Initiatives for Reducing Contract Prices

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2013-09-01

    2 1. The Weapon System Franchise Model ..........................................................2 2. The Agency Problem and...contract types. The analyses looking at serial production for MDAPs (the first area above) were performed in the context of the “weapon system franchise ...cost reductions (the second area above) are also relevant to the franchise model and series production, but also have broader application to most

  20. 48 CFR 235.070-1 - Indemnification under research and development contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... research and development contracts. 235.070-1 Section 235.070-1 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEFENSE ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 235.070-1 Indemnification under research and development contracts. (a...

  1. Analysis of force profile during a maximum voluntary isometric contraction task.

    PubMed

    Househam, Elizabeth; McAuley, John; Charles, Thompson; Lightfoot, Timothy; Swash, Michael

    2004-03-01

    This study analyses maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and its measurement by recording the force profile during maximal-effort, 7-s hand-grip contractions. Six healthy subjects each performed three trials repeated at short intervals to study variation from fatigue. These three trials were performed during three separate sessions at daily intervals to look at random variation. A pattern of force development during a trial was identified. An initiation phase, with or without an initiation peak, was followed by a maintenance phase, sometimes with secondary pulses and an underlying decline in force. Of these three MVIC parameters, maximum force during the maintenance phase showed less random variability compared to intertrial fatigue variability than did maximum force during the initiation phase or absolute maximum force. Analysis of MVIC as a task, rather than a single, maximal value reveals deeper levels of motor control in its generation. Thus, force parameters other than the absolute maximum force may be better suited to quantification of muscle performance in health and disease.

  2. 48 CFR 335.071 - Special determinations and findings affecting research and development contracting.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... findings affecting research and development contracting. 335.071 Section 335.071 Federal Acquisition Regulations System HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 335.071 Special determinations and findings affecting research and development contracting. OPDIV...

  3. 'No suicide contracts' in community crisis situations: a conceptual analysis.

    PubMed

    Farrow, T L

    2003-04-01

    'No suicide contracts' are commonly used in community crisis situations with suicidal people in New Zealand. These take the form of a 'guarantee of safety', along with a 'promise' to call specified persons if the suicidal ideation becomes unmanageable. This article describes the use of 'no suicide contracts' in community crisis situations, analyses the use of the tool within this context, and, in particular, argues that the theoretical base (transactional analysis) of the 'no suicide contract' is likely to be deleterious in the community crisis situation.

  4. 48 CFR 1509.507-2 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... include activities related to technical analyses in determining the nature and extent of contamination at... solicitations and contracts that provide professional architect/engineer, technical, and management services to...) Alternate II shall be used in all Superfund Technical Assistance and Removal Team (START) solicitations and...

  5. Cost and Schedule Analytical Techniques Development: Option 2 Year

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1997-01-01

    This Final Report summarizes the activities performed by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) for the Option 2 Year from December 1, 1996 through November 30, 1997. The Final Report is in compliance with Paragraph 5 of Section F of the contract. This CSATD contract provides products and deliverable in the form of models, data bases, methodologies, studies and analyses for the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center's (MSFC) Engineering Cost Office (PPO3) the Program Plans and Requirements Officer (PP02), and other user organizations. Detailed Monthly Progress reports were submitted to MSFC in accordance with the contract's Statement of Work, Section TV "Reporting and Documentation". These reports spelled out each month's specific work accomplishments, deliverables submitted, major meetings held, and other pertinent information. This Final Report will summarize these activities at higher level. During this contract Option Year, SAIC expended 29,830 man-hours in tile performance of tasks called out in the Statement of Work and reported oil in this yearly Final Report. This represents approximately 16 full-time EPs. Included are the basis Huntsville-based team, plus SAIC specialists in San Diego, Ames Research Center, Chicago, and Colorado Springs performing specific tasks for which they are uniquely qualified.

  6. Analysing contractual environments: lessons from Indigenous health in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

    PubMed

    Lavoie, Josée; Boulton, Amohia; Dwyer, Judith

    2010-01-01

    Contracting in health care is a mechanism used by the governments of Canada, Australia and New Zealand to improve the participation of marginalized populations in primary health care and improve responsiveness to local needs. As a result, complex contractual environments have emerged. The literature on contracting in health has tended to focus on the pros and cons of classical versus relational contracts from the funder's perspective. This article proposes an analytical framework to explore the strengths and weaknesses of contractual environments that depend on a number of classical contracts, a single relational contract or a mix of the two. Examples from indigenous contracting environments are used to inform the elaboration of the framework. Results show that contractual environments that rely on a multiplicity of specific contracts are administratively onerous, while constraining opportunities for local responsiveness. Contractual environments dominated by a single relational contract produce a more flexible and administratively streamlined system.

  7. On convergence of the unscented Kalman-Bucy filter using contraction theory

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Maree, J. P.; Imsland, L.; Jouffroy, J.

    2016-06-01

    Contraction theory entails a theoretical framework in which convergence of a nonlinear system can be analysed differentially in an appropriate contraction metric. This paper is concerned with utilising stochastic contraction theory to conclude on exponential convergence of the unscented Kalman-Bucy filter. The underlying process and measurement models of interest are Itô-type stochastic differential equations. In particular, statistical linearisation techniques are employed in a virtual-actual systems framework to establish deterministic contraction of the estimated expected mean of process values. Under mild conditions of bounded process noise, we extend the results on deterministic contraction to stochastic contraction of the estimated expected mean of the process state. It follows that for the regions of contraction, a result on convergence, and thereby incremental stability, is concluded for the unscented Kalman-Bucy filter. The theoretical concepts are illustrated in two case studies.

  8. 23 CFR Appendix C to Subpart B of... - Additional Required Contract Provisions, Appalachian Development Highway System and Local Access...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 23 Highways 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Additional Required Contract Provisions, Appalachian Development Highway System and Local Access Roads Contracts Other Than Construction Contracts C Appendix C to..., Appalachian Development Highway System and Local Access Roads Contracts Other Than Construction Contracts...

  9. Assessing Contract Management Maturity: U.S. Army Joint Munitions and Lethality Contracting Center, Army Contracting Command, Picatinny Arsenal

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2009-09-01

    demonstrate competence” ( Jones , 2006). Most organizations conduct performance management for their employees with actions such as, setting goals...take the 14 form of comprehensive questionnaires, SWOT analyses or diagnostic models and include a comparison of results to various best practices...procnet.pica.army.mil/ Jones , R. (2006). CIDA Organizational Assessment Guide. Retrieved on March 1, 2009 from: http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/CIDAWEB

  10. Insecurity and shiftwork as characteristics of negative work environment: psychosocial and behavioural mediators.

    PubMed

    Elovainio, Marko; Kuusio, Hannamaria; Aalto, Anna-Mari; Sinervo, Timo; Heponiemi, Tarja

    2010-05-01

    This paper is a report of an investigation into whether insecure work contract and shiftwork are associated with reduced wellbeing indicators, such as psychological distress, low job involvement and low work ability. Insecure work contracts and shiftwork have repeatedly been found to contribute to the development and continuation of negative outcomes among healthcare professionals. In particular, nurses are generally considered as being at high risk of work-related stress and reduced wellbeing. Cross-sectional survey data from the Finnish Health Care Professional Study collected in 2006 were used. The random sample of Finnish Registered Nurses comprised 2100 women and men aged 22-65 years. Information on the work contract and shiftwork were self-reported. The wellbeing indicators used were psychological distress (GHQ-12), work ability and job involvement. Psychosocial work characteristics were measured using the Job Content Questionnaire and an organizational justice scale. Variance and linear regression analyses showed that insecure work contract was associated with lower work ability and job involvement. Shiftwork was related to psychological distress, low job involvement and low work ability. Support for a mediating role of job demands and job control and a moderating role of relational justice was obtained. To reduce the negative effects of environmental stressors, such as insecure work contract and shiftwork, it may be better to focus on improving psychosocial work characteristics than on nurses' health-related behaviour.

  11. Professional dental and oral surgery liability in Italy: a comparative analysis of the insurance products offered to health workers.

    PubMed

    Di Lorenzo, Pierpaolo; Paternoster, Mariano; Nugnes, Mariarosaria; Pantaleo, Giuseppe; Graziano, Vincenzo; Niola, Massimo

    2016-01-01

    In Italy there has been an increase in claims for damages for alleged medical malpractice. A study was therefore conducted that aimed at assessing the content of the coverage of insurance policy contracts offered to oral health professionals by the insurance market. The sample analysed composed of 11 insurance policy contracts for professional dental liability offered from 2010 to 2015 by leading insurance companies operating in the Italian market. The insurance products analysed are structured on the "claims made" clause. No policy contract examined covers the damage due to the failure to acquire consent for dental treatment and, in most cases, damage due to unsatisfactory outcomes of treatment of an aesthetic nature and the failure to respect regulatory obligations on privacy. On entering into a professional liability insurance policy contract, the dentist should pay particular attention to the period covered by the guarantee, the risks both covered and excluded, as well as the extent of the limit of liability and any possible fixed/percentage excess. When choosing a professional liability contract, a dentist should examine the risks in relation to the professional activity carried out before signing.

  12. 48 CFR 46.308 - Cost-reimbursement research and development contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... research and development contracts. 46.308 Section 46.308 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL... research and development contracts. The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.246-8, Inspection of Research and Development—Cost-Reimbursement, in solicitations and contracts for research and...

  13. 48 CFR 46.309 - Research and development contracts (short form).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Research and development contracts (short form). 46.309 Section 46.309 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION CONTRACT MANAGEMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE Contract Clauses 46.309 Research and development contracts...

  14. 48 CFR 46.308 - Cost-reimbursement research and development contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... research and development contracts. 46.308 Section 46.308 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL... research and development contracts. The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.246-8, Inspection of Research and Development—Cost-Reimbursement, in solicitations and contracts for research and...

  15. 41 CFR 101-27.203 - Program objectives.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ...) Conduct inventory management analyses to determine if shelf-life stocks are expected to be utilized prior... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 true Program objectives. 101-27.203 Section 101-27.203 Public Contracts and Property Management Federal Property Management...

  16. 75 FR 72845 - New Postal Product

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-11-26

    ... contract for future functional equivalence analyses of the GEPS 3 product. \\1\\ Notice of United States... analysis of the formulas, and certification of the Governors' vote; and Attachment 4--an application for... costing information and volume commitments, do not alter the contracts' functional equivalency. Id. at 3-4...

  17. On-Orbit Checkout and Activation of the ISS Oxygen Generation System

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bagdigian, Robert M.; Prokhorov, Kimberlee S.

    2007-01-01

    NASA has developed and; deployed an Oxygen Generation System (OGS) into the Destiny Module of the International Space Station (ISS). The major. assembly; included in this system is the Oxygen Generator Assembly. (OGA) which was developed under NASA contract by Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International (HSSSI), Inc. This paper summarizes the installation of the system into the Destiny Module, its initial checkout and periodic preventative maintenance activities, and its operational activation. Trade studies and analyses that were conducted with the goal of mitigating on-orbit operational risks are also discussed.

  18. 48 CFR 2035.70 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 2035.70 Contract clauses. (a) The contracting officer shall insert the following clause in all solicitations and contracts for research and development by private contractors and universities and for other technical services, as appropriate: (1) Section 2052.235-70...

  19. 75 FR 79053 - New Postal Product

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-12-17

    ... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2011-7, CP2011-39 and CP2011-40; Order No. 607] New... Service seeks to add Global Plus 1B as a new product, to the competitive product list.\\1\\ The Request has... instant contracts be considered ``the new `baseline' contracts for future functional equivalency analyses...

  20. 77 FR 27827 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-05-11

    ... margin calculations for these portfolios and perform ``what if'' analyses. The portfolio margining... Change Relating to Adoption of Interest Rate Futures Contracts Portfolio Margining Program With Eris... adopt an interest rate futures contracts portfolio margining program with Eris Exchange, LLC (``Eris...

  1. Analysis of Low Bidding and Change Order Rates for Navy Facilities Construction Contracts.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1984-06-01

    examine his motives and strategies prior to bidding. Several measures of " level cf competitiveness" are introduced from bidding theory literature that...bidders of fixed-price Government construction contracts have on contract prices when the level FORM, 1473 EDITION OF INOV 6 o IS OBSOLETE S N 0 102...conventional measures of the . level of competition intensity are applied in regression and variance analyses. en, z e ., . , 144 , UNCLASSIFIED 2 SgCURITlY

  2. 41 CFR 101-27.208 - Inventory analyses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 true Inventory analyses. 101... Regulations System FEDERAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS SUPPLY AND PROCUREMENT 27-INVENTORY MANAGEMENT 27.2-Management of Shelf-Life Materials § 101-27.208 Inventory analyses. (a) An inventory analysis shall be...

  3. 48 CFR 34.005-5 - Full-scale development contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Full-scale development... SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING MAJOR SYSTEM ACQUISITION General 34.005-5 Full-scale development contracts. Whenever practicable, the full-scale development contracts should provide for the contractors to...

  4. 48 CFR 34.005-5 - Full-scale development contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Full-scale development... SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING MAJOR SYSTEM ACQUISITION General 34.005-5 Full-scale development contracts. Whenever practicable, the full-scale development contracts should provide for the contractors to...

  5. Impact of the 2004 GMS contract on practice nurses:

    PubMed Central

    McGregor, Wendy; Jabareen, Hussein; O'Donnell, Catherine A; Mercer, Stewart W; Watt, Graham CM

    2008-01-01

    ABSTRACT Background The new GMS contract has led to practice nurses playing an important role in the delivery of the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF). Aim This study investigated how practice nurses perceive the changes in their work since the contract's inception. Design of study A qualitative approach, sampling practice nurses from practices in areas of high and low deprivation, with a range of QOF scores. Setting Glasgow, UK. Method Individual interviews were conducted, audiotaped, transcribed, and analysed using a thematic approach. Results Three themes emerged: roles and incentives, workload, and patient care. Practice nurses were positive about the development of their professional role since the introduction of the new GMS contract but had mixed views about whether their status had changed. Views on incentives (largely related to financial rewards) also varied, but most felt under-rewarded, irrespective of practice QOF achievement. All reported a substantial increase in workload, related to incentivised QOF domains with greater ‘box ticking’ and data entry, and less time to spend with patients. Although the structure created by the new contract was generally welcomed, many were unconvinced that it improved patient care and felt other important areas of care were neglected. Concern was also expressed about a negative effect of the QOF on holistic care, including ethical concerns and detrimental effects on the patient–nurse relationship, which were regarded as a core value. Conclusions The new GMS contract has given practice nurses increased responsibility. However, discontent about how financial gains are distributed and negative impacts on core values may lead to detrimental long-term effects on motivation and morale. PMID:18826783

  6. The moderating role of overcommitment in the relationship between psychological contract breach and employee mental health.

    PubMed

    Reimann, Mareike

    2016-09-30

    This study investigated whether the association between perceived psychological contract breach (PCB) and employee mental health is moderated by the cognitive-motivational pattern of overcommitment (OC). Linking the psychological contract approach to the effort-reward imbalance model, this study examines PCB as an imbalance in employment relationships that acts as a psychosocial stressor in the work environment and is associated with stress reactions that in turn negatively affect mental health. The analyses were based on a sample of 3,667 employees who participated in a longitudinal linked employer-employee survey representative of large organizations (with at least 500 employees who are subject so social security contributions) in Germany. Fixed-effects regression models, including PCB and OC, were estimated for employee mental health, and interaction effects between PCB and OC were assessed. The multivariate fixed-effects regression analyses showed a significant negative association between PCB and employee mental health. The results also confirmed that OC does indeed significantly increase the negative effect of PCB on mental health and that OC itself has a significant and negative effect on mental health. The results suggest that employees characterized by the cognitive-motivational pattern of OC are at an increased risk of developing poor mental health if they experience PCB compared with employees who are not overly committed to their work. The results of this study support the assumption that psychosocial work stressors play an important role in employee mental health.

  7. The moderating role of overcommitment in the relationship between psychological contract breach and employee mental health

    PubMed Central

    Reimann, Mareike

    2016-01-01

    Objectives: This study investigated whether the association between perceived psychological contract breach (PCB) and employee mental health is moderated by the cognitive-motivational pattern of overcommitment (OC). Linking the psychological contract approach to the effort-reward imbalance model, this study examines PCB as an imbalance in employment relationships that acts as a psychosocial stressor in the work environment and is associated with stress reactions that in turn negatively affect mental health. Methods: The analyses were based on a sample of 3,667 employees who participated in a longitudinal linked employer-employee survey representative of large organizations (with at least 500 employees who are subject so social security contributions) in Germany. Fixed-effects regression models, including PCB and OC, were estimated for employee mental health, and interaction effects between PCB and OC were assessed. Results: The multivariate fixed-effects regression analyses showed a significant negative association between PCB and employee mental health. The results also confirmed that OC does indeed significantly increase the negative effect of PCB on mental health and that OC itself has a significant and negative effect on mental health. Conclusions: The results suggest that employees characterized by the cognitive-motivational pattern of OC are at an increased risk of developing poor mental health if they experience PCB compared with employees who are not overly committed to their work. The results of this study support the assumption that psychosocial work stressors play an important role in employee mental health. PMID:27488041

  8. 24 CFR 983.203 - HAP contract information.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false HAP contract information. 983.203... DEVELOPMENT PROJECT-BASED VOUCHER (PBV) PROGRAM Housing Assistance Payments Contract § 983.203 HAP contract information. The HAP contract must specify: (a) The total number of contract units by number of bedrooms; (b...

  9. A transaction costs analysis of changing contractual relations in the English NHS.

    PubMed

    Marini, Giorgia; Street, Andrew

    2007-09-01

    The English National Health Service has replaced locally negotiated block contracting arrangements with a system of national prices to pay for hospital activity. This paper applies a transaction costs approach to quantify and analyse the nature of how contracting costs have changed as a consequence. Data collection was based on semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders from hospitals and Primary Care Trusts, which purchase hospital services. Replacing block contracting with activity based funding has led to lower costs of price negotiation, but these are outweighed by higher costs associated with volume control, of data collection, contract monitoring, and contract enforcement. There was consensus that the new contractual arrangements were preferable, but the benefits will have to be demonstrated formally in future.

  10. Advanced physical fine coal cleaning: Final report

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Not Available

    1987-12-01

    The contract objective was to demonstrate Advanced Energy Dynamics, Inc., (AED) Ultrafine Coal (UFC) electrostatic physical fine coal cleaning process as capable of: producing clean coal products of no greater than 2% ash; significantly reducing the pyritic sulfur content below that achievable with state-of-the-art coal cleaning; recovering over 80% of the available energy content in the run-of-mine coal; producing product and refuse with surface moisture below 30%. Originally the demonstration was to be of a Charger/Disc System at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Coal Quality Development Center (CQDC) at Homer City, Pennsylvania. As a result of the combination ofmore » Charger/Disc System scale-up problems and parallel development of an improved Vertical-Belt Separator, DOE issued a contract modification to perform additional laboratory testing and optimization of the UFC Vertical-Belt Separator System at AED. These comparative test results, safety analyses and an economic analysis are discussed in this report. 29 refs., 25 figs., 41 tabs.« less

  11. 48 CFR 1235.7000 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... all solicitations and contracts for research and development. For further information, see DOT's Implementation Guidance for Executive Office of the President, Office of Science and Technology Policy, “Federal... OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING Research Misconduct 1235.7000 Contract clause...

  12. 41 CFR 101-27.208 - Inventory analyses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 2 2011-07-01 2007-07-01 true Inventory analyses. 101...-Management of Shelf-Life Materials § 101-27.208 Inventory analyses. (a) An inventory analysis shall be... the established shelf-life period. If the analysis indicates there are quantities which will not be...

  13. 24 CFR 983.202 - Purpose of HAP contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Purpose of HAP contract. 983.202... DEVELOPMENT PROJECT-BASED VOUCHER (PBV) PROGRAM Housing Assistance Payments Contract § 983.202 Purpose of HAP contract. (a) Requirement. The PHA must enter into a HAP contract with the owner. The HAP contract must be...

  14. An Analysis of Whitewater Rafting Safety Data: Risk Management for Programme Organizers

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hunter, I. Roy

    2007-01-01

    Many outdoor organizations integrate whitewater rafting into their programmes. Often this is accomplished by contracting with a whitewater outfitter. This paper analyses rafting accident data collected by the American Canoe Association in an effort to suggest ways in which programmes can better manage risk while contracting with outfitters for…

  15. Precision cut lung slices as test system for candidate therapeutics in organophosphate poisoning.

    PubMed

    Herbert, Julia; Thiermann, Horst; Worek, Franz; Wille, Timo

    2017-08-15

    Standard therapeutic options in organophosphate (OP) poisoning are limited to the administration of atropine and oximes, a regimen often lacking in efficacy and applicability. Treatment alternatives are needed, preferably covering a broad spectrum of OP intoxications. Although recent research yielded several promising compounds, e.g. bioscavengers, modulators of the muscarinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor or bispyridinium non-oximes, these substances still need further evaluation, especially regarding effects on the potentially lethal respiratory symptoms of OP poisoning. Aim of this study was the development of an applicable and easy method to test the therapeutic efficiency of such substances. For this purpose, airway responsiveness in viable precision cut lung slices (PCLS) from rats was analysed. We showed that ACh-induced airway contractions were spontaneously reversible in non-poisoned PCLS, whereas in OP poisoned PCLS, contractions were irreversible. This effect could be antagonized by addition of the standard therapeutic atropine, thereby presenting a clear indication for treatment efficiency. Now, candidate therapeutic compounds can be evaluated, based on their ability to counteract the irreversible airway contraction in OP poisoned PCLS. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  16. Professional dental and oral surgery liability in Italy: a comparative analysis of the insurance products offered to health workers

    PubMed Central

    Paternoster, Mariano; Nugnes, Mariarosaria; Pantaleo, Giuseppe; Graziano, Vincenzo; Niola, Massimo

    2016-01-01

    Abstract Introduction In Italy there has been an increase in claims for damages for alleged medical malpractice. A study was therefore conducted that aimed at assessing the content of the coverage of insurance policy contracts offered to oral health professionals by the insurance market. Material and methods The sample analysed composed of 11 insurance policy contracts for professional dental liability offered from 2010 to 2015 by leading insurance companies operating in the Italian market. Results The insurance products analysed are structured on the “claims made” clause. No policy contract examined covers the damage due to the failure to acquire consent for dental treatment and, in most cases, damage due to unsatisfactory outcomes of treatment of an aesthetic nature and the failure to respect regulatory obligations on privacy. Discussion On entering into a professional liability insurance policy contract, the dentist should pay particular attention to the period covered by the guarantee, the risks both covered and excluded, as well as the extent of the limit of liability and any possible fixed/percentage excess. Conclusions When choosing a professional liability contract, a dentist should examine the risks in relation to the professional activity carried out before signing. PMID:28352805

  17. ICAM (Integrated Computer-Aided Manufacturing) Manufacturing Cost/Design Guide. Volume 7. Technology Transfer Summary.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1984-09-01

    Application Cited Deere and Company e Assist in design of electronic systems for tractors, crawlers, graders, scrapers, etc. Defense Contract Audit Agency . Aid...in developing and enhancing operational audits . DoD, Cameron Station e Conduct affordability analyses; evalu- ate new start systems. DoD, Defense...document productivity gains. e Promotes better inLustry and customer re~latons by providing a common baseline or starting polut for cost vs. perfor- vanz

  18. The influence of digital filter type, amplitude normalisation method, and co-contraction algorithm on clinically relevant surface electromyography data during clinical movement assessments.

    PubMed

    Devaprakash, Daniel; Weir, Gillian J; Dunne, James J; Alderson, Jacqueline A; Donnelly, Cyril J

    2016-12-01

    There is a large and growing body of surface electromyography (sEMG) research using laboratory-specific signal processing procedures (i.e., digital filter type and amplitude normalisation protocols) and data analyses methods (i.e., co-contraction algorithms) to acquire practically meaningful information from these data. As a result, the ability to compare sEMG results between studies is, and continues to be challenging. The aim of this study was to determine if digital filter type, amplitude normalisation method, and co-contraction algorithm could influence the practical or clinical interpretation of processed sEMG data. Sixteen elite female athletes were recruited. During data collection, sEMG data was recorded from nine lower limb muscles while completing a series of calibration and clinical movement assessment trials (running and sidestepping). Three analyses were conducted: (1) signal processing with two different digital filter types (Butterworth or critically damped), (2) three amplitude normalisation methods, and (3) three co-contraction ratio algorithms. Results showed the choice of digital filter did not influence the clinical interpretation of sEMG; however, choice of amplitude normalisation method and co-contraction algorithm did influence the clinical interpretation of the running and sidestepping task. Care is recommended when choosing amplitude normalisation method and co-contraction algorithms if researchers/clinicians are interested in comparing sEMG data between studies. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. Institutional racism in public health contracting: Findings of a nationwide survey from New Zealand.

    PubMed

    Came, H; Doole, C; McKenna, B; McCreanor, T

    2018-02-01

    Public institutions within New Zealand have long been accused of mono-culturalism and institutional racism. This study sought to identify inconsistencies and bias by comparing government funded contracting processes for Māori public health providers (n = 60) with those of generic providers (n = 90). Qualitative and quantitative data were collected (November 2014-May 2015), through a nationwide telephone survey of public health providers, achieving a 75% response rate. Descriptive statistical analyses were applied to quantitative responses and an inductive approach was taken to analyse data from open-ended responses in the survey domains of relationships with portfolio contract managers, contracting and funding. The quantitative data showed four sites of statistically significant variation: length of contracts, intensity of monitoring, compliance costs and frequency of auditing. Non-significant data involved access to discretionary funding and cost of living adjustments, the frequency of monitoring, access to Crown (government) funders and representation on advisory groups. The qualitative material showed disparate provider experiences, dependent on individual portfolio managers, with nuanced differences between generic and Māori providers' experiences. This study showed that monitoring government performance through a nationwide survey was an innovative way to identify sites of institutional racism. In a policy context where health equity is a key directive to the health sector, this study suggests there is scope for New Zealand health funders to improve their contracting practices. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  20. 48 CFR 35.006 - Contracting methods and contract type.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... indicated a high degree of probability that development is feasible and (2) the Government has determined... SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 35.006 Contracting methods and..., performance objectives, and specifications for the work can be defined will largely determine the type of...

  1. 24 CFR 200.52 - Construction contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Construction contract. 200.52 Section 200.52 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban Development... Construction contract. The form of contract between the mortgagor and builder shall be as prescribed by the...

  2. 24 CFR 200.52 - Construction contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 2 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Construction contract. 200.52 Section 200.52 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban Development... Construction contract. The form of contract between the mortgagor and builder shall be as prescribed by the...

  3. 24 CFR 200.52 - Construction contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 2 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Construction contract. 200.52 Section 200.52 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban Development... Construction contract. The form of contract between the mortgagor and builder shall be as prescribed by the...

  4. 24 CFR 200.52 - Construction contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 2 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Construction contract. 200.52 Section 200.52 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban Development... Construction contract. The form of contract between the mortgagor and builder shall be as prescribed by the...

  5. Analysis of sub-bandage pressure of compression bandages during exercise.

    PubMed

    Kumar, B; Das, A; Alagirusamy, R

    2012-11-01

    The sub-bandage pressure produced by any compression bandaging system is likely to vary during the physical activities taken by the patient. It is of significant importance to understand the variation of sub-bandage pressure during the exercise of calf muscle pump. The present paper aims to analyse the dominating factors and their interactions on the sub-bandage pressure during exercise. In this work the circumferential change of the leg because of the exercise of the calf muscle pump (expansion or contraction) is simulated using expansion or contraction actions of an air bladder placed on a mannequin. The study has been carried out using an indigenously developed prototype by pumping or squeezing of air in air bladder using cylinder-piston arrangement. A series of commercially available bandages were studied and the impact of the major factors, namely bandage extensibility (E), bandage tension (T) and the amount of bladder expansion or contraction (A) on the sub-bandage pressure during one cycle of expansion or contraction of air bladder have been analysed. Different levels of the factors have been chosen and a complete factorial design was prepared to obtain the sub-bandage pressure at all combination of the levels of the factors. The results showed that the sub-bandage pressure variations were higher for short-stretch bandage under dynamic mode (p value < 0.05). The variation in sub-bandage pressure were increased by increasing the amount of expansion or contraction of the air bladder and also increased when the bandage was wrapped at higher tension level (p-value < 0.05). N-way ANOVA results showed that some of the interactions effects of these above factors (EA and AT) also significantly affecting the sub-bandage pressure variations (p-value < 0.05). The prototype provides a simpler method to assess the bandage behaviour under different conditions without doing in vivo sub-bandage pressure measurement, and hence could be used to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of different compression bandage under different conditions, prior to their application on the wounded leg. Copyright © 2012 Tissue Viability Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  6. 24 CFR 206.133 - Termination of insurance contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 2 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Termination of insurance contract. 206.133 Section 206.133 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban... Contract § 206.133 Termination of insurance contract. (a) Payment of the mortgage. The contract of...

  7. Research Directory for Manpower, Personnel, Training, and Human Factors, 1992

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1992-11-01

    Malone 703-698-6225 Smart Contract Preparation Expediter (R) Ms Joan E Forester 410-278-2946 DSN:298-2946 (P) Mr R Cofod 703-359-0996 Soldier...Mike Hanuschik 513-255-3871 DSN:785-3871 Small Unit Maintenance Manpower Analyses (SUMMA) (R) Mr Edward Boyle 513-255-3871 DSN:785-3871 Smart Contract Preparation

  8. 7 CFR 1710.303 - Power cost studies-power supply borrowers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... contracts or revisions to existing contracts, and an analysis of the effects on power costs; (4) Use of sensitivity analyses to determine the vulnerability of the alternatives to a reasonable range of assumptions... conservation alternatives as set forth in §§ 1710.253 and 1710.254; (2) A present-value analysis of the costs...

  9. 48 CFR 46.307 - Fixed-price research and development contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... REGULATION CONTRACT MANAGEMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE Contract Clauses 46.307 Fixed-price research and development... Development—Fixed-Price, in solicitations and contracts for research and development when (1) the primary... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Fixed-price research and...

  10. The effects of temporary agency work contract transitions on well-being.

    PubMed

    Chambel, Maria José; Lopes, Silvia; Batista, Josilene

    2016-11-01

    Theoretical and empirical research has provided mixed arguments and evidence for the effects of temporary agency work on workers' well-being. This study aims to go one critical step further by comparing the workplace and general well-being of workers who continue to have this employment status with others who obtain a direct contract and others who remain unemployed. Temporary agency workers longitudinal data (n = 289) was used, and three groups were compared: (1) maintaining a temporary agency contract (n = 187), (2) obtaining a direct contract (n = 57), and (3) remaining unemployed (n = 45). Covariance analyses adjusted for background variables showed that those who obtained a direct contract experienced a decrease in job insecurity but experienced an increase in job demands, while those who continued to have a temporary agency contract maintained these job conditions. However, in terms of workplace well-being, the temporary agency contract was not found to be more detrimental than a direct contract, but in terms of life satisfaction, unemployment was found to be more detrimental than other transitions. A temporary agency contract does not have an inevitable negative effect on workers' well-being.

  11. Renewable Energy Contract Development Best Practices

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    The Toolbox for Renewable Energy Project Development's Renewable Energy Contract Development Best Practices page provides an overview of the Request for Proposal (RFP) process as well as resources, such as contract templates.

  12. Seventy years of stream‐fish collections reveal invasions and native range contractions in an Appalachian (USA) watershed

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Buckwalter, Joseph D.; Frimpong, Emmanuel A.; Angermeier, Paul L.; Barney, Jacob N.

