Joint deformable liver registration and bias field correction for MR-guided HDR brachytherapy.

PubMed

Rak, Marko; König, Tim; Tönnies, Klaus D; Walke, Mathias; Ricke, Jens; Wybranski, Christian

2017-12-01

In interstitial high-dose rate brachytherapy, liver cancer is treated by internal radiation, requiring percutaneous placement of applicators within or close to the tumor. To maximize utility, the optimal applicator configuration is pre-planned on magnetic resonance images. The pre-planned configuration is then implemented via a magnetic resonance-guided intervention. Mapping the pre-planning information onto interventional data would reduce the radiologist's cognitive load during the intervention and could possibly minimize discrepancies between optimally pre-planned and actually placed applicators. We propose a fast and robust two-step registration framework suitable for interventional settings: first, we utilize a multi-resolution rigid registration to correct for differences in patient positioning (rotation and translation). Second, we employ a novel iterative approach alternating between bias field correction and Markov random field deformable registration in a multi-resolution framework to compensate for non-rigid movements of the liver, the tumors and the organs at risk. In contrast to existing pre-correction methods, our multi-resolution scheme can recover bias field artifacts of different extents at marginal computational costs. We compared our approach to deformable registration via B-splines, demons and the SyN method on 22 registration tasks from eleven patients. Results showed that our approach is more accurate than the contenders for liver as well as for tumor tissues. We yield average liver volume overlaps of 94.0 ± 2.7% and average surface-to-surface distances of 2.02 ± 0.87 mm and 3.55 ± 2.19 mm for liver and tumor tissue, respectively. The reported distances are close to (or even below) the slice spacing (2.5 - 3.0 mm) of our data. Our approach is also the fastest, taking 35.8 ± 12.8 s per task. The presented approach is sufficiently accurate to map information available from brachytherapy pre-planning onto interventional data. It is also reasonably fast, providing a starting point for computer-aidance during intervention.

A two‐point scheme for optimal breast IMRT treatment planning

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

We propose an approach to determining optimal beam weights in breast/chest wall IMRT treatment plans. The goal is to decrease breathing effect and to maximize skin dose if the skin is included in the target or, otherwise, to minimize the skin dose. Two points in the target are utilized to calculate the optimal weights. The optimal plan (i.e., the plan with optimal beam weights) consists of high energy unblocked beams, low energy unblocked beams, and IMRT beams. Six breast and five chest wall cases were retrospectively planned with this scheme in Eclipse, including one breast case where CTV was contoured by the physician. Compared with 3D CRT plans composed of unblocked and field‐in‐field beams, the optimal plans demonstrated comparable or better dose uniformity, homogeneity, and conformity to the target, especially at beam junction when supraclavicular nodes are involved. Compared with nonoptimal plans (i.e., plans with nonoptimized weights), the optimal plans had better dose distributions at shallow depths close to the skin, especially in cases where breathing effect was taken into account. This was verified with experiments using a MapCHECK device attached to a motion simulation table (to mimic motion caused by breathing). PACS number: 87.55 de PMID:24257291

Plants and their microbial assistants: Nature's answer to Earth's environmental pollution problems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wolverton, B. C.

1990-01-01

The utilization of higher plants and their associated microorganisms to solve environmental pollution problems on Earth and in future space applications is briefly reviewed. If man is sealed inside closed facilities, he becomes a polluter of the environment. It is also common knowledge to most people that man cannot survive on Earth without green photosynthesizing plants and microorganisms. Therefore, it is vitally important to have a better understanding of the interactions of man with plants and microorganisms. Biosphere 2 and other related studies presently being conducted or planned, hopefully, will supply data that will help save planet Earth from impending environmental disaster. The development of means to utilize both air and water pollution as a nutrient source for growing green plants is examined.

A shot in the rear, not a shot in the dark: application of a mass clinic framework in a public health emergency.

PubMed

Erwin, Paul Campbell; Sheeler, Lorinda; Lott, John M

2009-01-01

An outbreak of foodborne hepatitis A infection compelled two regional health departments in eastern Tennessee to implement an emergency mass clinic for providing hepatitis immune serum globulin (ISG) to several thousand potentially exposed people. For the mass clinic framework, we utilized the smallpox post-event clinic plans of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), although the plans had only been exercised for smallpox. Following CDC's guidelines for staffing and organizing the mass clinic, we provided 5,038 doses of ISG during a total of 24 hours of clinic operation, using 3,467 person-hours, or 1.45 ISG doses per person-hour-very close to the 1.58 doses per person-hour targeted in CDC's smallpox post-event clinic plans. The mass clinic showed that CDC's smallpox post-event clinic guidelines were feasible, practical, and adaptable to other mass clinic situations.

24 CFR 599.507 - Tax incentives utilization plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... utilization plan for achieving the State and local commitments made at the time of application as required by... 24 Housing and Urban Development 3 2011-04-01 2010-04-01 true Tax incentives utilization plan. 599....507 Tax incentives utilization plan. (a) Preliminary plan. Within six months of designation, the CoRA...

Scoping study of integrated resource planning needs in the public utility sector

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

Garrick, C J; Garrick, J M; Rue, D R

Integrated resource planning (IRP) is an approach to utility resource planning that integrates the evaluation of supply- and demand-site options for providing energy services at the least cost. Many utilities practice IRP; however, most studies about IRP focus on investor-owned utilities (IOUs). This scoping study investigates the IRP activities and needs of public utilities (not-for-profit utilities, including federal, state, municipal, and cooperative utilities). This study (1) profiles IRP-related characteristics of the public utility sector, (2) articulates the needs of public utilities in understanding and implementing IRP, and (3) identifies strategies to advance IRP principles in public utility planning.

43 CFR 3272.12 - What environmental protection measures must I include in my utilization plan?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... must I include in my utilization plan? 3272.12 Section 3272.12 Public Lands: Interior Regulations... MANAGEMENT (3000) GEOTHERMAL RESOURCE LEASING Utilization Plan and Facility Construction Permit § 3272.12 What environmental protection measures must I include in my utilization plan? (a) Describe, at a...

Why Not Airdrop? The Utility of Preplanned Airdrop to Resupply Land Forces in the Contemporary Operating Environment

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-05-25

AMLOs ). ALOs and AMLOs are rated United States Air Force pilots or navigators former from the fighter and or bomber community and the latter from the...the final ground--air link in close air support. For airdrop, AMLOs have the expertise to assist Army units with planning and coordination.139 Given...the dispersed nature of the COE, however, the one or two AMLOs assigned to each rce to be tapped into is the ETACs. These Airmen not only “speak

75 FR 37883 - Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation by Transmission Owning and Operating Public Utilities

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-30

... Planning and Cost Allocation by Transmission Owning and Operating Public Utilities; Proposed Rule #0;#0...] Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation by Transmission Owning and Operating Public Utilities Issued June 17... Transmission Services by Public Utilities; Recovery of Stranded Costs by Public Utilities and Transmitting...

42 CFR 456.181 - Reports of evaluations and plans of care.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Mental Hospitals... and plan of care must be entered in the applicant's or recipient's record— (a) At the time of... evaluation or plan. Utilization Review (UR) Plan: General Requirements ...

42 CFR 456.381 - Reports of evaluations and plans of care.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Intermediate Care... evaluation and plan of care must be entered in the applicant's or recipient's record— (a) At the time of... plan. Utilization Review (UR) Plan: General Requirement ...

42 CFR 456.381 - Reports of evaluations and plans of care.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Intermediate Care... evaluation and plan of care must be entered in the applicant's or recipient's record— (a) At the time of... plan. Utilization Review (UR) Plan: General Requirement ...

Opening end-of-life discussions: how to introduce Voicing My CHOiCES™, an advance care planning guide for adolescents and young adults.

PubMed

Zadeh, Sima; Pao, Maryland; Wiener, Lori

2015-06-01

Each year, more than 11,000 adolescents and young adults (AYAs), aged 15-34, die from cancer and other life-threatening conditions. In order to facilitate the transition from curative to end-of-life (EoL) care, it is recommended that EoL discussions be routine, begin close to the time of diagnosis, and continue throughout the illness trajectory. However, due largely to discomfort with the topic of EoL and how to approach the conversation, healthcare providers have largely avoided these discussions. We conducted a two-phase study through the National Cancer Institute with AYAs living with cancer or pediatric HIV to assess AYA interest in EoL planning and to determine in which aspects of EoL planning AYAs wanted to participate. These results provided insight regarding what EoL concepts were important to AYAs, as well as preferences in terms of content, design, format, and style. The findings from this research led to the development of an age-appropriate advance care planning guide, Voicing My CHOiCES™. Voicing My CHOiCES™: An Advanced Care Planning Guide for AYA became available in November 2012. This manuscript provides guidelines on how to introduce and utilize an advance care planning guide for AYAs and discusses potential barriers. Successful use of Voicing My CHOiCES™ will depend on the comfort and skills of the healthcare provider. The present paper is intended to introduce the guide to providers who may utilize it as a resource in their practice, including physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, psychiatrists, and psychologists. We suggest guidelines on how to: incorporate EoL planning into the practice setting, identify timepoints at which a patient's goals of care are discussed, and address how to empower the patient and incorporate the family in EoL planning. Recommendations for introducing Voicing My CHOiCES™ and on how to work through each section alongside the patient are provided.