    2018-01-01

    AimKnowledge of expanding and contracting ranges is critical for monitoring invasions and assessing conservation status, yet reliable data on distributional trends are lacking for most freshwater species. We developed a quantitative technique to detect the sign (expansion or contraction) and functional form of range‐size changes for freshwater species based on collections data, while accounting for possible biases due to variable collection effort. We applied this technique to quantify stream‐fish range expansions and contractions in a highly invaded river system.LocationUpper and middle New River (UMNR) basin, Appalachian Mountains, USA.MethodsWe compiled a 77‐year stream‐fish collections dataset partitioned into ten time periods. To account for variable collection effort among time periods, we aggregated the collections into 100 watersheds and expressed a species’ range size as detections per watershed (HUC) sampled (DPHS). We regressed DPHS against time by species and used an information‐theoretic approach to compare linear and nonlinear functional forms fitted to the data points and to classify each species as spreader, stable or decliner.ResultsWe analysed changes in range size for 74 UMNR fishes, including 35 native and 39 established introduced species. We classified the majority (51%) of introduced species as spreaders, compared to 31% of natives. An exponential functional form fits best for 84% of spreaders. Three natives were among the most rapid spreaders. All four decliners were New River natives.Main conclusionsOur DPHS‐based approach facilitated quantitative analyses of distributional trends for stream fishes based on collections data. Partitioning the dataset into multiple time periods allowed us to distinguish long‐term trends from population fluctuations and to examine nonlinear forms of spread. Our framework sets the stage for further study of drivers of stream‐fish invasions and declines in the UMNR and is widely transferable to other freshwater taxa and geographic regions.

  13. Chronic reduction in cardiac output induces hypoxic signaling in larval zebrafish even at a time when convective oxygen transport is not required.

    PubMed

    Kopp, Renate; Schwerte, Thorsten; Egg, Margit; Sandbichler, Adolf Michael; Egger, Bernhard; Pelster, Bernd

    2010-09-01

    In the present study, the zebrafish breakdance mutant (bre) was used to assess the role of blood flow in development because it has been previously shown that bre larvae have a chronically reduced cardiac output as a result of ventricular contraction following only every second atrial contraction in addition to an atrial bradycardia. We confirmed a 50% reduction compared with control fish and further showed that blood flow in the caudal part of the dorsal aorta decreased by 80%. Associated with these reductions in blood flow were indications of developmental retardation in bre mutants, specifically delayed hatching, reduced cell proliferation, and a transiently decreased growth rate. Surprisingly, an increased red blood cell concentration and an earlier appearance of trunk vessels in bre larvae indicated some compensation to convective oxygen transport, although in previous studies it has been shown that zebrafish larvae at this stage obtain oxygen by bulk diffusion. In bre animals immunohistochemical analyses showed a significant increase in hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF)-α protein expression, comparable with wild-type larvae that were raised under hypoxic conditions. Accordingly, the expression of some hif downstream genes was affected. Furthermore, Affymetrix microarray analyses revealed a large number of genes that were differently expressed comparing control and bre larvae, and the number even increased with proceeding development. The results showed that a chronic reduction in blood flow generated hypoxic molecular signals despite partial compensation by increased oxygen carrying capacity and transiently slowed the overall development of zebrafish bre larvae.

  14. Importance of contraction history on muscle force of porcine urinary bladder smooth muscle.

    PubMed

    Menzel, Robin; Böl, Markus; Siebert, Tobias

    2017-02-01

    The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive dataset of porcine urinary bladder smooth muscle properties. Particularly, the history dependence of force production, namely force depression (FD) following shortening and force enhancement (FE) following stretch, was analysed. During active micturition, the circumference of the urinary bladder changes enormously. Thus, FD might be an important phenomenon during smooth muscle contraction. Electrically stimulated, intact urinary bladder strips from pigs (n = 10) were suspended in an aerated-filled organ bath, and different isometric, isotonic, and isokinetic contraction protocols were performed to determine the force-length and the force-velocity relation. FD and FE were assessed in concentric and eccentric contractions with different ramp lengths and ramp velocities. Bladder smooth muscles exhibit considerable amounts of FD and FE. The amount of FD increased significantly with ramp length, while FE did not change. However, FE and FD were independent of ramp velocity. The results imply that smooth muscle bladder strips exhibit similar muscle properties and history-dependent behaviour compared to striated muscles. The provided dataset of muscle properties is important for bladder modelling as well as for the analyses and interpretation of dynamic bladder filling and voiding.

  15. Questionable payments for work of a contractor

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Not Available

    1981-09-23

    Examination of three support contracts for international R and D disclosed fundamental weaknesses in DOE controls over the (1) receipt and acceptance of goods and services, (2) authorization and payments for work, and (3) analyses of price proposals submitted by the contractor. As a result of these weaknesses, there was no clear and convincing record of what DOE got for most of the $2.5 million it spent on these contracts. Neither was there a downward adjustment in the amounts paid by DOE under two of the contracts although such an adjustment was required by the contracts. Much of the workmore » done by the contractor was not properly authorized. Finally, analyses by the San Francisco Operations Office of certain of the price proposals submitted by the contractor did not ensure that DOE obtained a fair and reasonable price. Recommendations addressed these issues to the Procurement Office, the Controller, the Assistant Secretaries for Conservation and Renewable Energy and Fossil Energy, and the Manager, San Francisco Operations Office who indicated general agreement with the findings and a willingness to immediately pursue the remedial measure that were recommended. Their comments are appended.« less

  16. Landscape predictors of pathogen prevalence and range contractions in US bumblebees.

    PubMed

    McArt, Scott H; Urbanowicz, Christine; McCoshum, Shaun; Irwin, Rebecca E; Adler, Lynn S

    2017-11-29

    Several species of bumblebees have recently experienced range contractions and possible extinctions. While threats to bees are numerous, few analyses have attempted to understand the relative importance of multiple stressors. Such analyses are critical for prioritizing conservation strategies. Here, we describe a landscape analysis of factors predicted to cause bumblebee declines in the USA. We quantified 24 habitat, land-use and pesticide usage variables across 284 sampling locations, assessing which variables predicted pathogen prevalence and range contractions via machine learning model selection techniques. We found that greater usage of the fungicide chlorothalonil was the best predictor of pathogen ( Nosema bombi ) prevalence in four declining species of bumblebees. Nosema bombi has previously been found in greater prevalence in some declining US bumblebee species compared to stable species. Greater usage of total fungicides was the strongest predictor of range contractions in declining species, with bumblebees in the northern USA experiencing greater likelihood of loss from previously occupied areas. These results extend several recent laboratory and semi-field studies that have found surprising links between fungicide exposure and bee health. Specifically, our data suggest landscape-scale connections between fungicide usage, pathogen prevalence and declines of threatened and endangered bumblebees. © 2017 The Author(s).

  17. Joint Implications for Contracted Logistics

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2007-03-30

    authority with the host nation country and policy on using UCMJ for contracted personnel. As tailored theater policies are developed and contracting...responsibility, this paper recommends better joint training, leader development and joint enablers for contracting operations. JOINT...U.S. Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) are analyzing Congressional and DOD policy to develop procedures and force structure to support contractor

  18. 48 CFR 11.503 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ..., Liquidated Damages—Supplies, Services, or Research and Development, in fixed-price solicitations and contracts for supplies, services, or research and development when the contracting officer determines that...—Construction, in solicitations and contracts for construction, other than cost-plus-fixed-fee, when the...

  19. Endothelin induces two types of contractions of rat uterus: phasic contractions by way of voltage-dependent calcium channels and developing contractions through a second type of calcium channels

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kozuka, M.; Ito, T.; Hirose, S.

    1989-02-28

    Effects of endothelin on nonvascular smooth muscle have been examined using rat uterine horns and two modes of endothelin action have been revealed. Endothelin (0.3 nM) caused rhythmic contractions of isolated uterus in the presence of extracellular calcium. The rhythmic contractions were completely inhibited by calcium channel antagonists. These characteristics of endothelin-induced contractions were very similar to those induced by oxytocin. Binding assays using /sup 125/I-endothelin showed that endothelin and the calcium channel blockers did not compete for the binding sites. However, endothelin was unique in that it caused, in addition to rhythmic contractions, a slowly developing monophasic contraction thatmore » was insensitive to calcium channel blockers. This developing contraction became dominant at higher concentrations of endothelin and was also calcium dependent.« less

  20. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Panayotov, Dobromir; Poitevin, Yves; Grief, Andrew

    'Fusion for Energy' (F4E) is designing, developing, and implementing the European Helium-Cooled Lead-Lithium (HCLL) and Helium-Cooled Pebble-Bed (HCPB) Test Blanket Systems (TBSs) for ITER (Nuclear Facility INB-174). Safety demonstration is an essential element for the integration of these TBSs into ITER and accident analysis is one of its critical components. A systematic approach to accident analysis has been developed under the F4E contract on TBS safety analyses. F4E technical requirements, together with Amec Foster Wheeler and INL efforts, have resulted in a comprehensive methodology for fusion breeding blanket accident analysis that addresses the specificity of the breeding blanket designs, materials,more » and phenomena while remaining consistent with the approach already applied to ITER accident analyses. Furthermore, the methodology phases are illustrated in the paper by its application to the EU HCLL TBS using both MELCOR and RELAP5 codes.« less

  1. Design, fabrication and test of a trace contaminant control system

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1975-01-01

    A trace contaminant control system was designed, fabricated, and evaluated to determine suitability of the system concept to future manned spacecraft. Two different models were considered. The load model initially required by the contract was based on the Space Station Prototype (SSP) general specifications SVSK HS4655, reflecting a change from a 9 man crew to a 6 man crew of the model developed in previous phases of this effort. Trade studies and a system preliminary design were accomplished based on this contaminant load, including computer analyses to define the optimum system configuration in terms of component arrangements, flow rates and component sizing. At the completion of the preliminary design effort a revised contaminant load model was developed for the SSP. Additional analyses were then conducted to define the impact of this new contaminant load model on the system configuration. A full scale foam-core mock-up with the appropriate SSP system interfaces was also fabricated.

  2. Contemporary recent extension and compression in the central Andes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tibaldi, A.; Bonali, F. L.

    2018-02-01

    Although extension in the high Andes vs. compression in the lowlands has already been widely discussed in the literature, for the first time we recognized both extensional and contractional structures that developed contemporaneously during late Pliocene-Quaternary times in a wide area of the central Andean chain (about 90,000 km2), where crustal earthquake data are missing. This area comprises north-eastern Chile, south-western Bolivia and north-western Argentina, and extends from the Puna Plateau to the Altiplano-volcanic belt. Late Pliocene-Quaternary folds, with hinge lines trending NNE-SSW to N-S, are mostly located along the westernmost part of the volcanic belt and the eastern part of the Western Cordillera. Locally, there are coeval reverse faults, parallel to the folds, which reach up to the surface; particularly, the Miscanti Ridge, Tolocha Fault and La Casualidad Ridge may be the morphostructural expression of tens-km-long fault-propagation folds, which locally show topographic scarps hundreds of meters high. North and east of the contractional structures, we found evidence of late Pliocene-Quaternary normal faults striking N-S in the southern part of the study area, and NW-SE in the northern part. Well-developed grabens are present in the higher areas of the volcanic belt and in the transition zone with the Puna Plateau. The surface rupture zones of normal fault swarms range 8-24 km in length, with single fault strands up to 18 km long, which are typical of tectonic structures. The distribution in space and time of the studied contractional and extensional structures indicates that they originated in the same time period; we thus address the challenging question regarding the possible origin of the stress sources, by analysing possible causes such as volcanotectonics, high topography, orogeny collapse, and gravitational spreading of the orogen, in relation also with the role played by inherited structures. We finally analyse the relations between the different structures and magma upwelling, and the potential for seismic hazard.

  3. Managing the Financial Risks of Water Scarcity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Characklis, Greg; Foster, Ben; Kern, Jordan; Meyer, Eliot; Zeff, Harrison

    2015-04-01

    Environmental uncertainty poses a growing number of financial risks to society, with droughts, floods, extreme temperatures and violent storms imposing costs that approach 500 billion per year. While structural forms of mitigation (i.e. levees, dams) will certainly play a role in limiting financial impacts, these are large investments whose full value is only rarely realized. Furthermore, the value of such long-lived measures becomes increasingly uncertain in a changing climate, raising the issue of whether they will be effective 20-30 years hence. Financial instruments, such as index insurance, can provide increased flexibility by providing compensation for losses only when they occur, and limited contract periods allow terms to be periodically rewritten in response to changing conditions. Financial instruments can also be effectively combined with other economic tools and infrastructure to create integrated solutions in which infrastructure mitigates losses from moderate events, while financial products compensate for more rare, but extreme, events. There is a long history of environmentally-related insurance and hedging instruments, but to date the actuarial analyses that underlie contract structure and pricing have been based on straightforward observations, such as cumulative rainfall. More recently, simple correlations between two time series have been used to develop index-based contracts. Links between temperature and electricity demand, for example, provide a basis for contracts that are used to limit the financial exposure of power generators to low revenues during unseasonably warm winters or cool summers. Unfortunately, few environmental risks can be so quickly and easily linked to a financial impact. However, with a more advanced understanding of the environmental systems that give rise to financial losses, opportunities exist to develop innovative contracts for a range of new applications. Recent research describes the characterization and mitigation of financial losses experienced by such entities as water utilities, hydropower producers and inland shipping firms as a result of water scarcity, all of which suggest a growing role for financial instruments in managing environmental risk.

  4. Stress and strain analysis of contractions during ramp distension in partially obstructed guinea pig jejunal segments

    PubMed Central

    Zhao, Jingbo; Liao, Donghua; Yang, Jian; Gregersen, Hans

    2011-01-01

    Previous studies have demonstrated morphological and biomechanical remodeling in the intestine proximal to an obstruction. The present study aimed to obtain stress and strain thresholds to initiate contraction and the maximal contraction stress and strain in partially obstructed guinea pig jejunal segments. Partial obstruction and sham operations were surgically created in mid-jejunum of male guinea pigs. The animals survived 2, 4, 7, and 14 days, respectively. Animals not being operated on served as normal controls. The segments were used for no-load state, zero-stress state and distension analyses. The segment was inflated to 10 cmH2O pressure in an organ bath containing 37°C Krebs solution and the outer diameter change was monitored. The stress and strain at the contraction threshold and at maximum contraction were computed from the diameter, pressure and the zero-stress state data. Young’s modulus was determined at the contraction threshold. The muscle layer thickness in obstructed intestinal segments increased up to 300%. Compared with sham-obstructed and normal groups, the contraction stress threshold, the maximum contraction stress and the Young’s modulus at the contraction threshold increased whereas the strain threshold and maximum contraction strain decreased after 7 days obstruction (P<0.05 and 0.01). In conclusion, in the partially obstructed intestinal segments, a larger distension force was needed to evoke contraction likely due to tissue remodeling. Higher contraction stresses were produced and the contraction deformation (strain) became smaller. PMID:21632056

  5. Development and Processing Improvement of Aerospace Aluminum Alloys

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lisagor, W. Barry; Bales, Thomas T.

    2007-01-01

    This final report, in multiple presentation format, describes a comprehensive multi-tasked contract study to improve the overall property response of selected aerospace alloys, explore further a newly-developed and registered alloy, and correlate the processing, metallurgical structure, and subsequent properties achieved with particular emphasis on the crystallographic orientation texture developed. Modifications to plate processing, specifically hot rolling practices, were evaluated for Al-Li alloys 2195 and 2297, for the recently registered Al-Cu-Ag alloy, 2139, and for the Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy, 7050. For all of the alloys evaluated, the processing modifications resulted in significant improvements in mechanical properties. Analyses also resulted in an enhanced understanding of the correlation of processing, crystallographic texture, and mechanical properties.

  6. An analysis of the medical specialty training system in Spain.

    PubMed

    Freire, José-Manuel; Infante, Alberto; de Aguiar, Adriana Cavalcanti; Carbajo, Pilar

    2015-06-02

    In this paper, we analyse the medical specialty training system in Spain (the so-called "residency system"). In order to do so, we a) summarize its historical evolution; b) describe the five major architectural pillars on which the system is currently based; c) analyse the special contract of the specialist-in-training; d) discuss the three major challenges for the medical specialist training future: the evolution and expansion of the residency system to other health professions, the issue of grouping specialties with a common core trunk and the continuity of the learning process; and e) draw four conclusions that may be relevant for those who are in the process of developing or revising their own medical specialization systems.

  7. 48 CFR 716.406 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Contract clauses. 716.406 Section 716.406 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES TYPES OF CONTRACTS Cost Reimbursement Contracts 716.406 Contract clauses. The...

  8. 48 CFR 716.406 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Contract clauses. 716.406 Section 716.406 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES TYPES OF CONTRACTS Cost Reimbursement Contracts 716.406 Contract clauses. The...

  9. 24 CFR 965.308 - Energy performance contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Energy performance contracts. 965... URBAN DEVELOPMENT PHA-OWNED OR LEASED PROJECTS-GENERAL PROVISIONS Energy Audits and Energy Conservation Measures § 965.308 Energy performance contracts. (a) Method of procurement. Energy performance contracting...

  10. 24 CFR 965.308 - Energy performance contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Energy performance contracts. 965... URBAN DEVELOPMENT PHA-OWNED OR LEASED PROJECTS-GENERAL PROVISIONS Energy Audits and Energy Conservation Measures § 965.308 Energy performance contracts. (a) Method of procurement. Energy performance contracting...

  11. 24 CFR 965.308 - Energy performance contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Energy performance contracts. 965... URBAN DEVELOPMENT PHA-OWNED OR LEASED PROJECTS-GENERAL PROVISIONS Energy Audits and Energy Conservation Measures § 965.308 Energy performance contracts. (a) Method of procurement. Energy performance contracting...

  12. 24 CFR 965.308 - Energy performance contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Energy performance contracts. 965... URBAN DEVELOPMENT PHA-OWNED OR LEASED PROJECTS-GENERAL PROVISIONS Energy Audits and Energy Conservation Measures § 965.308 Energy performance contracts. (a) Method of procurement. Energy performance contracting...

  13. 24 CFR 965.308 - Energy performance contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Energy performance contracts. 965... URBAN DEVELOPMENT PHA-OWNED OR LEASED PROJECTS-GENERAL PROVISIONS Energy Audits and Energy Conservation Measures § 965.308 Energy performance contracts. (a) Method of procurement. Energy performance contracting...

  14. Contracting out of health services in developing countries.

    PubMed

    McPake, B; Banda, E E

    1994-03-01

    Contracting out is emerging as a common policy issue in a number of developing countries. The theoretical case for contracting out suggests many advantages in combining public finance with private provision. However, practical difficulties such as those of ensuring that competition takes place between potential contractors, that competition leads to efficiency and that contracts and the process of contracting are effectively managed, suggest that such advantages may not always be realized. Most countries are likely only to contemplate restricted contracting of small-scale non-clinical services in the short term. Prerequisites of more extensive models appear to be the development of information systems and human resources to that end. Some urban areas of larger countries may have the existing preconditions for more successful large-scale contracting.

  15. A meta-analysis of single-case research on behavior contracts: effects on behavioral and academic outcomes among children and youth.

    PubMed

    Bowman-Perrott, Lisa; Burke, Mack D; de Marin, Sharon; Zhang, Nan; Davis, Heather

    2015-03-01

    The purpose of this meta-analysis was to quantitatively summarize the single-case research (SCR) literature on the use of behavior contracts with children and youth. This study examined the efficacy of behavior contracts on problem behaviors and academic behaviors across 18 SCR studies. Academic and behavioral outcomes were examined for 58 children and youth ages 5 to 21 using the TauU effect size index. Results indicated the overall moderate effect of the use of behavior contracts was ES = .57 (95% confidence interval [CI95] = [0.55, 0.58]) with a range of effects across studies (ES = .27 to ES = 1.00). Moderator analyses indicated that behavior contracts are beneficial for students regardless of grade level, gender, or disability status. Findings suggest that the intervention is more effective in reducing inappropriate behaviors than increasing appropriate behaviors, and that academic outcomes are positively affected by behavior contracting. © The Author(s) 2014.

  16. Plasticity solutions for soil behaviour around contracting cavities and tunnels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yu, H. S.; Rowe, R. K.

    1999-10-01

    The action of tunnel excavation reduces the in-situ stresses along the excavated circumference and can therefore be simulated by unloading of cavities from the in-situ stress state. Increasing evidence suggests that soil behavior in the plane perpendicular to the tunnel axis can be modelled reasonably by a contracting cylindrical cavity, while movements ahead of an advancing tunnel heading can be better predicted by spherical cavity contraction theory. In the past, solutions for unloading of cavities from in-situ stresses in cohesive-frictional soils have mainly concentrated on the small strain, cylindrical cavity model. Large strain spherical cavity contraction solutions with a non-associated Mohr-Coulomb model do not seem to be widely available for tunnel applications. Also, cavity unloading solutions in undrained clays have been developed only in terms of total stresses with a linear elastic-perfectly plastic soil model. The total stress analyses do not account for the effects of strain hardening/softening, variable soil stiffness, and soil stress history (OCR). The effect of these simplifying assumptions on the predicted soil behavior around tunnels is not known.In this paper, analytical and semi-analytical solutions are presented for unloading of both cylindrical and spherical cavities from in-situ state of stresses under both drained and undrained conditions. The non-associated Mohr-Coulomb model and various critical state theories are used respectively to describe the drained and undrained stress-strain behaviors of the soils. The analytical solutions presented in this paper are developed in terms of large strain formulations. These solutions can be used to serve two main purposes: (1) to provide models for predicting soil behavior around tunnels; (2) to provide valuable benchmark solutions for verifying various numerical methods involving both Mohr-Coulomb and critical state plasticity models.

  17. Extrusional Tectonics over Plate Corner: an Example in Northern Taiwan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lu, Chia-Yu; Lee, Jian-Cheng; Li, Zhinuo; Lee, Ching-An; Yeh, Chia-Hung

    2016-04-01

    In northern Taiwan, contraction, transcurrent shearing, block rotation and extension are four essential tectonic deformation mechanisms involved in the progressive deformation of this arcuate collision mountain belt. The neotectonic evolution of the Taiwan mountain belt is mainly controlled not only by the oblique convergence between the Eurasian plate and the Philippine Sea plate but also the corner shape of the plate boundary. Based on field observations and analyses, and taking geophysical data (mostly GPS) and experimental modelling into account, we interpret the curved belt of northern Taiwan as a result of of contractional deformation (with compression, thrust-sheet stacking & folding, back thrust duplex & back folding) that induced vertical extrusion, combined with increasing transcurrent & rotational deformation (with transcurrent faulting, bookshelf-type strike-slip faulting and block rotation) that induced transcurrent/rotational extrusion and extension deformation which in turn induced extensional extrusion. As a consequence, a special type of extrusional folds was formed in association with contractional, transcurrent & rotational and extensional extrusions subsequently. The extrusional tectonics in northern Taiwan reflect a single, albeit complicated, regional pattern of deformation. The crescent-shaped mountain belt of Northeastern Taiwan develops in response to oblique indentation by an asymmetric wedge indenter, retreat of Ryukyu trench and opening of the Okinawa trough.

  18. Extrusional Tectonics at Plate Corner: an Example in Northern Taiwan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lu, C. Y.; Lee, J. C.; Li, Z.; Yeh, C. H.; Lee, C. A.

    2015-12-01

    In northern Taiwan, contraction, transcurrent shearing, block rotation and extension are four essential tectonic deformation mechanisms involved in the progressive deformation of this arcuate collision mountain belt. The neotectonic evolution of the Taiwan mountain belt is mainly controlled not only by the oblique convergence between the Eurasian plate and the Philippine Sea plate but also the corner shape of the plate boundary. Based on field observations and analyses, and taking geophysical data (mostly GPS) and experimental modelling into account, we interpret the curved belt of northern Taiwan as a result of of contractional deformation (with compression, thrust-sheet stacking & folding, back thrust duplex & back folding) that induced vertical extrusion, combined with increasing transcurrent & rotational deformation (with transcurrent faulting, bookshelf-type strike-slip faulting and block rotation) that induced transcurrent/rotational extrusion and extension deformation which in turn induced extensional extrusion. As a consequence, a special type of extrusional folds was formed in association with contractional, transcurrent & rotational and extensional extrusions subsequently. The extrusional tectonics in northern Taiwan reflect a single, albeit complicated, regional pattern of deformation. The crescent-shaped mountain belt of Northeastern Taiwan develops in response to oblique indentation by an asymmetric wedge indenter and opening of the Okinawa trough at plate corner.

  19. Production planning and backup sourcing strategy of a buyer-dominant supply chain with random yield and demand

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Kebing; Xiao, Tiaojun

    2015-11-01

    This paper studies the backup sourcing strategy of the buyer and the production planning of the supplier in presence of both random yield and random demand. Since the production is susceptible to the randomness of yield beyond the control of the supplier, the buyer may access to a backup sourcing option for the finished items. We analyse the value of backup sourcing for both the decentralised and centralised channels. Backup sourcing strategy of the buyer may lower the supply chain's performance. We show that the order quantity of the buyer does not change the stocking factor of the supplier's input. Meanwhile, compared with the centralised operation, the decentralised operation is more dependent on the backup sourcing to reduce supply shortage of the contracting supplier. From the channel's perspective, an incentive scheme is developed to facilitate the coordination of both the buyer and the contracting supplier, we show that the proposed option contract can allow the supply chain members to share the respective risks involved in the production and selling processes. Finally, we also provide qualitative insights based on numerical examples of the centralised and decentralised solutions.

  20. Design, testing, and damage tolerance study of bonded stiffened composite wing cover panels

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Madan, Ram C.; Sutton, Jason O.

    1988-01-01

    Results are presented from the application of damage tolerance criteria for composite panels to multistringer composite wing cover panels developed under NASA's Composite Transport Wing Technology Development contract. This conceptual wing design integrated aeroelastic stiffness constraints with an enhanced damage tolerance material system, in order to yield optimized producibility and structural performance. Damage tolerance was demonstrated in a test program using full-sized cover panel subcomponents; panel skins were impacted at midbay between stiffeners, directly over a stiffener, and over the stiffener flange edge. None of the impacts produced visible damage. NASTRAN analyses were performed to simulate NDI-detected invisible damage.

  1. 48 CFR 216.403-1 - Fixed-price incentive (firm target) contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... (firm target) contracts. 216.403-1 Section 216.403-1 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEFENSE... CONTRACTS Incentive Contracts 216.403-1 Fixed-price incentive (firm target) contracts. (b) Application. (1... target) contracts, especially for acquisitions moving from development to production. (2) The contracting...

  2. 48 CFR 1335.006 - Contracting methods and contract type.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 1335.006 Contracting methods and... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Contracting methods and... research services under the contract might involve the use of human subjects. The provision is mandatory...

  3. The psychological contracts of National Health Service nurses.

    PubMed

    Purvis, Lynne J; Cropley, Mark

    2003-03-01

    Following the psychological contract model of the employee-employer exchange relationship is offered as a means of understanding the expectations of a UK sample of 223 National Health Service (NHS) nurses in association with their leaving intentions. A pilot study involving 21 NHS nurses, using the repertory grid technique was conducted to elicit contract expectations. Twenty-nine categories of expectation were identified through content analysis. The study proper, employed a survey developed on the basis of results from the pilot study to identify contract profiles among 223 nurses from three London/South-east NHS hospitals, using the Q-sort method. Type of contract held (relational/transactional), satisfaction (job and organization), and leaving intentions were also examined. Q-analysis yielded four contract profiles among the nurses sampled: 'self-development and achievement'; 'belonging and development'; 'competence and collegiality' and 'autonomy and development'. Correlation analysis demonstrated that leaving intentions were associated with a need for personal autonomy and development, and the violation of expectations for being appreciated, valued, recognized and rewarded for effort, loyalty, hard-work and achievement, negative endorsement of a relational contract, positive endorsement of a transactional contract, and job and organizational dissatisfaction. Findings illustrate the diagnostic utility of the term psychological contract for understanding the expectations of NHS nurses. The potential significance of these findings for managing nurse retention is highlighted.

  4. 24 CFR 982.455 - Automatic termination of HAP contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Automatic termination of HAP contract. 982.455 Section 982.455 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban... Payments Contract and Owner Responsibility § 982.455 Automatic termination of HAP contract. The HAP...

  5. Evaluation of contract time estimation and contracting procedures for louisiana department of transportation and development construction projects : final report : volume I.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1995-09-11

    The purpose of the research was to provide the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LaDOTD) with a systematic approach to the determination of contract time and to explore innovative contracting procedures that may prove beneficial...

  6. 24 CFR 983.205 - Term of HAP contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Term of HAP contract. 983.205 Section 983.205 Housing and Urban Development REGULATIONS RELATING TO HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT... DEVELOPMENT PROJECT-BASED VOUCHER (PBV) PROGRAM Housing Assistance Payments Contract § 983.205 Term of HAP...

  7. 24 CFR 983.205 - Term of HAP contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Term of HAP contract. 983.205 Section 983.205 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban Development... DEVELOPMENT PROJECT-BASED VOUCHER (PBV) PROGRAM Housing Assistance Payments Contract § 983.205 Term of HAP...

  8. 48 CFR 16.103 - Negotiating contract type.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES TYPES OF CONTRACTS Selecting Contract Types 16.103 Negotiating contract... basic profit motive of business enterprise, shall be used when the risk involved is minimal or can be...) Contracts on a firm fixed-price basis other than those for major systems or research and development, and (3...

  9. 48 CFR 1515.606-70 - Contracting methods.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Contracting methods. 1515... CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION Unsolicited Proposals 1515.606-70 Contracting methods. The Department of Housing and Urban Development-Independent Agencies Appropriation Act...

  10. 48 CFR 1515.606-70 - Contracting methods.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Contracting methods. 1515... CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION Unsolicited Proposals 1515.606-70 Contracting methods. The Department of Housing and Urban Development-Independent Agencies Appropriation Act...

  11. 48 CFR 1515.606-70 - Contracting methods.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Contracting methods. 1515... CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION Unsolicited Proposals 1515.606-70 Contracting methods. The Department of Housing and Urban Development-Independent Agencies Appropriation Act...

  12. 48 CFR 1515.606-70 - Contracting methods.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 true Contracting methods. 1515... CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION Unsolicited Proposals 1515.606-70 Contracting methods. The Department of Housing and Urban Development-Independent Agencies Appropriation Act...

  13. 48 CFR 1515.606-70 - Contracting methods.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Contracting methods. 1515... CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION Unsolicited Proposals 1515.606-70 Contracting methods. The Department of Housing and Urban Development-Independent Agencies Appropriation Act...

  14. 24 CFR 983.206 - HAP contract amendments (to add or substitute contract units).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false HAP contract amendments (to add or... Contract § 983.206 HAP contract amendments (to add or substitute contract units). (a) Amendment to substitute contract units. At the discretion of the PHA and subject to all PBV requirements, the HAP contract...

  15. 48 CFR 731.773 - Independent research and development costs.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Independent research and development costs. 731.773 Section 731.773 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT COST PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES Contracts With Nonprofit...

  16. 48 CFR 731.773 - Independent research and development costs.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Independent research and development costs. 731.773 Section 731.773 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT COST PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES Contracts With Nonprofit...

  17. The effect of muscle contraction level on the cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP): usefulness of amplitude normalization.