Temporal and Spatial Patterns in Utilization of Mental Health Services During and After Hurricane Sandy: Emergency Department and Inpatient Hospitalizations in New York City.

PubMed

He, Fangtao Tony; Lundy De La Cruz, Nneka; Olson, Donald; Lim, Sungwoo; Levanon Seligson, Amber; Hall, Gerod; Jessup, Jillian; Gwynn, Charon

2016-06-01

Hurricane Sandy made landfall on October 29, 2012, causing a coastal storm surge and extensive flooding, which led to the closure of several health care facilities in New York City (NYC) and prolonged interruptions in service delivery. The impact on mental health-related emergency department (ED) and inpatient hospital service utilization was studied. Data came from the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System. We obtained mental health-related data among NYC residents from 2010 to 2013. Patients were grouped into 5 geographic areas, including service areas of closed hospitals, the Hurricane Sandy evaluation zone, and all of NYC. The Farrington method was used to detect increases in ED visits and hospitalizations for the post-Sandy period. Open hospitals experienced a substantial increase in psychiatric ED visits from patients living in the service areas of closed hospitals. This surge in psychiatric ED visits persisted for 4 to 6 months after Hurricane Sandy. However, the increase in psychiatric hospitalizations was observed for 1 to 3 months. Several NYC hospitals received a substantially larger number of ED patients from service areas of closed hospitals after Hurricane Sandy, unlike other hospitals that experienced a decrease. Because of potential surges in the number of psychiatric ED visits, resource allocation to hospitals should be considered. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:512-517).

Numerical arc segmentation algorithm for a radio conference: A software tool for communication satellite systems planning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whyte, W. A.; Heyward, A. O.; Ponchak, D. S.; Spence, R. L.; Zuzek, J. E.

1988-01-01

The Numerical Arc Segmentation Algorithm for a Radio Conference (NASARC) provides a method of generating predetermined arc segments for use in the development of an allotment planning procedure to be carried out at the 1988 World Administrative Radio Conference (WARC) on the Use of the Geostationary Satellite Orbit and the Planning of Space Services Utilizing It. Through careful selection of the predetermined arc (PDA) for each administration, flexibility can be increased in terms of choice of system technical characteristics and specific orbit location while reducing the need for coordination among administrations. The NASARC software determines pairwise compatibility between all possible service areas at discrete arc locations. NASARC then exhaustively enumerates groups of administrations whose satellites can be closely located in orbit, and finds the arc segment over which each such compatible group exists. From the set of all possible compatible groupings, groups and their associated arc segments are selected using a heuristic procedure such that a PDA is identified for each administration. Various aspects of the NASARC concept and how the software accomplishes specific features of allotment planning are discussed.

Accelerated Plan for Closing the Gaps by 2015

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, 2010

2010-01-01

Texas launched its ambitious strategic plan for higher education, "Closing the Gaps by 2015," in the year 2000 to create a statewide vision for closing the higher education gaps within Texas and between Texas and other leading states. The plan focuses on bringing Texas to national parity in four critical areas of higher education:…

SU-F-T-635: Lung SBRT: Dosimetric and Treatment Time Comparison of Volumetric-Modulated Arc Therapy and Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy in Clinically Treated Cases

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

Han, J; Xu, Z; Baker, J

Purpose: To compare three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D CRT) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in lung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) Methods: A retrospective study of clinically treated lung SBRT cases treated between 2010 and 2015 at our hospital was performed. All treatment modalities were included in this evaluation (VMAT, 3D CRT, static IMRT, and dynamic conformal arc therapy). However, the majority of treatment modalities were either VMAT or 3D CRT. Treatment times of patients and dosimetric plan quality metrics were compared. Treatment times were calculated based on the time the therapist opened and closed the patient’s treatment plan. This treatmentmore » time closely approximates the utilization time of the treatment room. The dosimetric plan quality metrics evaluated include ICRU conformity index, the volume of 105% prescribed dose outside PTV, the ratio of volume of 50% prescribed dose to the volume of PTV, the percentage of maximum dose at 2 cm away from PTV to the prescribed dose, and the V20 (percentage of lung volume receiving 20 Gy or more). Results: Treatment time comparisons show that on average VMAT has shorter treatment times than 3D CRT. Dose conformity, defined by the ICRU conformity index, and high dose spillage, defined by the volume of 105% dose outside the PTV, is reduced when using VMAT compared to 3D CRT. V20 and intermediate dose spillage/fall-off metrics of VMAT and 3D are not significantly different. Conclusion: Clinically treated lung SBRT cases indicate VMAT is superior to 3D with regard to shorter treatment times, plan dose conformity, and plan high dose spillage.« less

SU-F-T-189: Dosimetric Comparison of Spot-Scanning Proton Therapy Techniques for Liver Tumors Close to the Skin Surface

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

Takao, S; Matsuzaki, Y; Matsuura, T

Purpose: Spot-scanning technique has been utilized to achieve conformal dose distribution to large and complicated tumors. This technique generally does not require patient-specific devices such as aperture and compensator. The commercially available spot-scanning proton therapy (SSPT) systems, however, cannot deliver proton beams to the region shallower than 4 g/cm2. Therefore some range compensation device is required to treat superficial tumors with SSPT. This study shows dosimetric comparison of the following treatment techniques: (i) with a tabletop bolus, (ii) with a nozzle-mounted applicator, and (iii) without any devices and using intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) technique. Methods: The applicator composed of amore » combination of a mini-ridge filter and a range shifter has been manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd., and the tabletop bolus was made by .decimal, Inc. Both devices have been clinically implemented in our facility. Three patients with liver tumors close to the skin surface were examined in this study. Each treatment plan was optimized so that the prescription dose of 76 Gy(RBE) or 66 Gy(RBE) would be delivered to 99% of the clinical target volume in 20 fractions. Three beams were used for tabletop bolus plan and IMPT plan, whereas two beams were used in the applicator plan because the gantry angle available was limited due to potential collision to patient and couch. The normal liver, colon, and skin were considered as organs at risk (OARs). Results: The target heterogeneity index (HI = D{sub 5}/D{sub 95}) was 1.03 on average in each planning technique. The mean dose to the normal liver was considerably less than 20 Gy(RBE) in all cases. The dose to the skin could be reduced by 20 Gy(RBE) on average in the IMPT plan compared to the applicator plan. Conclusion: It has been confirmed that all treatment techniques met the dosimetric criteria for the OARs and could be implemented clinically.« less

42 CFR 456.201 - UR plan required for inpatient mental hospital services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false UR plan required for inpatient mental hospital... HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Mental Hospitals Utilization Review (ur) Plan: General Requirements § 456.201 UR plan required for...

A Power Planning Algorithm Based on RPL for AMI Wireless Sensor Networks.

PubMed

Miguel, Marcio L F; Jamhour, Edgard; Pellenz, Marcelo E; Penna, Manoel C

2017-03-25

The advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is an architecture for two-way communication between electric, gas and water meters and city utilities. The AMI network is a wireless sensor network that provides communication for metering devices in the neighborhood area of the smart grid. Recently, the applicability of a routing protocol for low-power and lossy networks (RPL) has been considered in AMI networks. Some studies in the literature have pointed out problems with RPL, including sub-optimal path selection and instability. In this paper, we defend the viewpoint that careful planning of the transmission power in wireless RPL networks can significantly reduce the pointed problems. This paper presents a method for planning the transmission power in order to assure that, after convergence, the size of the parent set of the RPL nodes is as close as possible to a predefined size. Another important feature is that all nodes in the parent set offer connectivity through links of similar quality.

A Power Planning Algorithm Based on RPL for AMI Wireless Sensor Networks

PubMed Central

Miguel, Marcio L. F.; Jamhour, Edgard; Pellenz, Marcelo E.; Penna, Manoel C.