    PubMed

    Bogle, Jamie M; Zapala, David A; Criter, Robin; Burkard, Robert

    2013-02-01

    The cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) is a reflexive change in sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle contraction activity thought to be mediated by a saccular vestibulo-collic reflex. CVEMP amplitude varies with the state of the afferent (vestibular) limb of the vestibulo-collic reflex pathway, as well as with the level of SCM muscle contraction. It follows that in order for cVEMP amplitude to reflect the status of the afferent portion of the reflex pathway, muscle contraction level must be controlled. Historically, this has been accomplished by volitionally controlling muscle contraction level either with the aid of a biofeedback method, or by an a posteriori method that normalizes cVEMP amplitude by the level of muscle contraction. A posteriori normalization methods make the implicit assumption that mathematical normalization precisely removes the influence of the efferent limb of the vestibulo-collic pathway. With the cVEMP, however, we are violating basic assumptions of signal averaging: specifically, the background noise and the response are not independent. The influence of this signal-averaging violation on our ability to normalize cVEMP amplitude using a posteriori methods is not well understood. The aims of this investigation were to describe the effect of muscle contraction, as measured by a prestimulus electromyogenic estimate, on cVEMP amplitude and interaural amplitude asymmetry ratio, and to evaluate the benefit of using a commonly advocated a posteriori normalization method on cVEMP amplitude and asymmetry ratio variability. Prospective, repeated-measures design using a convenience sample. Ten healthy adult participants between 25 and 61 yr of age. cVEMP responses to 500 Hz tone bursts (120 dB pSPL) for three conditions describing maximum, moderate, and minimal muscle contraction. Mean (standard deviation) cVEMP amplitude and asymmetry ratios were calculated for each muscle-contraction condition. Repeated measures analysis of variance and t-tests compared the variability in cVEMP amplitude between sides and conditions. Linear regression analyses compared asymmetry ratios. Polynomial regression analyses described the corrected and uncorrected cVEMP amplitude growth functions. While cVEMP amplitude increased with increased muscle contraction, the relationship was not linear or even proportionate. In the majority of cases, once muscle contraction reached a certain "threshold" level, cVEMP amplitude increased rapidly and then saturated. Normalizing cVEMP amplitudes did not remove the relationship between cVEMP amplitude and muscle contraction level. As muscle contraction increased, the normalized amplitude increased, and then decreased, corresponding with the observed amplitude saturation. Abnormal asymmetry ratios (based on values reported in the literature) were noted for four instances of uncorrected amplitude asymmetry at less than maximum muscle contraction levels. Amplitude normalization did not substantially change the number of observed asymmetry ratios. Because cVEMP amplitude did not typically grow proportionally with muscle contraction level, amplitude normalization did not lead to stable cVEMP amplitudes or asymmetry ratios across varying muscle contraction levels. Until we better understand the relationships between muscle contraction level, surface electromyography (EMG) estimates of muscle contraction level, and cVEMP amplitude, the application of normalization methods to correct cVEMP amplitude appears unjustified. American Academy of Audiology.

  18. 48 CFR 716.303 - Cost-sharing contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Cost-sharing contracts. 716.303 Section 716.303 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES TYPES OF CONTRACTS Cost Reimbursement Contracts 716.303 Cost-sharing...

  19. 48 CFR 716.303 - Cost-sharing contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Cost-sharing contracts. 716.303 Section 716.303 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES TYPES OF CONTRACTS Cost Reimbursement Contracts 716.303 Cost-sharing...

  20. Social inequalities in the impact of flexible employment on different domains of psychosocial health.

    PubMed

    Artazcoz, Lucía; Benach, Joan; Borrell, Carme; Cortès, Imma

    2005-09-01

    (1) To analyse the impact of flexible employment on mental health and job dissatisfaction; and (2) to examine the constraints imposed by flexible employment on men's and women's partnership formation and people's decision to become parents. For the two objectives the potentially different patterns by sex and social class are explored. Cross sectional health survey. Multiple logistic regression models separated for sex and social class (manual and non-manual workers) and controlling for age were fitted. Four types of contractual arrangements have been considered: permanent, fixed term temporary contract, non-fixed term temporary contract, and no contract. Catalonia (a region in the north east of Spain). Salaried workers interviewed in the 2002 Catalonian health survey with no longstanding limiting illness, aged 16-64 (1474 men and 998 women). Fixed term temporary contracts were not associated with poor mental health status. The impact of other forms of flexible employment on mental health depended on the type of contractual arrangement, sex, and social class and it was restricted to less privileged workers, women, and manual male workers. The impact of flexible employment on living arrangements was higher in men. Among both manual and non-manual male workers, those with fixed term temporary contracts were less likely to have children when married or cohabiting and, additionally, among non-manual male workers they also were more likely to remain single (aOR = 2.35; 95%CI = 1.13 to 4.90). Some forms of temporary contracts are related to adverse health and psychosocial outcomes with different patterns depending on the outcome analysed and on sex and social class. Future research should incorporate variables to capture situations of precariousness associated with flexible employment.

  1. Energy service contracts in regional engineering center for small and medium businesses

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gil'manshin, I. R.; Kashapov, N. F.

    2014-12-01

    The analysis of the energy service contracts development in Russia is given in the article. The role of the Complex learning centres in the field of energy efficiency in the promotion of energy service contracts is described. The reasons of constraining the development of energy service contracts are described.

  2. Emergency School Aid Act (ESAA) Evaluation: Results of Supplemental Analyses Conducted in the Contract Extension Period.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Carriere, Ronald A.; And Others

    This report focuses on a set of supplemental analyses that were performed on portions of the Emergency School Aid Act (ESAA) evaluation data. The goal of these analyses was to explore additional relationships in the data that might help to inform program policy, to confirm and/or further explicate some of the findings reported earlier, and to put…

  3. 48 CFR 1235.7000 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING Research Misconduct 1235.7000 Contract clause. The contracting officer shall insert the clause at (TAR) 48 CFR 1252.235-70, Research Misconduct, in... Policy on Research Misconduct,” dated February 2002. ...

  4. 48 CFR 1235.7000 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING Research Misconduct 1235.7000 Contract clause. The contracting officer shall insert the clause at (TAR) 48 CFR 1252.235-70, Research Misconduct, in... Policy on Research Misconduct,” dated February 2002. ...

  5. 48 CFR 1235.7000 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING Research Misconduct 1235.7000 Contract clause. The contracting officer shall insert the clause at (TAR) 48 CFR 1252.235-70, Research Misconduct, in... Policy on Research Misconduct,” dated February 2002. ...

  6. 48 CFR 1235.7000 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING Research Misconduct 1235.7000 Contract clause. The contracting officer shall insert the clause at (TAR) 48 CFR 1252.235-70, Research Misconduct, in... Policy on Research Misconduct,” dated February 2002. ...

  7. Range contractions of the world's large carnivores

    PubMed Central

    2017-01-01

    The majority of the world's terrestrial large carnivores have undergone substantial range contractions and many of these species are currently threatened with extinction. However, there has been little effort to fully quantify the extent of large carnivore range contractions, which hinders our ability to understand the roles and relative drivers of such trends. Here we present and analyse a newly constructed and comprehensive set of large carnivore range contraction maps. We reveal the extent to which ranges have contracted since historical times and identify regions and biomes where range contractions have been particularly large. In summary, large carnivores that have experienced the greatest range contractions include the red wolf (Canis rufus) (greater than 99%), Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) (99%), tiger (Panthera tigris) (95%) and lion (Panthera leo) (94%). In general, the greatest range contractions occurred in Southeastern Asia and Africa. Motivated by the ecological importance of intact large carnivore guilds, we also examined the spatial extent of intact large carnivore guilds both for the entire world and regionally. We found that intact carnivore guilds occupy just 34% of the world's land area. This compares to 96% in historic times. Spatial modelling of range contractions showed that contractions were significantly more likely in regions with high rural human population density, cattle density or cropland. Our results offer new insights into how best to prevent further range contractions for the world's largest carnivores, which will assist efforts to conserve these species and their important ecological effects. PMID:28791136

  8. Range contractions of the world's large carnivores.

    PubMed

    Wolf, Christopher; Ripple, William J

    2017-07-01

    The majority of the world's terrestrial large carnivores have undergone substantial range contractions and many of these species are currently threatened with extinction. However, there has been little effort to fully quantify the extent of large carnivore range contractions, which hinders our ability to understand the roles and relative drivers of such trends. Here we present and analyse a newly constructed and comprehensive set of large carnivore range contraction maps. We reveal the extent to which ranges have contracted since historical times and identify regions and biomes where range contractions have been particularly large. In summary, large carnivores that have experienced the greatest range contractions include the red wolf ( Canis rufus ) (greater than 99%), Ethiopian wolf ( Canis simensis ) (99%), tiger ( Panthera tigris ) (95%) and lion ( Panthera leo ) (94%). In general, the greatest range contractions occurred in Southeastern Asia and Africa. Motivated by the ecological importance of intact large carnivore guilds, we also examined the spatial extent of intact large carnivore guilds both for the entire world and regionally. We found that intact carnivore guilds occupy just 34% of the world's land area. This compares to 96% in historic times. Spatial modelling of range contractions showed that contractions were significantly more likely in regions with high rural human population density, cattle density or cropland. Our results offer new insights into how best to prevent further range contractions for the world's largest carnivores, which will assist efforts to conserve these species and their important ecological effects.

  9. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Dobromir Panayotov; Andrew Grief; Brad J. Merrill

    'Fusion for Energy' (F4E) develops designs and implements the European Test Blanket Systems (TBS) in ITER - Helium-Cooled Lithium-Lead (HCLL) and Helium-Cooled Pebble-Bed (HCPB). Safety demonstration is an essential element for the integration of TBS in ITER and accident analyses are one of its critical segments. A systematic approach to the accident analyses had been acquired under the F4E contract on TBS safety analyses. F4E technical requirements and AMEC and INL efforts resulted in the development of a comprehensive methodology for fusion breeding blanket accident analyses. It addresses the specificity of the breeding blankets design, materials and phenomena and atmore » the same time is consistent with the one already applied to ITER accident analyses. Methodology consists of several phases. At first the reference scenarios are selected on the base of FMEA studies. In the second place elaboration of the accident analyses specifications we use phenomena identification and ranking tables to identify the requirements to be met by the code(s) and TBS models. Thus the limitations of the codes are identified and possible solutions to be built into the models are proposed. These include among others the loose coupling of different codes or code versions in order to simulate multi-fluid flows and phenomena. The code selection and issue of the accident analyses specifications conclude this second step. Furthermore the breeding blanket and ancillary systems models are built on. In this work challenges met and solutions used in the development of both MELCOR and RELAP5 codes models of HCLL and HCPB TBSs will be shared. To continue the developed models are qualified by comparison with finite elements analyses, by code to code comparison and sensitivity studies. Finally, the qualified models are used for the execution of the accident analyses of specific scenario. When possible the methodology phases will be illustrated in the paper by limited number of tables and figures. Description of each phase and its results in detail as well the methodology applications to EU HCLL and HCPB TBSs will be published in separate papers. The developed methodology is applicable to accident analyses of other TBSs to be tested in ITER and as well to DEMO breeding blankets.« less

  10. Bending the cost curve and increasing revenue: a family medicine model that works!

    PubMed

    Katz, Bernard J; Needham, Mark R

    2012-12-01

    This article attempts to illustrate ways in which family physician practices are able to demonstrate high value, enhanced quality, and streamlined costs, essential components of practice sustainability. Specific examples are provided to assist practices to consider questions and information that allow for skillful engagement during contract negotiations, consider increasing practice revenues by adopting practice enhancements that make sense for the location of the practice and community needs, develop workflow analyses, and review opportunities for expense reduction. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. 48 CFR 235.072 - Additional contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... contracts for research and development. (d) Use the clause at 252.235-7011, Final Scientific or Technical Report, in solicitations and contracts for research and development. (e) Use the clause at 252.235-7004...

  12. 48 CFR 731.370 - Predetermined fixed rates for indirect costs.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT COST PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES Contracts... determining the indirect costs applicable under contracts with educational institutions. ...

  13. 48 CFR 731.370 - Predetermined fixed rates for indirect costs.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT COST PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES Contracts... determining the indirect costs applicable under contracts with educational institutions. ...

  14. 48 CFR 728.309 - Contract clause for worker's compensation insurance.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS BONDS AND INSURANCE Insurance 728.309 Contract clause... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Contract clause for worker... resulting in contracts which require worker's compensation insurance, USAID has contracted with an insurance...

  15. 48 CFR 728.309 - Contract clause for worker's compensation insurance.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS BONDS AND INSURANCE Insurance 728.309 Contract clause... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Contract clause for worker... resulting in contracts which require worker's compensation insurance, USAID has contracted with an insurance...

  16. 24 CFR 891.560 - HAP contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false HAP contract. 891.560 Section 891... Assistance § 891.560 HAP contract. (a) HAP contract. The housing assistance payments contract sets forth.... (b) HAP contract execution. (1) Upon satisfactory completion of the project, the Borrower and HUD...

  17. 31 CFR 537.410 - Contracts and subcontracts regarding economic development of resources in Burma.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... economic development of resources in Burma. 537.410 Section 537.410 Money and Finance: Treasury Regulations... BURMESE SANCTIONS REGULATIONS Interpretations § 537.410 Contracts and subcontracts regarding economic... supervision and guarantee of another person's performance of a contract that includes the economic development...

  18. Imaging two-dimensional mechanical waves of skeletal muscle contraction.

    PubMed

    Grönlund, Christer; Claesson, Kenji; Holtermann, Andreas

    2013-02-01

    Skeletal muscle contraction is related to rapid mechanical shortening and thickening. Recently, specialized ultrasound systems have been applied to demonstrate and quantify transient tissue velocities and one-dimensional (1-D) propagation of mechanical waves during muscle contraction. Such waves could potentially provide novel information on musculoskeletal characteristics, function and disorders. In this work, we demonstrate two-dimensional (2-D) mechanical wave imaging following the skeletal muscle contraction. B-mode image acquisition during multiple consecutive electrostimulations, speckle-tracking and a time-stamp sorting protocol were used to obtain 1.4 kHz frame rate 2-D tissue velocity imaging of the biceps brachii muscle contraction. The results present novel information on tissue velocity profiles and mechanical wave propagation. In particular, counter-propagating compressional and shear waves in the longitudinal direction were observed in the contracting tissue (speed 2.8-4.4 m/s) and a compressional wave in the transverse direction of the non-contracting muscle tissue (1.2-1.9 m/s). In conclusion, analysing transient 2-D tissue velocity allows simultaneous assessment of both active and passive muscle tissue properties. Copyright © 2013 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. A short-term statin treatment changes the contractile properties of fast-twitch skeletal muscles.

    PubMed

    Piette, Antoine Boulanger; Dufresne, Sébastien S; Frenette, Jérôme

    2016-10-28

    Cumulative evidence indicates that statins induce myotoxicity. However, the lack of understanding of how statins affect skeletal muscles at the structural, functional, and physiological levels hampers proper healthcare management. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the early after-effects of lovastatin on the slow-twitch soleus (Sol) and fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles. Adult C57BL/6 mice were orally administrated with placebo or lovastatin [50 mg/kg/d] for 28 days. At the end of the treatment, the isometric ex vivo contractile properties of the Sol and EDL muscles were measured. Subtetanic and tetanic contractions were assessed and contraction kinetics were recorded. The muscles were then frozen for immunohistochemical analyses. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA followed by an a posteriori Tukey's test. The short-term lovastatin treatment did not induce muscle mass loss, muscle fiber atrophy, or creatine kinase (CK) release. It had no functional impact on slow-twitch Sol muscles. However, subtetanic stimulations at 10 Hz provoked greater force production in fast-twitch EDL muscles. The treatment also decreased the maximal rate of force development (dP/dT) of twitch contractions and prolonged the half relaxation time (1/2RT) of tetanic contractions of EDL muscles. An early short-term statin treatment induced subtle but significant changes in some parameters of the contractile profile of EDL muscles, providing new insights into the selective initiation of statin-induced myopathy in fast-twitch muscles.

  20. Identifying Psychological Contract Breaches to Guide Improvements in Faculty Recruitment, Retention, and Development

    PubMed Central

    Desselle, Shane P.; Draugalis, JoLaine R.; Spies, Alan R.; Davis, Tamra S.; Bolino, Mark

    2012-01-01

    Objective. To identify pharmacy faculty members’ perceptions of psychological contract breaches that can be used to guide improvements in faculty recruitment, retention, and development. Methods. A list of psychological contract breaches was developed using a Delphi procedure involving a panel of experts assembled through purposive sampling. The Delphi consisted of 4 rounds, the first of which elicited examples of psychological contract breaches in an open-ended format. The ensuing 3 rounds consisting of a survey and anonymous feedback on aggregated group responses. Results. Usable responses were obtained from 11 of 12 faculty members who completed the Delphi procedure. The final list of psychological contract breaches included 27 items, after modifications based on participant feedback in subsequent rounds. Conclusion. The psychological contract breach items generated in this study provide guidance for colleges and schools of pharmacy regarding important aspects of faculty recruitment, retention, and development. PMID:22919084

  1. Identifying psychological contract breaches to guide improvements in faculty recruitment, retention, and development.

    PubMed

    Peirce, Gretchen L; Desselle, Shane P; Draugalis, JoLaine R; Spies, Alan R; Davis, Tamra S; Bolino, Mark

    2012-08-10

    To identify pharmacy faculty members' perceptions of psychological contract breaches that can be used to guide improvements in faculty recruitment, retention, and development. A list of psychological contract breaches was developed using a Delphi procedure involving a panel of experts assembled through purposive sampling. The Delphi consisted of 4 rounds, the first of which elicited examples of psychological contract breaches in an open-ended format. The ensuing 3 rounds consisting of a survey and anonymous feedback on aggregated group responses. Usable responses were obtained from 11 of 12 faculty members who completed the Delphi procedure. The final list of psychological contract breaches included 27 items, after modifications based on participant feedback in subsequent rounds. The psychological contract breach items generated in this study provide guidance for colleges and schools of pharmacy regarding important aspects of faculty recruitment, retention, and development.

  2. 48 CFR 39.107 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... CONTRACTING ACQUISITION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY General 39.107 Contract clause. The contracting officer..., in solicitations and contracts for information technology which require security of information technology, and/or are for the design, development, or operation of a system of records using commercial...

  3. 48 CFR 39.107 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... CONTRACTING ACQUISITION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY General 39.107 Contract clause. The contracting officer..., in solicitations and contracts for information technology which require security of information technology, and/or are for the design, development, or operation of a system of records using commercial...

  4. 48 CFR 39.107 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... CONTRACTING ACQUISITION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY General 39.107 Contract clause. The contracting officer..., in solicitations and contracts for information technology which require security of information technology, and/or are for the design, development, or operation of a system of records using commercial...

  5. 48 CFR 39.107 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... CONTRACTING ACQUISITION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY General 39.107 Contract clause. The contracting officer..., in solicitations and contracts for information technology which require security of information technology, and/or are for the design, development, or operation of a system of records using commercial...

  6. 48 CFR 747.507 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Contract clauses. 747.507 Section 747.507 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT MANAGEMENT TRANSPORTATION Ocean Transportation by U.S.-Flag Vessels 747.507 Contract clauses. Contracting...

  7. 48 CFR 1828.370 - Fixed-price contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 true Fixed-price contract... ADMINISTRATION GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS BONDS AND INSURANCE Insurance 1828.370 Fixed-price contract... Risk, in all negotiated fixed-price contracts for the development, production, modification...

  8. 48 CFR 9.504 - Contracting officer responsibilities.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ..., contracting officers shall analyze planned acquisitions in order to— (1) Identify and evaluate potential..., or mitigate significant potential conflicts before contract award. (b) Contracting officers should... potential conflicts and in developing any necessary solicitation provisions and contract clauses (see 9.506...

  9. 48 CFR 732.111 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Contract clauses. 732.111 Section 732.111 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT FINANCING General 732.111 Contract clauses. (a) [Reserved] (b) USAID may...

  10. 48 CFR 732.111 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Contract clauses. 732.111 Section 732.111 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT FINANCING General 732.111 Contract clauses. (a) [Reserved] (b) USAID may...

  11. 48 CFR 2432.906 - Contract financing payments.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 true Contract financing payments. 2432.906 Section 2432.906 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT FINANCING Prompt Payment 2432.906 Contract financing...

  12. Veterans Affairs Contracting: Improved Oversight Needed for Certain Contractual Arrangements

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-07-01

    Federally Funded Research and Development Center HCA Head of Contracting Activity IAA interagency agreement IDIQ indefinite-delivery indefinite...contracts reside in six different VA organizations. Each of these organizations has an individual designated as Head of Contracting Activity ( HCA ), who...properly trained, stating that HCAs shall develop and implement guidance ensuring only qualified individuals with appropriate training are assigned to

  13. Compensatory strategies during walking in response to excessive muscle co-contraction at the ankle joint.

    PubMed

    Wang, Ruoli; Gutierrez-Farewik, Elena M

    2014-03-01

    Excessive co-contraction causes inefficient or abnormal movement in several neuromuscular pathologies. How synergistic muscles spanning the ankle, knee and hip adapt to co-contraction of ankle muscles is not well understood. This study aimed to identify the compensation strategies required to retain normal walking with excessive antagonistic ankle muscle co-contraction. Muscle-actuated simulations of normal walking were performed to quantify compensatory mechanisms of ankle and knee muscles during stance in the presence of normal, medium and high levels of co-contraction of antagonistic pairs gastrocnemius+tibialis anterior and soleus+tibialis anterior. The study showed that if co-contraction increases, the synergistic ankle muscles can compensate; with gastrocmemius+tibialis anterior co-contraction, the soleus will increase its contribution to ankle plantarflexion acceleration. At the knee, however, almost all muscles spanning the knee and hip are involved in compensation. We also found that ankle and knee muscles alone can provide sufficient compensation at the ankle joint, but hip muscles must be involved to generate sufficient knee moment. Our findings imply that subjects with a rather high level of dorsiflexor+plantarflexor co-contraction can still perform normal walking. This also suggests that capacity of other lower limb muscles to compensate is important to retain normal walking in co-contracted persons. The compensatory mechanisms can be useful in clinical interpretation of motion analyses, when secondary muscle co-contraction or other deficits may present simultaneously in subjects with motion disorders. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. 48 CFR 917.7301-1 - General.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... Section 917.7301-1 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES SPECIAL CONTRACTING METHODS Program Research and Development Announcements 917.7301-1... in entering into arrangements for research, development, and related projects in specified areas of...

  15. Sustaining Financial Support through Workforce Development Grants and Contracts

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Brumbach, Mary A.

    2005-01-01

    Workforce development grants and contracts are important methods for sustaining financial support for community colleges. This chapter details decision factors, college issues, possible pitfalls, and methods for procuring and handling government contracts and grants for workforce training.

  16. 48 CFR 35.006 - Contracting methods and contract type.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... short-duration fixed-price contract may be useful for developing system design concepts, resolving... contracts as designs become more firmly established, risks are reduced, and production tooling, equipment...

  17. 20 CFR Appendix A to Part 401 - Employee Standards of Conduct

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... arrangements for the design, development, or operation of any system of records without making reasonable... provisions: (1) Contracts for design, or development of systems and equipment. The contracting officer shall not enter into any contract for the design or development of a system of records, or for equipment to...

  18. 20 CFR Appendix A to Part 401 - Employee Standards of Conduct

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... arrangements for the design, development, or operation of any system of records without making reasonable... provisions: (1) Contracts for design, or development of systems and equipment. The contracting officer shall not enter into any contract for the design or development of a system of records, or for equipment to...

  19. 24 CFR 203.257 - Creation of the contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 2 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Creation of the contract. 203.257 Section 203.257 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban Development... § 203.257 Creation of the contract. The mortgage shall be an insured mortgage from the date of the...

  20. 24 CFR 203.257 - Creation of the contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 2 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Creation of the contract. 203.257 Section 203.257 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban Development... § 203.257 Creation of the contract. The mortgage shall be an insured mortgage from the date of the...

  1. 24 CFR 203.257 - Creation of the contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 2 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Creation of the contract. 203.257 Section 203.257 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban Development... § 203.257 Creation of the contract. The mortgage shall be an insured mortgage from the date of the...

  2. 24 CFR 203.257 - Creation of the contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Creation of the contract. 203.257 Section 203.257 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban Development... § 203.257 Creation of the contract. The mortgage shall be an insured mortgage from the date of the...

  3. 24 CFR 203.257 - Creation of the contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 2 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Creation of the contract. 203.257 Section 203.257 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban Development... § 203.257 Creation of the contract. The mortgage shall be an insured mortgage from the date of the...

  4. 48 CFR 250.104-3-70 - Indemnification under contracts involving both research and development and other work.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... contracts involving both research and development and other work. 250.104-3-70 Section 250.104-3-70 Federal... MANAGEMENT EXTRAORDINARY CONTRACTUAL ACTIONS AND THE SAFETY ACT Extraordinary Contractual Actions 250.104-3-70 Indemnification under contracts involving both research and development and other work. When...

  5. 48 CFR 2446.502-70 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 true Contract clause. 2446.502-70 Section 2446.502-70 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT MANAGEMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE Acceptance 2446.502-70 Contract clause. The Contracting...

  6. 48 CFR 43.205 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ...-engineer or other professional services, and no supplies are to be furnished, the contracting officer shall...-engineer or other professional services, the contracting officer shall use the clause with its Alternate... Accounting, in solicitations and contracts for supply and research and development contracts of significant...

  7. 48 CFR 43.205 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ...-engineer or other professional services, and no supplies are to be furnished, the contracting officer shall...-engineer or other professional services, the contracting officer shall use the clause with its Alternate... Accounting, in solicitations and contracts for supply and research and development contracts of significant...

  8. 48 CFR 43.205 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ...-engineer or other professional services, and no supplies are to be furnished, the contracting officer shall...-engineer or other professional services, the contracting officer shall use the clause with its Alternate... Accounting, in solicitations and contracts for supply and research and development contracts of significant...

  9. 48 CFR 43.205 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ...-engineer or other professional services, and no supplies are to be furnished, the contracting officer shall...-engineer or other professional services, the contracting officer shall use the clause with its Alternate... Accounting, in solicitations and contracts for supply and research and development contracts of significant...

  10. 48 CFR 43.205 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ...-engineer or other professional services, and no supplies are to be furnished, the contracting officer shall...-engineer or other professional services, the contracting officer shall use the clause with its Alternate... Accounting, in solicitations and contracts for supply and research and development contracts of significant...

  11. 48 CFR 2436.602 - Selection of firms for architect-engineer contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... architect-engineer contracts. 2436.602 Section 2436.602 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING CONSTRUCTION AND ARCHITECT-ENGINEER CONTRACTS Architect-Engineer Services 2436.602 Selection of firms for architect-engineer contracts. ...

  12. 48 CFR 2436.602 - Selection of firms for architect-engineer contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... architect-engineer contracts. 2436.602 Section 2436.602 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING CONSTRUCTION AND ARCHITECT-ENGINEER CONTRACTS Architect-Engineer Services 2436.602 Selection of firms for architect-engineer contracts. ...

  13. 48 CFR 2436.602 - Selection of firms for architect-engineer contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... architect-engineer contracts. 2436.602 Section 2436.602 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING CONSTRUCTION AND ARCHITECT-ENGINEER CONTRACTS Architect-Engineer Services 2436.602 Selection of firms for architect-engineer contracts. ...

  14. 48 CFR 2436.602 - Selection of firms for architect-engineer contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... architect-engineer contracts. 2436.602 Section 2436.602 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING CONSTRUCTION AND ARCHITECT-ENGINEER CONTRACTS Architect-Engineer Services 2436.602 Selection of firms for architect-engineer contracts. ...

  15. 48 CFR 2436.602 - Selection of firms for architect-engineer contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... architect-engineer contracts. 2436.602 Section 2436.602 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING CONSTRUCTION AND ARCHITECT-ENGINEER CONTRACTS Architect-Engineer Services 2436.602 Selection of firms for architect-engineer contracts. ...

  16. 48 CFR 742.1170-4 - Progress reporting requirements and contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... requirements and contract clause. 742.1170-4 Section 742.1170-4 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT MANAGEMENT CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION Production, Surveillance, and Reporting 742.1170-4 Progress reporting requirements and contract clause. (a) When the requiring...

  17. 48 CFR 1535.007-70 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Contract clauses. 1535.007-70 Section 1535.007-70 Federal Acquisition Regulations System ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 1535.007-70 Contract clauses. The following...

  18. 48 CFR 1535.007-70 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Contract clauses. 1535.007-70 Section 1535.007-70 Federal Acquisition Regulations System ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 1535.007-70 Contract clauses. The following...

  19. 48 CFR 1535.007-70 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Contract clauses. 1535.007-70 Section 1535.007-70 Federal Acquisition Regulations System ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 1535.007-70 Contract clauses. The following...

  20. 48 CFR 1535.007-70 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Contract clauses. 1535.007-70 Section 1535.007-70 Federal Acquisition Regulations System ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 1535.007-70 Contract clauses. The following...

  1. 48 CFR 2432.114 - Unusual contract financing.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 true Unusual contract financing... DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT FINANCING Non-Commercial Item Purchase Financing 2432.114 Unusual contract financing. The Senior Procurement Executive is the agency head for the purpose of...

  2. INTRODUCTION TO PATIENT-REPORTED OUTCOME ITEM BANKS: ISSUES IN MINORITY AGING RESEARCH

    PubMed Central

    Templin, Thomas N; Hays, Ron D; Gershon, Richard C; Rothrock, Nan; Jones, Richard N; Teresi, Jeanne A; Stewart, Anita; Weech-Maldonado, Robert; Wallace, Steve

    2014-01-01

    In 2004 NIH awarded contracts to initiate the development of high quality psychological and neuropsychological outcome measures for improved assessment of health-related outcomes. The workshop introduced these measurement development initiatives, the measures created, and the NIH supported resource (Assessment Center) for internet or tablet-based test administration and scoring. Presentation covered: (a) item response theory (IRT) and assessment of test bias, (b) construction of item banks and computerized adaptive testing, and (c) the different ways in which qualitative analyses contribute to the definition of construct domains and the refinement of outcome constructs. The panel discussion included questions about representativeness of samples, and assessment of cultural bias. PMID:23570428

  3. Factors affecting sugar-sweetened beverage availability in competitive venues of US secondary schools.

    PubMed

    Terry-McElrath, Yvonne M; O'Malley, Patrick M; Johnston, Lloyd D

    2012-01-01

    This study explores sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) availability in US secondary school competitive venues during the first 3 years following the school wellness policy requirement (2007-2009). Furthermore, analyses examine associations with school policy and SSB availability. Analyses use questionnaire data from 757 middle and 762 high schools in the nationally representative Youth, Education, and Society study to examine soda and non-soda SSB availability associations with school policy including (1) beverage bottling contracts and related incentives, (2) individuals/organizations responsible for decisions regarding beverages available in vending machines, and (3) school wellness policies and nutrition guidelines. Non-soda SSBs made up the majority of SSBs in both middle and high schools. Soda was especially likely to be found in vending machines; non-soda SSBs were widely available across competitive venues. Access to soda decreased significantly over time; however, non-soda SSB access did not show a similar decrease. School policy allowing beverage supplier contractual involvement (bottling contract incentives and beverage supplier "say" in vending machine beverage choices) was related to increased SSB access. However, the existence of developed nutritional guidelines was associated with lower SSB availability. Students had high access to SSBs across competitive school venues, with non-soda SSBs making up the majority of SSB beverage options. Efforts to reduce access to SSBs in US secondary schools should include a focus on reducing both soda and non-soda SSBs, reducing beverage supplier involvement in school beverage choices, and encouraging the development of targeted nutritional guidelines for all competitive venues. © 2011, American School Health Association.

  4. Antecedents of Psychological Contract Breach: The Role of Job Demands, Job Resources, and Affect

    PubMed Central

    Vantilborgh, Tim; Bidee, Jemima; Pepermans, Roland; Griep, Yannick; Hofmans, Joeri

    2016-01-01

    While it has been shown that psychological contract breach leads to detrimental outcomes, relatively little is known about factors leading to perceptions of breach. We examine if job demands and resources predict breach perceptions. We argue that perceiving high demands elicits negative affect, while perceiving high resources stimulates positive affect. Positive and negative affect, in turn, influence the likelihood that psychological contract breaches are perceived. We conducted two experience sampling studies to test our hypotheses: the first using daily surveys in a sample of volunteers, the second using weekly surveys in samples of volunteers and paid employees. Our results confirm that job demands and resources are associated with negative and positive affect respectively. Mediation analyses revealed that people who experienced high job resources were less likely to report psychological contract breach, because they experienced high levels of positive affect. The mediating role of negative affect was more complex, as it increased the likelihood to perceive psychological contract breach, but only in the short-term. PMID:27171275

  5. Antecedents of Psychological Contract Breach: The Role of Job Demands, Job Resources, and Affect.

    PubMed

    Vantilborgh, Tim; Bidee, Jemima; Pepermans, Roland; Griep, Yannick; Hofmans, Joeri

    2016-01-01

    While it has been shown that psychological contract breach leads to detrimental outcomes, relatively little is known about factors leading to perceptions of breach. We examine if job demands and resources predict breach perceptions. We argue that perceiving high demands elicits negative affect, while perceiving high resources stimulates positive affect. Positive and negative affect, in turn, influence the likelihood that psychological contract breaches are perceived. We conducted two experience sampling studies to test our hypotheses: the first using daily surveys in a sample of volunteers, the second using weekly surveys in samples of volunteers and paid employees. Our results confirm that job demands and resources are associated with negative and positive affect respectively. Mediation analyses revealed that people who experienced high job resources were less likely to report psychological contract breach, because they experienced high levels of positive affect. The mediating role of negative affect was more complex, as it increased the likelihood to perceive psychological contract breach, but only in the short-term.