2017-01-01

The advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is an architecture for two-way communication between electric, gas and water meters and city utilities. The AMI network is a wireless sensor network that provides communication for metering devices in the neighborhood area of the smart grid. Recently, the applicability of a routing protocol for low-power and lossy networks (RPL) has been considered in AMI networks. Some studies in the literature have pointed out problems with RPL, including sub-optimal path selection and instability. In this paper, we defend the viewpoint that careful planning of the transmission power in wireless RPL networks can significantly reduce the pointed problems. This paper presents a method for planning the transmission power in order to assure that, after convergence, the size of the parent set of the RPL nodes is as close as possible to a predefined size. Another important feature is that all nodes in the parent set offer connectivity through links of similar quality. PMID:28346339

Audit of the Functioning of the Elective Neurosurgical Operation Theater in India: A Prospective Study and Review of Literature.

PubMed

Saikia, Amrit Kumar; Sriganesh, Kamath; Ranjan, Manish; Claire, Marie; Mittal, Mohit; Pandey, Paritosh

2015-08-01

Knowledge about the utilization of the operation theater (OT) is essential to improve its efficiency. This study evaluated the neurosurgical operation theater utilization in a neurosciences teaching hospital. Data collected included OT start time, delay in start, anesthesia induction time, surgical preparation time, anesthesia recovery time, operating time, time between cases, and theater closing time. Five hundred thirty-seven surgeries were performed during the study period. The percentage of time used for anesthesia induction, actual surgical procedure, recovery from anesthesia, and theater preparation between the two cases were 8%, 70%, 6% and 5%, respectively. Fourteen percent of scheduled cases were cancelled. On 220 occasions (70.51%), theater was over-run. Late start contributed to loss of 8370 minutes (140 hours) of theater time. This study identified the proportion of time spent on each activity in the neurosurgical OT. This knowledge is likely to facilitate better planning of neurosurgical theater schedule and result in optimal utilization. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Faith-based organizations and sustainable sheltering operations in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina: implications for informal network utilization.

PubMed

Pant, Anjali T; Kirsch, Thomas D; Subbarao, Italo R; Hsieh, Yu-Hsiang; Vu, Alexander

2008-01-01

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, a significant number of faith-based organizations (FBOs) that were not a part of the formal National Response Plan (NRP) initiated and sustained sheltering operations. The objective of this study was to examine the sheltering operations of FBOs, understand the decision-making process of FBO shelters, and identify the advantages and disadvantages of FBO shelters. Verbal interviews were conducted with FBO shelter leaders. Inclusion criteria were: (1) opening in response to the Katrina disaster; (2) operating for more than three weeks; and (3) being a FBO. Enrolled shelters were examined using descriptive data methods. The majority of shelters operating in Mississippi up to three weeks post-Katrina were FBO-managed. All of the operating FBO shelters in Mississippi that met the inclusion criteria were contacted with a response rate of 94%. Decisions were made by individuals or small groups in most shelters regarding opening, operating procedures, and closing. Most FBOs provided at least one enabling service to evacuees, and all utilized informal networks for sheltering operations. Only 25% of FBOs had disaster plans in place prior to Hurricane Katrina. Faith-based organization shelters played a significant role in the acute phase of the Katrina disaster. Formal disaster training should be initiated for these organizations. Services provided by FBOs should be standardized. Informal networks should be incorporated into national disaster planning.

42 CFR 456.200 - Scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Mental Hospitals Utilization Review (ur) Plan... requirements for a written utilization review (UR) plan for each mental hospital providing Medicaid services...

Collaboration as a process and an outcome: Consumer experiences of collaborating with nurses in care planning in an acute inpatient mental health unit.

PubMed

Reid, Rebecca; Escott, Phil; Isobel, Sophie

2018-04-14

This qualitative study explores inpatient mental health consumer perceptions of how collaborative care planning with mental health nurses impacts personal recovery. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with consumers close to discharge from one unit in Sydney, Australia. The unit had been undertaking a collaborative care planning project which encouraged nurses to use care plan documentation to promote person-centred and goal-focussed interactions and the development of meaningful strategies to aid consumer recovery. The interviews explored consumer understandings of the collaborative care planning process, perceptions of the utility of the care plan document and the process of collaborating with the nurses, and their perception of the impact of collaboration on their recovery. Findings are presented under four organizing themes: the process of collaborating, the purpose of collaborating, the nurse as collaborator and the role of collaboration in wider care and recovery. Consumers highlighted the importance of the process of developing their care plan with a nurse as being as helpful for recovery as the goals and strategies themselves. The findings provide insights into consumers' experiences of care planning in an acute inpatient unit, the components of care that support recovery and highlight specific areas for mental health nursing practice improvement in collaboration. © 2018 Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Inc.

Research Implementation and Quality Assurance Project Plan: An Evaluation of Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Technologies for the Detection of Fugitive Contamination at Selected Superfund Hazardous Waste Sites

USGS Publications Warehouse

Slonecker, E. Terrence; Fisher, Gary B.

2009-01-01

This project is a research collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Eastern Geographic Science Center (EGSC), for the purpose of evaluating the utility of hyperspectral remote sensing technology for post-closure monitoring of residual contamination at delisted and closed hazardous waste sites as defined under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act [CERCLA (also known as 'Superfund')] of 1980 and the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986.

State Performance-Based Regulation Using Multiyear Rate Plans for U.S. Electric Utilities

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

Lowry, Mark Newton; Makos, Matt; Deason, Jeff

Electric utilities today must contain costs at a time when many need to modernize aging systems and all face major changes in technologies, customer preferences and competitive pressures.Most U.S. electric utility facilities are investor-owned, subject to rate and service regulation by state public utility commissions. Regulatory systems under which these utilities operate affect their performance and ability to meet these challenges. In this business environment, multiyear rate plans have some advantages over traditional rate regulation.The report focuses on key design issues and provides case studies of the multiyear rate plan approach, applicable to both vertically integrated and restructured states. Markmore » Newton Lowry and Matt Makos of Pacific Energy Group Research and Jeff Deason of Berkeley Lab authored the report; Lisa Schwartz, Berkeley Lab, was project manager and technical editor.The report is aimed primarily at state utility regulators and stakeholders in the state regulatory process. The multiyear rate approach also provides ideas on how to streamline oversight of public power utilities and rural electric cooperatives for their governing boards.Two key provisions of multiyear rate plans strengthen cost containment incentives and streamline regulation: 1. Reducing frequency of rate cases, typically to every four or five years 2. Using an attrition relief mechanism to escalate rates or revenue between rate cases to address cost pressures such as inflation and growth in number of customers, independently of the utility’s own cost Better utility performance can be achieved under well-designed multiyear rate plans while achieving lower regulatory costs. Benefits can be shared between utilities and their customers. But plans can be complex and involve significant changes in the regulatory system. Designing plans that stimulate utility performance without undue risk and share benefits fairly can be challenging.This report discusses the rationale for multiyear rate plans and their usefulness under modern business conditions. It then explains critical plan design issues and challenges and presents results from numerical research that considers the extra incentive power achieved under different plan provisions. Next, the report presents several case studies of utilities that have operated under formal multiyear rate plans or, for various reasons, have stayed out of rate cases for more than a decade. These studies consider the effect of multiyear rate plans and rate case frequency on utility cost, reliability and other performance dimensions.« less

Guide to DCP Study Close-Out: Milestones and Tasks | Division of Cancer Prevention

Cancer.gov

This guide assists Consortium Lead Organization (CLO) planning for DCP study close-out. Study close-out tasks are organized under milestones, which help mark progress toward completion of the close-out process. Once tasks associated with a milestone are underway, planning for the next milestone may begin. Click on a milestone to view the associated close-out tasks. |

Demand-Side Management and Integrated Resource Planning: Findings from a Survey of 24 Electric Utilities

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

Schweitzer, M.

1991-01-01

Integrated resource planning differs from traditional utility planning practices primarily in its increased attention to demand-side management (DSM) programs and its integration of supply- and demand-side resources into a combined resource portfolio. This report details the findings from an Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) survey of 24 electric utilities that have well-developed integrated planning processes. These utilities account for roughly one-third of total capacity, electricity generation, and DSM-program expenditures nationwide. The ORNL survey was designed to obtain descriptive data on a national sample of utilities and to test a number of hypothesized relationships between selected utility characteristics and the mixmore » of resources selected for the integrated plan, with an emphasis on the use of DSM resources and the processes by which they are chosen. The survey solicited information on each utility's current and projected resource mix, operating environment, procedures used to screen potential DSM resources, techniques used to obtain public input and to integrate supply- and demand-side options into a unified plan, and procedures used in the final selection of resources for the plan.« less

Closing the Gaps: 2014 Progress Report. College for All Texans

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, 2014

2014-01-01

"Closing the Gaps: The Texas Higher Education Plan" was adopted in October 2000 by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). The goal of the "Closing the Gaps" ("CTG") plan is to close educational gaps in participation, success, excellence, and research within Texas and between Texas and other states by…

29 CFR 4281.16 - Benefit valuation methods-plans closing out.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

..., as determined under this subpart. (b) Valuation rule. The present value of nonforfeitable benefits... 4281(b) of ERISA, the plan sponsor shall value the plan's benefits in accordance with paragraph (b) of... 29 Labor 9 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Benefit valuation methods-plans closing out. 4281.16...