  6. [Patient safety in management contracts].

    PubMed

    Campillo-Artero, C

    2012-01-01

    Patient safety is becoming commonplace in management contracts. Since our experience in patient safety still falls short of other clinical areas, it is advisable to review some of its characteristics in order to improve its inclusion in these contracts. In this paper opinions and recommendations concerning the design and review of contractual clauses on safety are given, as well as reflections drawn from methodological papers and informal opinions of clinicians, who are most familiar with the nuances of safe and unsafe practices. After reviewing some features of these contracts, criteria for prioritizing and including safety objectives and activities in them, and key points for their evaluation are described. The need to replace isolated activities by systemic and multifaceted ones is emphasized. Errors, limitations and improvement opportunities observed when contracts are linked to indicators, information and adverse event reporting systems are analysed. Finally, the influence of the rules of the game, and clinicians behaviour are emphasised. Copyright © 2011 SECA. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

  7. 24 CFR 242.52 - Construction contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ...; a construction management contract with a guaranteed maximum price, the final costs of which are... 24 Housing and Urban Development 2 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Construction contracts. 242.52... MORTGAGE INSURANCE FOR HOSPITALS Construction § 242.52 Construction contracts. (a) Awarding of contract. A...

  8. 24 CFR 206.131 - Contract rights and obligations for mortgages on individual dwelling units in a condominium.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Contract rights and obligations for... MORTGAGE INSURANCE Contract Rights and Obligations Condominiums § 206.131 Contract rights and obligations...] Termination of Insurance Contract ...

  9. 48 CFR 2432.703-3 - Contracts crossing fiscal years.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 true Contracts crossing fiscal years. 2432.703-3 Section 2432.703-3 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT FINANCING Contract Funding 2432.703-3...

  10. 48 CFR 301.603-70 - Delegation of Contracting Officer responsibilities.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Delegation of Contracting... HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL HHS ACQUISITION REGULATION SYSTEM Career Development, Contracting Authority, and Responsibilities 301.603-70 Delegation of Contracting Officer responsibilities. (a) Contracting Officers may re...

  11. 48 CFR 301.603-70 - Delegation of Contracting Officer responsibilities.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Delegation of Contracting... HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL HHS ACQUISITION REGULATION SYSTEM Career Development, Contracting Authority, and Responsibilities 301.603-70 Delegation of Contracting Officer responsibilities. (a) Contracting Officers may re...

  12. 48 CFR 732.406-73 - LOC contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false LOC contract clause. 732.406-73 Section 732.406-73 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT FINANCING Advance Payments 732.406-73 LOC contract clause. (a...

  13. 48 CFR 715.370-2 - Title XII selection procedure-collaborative assistance.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION... contracting system is appropriate. See AIDR sppendix F (of this chapter)—Use of Collaborative Assistance... initiating any contract actions under the collaborative assistance method: (1) The cognizant technical office...

  14. 48 CFR 715.370-2 - Title XII selection procedure-collaborative assistance.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION... contracting system is appropriate. See AIDR sppendix F (of this chapter)—Use of Collaborative Assistance... initiating any contract actions under the collaborative assistance method: (1) The cognizant technical office...

  15. 48 CFR 732.406-73 - LOC contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false LOC contract clause. 732.406-73 Section 732.406-73 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT FINANCING Advance Payments 732.406-73 LOC contract clause. (a...

  16. Performance Contracting in Elementary and Secondary Education. A Report Showing the Developments on a Nationwide Basis and the Implications for New York State.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    New York State Education Dept., Albany. Div. of Evaluation.

    This paper describes the historical development of performance contracting, discusses the first performance contracting experiment, cites reactions to performance contracting, and supplies supportive data. The contents are designed to assist the New York State Board of Regents to determine policy for the State Education Department and the New York…

  17. 23 CFR Appendix C to Subpart B of... - Additional Required Contract Provisions, Appalachian Development Highway System and Local Access...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... Development Highway System and Local Access Roads Contracts Other Than Construction Contracts C Appendix C to.... 633, Subpt. B, App. C Appendix C to Subpart B of Part 633—Additional Required Contract Provisions.... Compliance with regulations. The contractor will comply with the provisions of 23 U.S.C. 324 and with the...

  18. 24 CFR 983.204 - When HAP contract is executed.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false When HAP contract is executed. 983... When HAP contract is executed. (a) PHA inspection of housing. (1) Before execution of the HAP contract... into a HAP contract for any contract unit until the PHA has determined that the unit complies with the...

  19. A methodology for accident analysis of fusion breeder blankets and its application to helium-cooled lead–lithium blanket

    DOE PAGES

    Panayotov, Dobromir; Poitevin, Yves; Grief, Andrew; ...

    2016-09-23

    'Fusion for Energy' (F4E) is designing, developing, and implementing the European Helium-Cooled Lead-Lithium (HCLL) and Helium-Cooled Pebble-Bed (HCPB) Test Blanket Systems (TBSs) for ITER (Nuclear Facility INB-174). Safety demonstration is an essential element for the integration of these TBSs into ITER and accident analysis is one of its critical components. A systematic approach to accident analysis has been developed under the F4E contract on TBS safety analyses. F4E technical requirements, together with Amec Foster Wheeler and INL efforts, have resulted in a comprehensive methodology for fusion breeding blanket accident analysis that addresses the specificity of the breeding blanket designs, materials,more » and phenomena while remaining consistent with the approach already applied to ITER accident analyses. Furthermore, the methodology phases are illustrated in the paper by its application to the EU HCLL TBS using both MELCOR and RELAP5 codes.« less

  20. Motile behaviour of the free-living planktonic ciliate Zoothamnium pelagicum (Ciliophora, Peritrichia).

    PubMed

    Gómez, Fernando

    2017-06-01

    Zoothamnium pelagicum is the only free-floating species among ∼1000 peritrich ciliates that develops its complete life cycle in the open ocean. In the NW Mediterranean Sea, Z. pelagicum was usually associated with ectobiotic bacteria, while in the South Atlantic Ocean was sometimes fouled by the diatom Licmophora. Each colony constituted a radial branch that joined at its base with other colonies to form a lens-shaped pseudocolony of up to 400 zooids. The cilia beat slowly, propelling the expanded pseudocolony in the direction of the concave face. Contraction was triggered by external stimuli (threat) or occurred spontaneously. Frame-by-frame analyses of high-speed camera sequences revealed that during contraction the pseudocolony reduced its diameter 70-75% in 3-3.2ms with peak velocity up to 350mms -1 . The contraction induced a forward jump of 1-2mm that attained a peak speed of 110mms -1 (∼250pseudocolony lengthss -1 ) in 5ms after onset. This medusa-like locomotion at low Reynolds numbers allowed the pseudocolony to exploit new patches of food resources, as well as to escape from predators. Zoothamnium pelagicum has been able to proliferate in the oligotrophic open ocean, while its sessile counterparts are restricted to eutrophic environments. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

  1. Collaboration between employers and occupational health service providers: a systematic review of key characteristics.

    PubMed

    Halonen, Jaana I; Atkins, Salla; Hakulinen, Hanna; Pesonen, Sanna; Uitti, Jukka

    2017-01-05

    Employees are major contributors to economic development, and occupational health services (OHS) can have an important role in supporting their health. Key to this is collaboration between employers and OHS. We reviewed the evidence regarding the characteristics of good collaboration between employers and OHS providers that is essential to construct more effective collaboration and services. A systematic review of the factors of good collaboration between employers and OHS providers was conducted. We searched five databases between January 2000 and March 2016 and back referenced included articles. Two reviewers evaluated 639 titles, 63 abstracts and 20 full articles, and agreed that six articles, all on qualitative studies, met the predetermined relevance and publication criteria and were included. Data were extracted by one reviewer and checked by a second reviewer and analysed using thematic analysis. Three themes and nine subthemes related to good collaboration were identified. The first theme included time, space and contract requirements for effective collaboration with three subthemes (i.e., key characteristics): flexible OHS/flexible contracts including tailor-made services accounting for the needs of the employer, geographical proximity of the stakeholders allowing easy access to services, and long-term contracts as collaboration develops over time. The second theme was related to characteristics of the dialogue in effective collaboration that consisted of shared goals, reciprocity, frequent contact and trust. According to the third theme the definition of roles of the stakeholders was important; OHS providers should have competence and knowledge about the workplace, become strategic partners with the employers as well as provide quality services. Although literature regarding collaboration between the employers and OHS providers was limited, we identified several key factors that contribute to effective collaboration. This information is useful in developing indicators of effective collaboration that will enable organisation of more effective OHS practices.

  2. Conceptual Design and Structural Analysis of an Open Rotor Hybrid Wing Body Aircraft

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gern, Frank H.

    2013-01-01

    Through a recent NASA contract, Boeing Research and Technology in Huntington Beach, CA developed and optimized a conceptual design of an open rotor hybrid wing body aircraft (HWB). Open rotor engines offer a significant potential for fuel burn savings over turbofan engines, while the HWB configuration potentially allows to offset noise penalties through possible engine shielding. Researchers at NASA Langley converted the Boeing design to a FLOPS model which will be used to develop take-off and landing trajectories for community noise analyses. The FLOPS model was calibrated using Boeing data and shows good agreement with the original Boeing design. To complement Boeing s detailed aerodynamics and propulsion airframe integration work, a newly developed and validated conceptual structural analysis and optimization tool was used for a conceptual loads analysis and structural weights estimate. Structural optimization and weight calculation are based on a Nastran finite element model of the primary HWB structure, featuring centerbody, mid section, outboard wing, and aft body. Results for flight loads, deformations, wing weight, and centerbody weight are presented and compared to Boeing and FLOPS analyses.

  3. Identifying Adolescent Patients at Risk for Sexually Transmitted Infections: Development of a Brief Sexual Health Screening Survey.

    PubMed

    Victor, Elizabeth C; Chung, Richard; Thompson, Robert J

    2015-08-01

    This study examined the association between survey responses to health behaviors, personality/psychosocial factors, and self-reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to create a brief survey to identify youth at risk for contracting STIs. Participants included 200 racially diverse 14- to 18-year-old patients from a pediatric primary care clinic. Two sexual behavior variables and one peer norm variable were used to differentiate subgroups of individuals at risk of contracting a STI based on reported history of STIs using probability (decision tree) analyses. These items, as well as sexual orientation and having ever had oral sex, were used to create a brief sexual health screening (BSHS) survey. Each point increase in total BSHS score was associated with exponential growth in the percentage of sexually active adolescents reporting STIs. Findings suggest that the BSHS could serve as a useful tool for clinicians to quickly and accurately detect sexual risk among adolescent patients. © The Author(s) 2014.

  4. 43 CFR 3217.14 - When will BLM approve my drilling or development contract?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 43 Public Lands: Interior 2 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false When will BLM approve my drilling or... RESOURCE LEASING Cooperative Agreements § 3217.14 When will BLM approve my drilling or development contract? BLM may approve a drilling or development contract when: (a) One or more geothermal lessees enter into...

  5. 43 CFR 3217.14 - When will BLM approve my drilling or development contract?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 43 Public Lands: Interior 2 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false When will BLM approve my drilling or... RESOURCE LEASING Cooperative Agreements § 3217.14 When will BLM approve my drilling or development contract? BLM may approve a drilling or development contract when: (a) One or more geothermal lessees enter into...

  6. 48 CFR 916.405-2 - Cost-plus-award-fee contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ..., output, be it hardware, research and development, demonstration or services, together with business... CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES TYPES OF CONTRACTS Incentive Contracts 916.405-2 Cost-plus-award-fee... appropriate) and business management considerations tailored to the needs of the particular situation. In...

  7. 24 CFR 242.52 - Construction contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 2 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Construction contracts. 242.52... MORTGAGE INSURANCE FOR HOSPITALS Construction § 242.52 Construction contracts. (a) Awarding of contract. A contract for the construction or substantial rehabilitation of a hospital shall be entered into by a...

  8. 24 CFR 242.52 - Construction contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 2 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Construction contracts. 242.52... MORTGAGE INSURANCE FOR HOSPITALS Construction § 242.52 Construction contracts. (a) Awarding of contract. A contract for the construction or substantial rehabilitation of a hospital shall be entered into by a...

  9. 24 CFR 242.52 - Construction contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Construction contracts. 242.52... MORTGAGE INSURANCE FOR HOSPITALS Construction § 242.52 Construction contracts. (a) Awarding of contract. A contract for the construction or substantial rehabilitation of a hospital shall be entered into by a...

  10. 24 CFR 242.52 - Construction contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 2 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Construction contracts. 242.52... MORTGAGE INSURANCE FOR HOSPITALS Construction § 242.52 Construction contracts. (a) Awarding of contract. A contract for the construction or substantial rehabilitation of a hospital shall be entered into by a...

  11. 48 CFR 235.072 - Additional contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 3 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Additional contract clauses. 235.072 Section 235.072 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEFENSE ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 235.072 Additional contract clauses. (a) Use the...

  12. 48 CFR 235.072 - Additional contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 3 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Additional contract clauses. 235.072 Section 235.072 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEFENSE ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 235.072 Additional contract clauses. (a) Use the...

  13. 48 CFR 917.7300 - Scope of subpart.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... Section 917.7300 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES SPECIAL CONTRACTING METHODS Program Research and Development Announcements 917.7300 Scope of subpart. (a) This subpart discusses the policy for the use of a program research and development...

  14. 48 CFR 715.604 - Agency points of contact.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    .... 715.604 Section 715.604 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION Unsolicited Proposals 715.604 Agency points... the U.S. Agency for International Development, Evaluation Division, Room 7.08-005, 1300 Pennsylvania...

  15. A novel immune competent murine hypertrophic scar contracture model: A tool to elucidate disease mechanism and develop new therapies

    PubMed Central

    Ibrahim, Mohamed Magdy; Bond, Jennifer; Bergeron, Andrew; Miller, Kyle J; Ehanire, Tosan; Quiles, Carlos; Lorden, Elizabeth R; Medina, Manuel A; Fisher, Mark; Klitzman, Bruce; Selim, M Angelica; Leong, Kam W; Levinson, Howard

    2014-01-01

    Hypertrophic scar (HSc) contraction following burn injury causes contractures. Contractures are painful and disfiguring. Current therapies are marginally effective. To study pathogenesis and develop new therapies, a murine model is needed. We have created a validated immune-competent murine HSc model. A third-degree burn was created on dorsum of C57BL/6 mice. Three days postburn, tissue was excised and grafted with ear skin. Graft contraction was analyzed and tissue harvested on different time points. Outcomes were compared with human condition to validate the model. To confirm graft survival, green fluorescent protein (GFP) mice were used, and histologic analysis was performed to differentiate between ear and back skin. Role of panniculus carnosus in contraction was analyzed. Cellularity was assessed with 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole. Collagen maturation was assessed with Picro-sirius red. Mast cells were stained with Toluidine blue. Macrophages were detected with F4/80 immune. Vascularity was assessed with CD31 immune. RNA for contractile proteins was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Elastic moduli of skin and scar tissue were analyzed using a microstrain analyzer. Grafts contracted to ∼45% of their original size by day 14 and maintained their size. Grafting of GFP mouse skin onto wild-type mice, and analysis of dermal thickness and hair follicle density, confirmed graft survival. Interestingly, hair follicles disappeared after grafting and regenerated in ear skin configuration by day 30. Radiological analysis revealed that panniculus carnosus doesn't contribute to contraction. Microscopic analyses showed that grafts show increase in cellularity. Granulation tissue formed after day 3. Collagen analysis revealed increases in collagen maturation over time. CD31 stain revealed increased vascularity. Macrophages and mast cells were increased. qRT-PCR showed up-regulation of transforming growth factor beta, alpha smooth muscle actin, and rho-associated protein kinase 2 in HSc. Tensile testing revealed that human skin and scar tissues are tougher than mouse skin and scar tissues. PMID:25327261

  16. Indentation tectonics in northern Taiwan: insights from field observations and analog models

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lu, Chia-Yu; Lee, Jian-Cheng; Malavieille, Jacques

    2017-04-01

    In northern Taiwan, contraction, extension, transcurrent shearing, and block rotation are four major tectonic deformation mechanisms involved in the progressive deformation of this arcuate mountain belt. The recent evolution of the orogen is controlled not only by the oblique convergence between the Eurasian plate and the Philippine Sea plate but also by the corner shape of the plate boundary. Based on field observations, analyses, geophysical data (mostly GPS) and results of experimental models, we interpret the curved shape of northern Taiwan as a result of contractional deformation (involving imbricate thrusting and folding, backthrusting and backfolding). The subsequent horizontal and vertical extrusion, combined with increasing transcurrent & rotational deformation (bookshelf-type strike-slip faulting and block rotation) induced transcurrent/ rotational extrusion and extrusion related extensional deformation. A special type of extrusional folds characterizes that complex deformation regime. The tectonics in northern Taiwan reflects a single, regional pattern of deformation. The crescent-shaped mountain belt develops in response to oblique indentation by an asymmetric wedge indenter, retreat of Ryukyu trench and opening of the Okinawa trough. Three sets of analog sandbox models are presented to illustrate the development of tectonic structures and their kinematic evolution

  17. Payments for carbon sequestration to alleviate development pressure in a rapidly urbanizing region

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Smith, Jordan W.; Dorning, Monica; Shoemaker, Douglas A.; Méley, Andréanne; Dupey, Lauren; Meentemeyer, Ross K.

    2017-01-01

    The purpose of this study was to determine individuals' willingness to enroll in voluntary payments for carbon sequestration programs through the use of a discrete choice experiment delivered to forest owners living in the rapidly urbanizing region surrounding Charlotte, North Carolina. We examined forest owners' willingness to enroll in payments for carbon sequestration policies under different levels of financial incentives (annual revenue), different contract lengths, and different program administrators (e.g., private companies versus a state or federal agency). We also examined the influence forest owners' sense of place had on their willingness to enroll in hypothetical programs. Our results showed a high level of ambivalence toward participating in payments for carbon sequestration programs. However, both financial incentives and contract lengths significantly influenced forest owners' intent to enroll. Neither program administration nor forest owners' sense of place influenced intent to enroll. Although our analyses indicated that payments from carbon sequestration programs are not currently competitive with the monetary returns expected from timber harvest or property sales, certain forest owners might see payments for carbon sequestration programs as a viable option for offsetting increasing tax costs as development encroaches and property values rise.

  18. 48 CFR 742.1502 - Policy.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 742.1502 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT MANAGEMENT CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION Contractor Performance Information 742.1502 Policy. (a) USAID contracting... prescribed by the NIH Contractor Performance System. (Access to the system by USAID contracting office...

  19. 48 CFR 742.1502 - Policy.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 742.1502 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT MANAGEMENT CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION Contractor Performance Information 742.1502 Policy. (a) USAID contracting... prescribed by the NIH Contractor Performance System. (Access to the system by USAID contracting office...

  20. Defense Contracting: Actions Needed to Explore Additional Opportunities to Gain Efficiencies in Acquiring Foreign Language Support

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2013-02-25

    Directive 5160.41E, Defense Language Program . 10GAO-11-456. Page 5 GAO-13-251R Defense Contracting types of foreign language support that DOD has acquired...Language Transformation Roadmap, (January 2005), and Department of Defense Directive 5160.41E, Defense Language Program . Page 15 GAO-13-251R Defense...examines the use of public funds; evaluates federal programs and policies; and provides analyses, recommendations, and other assistance to help

  1. Remote sensing data acquisition, analysis and archival. Volume 1. Final report

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Stringer, W.J.; Dean, K.G.; Groves, J.E.

    1993-03-25

    The project specialized in the acquisition and dissemination of satellite imagery and its utilization for case-specific and statistical analyses of offshore environmental conditions, particularly those involving sea ice. During the duration of this contract, 854 Landsat Multispectral Scanner and 2 Landsat Thematic Mapper scenes, 8,576 Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer images, and 31,000 European, Earth Resources Satellite, Synthetic Aperture Radar images were archived. Direct assistance was provided to eight Minerals Management Service (MMS)-sponsored studies, including analyses of Port Moller circulation, Bowhead whale migration, distribution, population and behavioral studies, Beaufort Sea fisheries, oil spill trajectory model development, and Kasegaluk Lagoon environmentalmore » assessments. In addition, under this Cooperative Agreement several complete studies were undertaken based on analysis of satellite imagery. The topics included: Kasegaluk Lagoon transport, the effect of winter storms on arctic ice, the relationship between ice surface temperatures as measured by buoys and passive microwave imagery, unusual cloud forms following lead-openings, and analyses of Chukchi and Bering sea polynyas.« less

  2. 24 CFR 982.454 - Termination of HAP contract: Insufficient funding.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Termination of HAP contract... Assistance Payments Contract and Owner Responsibility § 982.454 Termination of HAP contract: Insufficient funding. The PHA may terminate the HAP contract if the PHA determines, in accordance with HUD requirements...

  3. 48 CFR 715.370-1 - Title XII selection procedure-general.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION Source Selection 715..., government furnished property, and so forth) for the contracting officer's use in preparing the request for...) through (iii) of this section, with the “Action” copy of the PIO/T to the contracting officer, requesting...

  4. 48 CFR 715.303-70 - Responsibilities of USAID evaluation committees.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION Source Selection 715..., a representative of the contracting office (who shall be a non-voting member of the committee), and... contracting officer will receive all proposals and provide to the chair a listing and copies of the technical...

  5. 48 CFR 801.602-73 - Review requirements for scarce medical specialist contracts and contracts for health-care resources.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Review requirements for... VETERANS AFFAIRS ACQUISITION REGULATION SYSTEM Career Development, Contracting Authority, and Responsibilities 801.602-73 Review requirements for scarce medical specialist contracts and contracts for health...

  6. 24 CFR 901.215 - Contracting and funding.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Contracting and funding. 901.215... DEVELOPMENT PUBLIC HOUSING MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT PROGRAM § 901.215 Contracting and funding. (a) Upon a declaration of substantial default or breach, and subsequent assumption of possession and operational...

  7. 48 CFR 970.35 - Research and development contracting.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Research and development contracting. 970.35 Section 970.35 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AGENCY SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS DOE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATING CONTRACTS Major System Acquisition 970.35 Research and...

  8. 48 CFR 970.35 - Research and development contracting.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Research and development contracting. 970.35 Section 970.35 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AGENCY SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS DOE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATING CONTRACTS Major System Acquisition 970.35 Research and...

  9. 48 CFR 970.35 - Research and development contracting.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Research and development contracting. 970.35 Section 970.35 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AGENCY SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS DOE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATING CONTRACTS Major System Acquisition 970.35 Research and...

  10. 48 CFR 970.35 - Research and development contracting.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Research and development contracting. 970.35 Section 970.35 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AGENCY SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS DOE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATING CONTRACTS Major System Acquisition 970.35 Research and...

  11. 13 CFR 305.13 - Contract change orders.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 13 Business Credit and Assistance 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Contract change orders. 305.13 Section 305.13 Business Credit and Assistance ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE PUBLIC WORKS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENTS Requirements for Approved Projects § 305.13 Contract...

  12. 48 CFR 1435.010 - Scientific and technical reports.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 1435.010 Scientific and technical reports. If a Research and Development (R&D) contract results involve classified or national security... available. Copies of publications and reports are also required to be sent to the DOI Departmental Library...

  13. 48 CFR 1435.010 - Scientific and technical reports.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 1435.010 Scientific and technical reports. If a Research and Development (R&D) contract results involve classified or national security... available. Copies of publications and reports are also required to be sent to the DOI Departmental Library...

  14. 48 CFR 1435.010 - Scientific and technical reports.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 1435.010 Scientific and technical reports. If a Research and Development (R&D) contract results involve classified or national security... available. Copies of publications and reports are also required to be sent to the DOI Departmental Library...

  15. 48 CFR 1435.010 - Scientific and technical reports.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 1435.010 Scientific and technical reports. If a Research and Development (R&D) contract results involve classified or national security... available. Copies of publications and reports are also required to be sent to the DOI Departmental Library...

  16. 48 CFR 1435.010 - Scientific and technical reports.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 1435.010 Scientific and technical reports. If a Research and Development (R&D) contract results involve classified or national security... available. Copies of publications and reports are also required to be sent to the DOI Departmental Library...

  17. Non-price competition in NHS secondary care contracting: empirical results.

    PubMed

    Gray, Keith; Bailey, Mark F

    2008-01-01

    The purpose of this paper is, for English acute NHS hospitals, to investigate how they operate their governance systems in the area of secondary care contracting and identify the key determinants of relationship building within the contacting/commissioning of secondary care focusing upon non-price competitive behaviour. A survey instrument was designed and mailed to a sample of all acute NHS hospitals in England of whom 35 per cent responded. This survey was then analysed using logit techniques. The analysis suggests that: those NHS Trusts offering volume discounts, non-price competitive incentives or having a strong belief in performance being by "payment by results" criteria are significantly more likely to offer augmented services to secondary care purchasers over and above contractual minima; those NHS Trusts strongly believing in the importance of non-price factors (such as contract augmentation or quality) in the contracting process are more likely to offer customisation of generic services; and those NHS Trusts using cost-sharing agreements to realign contracts when negotiating contracts or who strongly believe in the importance of service augmentation in strengthening relationships, or that increased hospital efficiency is the most important aspect of recent NHS reform are more likely to utilise default measures to help realign contracts. This paper fills a gap in the area of non-price competition in English NHS acute secondary care contracting.

  18. Duration of general practitioner contracts.

    PubMed

    Abelsen, Birgit; Gaski, Margrete; Brandstorp, Helen

    2015-12-01

    The regular GP scheme is intended to promote continuity in the relationship between doctor and patient. The duration of GP contracts is therefore a key factor in the success of the scheme. This study examines how long the GP contracts last and whether their duration varies according to doctors' gender and age, municipality size and list size. The study encompasses 7,359 GP contracts throughout Norway, entered into between municipalities and doctors in the period 1 May 2001 - 1 May 2014. Duration is measured as the time from which the contract was signed until its expiry or the end of the study period. The material was analysed with measures of central tendencies and dispersion, Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression. Median duration of a GP contract at the time of the study was 5.91 years. It varied between 2.75 years in the smallest municipalities and 8.37 years in the largest ones. The duration of a GP contract increased significantly if the doctor was a woman, or with the doctor's age at the start of the contract, increased municipality size and increased list size. If it is assumed that continuity in the doctor-patient relationship provides a qualitatively better GP service, the results indicate that patients in small municipalities are generally offered a lower-quality service than patients in large municipalities.

  19. Reduction of construction wastes by improving construction contract management: a multinational evaluation.

    PubMed

    Mendis, Daylath; Hewage, Kasun N; Wrzesniewski, Joanna

    2013-10-01

    The Canadian construction industry generates 30% of the total municipal solid waste deposited in landfills. Ample evidence can be found in the published literature about rework and waste generation due to ambiguity and errors in contract documents. Also, the literature quotes that disclaimer clauses in contract documents are included in the contractual agreements to prevent contractor claims, which often cause rework. Our professional practice has also noted that there are several disclaimer clauses in standard contract documents which have the potential to cause rework (and associated waste). This article illustrates a comparative study of standard contractual documents and their potential to create rework (and associated waste) in different regions of the world. The objectives of this study are (1) to analyse standard contractual documents in Canada, the USA and Australia in terms of their potential to generate rework and waste, and (2) to propose changes/amendments to the existing standard contract documents to minimise/avoid rework. In terms of construction waste management, all the reviewed standard contract documents have deficiencies. The parties that produce the contract documents include exculpatory clauses to avoid the other party's claims. This approach tends to result in rework and construction waste. The contractual agreements/contract documents should be free from errors, deficiencies, ambiguity and unfair risk transfers to minimise/avoid potential to generate rework and waste.

  20. Contraction coupling efficiency of human first dorsal interosseous muscle.

    PubMed

    Jubrias, Sharon A; Vollestad, Nina K; Gronka, Rod K; Kushmerick, Martin J

    2008-04-01

    During working contractions, chemical energy in the form of ATP is converted to external work. The efficiency of this conversion, called 'contraction coupling efficiency', is calculated by the ratio of work output to energy input from ATP splitting. Experiments on isolated muscles and permeabilized fibres show the efficiency of this conversion has a wide range, 0.2-0.7. We measured the work output in contractions of a single human hand muscle in vivo and of the ATP cost of that work to calculate the contraction coupling efficiency of the muscle. Five subjects performed six bouts of rapid voluntary contractions every 1.5 s for 42 s (28 contractions, each with time to peak force < 150 ms). The bouts encompassed a 7-fold range of workloads. The ATP cost during work was quantified by measuring the extent of chemical changes within the muscle from (31)P magnetic resonance spectra. Contraction coupling efficiency was determined as the slope of paired measurements of work output and ATP cost at the five graded work loads. The results show that 0.68 of the chemical energy available from ATP splitting was converted to external work output. A plausible mechanism to account for this high value is a substantially lower efficiency for mitochondrial ATP synthesis. The method described here can be used to analyse changes in the overall efficiency determined from oxygen consumption during exercise that can occur in disease or with age, and to test the hypothesis that such changes are due to reduced contraction coupling efficiency.

  1. Study of correlation between maternal fatigue and uterine contraction pattern in the active phase of labour.

    PubMed

    Ebrahimzadeh, Samira; Golmakani, Nahid; Kabirian, Maryam; Shakeri, Mohhamad T

    2012-06-01

    To evaluate the correlation between maternal fatigue and uterine contraction pattern at the beginning of the active phase of labour. Fatigue is one of the most common complaints in pregnant women that often continues until delivery. Maternal fatigue prolongs the labour process and increases the rate of cesarian section. Studies on the pattern of uterine contractions have shown that the length of the fall time is longer in prolonged labours than in normal deliveries. A cross-sectional study. This study was conducted on 100 primiparous women who were referred to Ommolbanin Hospital (Mashhad, Iran) in 2011. Maternal fatigue was assessed at the beginning of the active phase of labour. Then, the pattern of uterine contractions was monitored for 30 minutes by an external tocodynamometer. The F/R ratio was determined by measuring the time for a contraction to return to its baseline from its peak and the time for a contraction to rise to its peak. The data were analysed by chi-square and anova tests. The results showed that there was a significant relationship between maternal fatigue and uterine contraction pattern. The F/R ratio was increased with increase in fatigue severity. Fatigue causes changes in the pattern of uterine contractions. The return time of a contraction from its peak to its baseline (fall) is increased with increase in fatigue severity. Offering strategies to prevent tiredness and reduce the related fatigue complications. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

  2. 48 CFR 1535.007 - Solicitations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 1535.007 Solicitations. (a) Contracting officers... Confidential Business Information, in all solicitations when the contracting officer has determined that EPA may furnish the contractor with confidential business information which EPA had obtained from third...

  3. 48 CFR 17.601 - Definition.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 17.601 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES SPECIAL CONTRACTING METHODS Management and Operating Contracts 17.601 Definition. Management..., maintenance, or support, on its behalf, of a Government-owned or -controlled research, development, special...

  4. 24 CFR 891.580 - HAP contract administration.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false HAP contract administration. 891... Handicapped-Section 8 Assistance § 891.580 HAP contract administration. HUD is responsible for the administration of the HAP contract. ...

  5. Driving to contract management in health care institutes of developing countries.

    PubMed

    Vatankhah, S; Barati, O; Maleki, M R; Tofighi, Sh; Rafii, S

    2012-04-01

    Public hospitals can privatize management activities by contracting with a private organization or person to perform the work. Management contract is a method which uses private sector for major government projects like hospitals. This study evaluates contract management in health care institutes of developing countries. Information has been collected by reviewing the management contract condition of selected countries. Different forms of public private partnership for private participation in hospitals were surveyed. The effects of management contract is expanding market opportunities to include public sector clients, capturing a market to be protected from competitors and providing a reliable and timely source of revenue. Contracting with non-governmental entities will provide better results than government provision of the same services. Contracting initiatives must be regulated and monitored at the highest level of government by experienced and astute policy makers, economists and operational personnel.

  6. Assessing the Financial Benefits of Faster Development Times: The Case of Single-source Versus Multi-vendor Outsourced Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing.

    PubMed

    DiMasi, Joseph A; Smith, Zachary; Getz, Kenneth A

    2018-05-10

    The extent to which new drug developers can benefit financially from shorter development times has implications for development efficiency and innovation incentives. We provided a real-world example of such gains by using recent estimates of drug development costs and returns. Time and fee data were obtained on 5 single-source manufacturing projects. Time and fees were modeled for these projects as if the drug substance and drug product processes had been contracted separately from 2 vendors. The multi-vendor model was taken as the base case, and financial impacts from single-source contracting were determined relative to the base case. The mean and median after-tax financial benefits of shorter development times from single-source contracting were $44.7 million and $34.9 million, respectively (2016 dollars). The after-tax increases in sponsor fees from single-source contracting were small in comparison (mean and median of $0.65 million and $0.25 million). For the data we examined, single-source contracting yielded substantial financial benefits over multi-source contracting, even after accounting for somewhat higher sponsor fees. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc. All rights reserved.

  7. Associations Between Fixed-Term Employment and Health and Behaviors: What are the Mechanisms?

    PubMed

    Żołnierczyk-Zreda, Dorota; Bedyńska, Sylwia

    2018-03-01

    To analyze the associations between fixed-term employment and health (work ability and mental health) and behaviors (engagement and performance). Psychological contract fulfilment (PCF) and breach (PCB) are investigated as potential mediators of these associations. Seven hundred workers employed on fixed-term contracts from a broad range of organizations participated in the study. The Structural Equation Model was performed to analyze the data. Mediation analyses revealed that good physical and mental health and productivity are more likely to be achieved by those workers who perform non-manual work and (to some extent) accept their contracts because they experience high levels of PCF and low levels of PCB. Apart from the lack of physical workload, psychological contract fulfilment has been revealed as yet another significant mediator between a higher socioeconomic position and good health and productivity of fixed-term workers.

  8. Motor Unit Interpulse Intervals During High Force Contractions.

    PubMed

    Stock, Matt S; Thompson, Brennan J

    2016-01-01

    We examined the means, medians, and variability for motor-unit interpulse intervals (IPIs) during voluntary, high force contractions. Eight men (mean age = 22 years) attempted to perform isometric contractions at 90% of their maximal voluntary contraction force while bipolar surface electromyographic (EMG) signals were detected from the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis muscles. Surface EMG signal decomposition was used to determine the recruitment thresholds and IPIs of motor units that demonstrated accuracy levels ≥ 96.0%. Motor units with high recruitment thresholds demonstrated longer mean IPIs, but the coefficients of variation were similar across all recruitment thresholds. Polynomial regression analyses indicated that for both muscles, the relationship between the means and standard deviations of the IPIs was linear. The majority of IPI histograms were positively skewed. Although low-threshold motor units were associated with shorter IPIs, the variability among motor units with differing recruitment thresholds was comparable.

  9. [Prognostic value of chosen parameters of mechanical and bioelectrical uterine activity in prediction of threatening preterm labour].

    PubMed

    Zietek, Jerzy; Sikora, Jerzy; Horoba, Krzysztof; Matonia, Adam; Jezewski, Janusz; Magnucki, Jacek; Kobielska, Lucyna

    2009-03-01

    To record and analyse bioelectrical activity of the uterine muscle in the course of physiological pregnancy, labour and threatening premature labour; to define which parameters from the analysis of both electrohysterogram and mechanical activity signal allow us to predict threatening premature labour. Material comprised 62 pregnant women: Group I--27 patients in their first physiological pregnancy, Group II--21 patients in their first pregnancy with symptoms of threatening premature labour, and Group III--14 patients in the first labour period. The on-line analysis of the mechanical (TOCO) and electrical (EHG) contraction activity relied on determination of quantitative parameters of detected uterine contractions. The obtained statistical results demonstrated a possibility to differentiate between Group I and II through the amplitude and contraction area for EHG signal, and only the contraction amplitude for TOCO signal. Additionally, significant differentiating parameters for electrohysterogram are: contraction power and its median frequency. Analyzing Group I and III, significant differences were noted for contraction amplitude and area obtained both from EHG and TOCO signals. Similarly, the contraction power (from EHG) enables us to assign the contractions either to records from Group I or to labour type. There was no significant difference noted between Group II and III. Identification of pregnant women at risk of premature labour should lead to their inclusion in rigorous perinatal surveillance. This requires novel, more sensitive methods that are able to detect early symptoms of the uterine contraction activity increase. Electrohysterography provides complete information on principles of bioelectrical uterine activity. Quantitative parameters of EHG analysis enable the detection of records (contractions) with the symptoms of premature uterine contraction activity.

  10. Federal Research and Development Contract Trends and the Supporting Industrial Base, 2000-2014

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-04-30

    Homeland Security, and government-wide services contracting trends; sourcing policy and cost estimation methodologies; and recent U.S. Army modernization ...been fears that the sharp downturn in federal contract obligations would disproportionately impact the R&D contracting portfolios within individual...329 - contracting portfolios , and the industrial base that supports those efforts, within each R&D contracting agency. The main finding of this

  11. 48 CFR 35.015 - Contracts for research with educational institutions and nonprofit organizations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Contracts for research with educational institutions and nonprofit organizations. 35.015 Section 35.015 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 35.015 Contracts for research...

  12. 48 CFR 35.015 - Contracts for research with educational institutions and nonprofit organizations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Contracts for research with educational institutions and nonprofit organizations. 35.015 Section 35.015 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 35.015 Contracts for research...

  13. 48 CFR 35.015 - Contracts for research with educational institutions and nonprofit organizations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Contracts for research with educational institutions and nonprofit organizations. 35.015 Section 35.015 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 35.015 Contracts for research...

  14. 48 CFR 215.404-74 - Fee requirements for cost-plus-award-fee contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Fee requirements for cost... NEGOTIATION Contract Pricing 215.404-74 Fee requirements for cost-plus-award-fee contracts. In developing a fee objective for cost-plus-award-fee contracts, the contracting officer shall— (a) Follow the...

  15. The Tie that Binds: The Role and Evolution of Contracts in Interlibrary Cooperation.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Scrimgeour, Andrew D.; Potter, Susan

    This paper examines the importance of contracts in formalizing agreements between libraries to provide services to off-campus students and describes the development of one such contract. Topics addressed include: (1) the value of contracts in clarifying responsibilities and elevating contracted services in the hierarchy of institutional…

  16. 24 CFR 891.590 - Notice upon HAP contract expiration.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Notice upon HAP contract expiration... Handicapped-Section 8 Assistance § 891.590 Notice upon HAP contract expiration. (a) Notice required. The HAP contract will provide that the Borrower will, at least one year before the end of the HAP contract term...

  17. A 'new' psychological contract for nurses: some management implications.

    PubMed

    Cavanagh, S J

    1996-03-01

    Changes within the health services are raising a number of employment issues for nurses. The idea that a professional qualification and a job will lead to security of employment and career development is rapidly changing. These assumptions, the 'old' psychological contract, is giving way to new expectations from employers and employees; the emergence of a 'new' psychological contract. A psychological contract is an implicit agreement between employer and employee that each party will treat the other fairly. Such contracts are maintained by virtue of all parties wanting to seek agreement on issues where possible and to maintain trust. While such a contract is not a legally binding agreement it is nonetheless a binding understanding between people. Changes to this psychological contract can have important implications for individuals and their employer in terms of work and organizational commitment. This paper will discuss some of the issues surrounding psychological contracts and the impact of violating them. It will also discuss, from a management perspective, how psychological contracts develop between employer and employee, and how to form a 'new' psychological contract based upon mutual benefit and shared values.

  18. A Group Counseling Contract.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Johnson, Norbert; Johnson, Sarah Campbell

    1980-01-01

    A group counseling contract was developed following American Psychological Association ethical guidelines. The contract was effective in enabling participants to quickly become involved in group process. The contract could be modified for use by group facilitators in a variety of settings. (Author)

  19. 48 CFR 731.772 - Compensation for personal services.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... services. 731.772 Section 731.772 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT COST PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES Contracts With Nonprofit... applicable to contracts with a nonprofit organization. [57 FR 5236, Feb. 13, 1992] ...

  20. 48 CFR 716.306 - [Reserved

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false [Reserved] 716.306 Section 716.306 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES TYPES OF CONTRACTS Cost Reimbursement Contracts 716.306 [Reserved] ...

  1. 48 CFR 716.306 - [Reserved

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false [Reserved] 716.306 Section 716.306 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES TYPES OF CONTRACTS Cost Reimbursement Contracts 716.306 [Reserved] ...

  2. 48 CFR 731.772 - Compensation for personal services.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... services. 731.772 Section 731.772 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT COST PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES Contracts With Nonprofit... applicable to contracts with a nonprofit organization. [57 FR 5236, Feb. 13, 1992] ...

  3. 48 CFR 715.305 - Proposal evaluation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ....305 Section 715.305 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION Source Selection 715.305 Proposal evaluation... Contractor Performance System to evaluate past performance. (Access to the system by USAID contracting office...

  4. Annual Growth of Contract Costs for Major Programs in Development and Early Production

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-03-21

    changes, we can identify some underlying drivers and rule out others. Development and Early Production Differences BBP-era drops are driven by dropping...Annual Growth of Contract Costs for Major Programs in Development and Early Production Dan Davis and Philip S...Growth of Contract Costs for Major Programs in Development and Early Production Dan Davis and Philip S. Antón March 21, 2016 SUMMARY Cost is

  5. The Sophora flavescens flavonoid compound trifolirhizin inhibits acetylcholine induced airway smooth muscle contraction.

    PubMed

    Yang, Nan; Liang, Banghao; Srivastava, Kamal; Zeng, Jia; Zhan, Jixun; Brown, LaVerne; Sampson, Hugh; Goldfarb, Joseph; Emala, Charles; Li, Xiu-Min

    2013-11-01

    Asthma is a serious health problem worldwide, particularly in industrialized countries. Despite a better understanding of the pathophysiology of asthma, there are still considerable gaps in knowledge as well as a need for classes of drugs. ASHMI™ (Anti-asthma Herbal Medicine Intervention) is an aqueous extract of Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) P. Karst (Ling Zhi), Sophora flavescens Aiton (Ku Shen) and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. ex DC (Gan Cao). It prevents allergic asthma airway hyper-reactivity in mice and inhibits acetylcholine (ACh) induced airway smooth muscle (ASM) contraction in tracheal rings from allergic asthmatic mice. The purpose of this research was to identify individual herb(s) and their active compound(s) that inhibit ASM contraction. It was found that S. flavescens, but not G. lucidum or G. uralensis aqueous extracts, inhibited ASM contraction in tracheal rings from asthmatic mice. Bioassay-guided isolation and identification of flavonoid fractions/compound(s) via methylene chloride extraction, preparative HPLC fractionation, and LC-MS and NMR spectroscopic analyses showed that trifolirhizin is an active constituent that inhibits acetylcholine mediated ASM contraction or directly relaxes pre-contracted ASM independent of β2-adrenoceptors. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  6. The Sophora Flavescens flavonoid compound trifolirhizin inhibits acetylcholine induced airway smooth muscle contraction

    PubMed Central

    Zeng, Jia; Zhan, Jixun; Brown, LaVerne; Sampson, Hugh; Goldfarb, Joseph; Emala, Charles; Li, Xiu-Min

    2014-01-01

    Asthma is a serious health problem worldwide, particularly in industrialized countries. Despite a better understanding of the pathophysiology of asthma, there are still considerable gaps in knowledge as well as a need for new classes of drugs. ASHMI™ (Anti-asthma Herbal Medicine Intervention) is an aqueous extract of Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) P. Karst (Ling Zhi), Sophora flavescens Aiton (Ku Shen) and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. ex DC (Gan Cao). It prevents allergic asthma airway hyper-reactivity in mice and inhibits acetylcholine (ACh) induced airway smooth muscle (ASM) contraction in tracheal rings from allergic asthmatic mice. The purpose of this research was to identify individual herb(s) and their active compound(s) that inhibit ASM contraction. It was found that Sophora flavescens (S. flavescens), but not Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) or Glycyrrhiza uralensis (G. uralensis) aqueous extracts, inhibited ASM contraction in tracheal rings from asthmatic mice. Bioassay-guided isolation and identification of flavonoid fractions/compound(s) via methylene chloride extraction, preparative HPLC fractionation, and LC-MS and NMR spectroscopic analyses showed that trifolirhizin is an active constituent that inhibits acetylcholine mediated ASM contraction or directly relaxes pre-contracted ASM independent of β2-adrenoceptors. PMID:23993294

  7. 48 CFR 435.010 - Scientific and technical reports.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Scientific and technical reports. 435.010 Section 435.010 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 435.010 Scientific and technical reports. Research and development contracts shal...

  8. 48 CFR 435.010 - Scientific and technical reports.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Scientific and technical reports. 435.010 Section 435.010 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 435.010 Scientific and technical reports. Research and development contracts shal...

  9. 48 CFR 435.010 - Scientific and technical reports.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Scientific and technical reports. 435.010 Section 435.010 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 435.010 Scientific and technical reports. Research and development contracts shal...

  10. 48 CFR 435.010 - Scientific and technical reports.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Scientific and technical reports. 435.010 Section 435.010 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 435.010 Scientific and technical reports. Research and development contracts shal...

  11. Contracting of Samples for Chemical Analyses. What You Should Know about It

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1990-08-01

    Laboratory (AFSC) Human Systems Division Brooks Air Force Base , Texas 78235-5501 o O NOTICES When Government drawings, specifications, or other data...Assurance Efforts 3 Analyses Costs 3 Certifications 4 How To Protect Your Base And The Air Force 4 References 6 Appendix A - IG Writeup Of A Laboratory...their agency certifications showing the period of certitication and for what analyses. HOW TO PROTECT YOUR BASE AND THE AIR FORCE What I am wondering on

  12. Relationship of moderate and low isometric lumbar extension through architectural and muscular activity variables: a cross sectional study

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    Background No study relating the changes obtained in the architecture of erector spinae (ES) muscle were registered with ultrasound and different intensities of muscle contraction recorded by surface EMG (electromyography) on the ES muscle was found. The aim of this study was analyse the relationship in the response of the ES muscle during isometric moderate and light lumbar isometric extension considering architecture and functional muscle variables. Methods Cross-sectional study. 46 subjects (52% men) with a group mean age of 30.4 (±7.78). The participants developed isometric lumbar extension while performing moderate and low isometric trunk and hip extension in a sitting position with hips flexed 90 degrees and the lumbar spine in neutral position. During these measurements, electromyography recordings and ultrasound images were taken bilaterally. Bilaterally pennation angle, muscle thickness, torque and muscle activation were measured. This study was developed at the human movement analysis laboratory of the Health Science Faculty of the University of Malaga (Spain). Results Strong and moderate correlations were found at moderate and low intensities contraction between the variable of the same intensity, with correlation values ranging from 0.726 (Torque Moderate – EMG Left Moderate) to 0.923 (Angle Left Light – Angle Right Light) (p < 0.001). This correlation is observed between the variables that describe the same intensity of contraction, showing a poor correlation between variables of different intensities. Conclusion There is a strong relationship between architecture and function variables of ES muscle when describe an isometric lumbar extension at light or moderate intensity. PMID:24252273

  13. Built-in-Test Verification Techniques

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1987-02-01

    report documents the results of the effort for the Rome Air Development Center Contract F30602-84-C-0021, BIT Verification Techniques. The work was...Richard Spillman of Sp.,llman Research Associates. The principal investigators were Mike Partridge and subsequently Jeffrey Albert. The contract was...two your effort to develop techniques for Built-In Test (BIT) verification. The objective of the contract was to develop specifications and technical

  14. The CINCS (Commanders-in-Chief) and the Acquisition Process

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1988-09-01

    ELEMENT I PROJECT NO. TASK NO. ACCESSION NO. Washington, DC 20301 T -AO-461 WORK UNIT 11. TITLE (Inokde Seoewhly Clasifloetlon) THE CINCS AND THE ACQUISITION...Herschel Kanter Leonard Wainstein Rachel Kaganoff Barry Pavel September 1988 IDA INSTITUTE FOR DEFENSE ANALYSES Contract MDA 903 84 C 0031 Task T -AO-461...3 PREFACE This task was undertaken as part of Task T -AO-461, "Special Studies of Critical Defense Issues," Contract Number MDA 903 84 C 0031. Its

  15. Mathematical Modelling of the Behavior of the Lacoste and Romberg ’G’ Gravity Meter for Use in Gravity Network Adjustments and Data Analyses,

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1981-11-01

    Geodetic Science and Surveying 62101F The Ohio State University 760003AL Columbus, Ohio 43210 11. CONTROLLING OFFICE NAME AND ADDRESS 12. REPORT DATE Air ... Air Force Contract No. F19628-79-C-9975, The Ohio State University Research Foundation, Project No. 711715, Project Supervisor, Urho A. Uotila...Professor, Department of Geodetic Science and Surveying. The contract covering this research is administered by the Air Force Geophysics Laboratory (AFGL

  16. 48 CFR 731.371 - Compensation for personal services.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... services. 731.371 Section 731.371 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT COST PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES Contracts With... AIDAR 731.205-6(b) are also applicable to contracts with a nonprofit organization. (2) In considering...

  17. 48 CFR 731.373 - Overseas recruitment incentive.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... incentive. 731.373 Section 731.373 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT COST PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES Contracts With... recruitment incentives are set forth in AIDAR 731.205-70. These policies are also applicable to contracts with...

  18. 48 CFR 242.7001 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... solicitations and contracts (other than in contracts with educational institutions, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), or University Associated Research Centers (UARCs) operated by...

  19. 48 CFR 242.7001 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... solicitations and contracts (other than in contracts with educational institutions, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), or University Associated Research Centers (UARCs) operated by...

  20. 48 CFR 242.7001 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... solicitations and contracts (other than in contracts with educational institutions, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), or University Associated Research Centers (UARCs) operated by...

  1. Polymorphic Contracts

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Belo, João Filipe; Greenberg, Michael; Igarashi, Atsushi; Pierce, Benjamin C.

    Manifest contracts track precise properties by refining types with predicates - e.g., {x : Int |x > 0 } denotes the positive integers. Contracts and polymorphism make a natural combination: programmers can give strong contracts to abstract types, precisely stating pre- and post-conditions while hiding implementation details - for example, an abstract type of stacks might specify that the pop operation has input type {x :α Stack |not ( empty x )} . We formalize this combination by defining FH, a polymorphic calculus with manifest contracts, and establishing fundamental properties including type soundness and relational parametricity. Our development relies on a significant technical improvement over earlier presentations of contracts: instead of introducing a denotational model to break a problematic circularity between typing, subtyping, and evaluation, we develop the metatheory of contracts in a completely syntactic fashion, omitting subtyping from the core system and recovering it post facto as a derived property.

  2. GSFC Supplier Surveillance

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kelly, Michael P.

    2011-01-01

    Topics covered include: Develop Program/Project Quality Assurance Surveillance Plans The work activities performed by the developer and/or his suppliers are subject to evaluation and audit by government-designated representatives. CSO supports project by selecting on-site supplier representative s by one of several methods: (1) a Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) person via a Letter Of Delegation (LOD), (2) an independent assurance contractor (IAC) via a contract Audits, Assessments, and Assurance (A3) Contract Code 300 Mission Assurance Support Contract (MASC)

  3. Advanced Modulation and Coding Technology Conference

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1992-01-01

    The objectives, approach, and status of all current LeRC-sponsored industry contracts and university grants are presented. The following topics are covered: (1) the LeRC Space Communications Program, and Advanced Modulation and Coding Projects; (2) the status of four contracts for development of proof-of-concept modems; (3) modulation and coding work done under three university grants, two small business innovation research contracts, and two demonstration model hardware development contracts; and (4) technology needs and opportunities for future missions.

  4. 24 CFR 891.565 - Term of HAP contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Term of HAP contract. 891.565... 8 Assistance § 891.565 Term of HAP contract. The term of the HAP contract for assisted units shall be 20 years. If the project is completed in stages, the term of the HAP contract for assisted units...

  5. 24 CFR 21.115 - Does this part affect the Federal contracts that I receive?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... contracts that I receive? 21.115 Section 21.115 Housing and Urban Development Office of the Secretary... future contract awards indirectly if you are debarred or suspended for a violation of the requirements of... contracts. The portion of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 that applies to Federal procurement contracts...

  6. 48 CFR 235.072 - Additional contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 252.235-7011, Final Scientific or Technical Report, in solicitations and contracts for research and... SYSTEM, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 235... involving research on live vertebrate animals. (b) Use the clause at 252.235-7003, Frequency Authorization...

  7. 48 CFR 235.072 - Additional contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 252.235-7011, Final Scientific or Technical Report, in solicitations and contracts for research and... SYSTEM, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 235... involving research on live vertebrate animals. (b) Use the clause at 252.235-7003, Frequency Authorization...

  8. Dual Support in Contract Workers' Triangular Employment Relationships

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Buch, Robert; Kuvaas, Bard; Dysvik, Anders

    2010-01-01

    This study investigated the interplay between perceived investment in contract worker development by the "client" organization and contract workers' perceived organizational support from their temporary employment "agency." A study among 2021 contract workers from three temporary employment agencies in Norway showed that the…

  9. 48 CFR 731.774 - Overseas recruitment incentive.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... incentive. 731.774 Section 731.774 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT COST PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES Contracts With Nonprofit... are set forth in AIDAR 731.205-70. These policies are also applicable to contracts with a nonprofit...

  10. US 93 north wildlife-vehicle collision and wildlife crossing monitoring.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2015-01-01

    Human safety: Wildlife-vehicle collisions : Habitat connectivity: Wildlife use crossing structures : Cost-benefit analyses : Contract research : WTI-MSU and CSKT : Students and other partners at MSU and UofM

  11. Gas Analyzer

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1989-01-01

    The M200 originated in the 1970's under an Ames Research Center/Stanford University contract to develop a small, lightweight gas analyzer for Viking Landers. Although the unit was not used on the spacecraft, it was further developed by The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Three researchers from the project later formed Microsensor Technology, Inc. (MTI) to commercialize the analyzer. The original version (Micromonitor 500) was introduced in 1982, and the M200 in 1988. The M200, a more advanced version, features dual gas chromatograph which separate a gaseous mixture into components and measure concentrations of each gas. It is useful for monitoring gas leaks, chemical spills, etc. Many analyses are completed in less than 30 seconds, and a wide range of mixtures can be analyzed.

  12. 24 CFR 236.755 - Housing owner's obligation under contract to report tenant income increase.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... FOR RENTAL PROJECTS Rental Assistance Payments § 236.755 Housing owner's obligation under contract to... 24 Housing and Urban Development 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Housing owner's obligation under contract to report tenant income increase. 236.755 Section 236.755 Housing and Urban Development...

  13. 77 FR 47797 - Federal Acquisition Regulation; Small Business Set Asides for Research and Development Contracts

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-08-10

    ... Acquisition Regulation; Small Business Set Asides for Research and Development Contracts AGENCY: Department of... Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to clarify that contracting officers shall set aside acquisitions for research..., and NASA are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to revise paragraph (b)(2) of...

  14. 48 CFR 601.602-1 - Authority.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM Career Development, Contracting Authority, and Responsibilities 601.602-1... contracting officer shall not award, modify, or terminate a contract unless all reviews, clearances, and...

  15. Expected performance of m-solution backtracking

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Nicol, D. M.

    1986-01-01

    This paper derives upper bounds on the expected number of search tree nodes visited during an m-solution backtracking search, a search which terminates after some preselected number m problem solutions are found. The search behavior is assumed to have a general probabilistic structure. The results are stated in terms of node expansion and contraction. A visited search tree node is said to be expanding if the mean number of its children visited by the search exceeds 1 and is contracting otherwise. It is shown that if every node expands, or if every node contracts, then the number of search tree nodes visited by a search has an upper bound which is linear in the depth of the tree, in the mean number of children a node has, and in the number of solutions sought. Also derived are bounds linear in the depth of the tree in some situations where an upper portion of the tree contracts (expands), while the lower portion expands (contracts). While previous analyses of 1-solution backtracking have concluded that the expected performance is always linear in the tree depth, the model allows superlinear expected performance.

  16. Let's be professional about this: ideology and the psychological contracts of registered nurses.

    PubMed

    O'Donohue, Wayne; Nelson, Lindsay

    2007-07-01

    This study explores whether there is evidence of an ideological component in the psychological contracts of professional employees, as well as evidence of credible supporting commitments by their employer. Fundamental changes in the employment context have prompted many individuals to seek a closer alignment between themselves and their work, as well as with the organizational and broader societal contexts. For many professional employees identification with their professional ideology is a significant factor in producing such an alignment. The study uses an exploratory qualitative approach to analyse interview data collected from a sample of registered nurses employed in an Australian public hospital. The analysis identifies psychological contract terms best understood by reference to an ideological currency. It also suggests that the organization is perceived as obligated to provide credible support for that professional contribution, and the perceived lack of such support has significant impacts. The findings raise doubts about the utility of the concept of a psychological contract that recognizes only economic and socio-emotional exchanges for understanding the psychological contracts of professional employees.

  17. High speed packet switching

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1991-01-01

    This document constitutes the final report prepared by Proteon, Inc. of Westborough, Massachusetts under contract NAS 5-30629 entitled High-Speed Packet Switching (SBIR 87-1, Phase 2) prepared for NASA-Greenbelt, Maryland. The primary goal of this research project is to use the results of the SBIR Phase 1 effort to develop a sound, expandable hardware and software router architecture capable of forwarding 25,000 packets per second through the router and passing 300 megabits per second on the router's internal busses. The work being delivered under this contract received its funding from three different sources: the SNIPE/RIG contract (Contract Number F30602-89-C-0014, CDRL Sequence Number A002), the SBIR contract, and Proteon. The SNIPE/RIG and SBIR contracts had many overlapping requirements, which allowed the research done under SNIPE/RIG to be applied to SBIR. Proteon funded all of the work to develop new router interfaces other than FDDI, in addition to funding the productization of the router itself. The router being delivered under SBIR will be a fully product-quality machine. The work done during this contract produced many significant findings and results, summarized here and explained in detail in later sections of this report. The SNIPE/RIG contract was completed. That contract had many overlapping requirements with the SBIR contract, and resulted in the successful demonstration and delivery of a high speed router. The development that took place during the SNIPE/RIG contract produced findings that included the choice of processor and an understanding of the issues surrounding inter processor communications in a multiprocessor environment. Many significant speed enhancements to the router software were made during that time. Under the SBIR contract (and with help from Proteon-funded work), it was found that a single processor router achieved a throughput significantly higher than originally anticipated. For this reason, a single processor router was developed and the final delivery under this contract will include a single processor CNX-500 router. The router and its interface boards (2 FDDIs and 2 dual-ethernets) are all product-quality components.

  18. Multilayer Pressure Vessel Materials Testing and Analysis. Phase 1

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cardinal, Joseph W.; Popelar, Carl F.; Page, Richard A.

    2014-01-01

    To provide NASA a comprehensive suite of materials strength, fracture toughness and crack growth rate test results for use in remaining life calculations for aging multilayer pressure vessels, Southwest Research Institute (R) (SwRI) was contracted in two phases to obtain relevant material property data from a representative vessel. This report describes Phase 1 of this effort which includes a preliminary material property assessment as well as a fractographic, fracture mechanics and fatigue crack growth analyses of an induced flaw in the outer shell of a representative multilayer vessel that was subjected to cyclic pressure test. SwRI performed this Phase 1 effort under contract to the Digital Wave Corporation in support of their contract to Jacobs ATOM for the NASA Ames Research Center.

  19. Contingency interaction analysis in psychotherapy.

    PubMed

    Canfield, M L; Walker, W R; Brown, L G

    1991-02-01

    This article introduces (a) a computerized coding procedure that rates words and utterances in terms of emotion, cognition, and contract and (b) a contingency method of analyzing verbal interactions. Using transcripts of sessions conducted by 3 master therapists with 1 client, the rating procedure and contingency correlation analyses supported the study's hypotheses. Therapists' utterances were characterized by significantly different amounts of emotion, cognition, and contracts, indicating that communication styles varied in the relative emphasis placed on these attributes. Differences suggest that the therapists responded differently to emotional, cognitive, and contract utterances and that the client's responses were different across the 3 therapist interviews. Split halves of the interviews within therapists and within client sessions were not different, providing further evidence of reliability of the coding and contingency procedures.

  20. Alternative glacial-interglacial refugia demographic hypotheses tested on Cephalocereus columna-trajani (Cactaceae) in the intertropical Mexican drylands

    PubMed Central

    Cornejo-Romero, Amelia; Aguilar-Martínez, Gustavo F.; Medina-Sánchez, Javier; Rendón-Aguilar, Beatriz; Valverde, Pedro Luis; Zavala-Hurtado, Jose Alejandro; Serrato, Alejandra; Rivas-Arancibia, Sombra; Pérez-Hernández, Marco Aurelio; López-Ortega, Gerardo; Jiménez-Sierra, Cecilia

    2017-01-01

    Historic demography changes of plant species adapted to New World arid environments could be consistent with either the Glacial Refugium Hypothesis (GRH), which posits that populations contracted to refuges during the cold-dry glacial and expanded in warm-humid interglacial periods, or with the Interglacial Refugium Hypothesis (IRH), which suggests that populations contracted during interglacials and expanded in glacial times. These contrasting hypotheses are developed in the present study for the giant columnar cactus Cephalocereus columna-trajani in the intertropical Mexican drylands where the effects of Late Quaternary climatic changes on phylogeography of cacti remain largely unknown. In order to determine if the historic demography and phylogeographic structure of the species are consistent with either hypothesis, sequences of the chloroplast regions psbA-trnH and trnT-trnL from 110 individuals from 10 populations comprising the full distribution range of this species were analysed. Standard estimators of genetic diversity and structure were calculated. The historic demography was analysed using a Bayesian approach and the palaeodistribution was derived from ecological niche modelling to determine if, in the arid environments of south-central Mexico, glacial-interglacial cycles drove the genetic divergence and diversification of this species. Results reveal low but statistically significant population differentiation (FST = 0.124, P < 0.001), although very clear geographic clusters are not formed. Genetic diversity, haplotype network and Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) demographic analyses suggest a population expansion estimated to have taken place in the Last Interglacial (123.04 kya, 95% CI 115.3–130.03). The species palaeodistribution is consistent with the ABC analyses and indicates that the potential area of palaedistribution and climatic suitability were larger during the Last Interglacial and Holocene than in the Last Glacial Maximum. Overall, these results suggest that C. columna-trajani experienced an expansion following the warm conditions of interglacials, in accordance with the GRH. PMID:28426818

  1. Alternative glacial-interglacial refugia demographic hypotheses tested on Cephalocereus columna-trajani (Cactaceae) in the intertropical Mexican drylands.