The next-generation ESL continuum gyrokinetic edge code

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cohen, R.; Dorr, M.; Hittinger, J.; Rognlien, T.; Collela, P.; Martin, D.

2009-05-01

The Edge Simulation Laboratory (ESL) project is developing continuum-based approaches to kinetic simulation of edge plasmas. A new code is being developed, based on a conservative formulation and fourth-order discretization of full-f gyrokinetic equations in parallel-velocity, magnetic-moment coordinates. The code exploits mapped multiblock grids to deal with the geometric complexities of the edge region, and utilizes a new flux limiter [P. Colella and M.D. Sekora, JCP 227, 7069 (2008)] to suppress unphysical oscillations about discontinuities while maintaining high-order accuracy elsewhere. The code is just becoming operational; we will report initial tests for neoclassical orbit calculations in closed-flux surface and limiter (closed plus open flux surfaces) geometry. It is anticipated that the algorithmic refinements in the new code will address the slow numerical instability that was observed in some long simulations with the existing TEMPEST code. We will also discuss the status and plans for physics enhancements to the new code.

42 CFR 456.523 - Revised UR plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

...) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Review Plans: FFP, Waivers, and Variances for Hospitals and Mental Hospitals Ur Plan: Remote Facility Variances from Time Requirements § 456.523 Revised... control over the utilization of services; and (2) Conducts reviews in a way that improves the quality of...

42 CFR 456.523 - Revised UR plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

...) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Review Plans: FFP, Waivers, and Variances for Hospitals and Mental Hospitals Ur Plan: Remote Facility Variances from Time Requirements § 456.523 Revised... control over the utilization of services; and (2) Conducts reviews in a way that improves the quality of...

Development of an atmospheric monitoring plan for space station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Casserly, Dennis M.

1989-01-01

An environmental health monitoring plan for Space Station will ensure crew health during prolonged habitation. The Space Station, Freedom, will operate for extended periods, 90+ days, without resupply. A regenerative, closed loop life support system will be utilized in order to minimize resupply logistics and costs. Overboard disposal of wastes and venting of gases to space will be minimal. All waste material will be treated and recycled. The concentrated wastes will be stabilized and stored for ground disposal. The expected useful life of the station (decades) and the diversity of materials brought aboard for experimental or manufacturing purposes, increases the likelihood of cabin contamination. Processes by which cabin contamination can occur include: biological waste production, material off-gassing, process leakage, accidental containment breach, and accumulation due to poor removal efficiencies of the purification units. An industrial hygiene approach was taken to rationalize monitoring needs and to identify the substances likely to be present, the amount, and their hazard.

Riding the circuit for IRP

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

Mashaw, R.

In its original usage, the term {open_quotes}circuit rider{close_quotes} described a minister supported by several congregations, who rode from rural church to rural church spreading religion. Today, thanks to a grant from the Department of Energy, there`s a new kind of circuit rider at work in small communities and rural areas, spreading the gospel of integrated resource planning. The concept of the circuit rider was advanced in 1994 by a coalition of associations, private businesses and government agencies, including the American Public Power Association, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the federal power marketing agencies and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.more » The group proposed to DOE the creation of a program for the advancement of integrated resource planning (IRP) in public power, designed to extend the resources and capabilities of publicly and cooperatively owned utilities in IRP by offering a several types of assistance, including training, direct consultation and publications.« less

Strategies for Time-resolved X-ray Diffraction of Phase Transitions with Laser Compression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benedetti, Laura Robin; Eggert, J. H.; Bradley, D. K.; Bell, P. M.; Kilkenny, J. D.; Palmer, N.; Petre, R. B.; Rygg, J. R.; Sorce, C.; Collins, G. W.; Boehly, T. R.

2017-10-01

As part of a program to document kinetics of phase transitions under laser-driven dynamic compression, we are designing a platform to make multiple x-ray diffraction measurements during a single laser experiment. Our plans include experimental development at Omega-EP and eventual implementation at NIF. We will present our strategy for designing a robust platform that can effectively document a wide variety of phase transformations by utilizing both streaked and multiple-frame imaging detectors. Preliminary designs utilize a novel CMOS detector designed by Sandia National Lab. Our initial experiments include scoping studies that will focus on photometrics and shielding requirements in the high EMP environment close to the target. This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344. Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, LLNL-ABS-734470.