    PubMed

    Cornejo-Romero, Amelia; Vargas-Mendoza, Carlos Fabián; Aguilar-Martínez, Gustavo F; Medina-Sánchez, Javier; Rendón-Aguilar, Beatriz; Valverde, Pedro Luis; Zavala-Hurtado, Jose Alejandro; Serrato, Alejandra; Rivas-Arancibia, Sombra; Pérez-Hernández, Marco Aurelio; López-Ortega, Gerardo; Jiménez-Sierra, Cecilia

    2017-01-01

    Historic demography changes of plant species adapted to New World arid environments could be consistent with either the Glacial Refugium Hypothesis (GRH), which posits that populations contracted to refuges during the cold-dry glacial and expanded in warm-humid interglacial periods, or with the Interglacial Refugium Hypothesis (IRH), which suggests that populations contracted during interglacials and expanded in glacial times. These contrasting hypotheses are developed in the present study for the giant columnar cactus Cephalocereus columna-trajani in the intertropical Mexican drylands where the effects of Late Quaternary climatic changes on phylogeography of cacti remain largely unknown. In order to determine if the historic demography and phylogeographic structure of the species are consistent with either hypothesis, sequences of the chloroplast regions psbA-trnH and trnT-trnL from 110 individuals from 10 populations comprising the full distribution range of this species were analysed. Standard estimators of genetic diversity and structure were calculated. The historic demography was analysed using a Bayesian approach and the palaeodistribution was derived from ecological niche modelling to determine if, in the arid environments of south-central Mexico, glacial-interglacial cycles drove the genetic divergence and diversification of this species. Results reveal low but statistically significant population differentiation (FST = 0.124, P < 0.001), although very clear geographic clusters are not formed. Genetic diversity, haplotype network and Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) demographic analyses suggest a population expansion estimated to have taken place in the Last Interglacial (123.04 kya, 95% CI 115.3-130.03). The species palaeodistribution is consistent with the ABC analyses and indicates that the potential area of palaedistribution and climatic suitability were larger during the Last Interglacial and Holocene than in the Last Glacial Maximum. Overall, these results suggest that C. columna-trajani experienced an expansion following the warm conditions of interglacials, in accordance with the GRH.

  2. An Analysis of Contracting Officer Technical Representative Training Requirements.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1982-06-01

    AI and contract law . On the basis of the perceived need to eliminate superflu- ous material from the training of CA contract representatives and...Cost and pricing principles 3. Basic contract law 4. Types of contracts S. Definition of important terms 6. Understanding the terms and conditions--how...digesting and/or deletions to coincide with the learning objectives developed in Chapter III include: 1. Federal Acquisition Policy 2. Contract Law 3

  3. 24 CFR 880.505 - Contract administration and conversions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... conversions. 880.505 Section 880.505 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban... Housing Assistance Payments Contract § 880.505 Contract administration and conversions. (a) Contract... finances the project. (c) Conversion of Projects from one Ownership/Contractual arrangement to another. Any...

  4. 24 CFR 880.505 - Contract administration and conversions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... conversions. 880.505 Section 880.505 Housing and Urban Development REGULATIONS RELATING TO HOUSING AND URBAN... Housing Assistance Payments Contract § 880.505 Contract administration and conversions. (a) Contract... finances the project. (c) Conversion of Projects from one Ownership/Contractual arrangement to another. Any...

  5. 48 CFR 731.205-6 - Compensation for personal services.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... services. 731.205-6 Section 731.205-6 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT COST PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES Contracts With Commercial... USAID Direct Contracting (available at http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/302.pdf), it will be...

  6. 48 CFR 731.205-71 - Salary supplements for Host Government employees.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT COST PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES Contracts With Commercial Organizations 731.205-71 Salary supplements for Host Government employees. (a... Contracting Officer shall provide written approval to the contractor in order for such costs to be eligible...

  7. 48 CFR 731.205-70 - Overseas recruitment incentive.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... incentive. 731.205-70 Section 731.205-70 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT COST PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES Contracts With Commercial... overseas under a contract does not qualify for the exemption for overseas income provided under section 911...

  8. The usefulness of videomanometry for studying pediatric esophageal motor disease.

    PubMed

    Kawahara, Hisayoshi; Kubota, Akio; Okuyama, Hiroomi; Oue, Takaharu; Tazuke, Yuko; Okada, Akira

    2004-12-01

    Abnormalities in esophageal motor function underlie various symptoms in the pediatric population. Manometry remains an important tool for studying esophageal motor function, whereas its analyses have been conducted with considerable subjective interpretation. The usefulness of videomanometry with topographic analysis was examined in the current study. Videomanometry was conducted in 5 patients with primary gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), 4 with postoperative esophageal atresia (EA), 1 with congenital esophageal stenosis (CES), and 1 with diffuse esophageal spasms (DES). Digitized videofluoroscopic images were recorded synchronously with manometric digital data in a personal computer. Manometric analysis was conducted with a view of concurrent esophageal contour and bolus transit. Primary GERD patients showed esophageal flow proceeding into the stomach during peristaltic contractions recorded manometrically, whereas patients with EA/CES frequently showed impaired esophageal transit during defective esophageal peristaltic contractions. A characteristic corkscrew appearance and esophageal flow in a to-and-fro fashion were seen with high-amplitude synchronous esophageal contractions in a DES patient. The topographic analysis showed distinctive images characteristic of each pathological condition. Videomanometry is helpful in interpreting manometric data by analyzing concurrent fluoroscopic images. Topographic analyses provide characteristic images reflecting motor abnormalities in pediatric esophageal disease.

  9. An optimization modeling approach to awarding large fire support wildfire helicopter contracts from the US Forest Service

    Treesearch

    Stephanie A. Snyder; Keith D. Stockmann; Gaylord E. Morris

    2012-01-01

    The US Forest Service used contracted helicopter services as part of its wildfire suppression strategy. An optimization decision-modeling system was developed to assist in the contract selection process. Three contract award selection criteria were considered: cost per pound of delivered water, total contract cost, and quality ratings of the aircraft and vendors....

  10. 48 CFR 35.011 - Data.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 35.011 Data. (a) R&D contracts shall specify the technical..., drawings, specifications, and other descriptive information) that can be used to achieve competition in...

  11. 48 CFR 35.011 - Data.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 35.011 Data. (a) R&D contracts shall specify the technical..., drawings, specifications, and other descriptive information) that can be used to achieve competition in...

  12. 48 CFR 35.011 - Data.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 35.011 Data. (a) R&D contracts shall specify the technical..., drawings, specifications, and other descriptive information) that can be used to achieve competition in...

  13. 48 CFR 35.011 - Data.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 35.011 Data. (a) R&D contracts shall specify the technical..., drawings, specifications, and other descriptive information) that can be used to achieve competition in...

  14. 48 CFR 35.011 - Data.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 35.011 Data. (a) R&D contracts shall specify the technical..., drawings, specifications, and other descriptive information) that can be used to achieve competition in...

  15. 48 CFR 48.104-1 - Determining sharing period.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... CONTRACT MANAGEMENT VALUE ENGINEERING Policies and Procedures 48.104-1 Determining sharing period. (a.... (c) For engineering-development contracts and contracts containing low-rate-initial-production or...

  16. 48 CFR 705.207 - Preparation and transmittal of certain synopses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACQUISITION PLANNING PUBLICIZING CONTRACT ACTIONS Synopsis of Proposed Contract Actions 705.207 Preparation and transmittal of certain synopses. The responsible contracting officer shall...

  17. Automated electrohysterographic detection of uterine contractions for monitoring of pregnancy: feasibility and prospects.

    PubMed

    Muszynski, C; Happillon, T; Azudin, K; Tylcz, J-B; Istrate, D; Marque, C

    2018-05-08

    Preterm birth is a major public health problem in developed countries. In this context, we have conducted research into outpatient monitoring of uterine electrical activity in women at risk of preterm delivery. The objective of this preliminary study was to perform automated detection of uterine contractions (without human intervention or tocographic signal, TOCO) by processing the EHG recorded on the abdomen of pregnant women. The feasibility and accuracy of uterine contraction detection based on EHG processing were tested and compared to expert decision using external tocodynamometry (TOCO) . The study protocol was approved by local Ethics Committees under numbers ID-RCB 2016-A00663-48 for France and VSN 02-0006-V2 for Iceland. Two populations of women were included (threatened preterm birth and labour) in order to test our system of recognition of the various types of uterine contractions. EHG signal acquisition was performed according to a standardized protocol to ensure optimal reproducibility of EHG recordings. A system of 18 Ag/AgCl surface electrodes was used by placing 16 recording electrodes between the woman's pubis and umbilicus according to a 4 × 4 matrix. TOCO was recorded simultaneously with EHG recording. EHG signals were analysed in real-time by calculation of the nonlinear correlation coefficient H 2 . A curve representing the number of correlated pairs of signals according to the value of H 2 calculated between bipolar signals was then plotted. High values of H 2 indicated the presence of an event that may correspond to a contraction. Two tests were performed after detection of an event (fusion and elimination of certain events) in order to increase the contraction detection rate. The EHG database contained 51 recordings from pregnant women, with a total of 501 contractions previously labelled by analysis of the corresponding tocographic recording. The percentage recognitions obtained by application of the method based on coefficient H 2 was 100% with 782% of false alarms. Addition of fusion and elimination tests to the previously obtained detections allowed the false alarm rate to be divided by 8.5, while maintaining an excellent detection rate (96%). These preliminary results appear to be encouraging for monitoring of uterine contractions by algorithm-based automated detection to process the electrohysterographic signal (EHG). This compact recording system, based on the use of surface electrodes attached to the skin, appears to be particularly suitable for outpatient monitoring of uterine contractions, possibly at home, allowing telemonitoring of pregnancies. One of the advantages of EHG processing is that useful information concerning contraction efficiency can be extracted from this signal, which is not possible with the TOCO signal.

  18. 26 CFR 1.460-1 - Long-term contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... the manufacture of personal property is a manufacturing contract. In contrast, a contract for the... performance of engineering and design services, and the production of components and subassemblies that are..., enters into a single long-term contract to design and manufacture a satellite and to develop computer...

  19. 77 FR 38267 - Information Collection; Role of Communities in Stewardship Contracting Projects

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-06-27

    ...) Nature of roles played by the entities involved in developing agreement or contract plans, (c) Benefits... Collection; Role of Communities in Stewardship Contracting Projects AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION... revision of a currently approved information collection, Role of Communities in Stewardship Contracting...

  20. 48 CFR 750.7110-5 - Contract files.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Contract files. 750.7110-5 Section 750.7110-5 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT... Interests of the United States 750.7110-5 Contract files. The fully executed action memorandum indicating...

  1. 48 CFR 750.7110-5 - Contract files.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Contract files. 750.7110-5 Section 750.7110-5 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT... Interests of the United States 750.7110-5 Contract files. The fully executed action memorandum indicating...

  2. 48 CFR 750.7110-5 - Contract files.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Contract files. 750.7110-5 Section 750.7110-5 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT... Interests of the United States 750.7110-5 Contract files. The fully executed action memorandum indicating...

  3. 48 CFR 750.7110-5 - Contract files.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Contract files. 750.7110-5 Section 750.7110-5 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT... Interests of the United States 750.7110-5 Contract files. The fully executed action memorandum indicating...

  4. 48 CFR 801.603-71 - Representatives of contracting officers; receipt of equipment, supplies, and nonpersonal services.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... contracting officers; receipt of equipment, supplies, and nonpersonal services. 801.603-71 Section 801.603-71... AFFAIRS ACQUISITION REGULATION SYSTEM Career Development, Contracting Authority, and Responsibilities 801.603-71 Representatives of contracting officers; receipt of equipment, supplies, and nonpersonal...

  5. Policy Development for Research Grants, and Contracts Administration in the Small College or University.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lyons, Paul R.

    Some of the major administrative factors that will require attention by small colleges and universities as they develop policy and general procedures for the administration of research, grants, and contracts are considered. Management of research, grants, and contracts is a process that involves the review and approval of proposals; project…

  6. 24 CFR 982.611 - Group home: Lease and HAP contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Group home: Lease and HAP contract. 982.611 Section 982.611 Housing and Urban Development REGULATIONS RELATING TO HOUSING AND URBAN... Types Group Home § 982.611 Group home: Lease and HAP contract. For assistance in a group home, there is...

  7. 24 CFR 982.611 - Group home: Lease and HAP contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Group home: Lease and HAP contract. 982.611 Section 982.611 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban... Types Group Home § 982.611 Group home: Lease and HAP contract. For assistance in a group home, there is...

  8. 24 CFR 982.611 - Group home: Lease and HAP contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Group home: Lease and HAP contract. 982.611 Section 982.611 Housing and Urban Development REGULATIONS RELATING TO HOUSING AND URBAN... Types Group Home § 982.611 Group home: Lease and HAP contract. For assistance in a group home, there is...

  9. Impact of Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan Star Ratings on Enrollment before and after Implementation of Quality-Related Bonus Payments in 2012

    PubMed Central

    Li, Pengxiang; Doshi, Jalpa A.

    2016-01-01

    Objective Since 2007, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have published 5-star quality rating measures to aid consumers in choosing Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans (MAPDs). We examined the impact of these star ratings on Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) enrollment before and after 2012, when star ratings became tied to bonus payments for MAPDs that could be used to improve plan benefits and/or reduce premiums in the subsequent year. Methods A longitudinal design and multivariable hybrid models were used to assess whether star ratings had a direct impact on concurrent year MAPD contract enrollment (by influencing beneficiary choice) and/or an indirect impact on subsequent year MAPD contract enrollment (because ratings were linked to bonus payments). The main analysis was based on contract-year level data from 2009–2015. We compared effects of star ratings in the pre-bonus payment period (2009–2011) and post-bonus payment period (2012–2015). Extensive sensitivity analyses varied the analytic techniques, unit of analysis, and sample inclusion criteria. Similar analyses were conducted separately using stand-alone PDP contract-year data; since PDPs were not eligible for bonus payments, they served as an external comparison group. Result The main analysis included 3,866 MAPD contract-years. A change of star rating had no statistically significant effect on concurrent year enrollment in any of the pre-, post-, or pre-post combined periods. On the other hand, star rating increase was associated with a statistically significant increase in the subsequent year enrollment (a 1-star increase associated with +11,337 enrollees, p<0.001) in the post-bonus payment period but had a very small and statistically non-significant effect on subsequent year enrollment in the pre-bonus payment period. Further, the difference in effects on subsequent year enrollment was statistically significant between the pre- and post-periods (p = 0.011). Sensitivity analyses indicated that the findings were robust. No statistically significant effect of star ratings was found on concurrent or subsequent year enrollment in the pre- or post-period in the external comparison group of stand-alone PDP contracts. Conclusion Star ratings had no direct impact on concurrent year MAPD enrollment before or after the introduction of bonus payments tied to star ratings. However, after the introduction of these bonus payments, MAPD star ratings had a significant indirect impact of increasing subsequent year enrollment, likely via the reinvestment of bonuses to provide lower premiums and/or additional member benefits in the following year. PMID:27149092

  10. Impact of Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan Star Ratings on Enrollment before and after Implementation of Quality-Related Bonus Payments in 2012.

    PubMed

    Li, Pengxiang; Doshi, Jalpa A

    2016-01-01

    Since 2007, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have published 5-star quality rating measures to aid consumers in choosing Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans (MAPDs). We examined the impact of these star ratings on Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) enrollment before and after 2012, when star ratings became tied to bonus payments for MAPDs that could be used to improve plan benefits and/or reduce premiums in the subsequent year. A longitudinal design and multivariable hybrid models were used to assess whether star ratings had a direct impact on concurrent year MAPD contract enrollment (by influencing beneficiary choice) and/or an indirect impact on subsequent year MAPD contract enrollment (because ratings were linked to bonus payments). The main analysis was based on contract-year level data from 2009-2015. We compared effects of star ratings in the pre-bonus payment period (2009-2011) and post-bonus payment period (2012-2015). Extensive sensitivity analyses varied the analytic techniques, unit of analysis, and sample inclusion criteria. Similar analyses were conducted separately using stand-alone PDP contract-year data; since PDPs were not eligible for bonus payments, they served as an external comparison group. The main analysis included 3,866 MAPD contract-years. A change of star rating had no statistically significant effect on concurrent year enrollment in any of the pre-, post-, or pre-post combined periods. On the other hand, star rating increase was associated with a statistically significant increase in the subsequent year enrollment (a 1-star increase associated with +11,337 enrollees, p<0.001) in the post-bonus payment period but had a very small and statistically non-significant effect on subsequent year enrollment in the pre-bonus payment period. Further, the difference in effects on subsequent year enrollment was statistically significant between the pre- and post-periods (p = 0.011). Sensitivity analyses indicated that the findings were robust. No statistically significant effect of star ratings was found on concurrent or subsequent year enrollment in the pre- or post-period in the external comparison group of stand-alone PDP contracts. Star ratings had no direct impact on concurrent year MAPD enrollment before or after the introduction of bonus payments tied to star ratings. However, after the introduction of these bonus payments, MAPD star ratings had a significant indirect impact of increasing subsequent year enrollment, likely via the reinvestment of bonuses to provide lower premiums and/or additional member benefits in the following year.

  11. Defense Commissaries: DOD Needs to Improve Business Processes to Ensure Patron Benefits and Achieve Operational Efficiencies

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2017-03-01

    sales, leverage efficiencies, and achieve savings in commissary operations. Second, DeCA has not conducted cost - benefit analyses for costs ...conduct comprehensive cost - benefit analyses for service contracts and distribution options. DOD concurred with GAO’s first two recommendations and...partially concurred with the third recommendation. GAO continues to believe the cost - benefit analysis recommendation is valid

  12. Chemical Warfare Study: Summary Report

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1985-02-01

    Performed under subcontract for INSTITUTE FOR DEFENSE ANALYSES Burdeshaw Associates, Ltd. 4701 Sangamore Road Bethesda, Maryland 20816 February 1985...Associates, Ltd. 4701 Sangamore Road Bethesda, Maryland 20816 11. CONTROLUNG OFFICE NAME AND ADDRESS Office of the 0nder Secretary of Defense for...Associates, Ltd. 4701 Sangamore Road Bethesda, Maryland 20816 February 1985 IDA INSTITUTE FOR DEFENSE ANALYSES Contract MDA 903 84 C 0031 Task T-3-200 o

  13. 48 CFR 235.001 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... OF DEFENSE SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 235.001 Definitions. “Research and development” means those efforts described by the Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation...

  14. 22 CFR Appendix A to Part 226 - Contract Provisions

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... Foreign Relations AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION OF ASSISTANCE AWARDS TO U.S. NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS Pt. 226, App. A Appendix A to Part 226—Contract Provisions All contracts, awarded by... Organizations and Small Business Firms Under Government Grants, Contracts and Cooperative Agreements,” and any...

  15. 13 CFR 305.11 - Contract awards; early construction start.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 13 Business Credit and Assistance 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Contract awards; early construction start. 305.11 Section 305.11 Business Credit and Assistance ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION... § 305.11 Contract awards; early construction start. EDA must determine that the award of all contracts...

  16. 24 CFR 982.603 - SRO: Lease and HAP contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false SRO: Lease and HAP contract. 982... Types Single Room Occupancy (sro) § 982.603 SRO: Lease and HAP contract. For SRO housing, there is a separate lease and HAP contract for each assisted person. ...

  17. 13 CFR 305.11 - Contract awards; early construction start.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 13 Business Credit and Assistance 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Contract awards; early construction start. 305.11 Section 305.11 Business Credit and Assistance ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION... § 305.11 Contract awards; early construction start. EDA must determine that the award of all contracts...

  18. 78 FR 6827 - Public Availability of DHS Fiscal Year 2012 Service Contract Inventory

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-01-31

    ... Inventory AGENCY: Office of the Chief Procurement Officer, DHS. ACTION: Notice of availability. SUMMARY: In... availability of the FY 2012 Service Contract inventory. This inventory provides information on service contract... contracted resources are distributed throughout the agency. The inventory has been developed in accordance...

  19. 77 FR 4821 - Public Availability of DHS Fiscal Year 2011 Service Contract Inventory

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-01-31

    ... Inventory AGENCY: Office of the Chief Procurement Officer, DHS. ACTION: Notice of availability. SUMMARY: In... availability of the FY 2011 Service Contract inventory. This inventory provides information on service contract... contracted resources are distributed throughout the agency. The inventory has been developed in accordance...

  20. 48 CFR 37.000 - Scope of part.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... specific to the acquisition and management of services by contract. This part applies to all contracts and...). Additional guidance for research and development services is in part 35; architect-engineering services is in... not limited to, contracts for services to which the Service Contract Act of 1965, as amended, applies...

  1. 48 CFR 37.000 - Scope of part.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... specific to the acquisition and management of services by contract. This part applies to all contracts and...). Additional guidance for research and development services is in part 35; architect-engineering services is in... not limited to, contracts for services to which the Service Contract Act of 1965, as amended, applies...

  2. 48 CFR 731.770 - OMB Circular A-122, cost principles for nonprofit organizations; USAID implementation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT COST PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES Contracts With Nonprofit Organizations 731.770 OMB Circular A-122, cost principles... and Assistance, has been so designated. The Overhead and Special Cost and Contract Close-Out Branch...

  3. 48 CFR 728.313 - Contract clauses for insurance of transportation or transportation-related services.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS BONDS AND INSURANCE Insurance 728.313 Contract clauses for insurance of transportation or transportation-related services. (a... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Contract clauses for...

  4. 48 CFR 731.770 - OMB Circular A-122, cost principles for nonprofit organizations; USAID implementation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT COST PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES Contracts With Nonprofit Organizations 731.770 OMB Circular A-122, cost principles... and Assistance, has been so designated. The Overhead and Special Cost and Contract Close-Out Branch...

  5. Direct purchase contracts carry risks, benefits.

    PubMed

    Fine, A

    1991-05-01

    To better control their purchasing of healthcare services, some employers are seeking direct managed care contracts with healthcare facilities. Along with evaluating potential markets introduced by a proposed contract, a provider should develop a pricing strategy, a monitoring system, and a process for internal audit before entering into a direct purchase contract. With the proper checks in place, direct purchase contracts can be mutually beneficial to providers and purchasers.

  6. How to govern physician-hospital exchanges: contractual and relational issues in Belgian hospitals.

    PubMed

    Trybou, Jeroen; Gemmel, Paul; Annemans, Lieven

    2014-07-01

    Our aim was to investigate contractual mechanisms in physician-hospital exchanges. The concepts of risk-sharing and the nature of physician-hospital exchanges - transactional versus relational - were studied. Two qualitative case studies were performed in Belgium. Hospital executives and physicians were interviewed to develop an in-depth understanding of contractual and relational issues that shape physician-hospital contracting in acute care hospitals. The underlying theoretical concepts of agency theory and social exchange theory were used to analyse the data. Our study found that physician-hospital contracting is highly complex. The contract is far more than an economic instrument governing financial aspects. The effect of the contract on the nature of exchange - whether transactional or relational - also needs to be considered. While it can be argued that contractual governance methods are increasingly necessary to overcome the difficulties that arise from the fragmented payment framework by aligning incentives and sharing financial risk, they undermine the necessary relational governance. Relational qualities such as mutual trust and an integrative view on physician-hospital exchanges are threatened, and may be difficult to sustain, given the current fragmentary payment framework. Since health care policy makers are increasing the financial risk borne by health care providers, it can be argued that this also increases the need to share financial risk and to align incentives between physician and hospital. However, our study demonstrates that while economic alignment is important in determining physician-hospital contracts, the corresponding impact on working relationships should also be considered. Moreover, it is important to avoid a relationship between hospital and physician predominantly characterized by transactional exchanges thereby fostering an unhealthy us-and-them divide and mentality. Relational exchange is a valuable alternative to contractual exchange, stimulating an integrated hospital-physician relationship. Unfortunately, the fragmented payment framework characterized by unaligned incentives is perceived as an obstacle to realize effective collaboration. © The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.

  7. 48 CFR 749.111-70 - Termination settlement review boards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT MANAGEMENT TERMINATION OF CONTRACTS General Principles 749.111-70 Termination.... Delegate members of the board shall have broad business and contracting experience and shall be senior...

  8. 24 CFR 232.605 - Contract requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Contract requirements. 232.605 Section 232.605 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban Development... URBAN DEVELOPMENT MORTGAGE AND LOAN INSURANCE PROGRAMS UNDER NATIONAL HOUSING ACT AND OTHER AUTHORITIES...

  9. 48 CFR 1335.017 - Federal funded research and development centers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... OF COMMERCE SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 1335.017 Federal funded research and development centers. ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Federal funded research...

  10. Can fast-twitch muscle fibres be selectively recruited during lengthening contractions? Review and applications to sport movements.

    PubMed

    Chalmers, Gordon R

    2008-01-01

    Literature examining the recruitment order of motor units during lengthening (eccentric) contractions was reviewed to determine if fast-twitch motor units can be active while lower threshold slow-twitch motor units are not active. Studies utilizing surface electromyogram (EMG) amplitude, single motor unit activity, spike amplitude-frequency analyses, EMG power spectrum, mechanomyographic, and phosphocreatine-to-creatine ratio (PCr/Cr) techniques were reviewed. Only single motor unit and PCr/Cr data were found to be suitable to address the goals of this review. Nine of ten single motor unit studies, examining joint movement velocities up to 225 degrees/s and forces up to 53% of a maximum voluntary contraction, found that the size principle of motor unit recruitment applied during lengthening contractions. Deviation from the size principle was demonstrated by one study examining movements within a small range of low velocities and modest forces, although other studies examining similar low forces and lengthening velocities reported size-ordered recruitment. The PCr/Cr data demonstrated the activation of all fibre types in lengthening maximal contractions. Most evidence indicates that for lengthening contractions of a wide range of efforts and speeds, fast-twitch muscle fibres cannot be selectively recruited without activity of the slow-twitch fibres of the same muscle.

  11. The transformation of the tender evaluation process in public procurement in Poland

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Plebankiewicz, E.; Kozik, R.

    2017-10-01

    Procedures regarding the evaluation of tenders have been changed since the public procurement law was enacted (it came into force in January 1, 1995). The contracting authority could apply both the criteria related to the qualities of the contractor and those related to the to the subject - matter of public contract. Two extensive amendments in 2001 and a government project introduced vital regulations and excluded the possibility of applying criteria related to the qualities of the contractor. Act of 29 January 2004 Public Procurement Law allowed to use price as the sole contract award criterion. The changes in the Law in 2014 restricted that possibility to the situation in which the subject matter of a contract is commonly available and has established quality standards. The Act of 22 June 2016 amending the Public Procurement Law Act and some other laws introduced the new criteria list and limited the importance of the price criterion in the certain situations. Instead of price, the cost can also be a criterion for tender evaluation. The cost criterion can be determined using life cycle costing. In the paper, based on contract notices of open tendering published in the Public Procurement Bulletin, the criteria of construction contract selection will be analysed. In particular the effectiveness of changes in the Procurement Law will be researched.

  12. Estimation of voluntary elicited motor neuron discharge using a peripheral nerve collision technique at different contraction strengths.

    PubMed

    Scheidegger, Olivier; Kamber, Nicole; Rösler, Kai Michael

    2018-05-29

    To estimate non-invasively the amount, recruitment pattern and discharge frequency of spinal motor neurons (MN) at contraction strength >20% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of small hand muscles. A peripheral collision technique was used and consisted of supramaximal electrical stimuli at Erb's point and at the wrist, synchronizing descending volleys of action potential during voluntary isometric contractions of the abductor digiti minimi muscle at 20-80% of MVC strength and 1-8 s of contraction duration. Responses of 13 healthy volunteers were quantified and analysed using a recently described model of MN behaviour. A linear relationship between MN discharge and force generation was noticed with R2 = 0.996, and was confirmed using the simulation results (R2 = 0.997) for contraction durations up to 8 s. For each investigated force level, discharge frequency and recruitment pattern were calculated for individual MN. Using this method, MN discharge properties during voluntary activity can be estimated non-invasively. This method provides new opportunities for the non-invasive study of MN behaviour, and could be expanded to patients with conduction failure and during fatigue. Copyright © 2018 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. Aspects of research and development contract terms in the bio/pharmaceutical sector.

    PubMed

    Banerjee, Tannista

    2012-01-01

    The cost of new drug development is increasing every year. Pharmaceutical companies use R&D joint ventures, mergers, and outsource different stages of pharmaceutical R&D activities for a faster and cost minimizing method of innovation. Pharmaceutical companies outsource R&D activities to independent small biotech or pharmaceutical companies that specialize in different stages of pharmaceutical R&D. This chapter examines the determinants of the payment structure of research contracts between large bio/pharmaceutical companies and specialized research firms. Determinants of R&D contracts are analyzed using detailed R&D contract data between bio/pharmaceutical companies and independent research firms for 10 years. A multinomial logit model is used in order to understand the determinants of three different types of contracts; royalty contracts, fixed payment contracts, and the mixed contracts. Under uncertainty, the likelihood of a royalty contract rises for the early stages of the research and with the patent stock of the research firm. It is more likely to observe both royalty and fixed payment if the pharmaceutical client has past contracts with the same research firm. The results also suggest that if Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is more stringent in any disease area in reviewing the new drug application, then the likelihood of signing pure royalty contract decreases. Understanding the nature of R&D contracts and the effects of FDA's behavior on the pharmaceutical R&D contract is important because these contracts not only affect the cost of new drug invention but also the quality and the rate of invention. VALUE: Results are useful for both the pharmaceutical companies and the economic/business researchers.

  14. The application of contraction theory to an iterative formulation of electromagnetic scattering

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Brand, J. C.; Kauffman, J. F.

    1985-01-01

    Contraction theory is applied to an iterative formulation of electromagnetic scattering from periodic structures and a computational method for insuring convergence is developed. A short history of spectral (or k-space) formulation is presented with an emphasis on application to periodic surfaces. To insure a convergent solution of the iterative equation, a process called the contraction corrector method is developed. Convergence properties of previously presented iterative solutions to one-dimensional problems are examined utilizing contraction theory and the general conditions for achieving a convergent solution are explored. The contraction corrector method is then applied to several scattering problems including an infinite grating of thin wires with the solution data compared to previous works.

  15. 24 CFR 941.205 - PHA contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PHA Eligibility and Program Requirements § 941.205 PHA contracts. (a) ACC... into by the PHA shall provide for compliance with the provisions of the ACC. (b) Contract forms. HUD...

  16. 24 CFR 941.205 - PHA contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PHA Eligibility and Program Requirements § 941.205 PHA contracts. (a) ACC... into by the PHA shall provide for compliance with the provisions of the ACC. (b) Contract forms. HUD...

  17. 24 CFR 904.103 - Development.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ...) Financial framework. The LHA shall finance development or acquisition by sale of its notes (bond financing... chapter. (c) Contractual framework. There are three basic contracts: (1) An Annual Contributions Contract...

  18. Social comparison and perceived breach of psychological contract: their effects on burnout in a multigroup analysis.

    PubMed

    Cantisano, Gabriela Topa; Domínguez, J Francisco Morales; García, J Luis Caeiro

    2007-05-01

    This study focuses on the mediator role of social comparison in the relationship between perceived breach of psychological contract and burnout. A previous model showing the hypothesized effects of perceived breach on burnout, both direct and mediated, is proposed. The final model reached an optimal fit to the data and was confirmed through multigroup analysis using a sample of Spanish teachers (N = 401) belonging to preprimary, primary, and secondary schools. Multigroup analyses showed that the model fit all groups adequately.

  19. 48 CFR 227.7102-4 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... processes. (2) Use the clause at 252.227-7015 with its Alternate I in contracts for the development or..., Validation of Restrictive Markings on Technical Data, in all solicitations and contracts for commercial items...

  20. 48 CFR 227.7102-4 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... processes. (2) Use the clause at 252.227-7015 with its Alternate I in contracts for the development or..., Validation of Restrictive Markings on Technical Data, in all solicitations and contracts for commercial items...

  1. 48 CFR 35.004 - Publicizing requirements and expanding research and development sources.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... and expanding research and development sources. 35.004 Section 35.004 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 35.004 Publicizing requirements and expanding research and development sources. (a) In order to...

  2. Analysis of fusion neutron spectral widths in high-foot implosions at the National Ignition Facility

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Grim, Gary; Caggiano, Joseph; Callahan, Debra; Casey, Daniel; Cerjan, Charles; Clark, Daniel; Tilo, Doeppner; Eckart, Mark; Field, John; Frenje, Lars; Gatu-Johnson, Maria; Hartouni, Edward; Hatarik, Robert; Hurricane, Omar; Kilkenny, Joseph; Knauer, James; Ma, Tammy; Mannion, Owen; Munro, David; Park, Hye-Sook; Sayre, Daniel; Spears, Brian; Yeamans, Charles

    2015-11-01

    We present the latest results of thermal temperature analyses of cryogenically layered deuterium-tritium implosions at the NIF using data from the ``High Foot'' campaign. Data from new analysis methods and interpreted in the context of new theoretical developments will be reported. These data will include DD and DT apparent ion temperatures, their uniformity with direction, inferred plasma thermal temperature, as well as the magnitude of non-thermal contributions to the spectral widths. Work performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.

  3. Results of exploratory drilling at Point MacKenzie, Alaska, 1981

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Patrick, Leslie

    1981-01-01

    The Matanuska-Susitna Borough anticipates industrial development near Point MacKenzie, Alaska. Because little hydrologic information is available for the area, the Borough contracted for the drilling of two test wells. It was found that: Both wells penetrated unconsolidated stratified clay, silt, sand, and gravel; each well penetrated a shallow unconfined and deeper confined aquifers; the water levels in the wells rise and fall with the tide; the chemical analyses indicate that the water quality meets the Alaska Drinking Water Standards, except for slightly high levels of manganese and pH; and the potential for saltwater intrusion should be evaluated as part of future studies. (USGS)

  4. Traceability of Software Safety Requirements in Legacy Safety Critical Systems

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hill, Janice L.

    2007-01-01

    How can traceability of software safety requirements be created for legacy safety critical systems? Requirements in safety standards are imposed most times during contract negotiations. On the other hand, there are instances where safety standards are levied on legacy safety critical systems, some of which may be considered for reuse for new applications. Safety standards often specify that software development documentation include process-oriented and technical safety requirements, and also require that system and software safety analyses are performed supporting technical safety requirements implementation. So what can be done if the requisite documents for establishing and maintaining safety requirements traceability are not available?

  5. Advanced transportation system studies technical area 3: Alternate propulsion subsystem concepts, volume 2

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Levak, Daniel

    1993-01-01

    The Alternate Propulsion Subsystem Concepts contract had five tasks defined for the first year. The tasks were: F-1A Restart Study, J-2S Restart Study, Propulsion Database Development, Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) Upper Stage Use, and CER's for Liquid Propellant Rocket Engines. The detailed study results, with the data to support the conclusions from various analyses, are being reported as a series of five separate Final Task Reports. Consequently, this volume only reports the required programmatic information concerning Computer Aided Design Documentation, and New Technology Reports. A detailed Executive Summary, covering all the tasks, is also available as Volume 1.

  6. Uterine Contraction Modeling and Simulation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Liu, Miao; Belfore, Lee A.; Shen, Yuzhong; Scerbo, Mark W.

    2010-01-01

    Building a training system for medical personnel to properly interpret fetal heart rate tracing requires developing accurate models that can relate various signal patterns to certain pathologies. In addition to modeling the fetal heart rate signal itself, the change of uterine pressure that bears strong relation to fetal heart rate and provides indications of maternal and fetal status should also be considered. In this work, we have developed a group of parametric models to simulate uterine contractions during labor and delivery. Through analysis of real patient records, we propose to model uterine contraction signals by three major components: regular contractions, impulsive noise caused by fetal movements, and low amplitude noise invoked by maternal breathing and measuring apparatus. The regular contractions are modeled by an asymmetric generalized Gaussian function and least squares estimation is used to compute the parameter values of the asymmetric generalized Gaussian function based on uterine contractions of real patients. Regular contractions are detected based on thresholding and derivative analysis of uterine contractions. Impulsive noise caused by fetal movements and low amplitude noise by maternal breathing and measuring apparatus are modeled by rational polynomial functions and Perlin noise, respectively. Experiment results show the synthesized uterine contractions can mimic the real uterine contractions realistically, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

  7. Study on the contract characteristics of Internet architecture

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fu, Chuan; Zhang, Guoqing; Yang, Jing; Liu, Xiaona

    2011-11-01

    The importance of Internet architecture goes beyond the technical aspects. The architecture of Internet has a profound influence on the Internet-based economy in term of how the profits are shared by different market participants (Internet Server Provider, Internet Content Provider), since it is the physical foundation upon which the profit-sharing contracts are derived. In order to facilitate the continuing growth of the Internet, it is necessary to systematically study factors that curtail the Internet-based economy including the existing Internet architecture. In this paper, we used transaction cost economics and contract economics as new tools to analyse the contracts derived from the current Internet architecture. This study sheds light on how the macro characteristics of Internet architecture effect the microeconomical decisions of market participants. Based on the existing Internet architecture, we discuss the possibility of promoting Internet-based economy by encouraging user to connect their private stub network to the Internet and giving the user more right of self-governing.

  8. Student nurses' experiences of using a learning contract as a method of assessment.

    PubMed

    Bailey, Maria E; Tuohy, Dympna

    2009-10-01

    The purpose of this study was to describe final year undergraduate nurses' experiences of assessment through the use of a learning contract. Using a qualitative descriptive design, data was collected from a purposive sample of final (fourth) year undergraduate student nurses. Two approaches were taken for data collection, anonymous evaluative questionnaires and interviews. The study was approved by the local university research and ethics committee. Data was thematically analysed. This article presents and discusses the findings from the interviews. Findings suggest that students' approach to the assessment strategy influenced engagement with the learning contract. Three themes were identified: skills, perceptions, and actions. Within these themes three types of learner were identified: happy, pragmatic and fearful. Factors found to influence successful completion of the learning contract were: support, relevant skills, prior experiential learning and required theoretical knowledge. Recommendations include the need for educators to consider module assessments that recognise the learning needs and preferences of the student within a supportive environment.

  9. 7 CFR 4280.115 - Construction planning and performing development.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... projects as applicable. For contracts of $200,000 or less, the simple contract method, as specified in... warranty documents. (e) Simple contract method. The simple contract method may be used for small projects... Agency and may be used only if they are customarily used in the area and protect the interest of the...

  10. 48 CFR 235.006 - Contracting methods and contract type.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics) (USD(AT&L)) of an intent not to exercise a fixed-price... award a fixed-price type contract for a development program effort unless— (1) The level of program risk permits realistic pricing; (2) The use of a fixed-price type contract permits an equitable and sensible...

  11. 24 CFR 891.595 - HAP contract extension or renewal.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false HAP contract extension or renewal... Handicapped-Section 8 Assistance § 891.595 HAP contract extension or renewal. Upon expiration of the term of the HAP contract, HUD and the Borrower may agree (subject to available funds) to extend the term of...

  12. 17 CFR 232.313 - Identification of investment company type and series and/or class (or contract).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... company type and series and/or class (or contract). 232.313 Section 232.313 Commodity and Securities... series and/or class (or contract). (a) Registered investment companies and business development companies... keep current, information concerning their existing and new series and/or classes (or contracts, in the...

  13. 17 CFR 232.313 - Identification of investment company type and series and/or class (or contract).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... company type and series and/or class (or contract). 232.313 Section 232.313 Commodity and Securities... series and/or class (or contract). (a) Registered investment companies and business development companies... keep current, information concerning their existing and new series and/or classes (or contracts, in the...

  14. Why do employees worry about their jobs? A meta-analytic review of predictors of job insecurity.

    PubMed

    Keim, Alaina C; Landis, Ronald S; Pierce, Charles A; Earnest, David R

    2014-07-01

    We used psychological contract theory as a framework to meta-analytically review subjective and objective predictors of employees' perceived job insecurity. Seventy-six samples from 68 studies were included in our review. Results revealed that lower levels of job insecurity are associated with having an internal locus of control, lower amounts of role ambiguity and role conflict, greater amounts of organizational communication, less organizational change, younger employees, and white-collar and permanent work. Moderator analyses further revealed that relations between job insecurity and age, gender, education, and formal contracts are moderated by unemployment rates, countries of origin, and type of job insecurity measure. We discuss theoretical and practical implications for psychological contract theory and occupational health, and offer directions for future research.

  15. Involvement of thromboxane A2 in the endothelium-dependent contractions induced by myricetin in rat isolated aorta

    PubMed Central

    Jiménez, Rosario; Andriambeloson, Emile; Duarte, Juan; Andriantsitohaina, Ramaroson; Jiménez, José; Pérez-Vizcaino, Francisco; Zarzuelo, Antonio; Tamargo, Juan

    1999-01-01

    The present study was undertaken to analyse the mechanism of the contractile response induced by the bioflavonoid myricetin in isolated rat aortic rings.Myricetin induced endothelium-dependent contractile responses (maximal value=21±2% of the response induced by 80 mM KCl and pD2=5.12±0.03). This effect developed slowly, reached a peak within 6 min and then declined progressively.Myricetin-induced contractions were almost abolished by the phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitor, quinacrine (10 μM), the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin (10 μM), the thromboxane synthase inhibitor, dazoxiben (100 μM), the putative thromboxane A2 (TXA2)/prostaglandin endoperoxide receptor antagonist, ifetroban (3 μM). These contractions were abolished in Ca2+-free medium but were not affected by the Ca2+ channel blocker verapamil (10 μM).In cultured bovine endothelial cells (BAEC), myricetin (50 μM) produced an increase in cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) which peaked within 1 min and remained sustained for 6 min, as determined by the fluorescent probe fura 2. This rise in [Ca2+]i was abolished after removal of extracellular Ca2+ in the medium.Myricetin (50 μM) significantly increased TXB2 production both in aortic rings with and without endothelium and in BAEC. These increases were abolished both by Ca2+-free media and by indomethacin.Taken together, these results suggests that myricetin stimulates Ca2+ influx and subsequently triggers the activation of the PLA2 and cyclo-oxygenase pathways releasing TXA2 from the endothelium to contract rat aortic rings. The latter response occurs via the activation of Tp receptors on vascular smooth muscle cells. PMID:10455307

  16. Biomechanical Analyses of the Efficacy of Patterns of Maternal Effort on Second-Stage Progress

    PubMed Central

    Lien, Kuo-Cheng; DeLancey, John O.L.; Ashton-Miller, James A.

    2009-01-01

    OBJECTIVE To develop and use a biomechanical computer model to simulate the effect of varying the timing of voluntary maternal pushes during uterine contraction on second-stage labor duration. METHODS Published initial pelvic floor geometry was imported into technical computing software to build a simplified 3-D biomechanical model with six representative viscoelastic levator muscle bands interconnected by a hyperelastic iliococcygeal raphé. An incompressible sphere simulated the molded fetal head. Forces from uterine contraction and voluntary expulsive efforts were summed to push the model fetal head along the Curve of Carus opposed by the resistance of the pelvic floor structures to stretch. Holding uterine maximal contraction force and push strength constant, pushes were timed before (“Pre”), at (“Peak”), and after (“Post”) maximal uterine contraction force. The effect of different combinations of pushes on second stage duration and the number of pushes required for delivery were evaluated. RESULTS Calculated second stage durations ranged from 57.5 minutes (“triple” or Pre-Peak-Post pattern) to 75.8 minutes (“pre-push” and “post-push” patterns). Delivery with the “triple push” pattern required 59 voluntary pushes, while the “peak push” pattern required 23 voluntary pushes, a 61% reduction. The corresponding reduction for the “pre-and-peak push” pattern was 29%, the “peak-and-post push” pattern was 30%, the “pre-push” pattern was 54%, and the “post-push” pattern was 56%. CONCLUSION Although the “triple push” pattern resulted in a 16% shorter second stage, this came at the energetic expense of a 61% increase in the number of pushes required. PMID:19305333

  17. Methodology and Estimates of Scour at Selected Bridge Sites in Alaska

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Heinrichs, Thomas A.; Kennedy, Ben W.; Langley, Dustin E.; Burrows, Robert L.

    2001-01-01

    The U.S. Geological Survey estimated scour depths at 325 bridges in Alaska as part of a cooperative agreement with the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. The department selected these sites from approximately 806 State-owned bridges as potentially susceptible to scour during extreme floods. Pier scour and contraction scour were computed for the selected bridges by using methods recommended by the Federal Highway Administration. The U.S. Geological Survey used a four-step procedure to estimate scour: (1) Compute magnitudes of the 100- and 500-year floods. (2) Determine cross-section geometry and hydraulic properties for each bridge site. (3) Compute the water-surface profile for the 100- and 500-year floods. (4) Compute contraction and pier scour. This procedure is unique because the cross sections were developed from existing data on file to make a quantitative estimate of scour. This screening method has the advantage of providing scour depths and bed elevations for comparison with bridge-foundation elevations without the time and expense of a field survey. Four examples of bridge-scour analyses are summarized in the appendix.

  18. Age-related differences in muscle fatigue vary by contraction type: a meta-analysis.

    PubMed

    Avin, Keith G; Law, Laura A Frey

    2011-08-01

    During senescence, despite the loss of strength (force-generating capability) associated with sarcopenia, muscle endurance may improve for isometric contractions. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic meta-analysis of young versus older adults, considering likely moderators (ie, contraction type, joint, sex, activity level, and task intensity). A 2-stage systematic review identified potential studies from PubMed, CINAHL, PEDro, EBSCOhost: ERIC, EBSCOhost: Sportdiscus, and The Cochrane Library. Studies reporting fatigue tasks (voluntary activation) performed at a relative intensity in both young (18-45 years of age) and old (≥ 55 years of age) adults who were healthy were considered. Sample size, mean and variance outcome data (ie, fatigue index or endurance time), joint, contraction type, task intensity (percentage of maximum), sex, and activity levels were extracted. Effect sizes were (1) computed for all data points; (2) subgrouped by contraction type, sex, joint or muscle group, intensity, or activity level; and (3) further subgrouped between contraction type and the remaining moderators. Out of 3,457 potential studies, 46 publications (with 78 distinct effect size data points) met all inclusion criteria. A lack of available data limited subgroup analyses (ie, sex, intensity, joint), as did a disproportionate spread of data (most intensities ≥ 50% of maximum voluntary contraction). Overall, older adults were able to sustain relative-intensity tasks significantly longer or with less force decay than younger adults (effect size=0.49). However, this age-related difference was present only for sustained and intermittent isometric contractions, whereas this age-related advantage was lost for dynamic tasks. When controlling for contraction type, the additional modifiers played minor roles. Identifying muscle endurance capabilities in the older adult may provide an avenue to improve functional capabilities, despite a clearly established decrement in peak torque.

  19. Inhibition of agonist-induced smooth muscle contraction by picotamide in the male human lower urinary tract outflow region.

    PubMed

    Hennenberg, Martin; Tamalunas, Alexander; Wang, Yiming; Keller, Patrick; Schott, Melanie; Strittmatter, Frank; Herlemann, Annika; Yu, Qingfeng; Rutz, Beata; Ciotkowska, Anna; Stief, Christian G; Gratzke, Christian

    2017-05-15

    Male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to bladder outlet obstruction are characterized by abnormal smooth muscle contractions in the lower urinary tract. Alpha 1 -adrenoceptor antagonists may induce smooth muscle relaxation in the outflow region and represent the current gold standard of medical treatment. However, results may be unsatisfactory or inadequate. Apart from α 1 -adrenoceptor agonists, smooth muscle contraction in the outflow region may be induced by thromboxane A 2 (TXA 2 ), endothelins, or muscarinic receptor agonists. Here, we studied effects of the thromboxane A 2 receptor (TP receptor) antagonist picotamide on contraction in the human male bladder trigone and prostate. Carbachol, the α 1 -adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine, the thromboxane A 2 analog U46619, and electric field stimulation (EFS) induced concentration- or frequency-dependent contractions of trigone tissues in an organ bath. Picotamide (300µM) inhibited carbachol-, phenylephrine-, U46619-, and EFS-induced contractions. Endothelins 1-3 induced concentration-dependent contractions of prostate tissues, which were inhibited by picotamide. Analyses using real time polymerase chain reaction and antibodies suggested expression of thromboxane A 2 receptors and synthase in trigone smooth muscle cells. Thromboxane B 2 (the stable metabolite of thromboxane A 2 ) was detectable by enzyme immune assay in trigone samples, with most values ranging between 50 and 150pg/mg trigone protein. Picotamide inhibits contractions induced by different stimuli in the human lower urinary tract, including cholinergic, adrenergic, thromboxane A 2 - and endothelin-induced, and neurogenic contractions in different locations of the outflow region. This distinguishes picotamide from current medical treatments for LUTS, and suggests that picotamide may induce urodynamic effects in vivo. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  20. Contracting out of clinical services in Zimbabwe.

    PubMed

    McPake, B; Hongoro, C

    1995-07-01

    Contracting is increasingly recommended to developing countries as a way of improving the efficiency of the health sector. However, empirical evidence regarding its effectiveness in this respect is almost completely absent. In Zimbabwe, a long standing contract exists between the Ministry of Health and Wankie Colliery to provide clinical services in the Colliery's 400 bed hospital. This paper details a study of the Zimbabweans' experience with the contract. Its success is assessed using comparisons with a neighbouring government hospital of the price of services (vs the cost in the government hospital); the situation of hospital workers; and the quality of services delivered. The Colliery has established a monopoly position for hospital services in the district. However, it appears to offer services of at least as good quality at prices which are lower than the unit costs of the government hospital when capital costs are included. Nevertheless, the contract cannot be considered a success due to the failure to contain its total cost. Approximately 70% of provincial non-salary recurrent expenditure is consumed by the contract while only a minority of the province's population have access to the Colliery hospital. Screening patients, both with respect to their ability to pay and to their need for secondary level services does not take place with the result that utilization levels are not controlled. The study highlights a number of important issues affecting contracting in developing country setting: First, contracted institutions attain powerful bargaining positions if there are no viable competitors and the government does not itself retain capacity to offer an alternative service. Second, specific skills are needed for the management of contracts at all levels. If the process of contract development responds to a crisis driven agenda resulting from civil service retrenchment and public expenditure cuts, it is unlikely that adequate consideration will be given to the development of such skills and the retention of key personnel. If such details are neglected, otherwise feasible efficiency gains will prove elusive.

  1. Outsourcing mental health care services? The practice and potential of community-based farms in psychiatric rehabilitation.

    PubMed

    Iancu, Sorana C; Zweekhorst, Marjolein B M; Veltman, Dick J; van Balkom, Anton J L M; Bunders, Joske F G

    2015-02-01

    Psychiatric rehabilitation supports individuals with mental disorders to acquire the skills needed for independent lives in communities. This article assesses the potential of outsourcing psychiatric rehabilitation by analysing care farm services in the Netherlands. Service characteristics were analysed across 214 care farms retrieved from a national database. Qualitative insights were provided by five case descriptions, selected from 34 interviews. Institutional care farms were significantly larger and older than private care farms (comprising 88.8% of all care farms). Private, independent care farms provide real-life work conditions to users who are relatively less impaired. Private, contracted care farms tailor the work activities to their capacities and employ professional supervisors. Institutional care farms accommodate for the most vulnerable users. We conclude that collaborations with independent, contracted and institutional care farms would provide mental health care organizations with a diversity in services, enhanced community integration and a better match with users' rehabilitation needs.

  2. Buying results? Contracting for health service delivery in developing countries.

    PubMed

    Loevinsohn, Benjamin; Harding, April

    To achieve the health-related Millennium Development Goals, the delivery of health services will need to improve. Contracting with non-state entities, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs), has been proposed as a means for improving health care delivery, and the global experience with such contracts is reviewed here. The ten investigated examples indicate that contracting for the delivery of primary care can be very effective and that improvements can be rapid. These results were achieved in various settings and services. Many of the anticipated difficulties with contracting were either not observed in practice or did not compromise contracting's effectiveness. Seven of the nine cases with sufficient experience (greater than 3 years' elapsed experience) have been sustained and expanded. Provision of a package of basic services by contractors costs between roughly US3 dollars and US6 dollars per head per year in low-income countries. Contracting for health service delivery should be expanded and future efforts must include rigorous evaluations.

  3. Transport and stability analyses supporting disruption prediction in high beta KSTAR plasmas

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ahn, J.-H.; Sabbagh, S. A.; Park, Y. S.; Berkery, J. W.; Jiang, Y.; Riquezes, J.; Lee, H. H.; Terzolo, L.; Scott, S. D.; Wang, Z.; Glasser, A. H.

    2017-10-01

    KSTAR plasmas have reached high stability parameters in dedicated experiments, with normalized beta βN exceeding 4.3 at relatively low plasma internal inductance li (βN/li>6). Transport and stability analyses have begun on these plasmas to best understand a disruption-free path toward the design target of βN = 5 while aiming to maximize the non-inductive fraction of these plasmas. Initial analysis using the TRANSP code indicates that the non-inductive current fraction in these plasmas has exceeded 50 percent. The advent of KSTAR kinetic equilibrium reconstructions now allows more accurate computation of the MHD stability of these plasmas. Attention is placed on code validation of mode stability using the PEST-3 and resistive DCON codes. Initial evaluation of these analyses for disruption prediction is made using the disruption event characterization and forecasting (DECAF) code. The present global mode kinetic stability model in DECAF developed for low aspect ratio plasmas is evaluated to determine modifications required for successful disruption prediction of KSTAR plasmas. Work supported by U.S. DoE under contract DE-SC0016614.

  4. Probabilistic Analysis Techniques Applied to Complex Spacecraft Power System Modeling

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hojnicki, Jeffrey S.; Rusick, Jeffrey J.

    2005-01-01

    Electric power system performance predictions are critical to spacecraft, such as the International Space Station (ISS), to ensure that sufficient power is available to support all the spacecraft s power needs. In the case of the ISS power system, analyses to date have been deterministic, meaning that each analysis produces a single-valued result for power capability because of the complexity and large size of the model. As a result, the deterministic ISS analyses did not account for the sensitivity of the power capability to uncertainties in model input variables. Over the last 10 years, the NASA Glenn Research Center has developed advanced, computationally fast, probabilistic analysis techniques and successfully applied them to large (thousands of nodes) complex structural analysis models. These same techniques were recently applied to large, complex ISS power system models. This new application enables probabilistic power analyses that account for input uncertainties and produce results that include variations caused by these uncertainties. Specifically, N&R Engineering, under contract to NASA, integrated these advanced probabilistic techniques with Glenn s internationally recognized ISS power system model, System Power Analysis for Capability Evaluation (SPACE).

  5. 41 CFR 102-76.50 - What is sustainable development?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false What is sustainable development? 102-76.50 Section 102-76.50 Public Contracts and Property Management Federal Property Management... and Construction Sustainable Development § 102-76.50 What is sustainable development? Sustainable...

  6. Genetics Home Reference: Sheldon-Hall syndrome

    MedlinePlus

    ... proteins that are involved in muscle tensing (contraction). Muscle contraction occurs when thick filaments made of proteins called ... early development of the muscles. The process of muscle contraction is controlled (regulated) by other proteins called troponins ...

  7. Functional, morphological and electrocardiographical abnormalities in patients with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and apical aneurysm: correlation with cardiac MR

    PubMed Central

    Suwa, Kenichiro; Satoh, Hiroshi; Sano, Makoto; Nobuhara, Mamoru; Saitoh, Takeji; Saotome, Masao; Urushida, Tsuyoshi; Katoh, Hideki; Tawarahara, Kei; Ohtani, Hayato; Wakabayashi, Yasushi; Takase, Hiroyuki; Terada, Hajime; Takehara, Yasuo; Sakahara, Harumi; Hayashi, Hideharu

    2014-01-01

    Objective The prognosis of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (APH) has been benign, but apical myocardial injury has prognostic importance. We studied functional, morphological and electrocardiographical abnormalities in patients with APH and with apical aneurysm and sought to find parameters that relate to apical myocardial injury. Methods Study design: a multicentre trans-sectional study. Patients: 45 patients with APH and 5 with apical aneurysm diagnosed with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in the database of Hamamatsu Circulation Forum. Measure: the apical contraction with cine-cardiac MR (CMR), the myocardial fibrotic scar with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE)-CMR, and QRS fragmentation (fQRS) defined when two ECG-leads exhibited RSR’s patterns. Results Cine-CMR revealed 27 patients with normal, 12 with hypokinetic and 11 with dyskinetic apical contraction. TTE misdiagnosed 11 (48%) patients with hypokinetic and dyskinetic contraction as those with normal contraction. Apical LGE was apparent in 10 (83%) and 11 (100%) patients with hypokinetic and dyskinetic contraction, whereas only in 11 patients (41%) with normal contraction (p<0.01). Patients with dyskinetic apical contraction had the lowest left ventricular ejection fraction, the highest prevalence of ventricular tachycardia, and the smallest ST depression and depth of negative T waves. The presence of fQRS was associated with impaired apical contraction and apical LGE (OR=8.32 and 8.61, p<0.05). Conclusions CMR is superior to TTE for analysing abnormalities of the apex in patients with APH and with apical aneurysm. The presence of fQRS can be a promising parameter for the early detection of apical myocardial injury. PMID:25332823

  8. Decreasing Skin Graft Contraction through Topical Wound Bed Preparation with Anti-Inflammatory Agents

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2017-10-01

    factor in the development of skin graft contraction. Using a porcine model of skin graft contraction, we will screen for anti- inflammatory agents (dose...Award Number: W81XWH-14-2-0153 TITLE: Decreasing Skin Graft Contraction through Topical Wound Bed Preparation with Anti-Inflammatory Agents ...09/14/2017 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE “Decreasing Skin Graft Contraction through Topical Wound Bed Preparation with Anti-Inflammatory Agents ” 5a

  9. Investigation of the Air-Wave-Sea Interaction Modes Using an Airborne Doppler Wind Lidar: Analyses of the HRDL Data Taken using DYNAMO

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2013-10-07

    Interaction Modes Using an Airborne Doppler Wind Lidar: Analyses of the HRDL data taken using DYNAMO 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER N0001411C0464 5b. GRANT...efficiency of energy, mass and momentum exchange at the bottom and top of the ABL. 15. SUBJECT TERMS DYNAMO , ABL 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17...Investigation of the Air-Wave-Sea Interaction Modes Using an Airborne Doppler Wind Lidar: Analyses of the HRDL data taken during DYNAMO George

  10. Effects of nifedipine on anorectal smooth muscle in vitro.

    PubMed

    Cook, T A; Brading, A F; Mortensen, N J

    1999-06-01

    Glyceryl trinitrate reduces anal resting pressure and aids the healing of anal fissures. However, some patients develop tachyphylaxis and the fissure fails to heal, suggesting that other agents are needed. This study assesses the effects of nifedipine (a calcium channel antagonist) in modulating resting tone and agonist-induced contractions in human internal anal sphincter (IAS) and rectal circular muscle. Smooth muscle strips from the IAS and rectal circular muscle from ten patients undergoing surgical resection were mounted for isometric tension recording in a superfusion organ bath. The effects of noradrenaline and carbachol were assessed in the presence of various perfusates. LAS strips developed tone and spontaneous activity. Noradrenaline produced dose-dependent contractions. In calcium-free Krebs solution, tone and activity were abolished and no contractions were elicited in response to noradrenaline. Nifedipine also abolished tone and spontaneous activity, but contractions to noradrenaline were only slightly attenuated. In contrast, rectal smooth muscle strips developed spontaneous activity but no resting tone and contracted in response to carbachol. In calcium-free Krebs solution, the spontaneous activity and carbachol contractions were abolished. Addition of nifedipine to the perfusate abolished spontaneous activity and greatly reduced contractions. These data suggest that spontaneous activity and resting tone are dependent on extracellular calcium and flux across the cells. Agonist-induced contraction in the IAS is attributable mainly to the release of calcium from intracellular stores, whereas rectal circular smooth muscle depends principally on extracellular calcium entering the cell for contraction. The attenuation of contractions in both tissues and the abolition of resting tone in the IAS suggest that nifedipine may be useful in the management of patients with anorectal disorders.

  11. 48 CFR 216.104-70 - Research and development.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Research and development... Contract Types § 216.104-70 Research and development. Follow the procedures at PGI 216.104-70 for selecting the appropriate research and development contract type. [71 FR 39007, July 11, 2006] ...

  12. 48 CFR 216.104-70 - Research and development.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 3 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Research and development... Contract Types § 216.104-70 Research and development. Follow the procedures at PGI 216.104-70 for selecting the appropriate research and development contract type. [71 FR 39007, July 11, 2006] ...

  13. 48 CFR 216.104-70 - Research and development.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 3 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Research and development... Contract Types § 216.104-70 Research and development. Follow the procedures at PGI 216.104-70 for selecting the appropriate research and development contract type. [71 FR 39007, July 11, 2006] ...

  14. Psychological Contracts and Their Implications for Commitment: A Feature-Based Approach

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    McInnis, Kate J.; Meyer, John P.; Feldman, Susan

    2009-01-01

    Two studies were conducted to examine the link between employee perceptions of the psychological contract and their affective and normative commitments to the organization. The authors adapt a new approach to the study of psychological contracts by developing a generalizable measure of "contract features" (e.g., scope; time frame). In Study 1…

  15. 48 CFR 1823.7101 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENCY, RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY, AND DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE Frequency Authorization 1823.7101 Contract clause. The contracting... calling for developing, producing, constructing, testing, or operating a device for which a radio...

  16. 48 CFR 246.102 - Policy.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... DEFENSE CONTRACT MANAGEMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE General 246.102 Policy. Departments and agencies shall also— (1) Develop and manage a systematic, cost-effective Government contract quality assurance program to ensure that contract performance conforms to specified requirements. Apply Government quality assurance...

  17. 48 CFR 15.604 - Agency points of contact.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... agency: upcoming solicitations; Broad Agency Announcements; Small Business Innovation Research programs; Small Business Technology Transfer Research programs; Program Research and Development Announcements; or... CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION Unsolicited Proposals 15.604 Agency points...

  18. Energy Savings Performance Contract Energy Sales Agreement Toolkit

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    None

    FEMP developed the Energy Savings Performance Contracting Energy Sales Agreement (ESPC ESA) Toolkit to provide federal agency contracting officers and other acquisition team members with information that will facilitate the timely execution of ESPC ESA projects.

  19. 48 CFR 742.1170-1 - General.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... Section 742.1170-1 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT MANAGEMENT CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION Production, Surveillance, and Reporting 742.1170-1 General. Performance monitoring is a function of contract administration used to determine contractor progress towards achieving...

  20. 48 CFR 705.502 - Authority.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 705.502 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACQUISITION PLANNING PUBLICIZING CONTRACT ACTIONS Synopsis of Proposed Contract Actions 705.502 Authority. (a) The M... USAID contracting officers to place paid advertisements and notices in newspapers and periodicals...

  1. 48 CFR 705.502 - Authority.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 705.502 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACQUISITION PLANNING PUBLICIZING CONTRACT ACTIONS Synopsis of Proposed Contract Actions 705.502 Authority. (a) The M... USAID contracting officers to place paid advertisements and notices in newspapers and periodicals...

  2. 48 CFR 715.303 - Responsibilities.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Responsibilities. 715.303 Section 715.303 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION Source Selection 715.303 Responsibilities. ...

  3. 48 CFR 742.1170-2 - Applicability.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... Section 742.1170-2 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT MANAGEMENT CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION Production, Surveillance, and Reporting 742.1170-2 Applicability. (a) This section applies to USAID non-personal, professional/technical services contracts exceeding the simplified...

  4. 48 CFR 715.303 - Responsibilities.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Responsibilities. 715.303 Section 715.303 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION Source Selection 715.303 Responsibilities. ...

  5. 48 CFR 731.109 - Advance agreements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ....109 Section 731.109 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT COST PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES Applicability 731.109 Advance... Special Cost and Contract Close-Out Branch, Office of Acquisition and Assistance. Such advance...

  6. 48 CFR 742.1170-3 - Policy.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 742.1170-3 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT MANAGEMENT CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION Production, Surveillance, and Reporting 742.1170-3 Policy. (a) The contractor is responsible for timely contract performance. Performance monitoring by USAID does not obviate...

  7. 48 CFR 1535.007 - Solicitations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Solicitations. 1535.007 Section 1535.007 Federal Acquisition Regulations System ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 1535.007 Solicitations. (a) Contracting officers...

  8. 48 CFR 1535.007 - Solicitations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Solicitations. 1535.007 Section 1535.007 Federal Acquisition Regulations System ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 1535.007 Solicitations. (a) Contracting officers...

  9. 48 CFR 1535.007 - Solicitations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Solicitations. 1535.007 Section 1535.007 Federal Acquisition Regulations System ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 1535.007 Solicitations. (a) Contracting officers...

  10. 48 CFR 1535.007 - Solicitations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Solicitations. 1535.007 Section 1535.007 Federal Acquisition Regulations System ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 1535.007 Solicitations. (a) Contracting officers...

  11. Serving the army as secretaries: intersectionality, multi-level contract and subjective experience of citizenship.

    PubMed

    Lomsky-Feder, Edna; Sasson-Levy, Orna

    2015-03-01

    With the growing elusiveness of the state apparatus in late modernity, military service is one of the last institutions to be clearly identified with the state, its ideologies and its policies. Therefore, negotiations between the military and its recruits produce acting subjects of citizenship with long-lasting consequences. Arguing that these negotiations are regulated by multi-level (civic, group, and individual) contracts, we explore the various meanings that these contracts obtain at the intersectionality of gender, class, and ethnicity; and examine how they shape the subjective experience of soldierhood and citizenship. More particularly, we analyse the meaning of military service in the retrospective life stories of Israeli Jewish women from various ethno-class backgrounds who served as army secretaries - a low-status, feminine gender-typed occupation within a hyper-masculine organization. Findings reveal that for women of the lower class, the organizing cultural schema of the multi-level contract is that of achieving respectability through military service, which means being included in the national collective. Conversely, for middle-class women, it is the sense of entitlement that shapes their contract with the military, which they expect to signify and maintain their privileged status. Thus, while for the lower class, the multi-level contract is about inclusion within the boundaries of the national collective, for the dominant groups, this contract is about reproducing social class hierarchies within national boundaries. © London School of Economics and Political Science 2014.

  12. The Network of Counterparty Risk: Analysing Correlations in OTC Derivatives.

    PubMed

    Nanumyan, Vahan; Garas, Antonios; Schweitzer, Frank

    2015-01-01

    Counterparty risk denotes the risk that a party defaults in a bilateral contract. This risk not only depends on the two parties involved, but also on the risk from various other contracts each of these parties holds. In rather informal markets, such as the OTC (over-the-counter) derivative market, institutions only report their aggregated quarterly risk exposure, but no details about their counterparties. Hence, little is known about the diversification of counterparty risk. In this paper, we reconstruct the weighted and time-dependent network of counterparty risk in the OTC derivatives market of the United States between 1998 and 2012. To proxy unknown bilateral exposures, we first study the co-occurrence patterns of institutions based on their quarterly activity and ranking in the official report. The network obtained this way is further analysed by a weighted k-core decomposition, to reveal a core-periphery structure. This allows us to compare the activity-based ranking with a topology-based ranking, to identify the most important institutions and their mutual dependencies. We also analyse correlations in these activities, to show strong similarities in the behavior of the core institutions. Our analysis clearly demonstrates the clustering of counterparty risk in a small set of about a dozen US banks. This not only increases the default risk of the central institutions, but also the default risk of peripheral institutions which have contracts with the central ones. Hence, all institutions indirectly have to bear (part of) the counterparty risk of all others, which needs to be better reflected in the price of OTC derivatives.

  13. The Network of Counterparty Risk: Analysing Correlations in OTC Derivatives

    PubMed Central

    Nanumyan, Vahan; Garas, Antonios; Schweitzer, Frank

    2015-01-01

    Counterparty risk denotes the risk that a party defaults in a bilateral contract. This risk not only depends on the two parties involved, but also on the risk from various other contracts each of these parties holds. In rather informal markets, such as the OTC (over-the-counter) derivative market, institutions only report their aggregated quarterly risk exposure, but no details about their counterparties. Hence, little is known about the diversification of counterparty risk. In this paper, we reconstruct the weighted and time-dependent network of counterparty risk in the OTC derivatives market of the United States between 1998 and 2012. To proxy unknown bilateral exposures, we first study the co-occurrence patterns of institutions based on their quarterly activity and ranking in the official report. The network obtained this way is further analysed by a weighted k-core decomposition, to reveal a core-periphery structure. This allows us to compare the activity-based ranking with a topology-based ranking, to identify the most important institutions and their mutual dependencies. We also analyse correlations in these activities, to show strong similarities in the behavior of the core institutions. Our analysis clearly demonstrates the clustering of counterparty risk in a small set of about a dozen US banks. This not only increases the default risk of the central institutions, but also the default risk of peripheral institutions which have contracts with the central ones. Hence, all institutions indirectly have to bear (part of) the counterparty risk of all others, which needs to be better reflected in the price of OTC derivatives. PMID:26335223

  14. PDGF-BB regulates the pulmonary vascular tone: impact of prostaglandins, calcium, MAPK- and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling and actin polymerisation in pulmonary veins of guinea pigs.

    PubMed

    Rieg, Annette D; Suleiman, Said; Anker, Carolin; Verjans, Eva; Rossaint, Rolf; Uhlig, Stefan; Martin, Christian

    2018-06-19

    Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB and its receptor PDGFR are highly expressed in pulmonary hypertension (PH) and mediate proliferation. Recently, we showed that PDGF-BB contracts pulmonary veins (PVs) and that this contraction is prevented by inhibition of PDGFR-β (imatinib/SU6668). Here, we studied PDGF-BB-induced contraction and downstream-signalling in isolated perfused lungs (IPL) and precision-cut lung slices (PCLS) of guinea pigs (GPs). In IPLs, PDGF-BB was perfused after or without pre-treatment with imatinib (perfused/nebulised), the effects on the pulmonary arterial pressure (P PA ), the left atrial pressure (P LA ) and the capillary pressure (P cap ) were studied and the precapillary (R pre ) and postcapillary resistance (R post ) were calculated. Perfusate samples were analysed (ELISA) to detect the PDGF-BB-induced release of prostaglandin metabolites (TXA 2 /PGI 2 ). In PCLS, the contractile effect of PDGF-BB was evaluated in pulmonary arteries (PAs) and PVs. In PVs, PDGF-BB-induced contraction was studied after inhibition of PDGFR-α/β, L-Type Ca 2+ -channels, ROCK/PKC, prostaglandin receptors, MAP2K, p38-MAPK, PI3K-α/γ, AKT/PKB, actin polymerisation, adenyl cyclase and NO. Changes of the vascular tone were measured by videomicroscopy. In PVs, intracellular cAMP was measured by ELISA. In IPLs, PDGF-BB increased P PA , P cap and R post . In contrast, PDGF-BB had no effect if lungs were pre-treated with imatinib (perfused/nebulised). In PCLS, PDGF-BB significantly contracted PVs/PAs which was blocked by the PDGFR-β antagonist SU6668. In PVs, inhibition of actin polymerisation and inhibition of L-Type Ca 2+ -channels reduced PDGF-BB-induced contraction, whereas inhibition of ROCK/PKC had no effect. Blocking of EP 1/3 - and TP-receptors or inhibition of MAP2K-, p38-MAPK-, PI3K-α/γ- and AKT/PKB-signalling prevented PDGF-BB-induced contraction, whereas inhibition of EP 4 only slightly reduced it. Accordingly, PDGF-BB increased TXA 2 in the perfusate, whereas PGI 2 was increased in all groups after 120 min and inhibition of IP-receptors did not enhance PDGF-BB-induced contraction. Moreover, PDGF-BB increased cAMP in PVs and inhibition of adenyl cyclase enhanced PDGF-BB-induced contraction, whereas inhibition of NO-formation only slightly increased it. PDGF-BB/PDGFR regulates the pulmonary vascular tone by the generation of prostaglandins, the increase of calcium, the activation of MAPK- or PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling and actin remodelling. More insights in PDGF-BB downstream-signalling may contribute to develop new therapeutics for PH.

  15. 43 CFR 3105.3 - Operating, drilling or development contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 43 Public Lands: Interior 2 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Operating, drilling or development...) BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR MINERALS MANAGEMENT (3000) OIL AND GAS LEASING Cooperative Conservation Provisions § 3105.3 Operating, drilling or development contracts. ...

  16. 43 CFR 3105.3 - Operating, drilling or development contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 43 Public Lands: Interior 2 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Operating, drilling or development...) BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR MINERALS MANAGEMENT (3000) OIL AND GAS LEASING Cooperative Conservation Provisions § 3105.3 Operating, drilling or development contracts. ...

  17. 43 CFR 3105.3 - Operating, drilling or development contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 43 Public Lands: Interior 2 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Operating, drilling or development...) BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR MINERALS MANAGEMENT (3000) OIL AND GAS LEASING Cooperative Conservation Provisions § 3105.3 Operating, drilling or development contracts. ...

  18. 43 CFR 3105.3 - Operating, drilling or development contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 43 Public Lands: Interior 2 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Operating, drilling or development...) BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR MINERALS MANAGEMENT (3000) OIL AND GAS LEASING Cooperative Conservation Provisions § 3105.3 Operating, drilling or development contracts. ...

  19. Inlet Flow Valve Engine Analyses

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Champagne, G. A.

    2004-01-01

    Pratt&Whitney, under Task Order 13 of the NASA Large Engine Technology (LET) Contract, conducted a study to determine the operating characteristics, performance and weights of Inlet Flow Valve (IFV) propulsion concepts for a Mach 2.4 High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT).

  20. Weighted Mean of Signal Intensity for Unbiased Fiber Tracking of Skeletal Muscles: Development of a New Method and Comparison With Other Correction Techniques.

    PubMed

    Giraudo, Chiara; Motyka, Stanislav; Weber, Michael; Resinger, Christoph; Thorsten, Feiweier; Traxler, Hannes; Trattnig, Siegfried; Bogner, Wolfgang

    2017-08-01

    The aim of this study was to investigate the origin of random image artifacts in stimulated echo acquisition mode diffusion tensor imaging (STEAM-DTI), assess the role of averaging, develop an automated artifact postprocessing correction method using weighted mean of signal intensities (WMSIs), and compare it with other correction techniques. Institutional review board approval and written informed consent were obtained. The right calf and thigh of 10 volunteers were scanned on a 3 T magnetic resonance imaging scanner using a STEAM-DTI sequence.Artifacts (ie, signal loss) in STEAM-based DTI, presumably caused by involuntary muscle contractions, were investigated in volunteers and ex vivo (ie, human cadaver calf and turkey leg using the same DTI parameters as for the volunteers). An automated postprocessing artifact correction method based on the WMSI was developed and compared with previous approaches (ie, iteratively reweighted linear least squares and informed robust estimation of tensors by outlier rejection [iRESTORE]). Diffusion tensor imaging and fiber tracking metrics, using different averages and artifact corrections, were compared for region of interest- and mask-based analyses. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance with Greenhouse-Geisser correction and Bonferroni post hoc tests were used to evaluate differences among all tested conditions. Qualitative assessment (ie, images quality) for native and corrected images was performed using the paired t test. Randomly localized and shaped artifacts affected all volunteer data sets. Artifact burden during voluntary muscle contractions increased on average from 23.1% to 77.5% but were absent ex vivo. Diffusion tensor imaging metrics (mean diffusivity, fractional anisotropy, radial diffusivity, and axial diffusivity) had a heterogeneous behavior, but in the range reported by literature. Fiber track metrics (number, length, and volume) significantly improved in both calves and thighs after artifact correction in region of interest- and mask-based analyses (P < 0.05 each). Iteratively reweighted linear least squares and iRESTORE showed equivalent results, but WMSI was faster than iRESTORE. Muscle delineation and artifact load significantly improved after correction (P < 0.05 each). Weighted mean of signal intensity correction significantly improved STEAM-based quantitative DTI analyses and fiber tracking of lower-limb muscles, providing a robust tool for musculoskeletal applications.

  1. 48 CFR 715.370 - Alternative source selection procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... selection procedures. 715.370 Section 715.370 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION Source Selection 715.370 Alternative source selection procedures. The following selection procedures may be used, when...

  2. 48 CFR 917.7301 - Policy.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Policy. 917.7301 Section 917.7301 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES SPECIAL CONTRACTING METHODS Program Research and Development Announcements 917.7301 Policy. ...

  3. 75 FR 18034 - Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Research and Development Contract Type...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-04-08

    ... on DoD program managers and contracting personnel to justify the decision to issue a shipbuilding... reverse order when applied to shipbuilding contracts. DoD Response: For MDAPs, the procedures in DFARS 234...

  4. 48 CFR 2819.7001 - General.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... BUSINESS PROGRAMS Forecasts of Expected Contract Opportunities 2819.7001 General. Section 501 of Public Law 100-656, the Business Opportunity Development Reform Act of 1988, requires executive agencies having... expected contract opportunities, or classes of contract opportunities that small business concerns...

  5. 48 CFR 715.602 - Policy.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Policy. 715.602 Section 715.602 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION Unsolicited Proposals 715.602 Policy. (a) USAID...

  6. 48 CFR 717.700 - General.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false General. 717.700 Section 717.700 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES SPECIAL CONTRACTING METHODS Pharmaceutical Products 717.700 General. Section...

  7. 48 CFR 717.700 - General.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false General. 717.700 Section 717.700 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES SPECIAL CONTRACTING METHODS Pharmaceutical Products 717.700 General. Section...

  8. 48 CFR 715.602 - Policy.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Policy. 715.602 Section 715.602 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION Unsolicited Proposals 715.602 Policy. (a) USAID...

  9. 48 CFR 801.690-7 - Termination.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... should discuss a termination of contracting authority for cause with the servicing Human Resource Management Office to determine the impact, if any, on the contracting officer's continued employment. (c) All... OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ACQUISITION REGULATION SYSTEM Career Development, Contracting Authority, and...

  10. Perceived benefits of the use of learning contracts to guide clinical education in respiratory care students.

    PubMed

    Rye, Kathy Jones-Boggs

    2008-11-01

    The benefits of contract learning have been identified in the literature as increased individualization to meet the student's individual needs, promotion of learner independence, and development of lifelong learning behaviors among students. I used an "action research" approach to implement the contract-learning method into a clinical course. Clinical learning contracts were designed to provide students with the opportunity to focus on any identified areas of unsatisfactory or desired practice. The learning contract specified how the learner would acquire the knowledge and attitudes relevant to their selected learning experience. The learning contract was used as a learning tool and as evidence of the student's development in the clinical experience. Twenty-four senior respiratory therapy students in the College of Health Related Professions, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, prepared and used learning contracts during their Clinical Practicum IV. After they had completed the clinical practicum and received their grades, I surveyed the students about their experience with the learning-contract method. The surveys were administered anonymously. Twenty-one students (88%) returned the surveys. The respondents were overall quite optimistic regarding learning contracts. They generally agreed that they could use the learning contract with confidence and that there is an increase in student autonomy and motivation in scholarship with a learning contract. The median agree/disagree ratings on the survey ranged from 1 (strongly agree) to 2 (agree). Contract learning is favorable to students' knowledge and skill acquisition and can be incorporated into clinical education of respiratory care students.

  11. The application of the psychological contract to workplace safety.

    PubMed

    Walker, Arlene; Hutton, Dorothy M

    2006-01-01

    Psychological contracts of safety are conceptualized as the beliefs of individuals about reciprocal safety obligations inferred from implicit or explicit promises. Although the literature on psychological contracts is growing, the existence of psychological contracts in relation to safety has not been established. The research sought to identify psychological contracts in the conversations of employees about safety, by demonstrating reciprocity in relation to employer and employee safety obligations. The identified safety obligations were used to develop a measure of psychological contracts of safety. The participants were 131 employees attending safety training sessions in retail and manufacturing organizations. Non-participant observation was used to collect the data during safety training sessions. Content analysis was used to analyze the data. Categories for coding were established through identification of language markers that demonstrated contingencies or other implied obligations. Direct evidence of reciprocity between employer safety obligations and employee safety obligations was found in statements from the participants demonstrating psychological contracts. A comprehensive list of perceived employer and employee safety obligations was compiled and developed into a measure of psychological contracts of safety. A small sample of 33 safety personnel was used to validate the safety obligations. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Implications of these findings for safety and psychological contract research are discussed.

  12. 24 CFR 401.554 - Contract renewal and administration.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 2 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Contract renewal and administration. 401.554 Section 401.554 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban Development (Continued) OFFICE OF HOUSING AND OFFICE OF MULTIFAMILY HOUSING ASSISTANCE RESTRUCTURING...

  13. 24 CFR 401.554 - Contract renewal and administration.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Contract renewal and administration. 401.554 Section 401.554 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban Development (Continued) OFFICE OF HOUSING AND OFFICE OF MULTIFAMILY HOUSING ASSISTANCE RESTRUCTURING...

  14. 24 CFR 401.554 - Contract renewal and administration.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 2 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Contract renewal and administration. 401.554 Section 401.554 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban Development (Continued) OFFICE OF HOUSING AND OFFICE OF MULTIFAMILY HOUSING ASSISTANCE RESTRUCTURING...

  15. 24 CFR 401.554 - Contract renewal and administration.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 2 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Contract renewal and administration. 401.554 Section 401.554 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban Development (Continued) OFFICE OF HOUSING AND OFFICE OF MULTIFAMILY HOUSING ASSISTANCE RESTRUCTURING...

  16. Initiating and Managing University-Based International Research and Development Activities.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Peterson, Marla P.

    1987-01-01

    Initiating and managing international research and development are discussed, including: basic principles for participation in international development activities; AID and World Bank project cycles; AID and World Bank contracting modes and instruments; and international contract negotiations. Some reference sources are appended. (MLW)

  17. 48 CFR 35.009 - Subcontracting research and development effort.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... ACQUISITION REGULATION SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 35.009 Subcontracting research and development effort. Since the selection of R&D contractors is substantially based on... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Subcontracting research...

  18. A Communication-Optimal Framework for Contracting Distributed Tensors

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Rajbhandari, Samyam; NIkam, Akshay; Lai, Pai-Wei

    Tensor contractions are extremely compute intensive generalized matrix multiplication operations encountered in many computational science fields, such as quantum chemistry and nuclear physics. Unlike distributed matrix multiplication, which has been extensively studied, limited work has been done in understanding distributed tensor contractions. In this paper, we characterize distributed tensor contraction algorithms on torus networks. We develop a framework with three fundamental communication operators to generate communication-efficient contraction algorithms for arbitrary tensor contractions. We show that for a given amount of memory per processor, our framework is communication optimal for all tensor contractions. We demonstrate performance and scalability of our frameworkmore » on up to 262,144 cores of BG/Q supercomputer using five tensor contraction examples.« less

  19. Risk factors for injury among construction workers at Denver International Airport.

    PubMed

    Lowery, J T; Borgerding, J A; Zhen, B; Glazner, J E; Bondy, J; Kreiss, K

    1998-08-01

    The Denver International Airport construction project provided a rare opportunity to identify risk factors for injury on a large construction project for which 769 contractors were hired to complete 2,843 construction contracts. Workers' compensation claims and payroll data for individual contracts were recorded in an administrative database developed by the project's Owner-Controlled Insurance Program. From claims andy payroll data linked with employee demographic information, we calculated injury rates per 200,000 person-hours by contract and over contract characteristics of interest. We used Poisson regression models to examine contract-specific risk factors in relation to total injuries, lost-work-time (LWT), and non-LWT injuries. We included contract-specific expected loss rates (ELRs) in the model to control for prevailing risk of work and used logistic regression methods to determine the association between LWT and non-LWT injuries on contracts. Injury rates were highest during the first year of construction, at the beginning of contracts, and among older workers. Risk for total and non-LWT injuries was elevated for building construction contracts, contract for special trades companies (SIC 17), contracts with payrolls over $1 million, and those with overtime payrolls greater than 20%. Risk for LWT injuries only was increased for site development contracts and contract starting in the first year of construction. Contracts experiencing one or more minor injuries were four times as likely to have at least one major injury (OR = 4.0, 95% CI (2.9, 5.5)). Enhancement of DIA's safety infrastructure during the second year of construction appears to have been effective in reducing serious (LWT) injures. The absence of correlation between injury rates among contracts belonging to the same company suggest that targeting of safety resources at the level of the contract may be an effective approach to injury prevention. Interventions focused on high-risk contracts, including those with considerable overtime work, contracts held by special trades contractors (SIC 17), and contracts belonging to small and mid-sized companies, and on high-risk workers, such as those new to a construction site or new to a contract may reduce injury burden on large construction sites. The join occurrence of minor and major injuries on a contract level suggests that surveillance of minor injuries may be useful in identifying opportunities for prevention of major injures.

  20. Funding Solar Projects at Federal Agencies: Mechanisms and Selection Criteria (Brochure)

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Not Available

    Implementing solar energy projects at federal facilities is a process. The project planning phase of the process includes determining goals, building a team, determining site feasibility and selecting the appropriate project funding tool. This fact sheet gives practical guidance to assist decision-makers with understanding and selecting the funding tool that would best address their site goals. Because project funding tools are complex, federal agencies should seek project assistance before making final decisions. High capital requirements combined with limits on federal agency energy contracts create challenges for funding solar projects. Solar developers typically require long-term contracts (15-20) years to spread outmore » the initial investment and to enable payments similar to conventional utility bill payments. In the private sector, 20-year contracts have been developed, vetted, and accepted, but the General Services Administration (GSA) contract authority (federal acquisition regulation [FAR] part 41) typically limits contract terms to 10 years. Payments on shorter-term contracts make solar economically unattractive compared with conventional generation. However, in several instances, the federal sector has utilized innovative funding tools that allow long-term contracts or has created a project package that is economically attractive within a shorter contract term.« less

  1. 31 CFR 537.410 - Contracts and subcontracts regarding economic development of resources in Burma.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... level of project management, such as entry into a contract with a development project's sponsor or owner to become a prime contractor or general manager for a development project; (b) Entry into... a prime contractor's or general manager's obligations for a development project; or (c) Entry into a...

  2. 31 CFR 537.410 - Contracts and subcontracts regarding economic development of resources in Burma.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... level of project management, such as entry into a contract with a development project's sponsor or owner to become a prime contractor or general manager for a development project; (b) Entry into... a prime contractor's or general manager's obligations for a development project; or (c) Entry into a...

  3. 31 CFR 537.410 - Contracts and subcontracts regarding economic development of resources in Burma.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... level of project management, such as entry into a contract with a development project's sponsor or owner to become a prime contractor or general manager for a development project; (b) Entry into... a prime contractor's or general manager's obligations for a development project; or (c) Entry into a...

  4. The influence of lower leg configurations on muscle force variability.

    PubMed

    Ofori, Edward; Shim, Jaeho; Sosnoff, Jacob J

    2018-04-11

    The maintenance of steady contractions is required in many daily tasks. However, there is little understanding of how various lower limb configurations influence the ability to maintain force. The purpose of the current investigation was to examine the influence of joint angle on various lower-limb constant force contractions. Nineteen adults performed knee extension, knee flexion, and ankle plantarflexion isometric force contractions to 11 target forces, ranging from 2 to 95% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) at 2 angles. Force variability was quantified with mean force, standard deviation, and the coefficient of variation of force output. Non-linearities in force output were quantified with approximate entropy. Curve fitting analyses were performed on each set of data from each individual across contractions to further examine whether joint angle interacts with global functions of lower-limb force variability. Joint angle had significant effects on the model parameters used to describe the force-variability function for each muscle contraction (p < 0.05). Regularities in force output were more explained by force level in smaller angle conditions relative to the larger angle conditions (p < 0.05). The findings support the notion that limb configuration influences the magnitude and regularities in force production. Biomechanical factors, such as joint angle, along with neurophysiological factors should be considered together in the discussion of the dynamics of constant force production. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. Perceived Control and Psychological Contract Breach as Explanations of the Relationships Between Job Insecurity, Job Strain and Coping Reactions: Towards a Theoretical Integration.

    PubMed

    Vander Elst, Tinne; De Cuyper, Nele; Baillien, Elfi; Niesen, Wendy; De Witte, Hans

    2016-04-01

    This study aims to further knowledge on the mechanisms through which job insecurity is related to negative outcomes. Based on appraisal theory, two explanations-perceived control and psychological contract breach-were theoretically integrated in a comprehensive model and simultaneously examined as mediators of the job insecurity-outcome relationship. Different categories of outcomes were considered, namely work-related (i.e. vigour and need for recovery) and general strain (i.e. mental and physical health complaints), as well as psychological (i.e. job satisfaction and organizational commitment) and behavioural coping reactions (i.e. self-rated performance and innovative work behaviour). The hypotheses were tested using data of a heterogeneous sample of 2413 Flemish employees by means of both single and multiple mediator structural equation modelling analyses (bootstrapping method). Particularly, psychological contract breach accounted for the relationship between job insecurity and strain. Both perceived control and psychological contract breach mediated the relationships between job insecurity and psychological coping reactions, although the indirect effects were larger for psychological contract breach. Finally, perceived control was more important than psychological contract breach in mediating the relationships between job insecurity and behavioural coping reactions. This study meets previous calls for a theoretical integration regarding mediators of the job insecurity-outcome relationship. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  6. Learning from contract change in primary care dentistry: A qualitative study of stakeholders in the north of England.

    PubMed

    Holmes, Richard D; Steele, Jimmy G; Donaldson, Cam; Exley, Catherine

    2015-09-01

    The aim of this research was to explore and synthesise learning from stakeholders (NHS dentists, commissioners and patients) approximately five years on from the introduction of a new NHS dental contract in England. The case study involved a purposive sample of stakeholders associated with a former NHS Primary Care Trust (PCT) in the north of England. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 8 commissioners of NHS dental services and 5 NHS general dental practitioners. Three focus group meetings were held with 14 NHS dental patients. All focus groups and interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analysed using a framework approach. Four themes were identified: 'commissioners' views of managing local NHS dental services'; 'the risks of commissioning for patient access'; 'costs, contract currency and commissioning constraints'; and 'local decision-making and future priorities'. Commissioners reported that much of their time was spent managing existing contracts rather than commissioning services. Patients were unclear about the NHS dental charge bands and dentists strongly criticised the contract's target-driven approach which was centred upon them generating 'units of dental activity'. NHS commissioners remained relatively constrained in their abilities to reallocate dental resources amongst contracts. The national focus upon practitioners achieving their units of dental activity appeared to outweigh interest in the quality of dental care provided. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.. All rights reserved.

  7. Learning from contract change in primary care dentistry: A qualitative study of stakeholders in the north of England

    PubMed Central

    Holmes, Richard D.; Steele, Jimmy G.; Donaldson, Cam; Exley, Catherine

    2015-01-01

    The aim of this research was to explore and synthesise learning from stakeholders (NHS dentists, commissioners and patients) approximately five years on from the introduction of a new NHS dental contract in England. The case study involved a purposive sample of stakeholders associated with a former NHS Primary Care Trust (PCT) in the north of England. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 8 commissioners of NHS dental services and 5 NHS general dental practitioners. Three focus group meetings were held with 14 NHS dental patients. All focus groups and interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analysed using a framework approach. Four themes were identified: ‘commissioners’ views of managing local NHS dental services’; ‘the risks of commissioning for patient access’; ‘costs, contract currency and commissioning constraints’; and ‘local decision-making and future priorities’. Commissioners reported that much of their time was spent managing existing contracts rather than commissioning services. Patients were unclear about the NHS dental charge bands and dentists strongly criticised the contract's target-driven approach which was centred upon them generating ‘units of dental activity’. NHS commissioners remained relatively constrained in their abilities to reallocate dental resources amongst contracts. The national focus upon practitioners achieving their units of dental activity appeared to outweigh interest in the quality of dental care provided. PMID:25765782

  8. 48 CFR 206.001 - Applicability.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... OF DEFENSE ACQUISITION PLANNING COMPETITION REQUIREMENTS 206.001 Applicability. (b) As authorized by... production contracts for products developed pursuant to the “other transactions” authority of 10 U.S.C. 2371... production contract; (2) The contracting officer receives sufficient information from the agreements officer...

  9. 48 CFR 206.001 - Applicability.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... OF DEFENSE ACQUISITION PLANNING COMPETITION REQUIREMENTS 206.001 Applicability. (b) As authorized by... production contracts for products developed pursuant to the “other transactions” authority of 10 U.S.C. 2371... production contract; (2) The contracting officer receives sufficient information from the agreements officer...

  10. 48 CFR 206.001 - Applicability.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... OF DEFENSE ACQUISITION PLANNING COMPETITION REQUIREMENTS 206.001 Applicability. (b) As authorized by... production contracts for products developed pursuant to the “other transactions” authority of 10 U.S.C. 2371... production contract; (2) The contracting officer receives sufficient information from the agreements officer...

  11. 48 CFR 206.001 - Applicability.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... OF DEFENSE ACQUISITION PLANNING COMPETITION REQUIREMENTS 206.001 Applicability. (b) As authorized by... production contracts for products developed pursuant to the “other transactions” authority of 10 U.S.C. 2371... production contract; (2) The contracting officer receives sufficient information from the agreements officer...

  12. CONTRACT ADMINISTRATIVE TRACKING SYSTEM (CATS)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The Contract Administrative Tracking System (CATS) was developed in response to an ORD NHEERL, Mid-Continent Ecology Division (MED)-recognized need for an automated tracking and retrieval system for Cost Reimbursable Level of Effort (CR/LOE) Contracts. CATS is an Oracle-based app...

  13. 23 CFR 636.119 - How does this part apply to a project developed under a public-private partnership?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... OF TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC OPERATIONS DESIGN-BUILD CONTRACTING General § 636.119 How... engineering service contracts, 23 CFR part 635 for construction contracts and the requirements of this part...

  14. 24 CFR 963.12 - Alternative procurement process.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... URBAN DEVELOPMENT PUBLIC HOUSING-CONTRACTING WITH RESIDENT-OWNED BUSINESSES Contracting With Resident-Owned Businesses § 963.12 Alternative procurement process. (a) Method of procurement. In contracting with resident-owned businesses, the PHA shall follow the applicable method of procurement as set forth...

  15. 48 CFR 1.601 - General.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    .... In some agencies, a relatively small number of high level officials are designated contracting officers solely by virtue of their positions. Contracting officers below the level of a head of a... REGULATIONS SYSTEM Career Development, Contracting Authority, and Responsibilities 1.601 General. (a) Unless...

  16. 48 CFR 731.205-46 - Travel costs.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... Section 731.205-46 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT COST PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES Contracts With Commercial Organizations 731.205-46 Travel costs. It is USAID policy to require prior written approval of international travel by...

  17. 48 CFR 736.602-4 - Selection authority.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ....602-4 Section 736.602-4 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING CONSTRUCTION AND ARCHITECT-ENGINEER CONTRACTS Architect-Engineer Services 736.602-4 Selection authority. (a) The head of the contracting activity or his/her authorized...

  18. 48 CFR 736.602-3 - Evaluation board functions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    .... 736.602-3 Section 736.602-3 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING CONSTRUCTION AND ARCHITECT-ENGINEER CONTRACTS Architect-Engineer... of the contracting activity for his/her approval. This selection memorandum shall include the...

  19. 48 CFR 732.402 - General.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 732.402 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT FINANCING Advance Payments 732.402 General. (a)-(d) [Reserved] (e)(1) U.S... organizations require the approval of the Head of the Contracting Activity, after consultation with the Mission...

  20. 48 CFR 732.402 - General.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 732.402 Federal Acquisition Regulations System AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT FINANCING Advance Payments 732.402 General. (a)-(d) [Reserved] (e)(1) U.S... organizations require the approval of the Head of the Contracting Activity, after consultation with the Mission...

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