Achievements and Future Plan of Interplanetary CubeSats and Micro-Sats in Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Funase, Ryu

2016-07-01

This paper introduces Japanese achievements and future plans of CubeSats and Micro-Sats for deep space exploration. As the first step toward deep space mission by such tiny spacecraft, University of Tokyo and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) developed the world's first deep space micro-spacecraft PROCYON (Proximate Object Close flYby with Optical Navigation). Its mission objective is to demonstrate a micro-spacecraft bus technology for deep space exploration and proximity flyby to asteroids performing optical measurements. PROCYON was launched into the Earth departure trajectory on December 3, 2014 together with Japanese asteroid sample return mission Hayabusa-2. PROCYON successfully completed the bus system demonstration mission in its interplanetary flight. Currently, Japan is not only pursuing the improvement and utilization of the demonstrated micro-sat deep space bus system with a weight of tens of kg or more for more practical scientific deep space missions, but also trying to develop smaller spacecraft with a weight of less than tens of kg, namely CubeSats, for deep space exploration. We are proposing a self-contained 6U CubeSat mission for the rideshare opportunity on the USA's SLS EM-1 mission, which will fly to a libration orbit around Earth-Moon L2 point and perform scientific observations of the Earth and the Moon. We are also seeking the possibility of CubeSats which is carried by a larger spacecraft to the destination and supports the mission by taking advantage of its low-cost and risk-tolerable feature. As an example of such style of CubeSat missions, we are studying a CubeSat for close observations of an asteroid, which will be carried to the target asteroid by a larger mother spacecraft. This CubeSat is released from the mother spacecraft to make a close flyby for scientific observations, which is difficult to be performed by the mother spacecraft if we consider the risk of the collision to the target asteroid or dust particles ejected from the asteroid. In order to utilize the large deep space maneuverability of the mother spacecraft, the CubeSat is retrieved by the mother spacecraft after the close flyby observation and it is carried to the next target asteroid to realize multiple asteroids flyby exploration.

42 CFR 456.380 - Individual written plan of care.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Intermediate Care Facilities Plan of Care § 456.380 Individual written plan of care. (a) Before admission to an ICF or before... designed to meet the objectives of the plan of care; (5) Plans for continuing care, including review and...

42 CFR 456.380 - Individual written plan of care.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Intermediate Care Facilities Plan of Care § 456.380 Individual written plan of care. (a) Before admission to an ICF or before... designed to meet the objectives of the plan of care; (5) Plans for continuing care, including review and...

42 CFR 456.380 - Individual written plan of care.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Intermediate Care Facilities Plan of Care § 456.380 Individual written plan of care. (a) Before admission to an ICF or before... designed to meet the objectives of the plan of care; (5) Plans for continuing care, including review and...

Approaches to pharmacy benefit management and the impact of consumer cost sharing.

PubMed

Olson, Bridget M

2003-01-01

Numerous mechanisms have been introduced to deliver prescription drug benefits while controlling pharmaceutical costs. An understanding of the most prominent mechanisms of benefit management is an important step in determining the most effective approach to take in future years. The aims of this review were to illustrate the mechanisms by which managed care has attempted to efficiently and equitably deliver pharmacy benefits and to discuss the impact of such programs, including consumer cost sharing. A review of the literature was conducted using the PreMedline and MEDLINE databases from the years 1966 to 2002, reference lists from relevant articles, and online sources, including news releases, conference materials, and pharmacy benefit management reports. Numerous pharmacy benefit management tools and their impact on utilization, expenditures, and health outcomes are reviewed, including disease state management; utilization management (ie, quantity limitations and prior authorization); drug utilization review; formulary management (ie, open and closed); delivery systems (ie, retail and mail order); and mechanisms for implementing consumer cost sharing (ie, generic incentives, multitiered copayments, and co-insurance). Although there is some evidence to suggest that certain benefit management tools have been successful in reducing health plan expenditures, a more thorough investigation of their potential unintended consequences is needed. Implementing adequate levels of consumer cost sharing is necessary if employers and health plans are to continue offering prescription drug benefits. It is important to remember, however, that quality health care cannot be forfeited for the sake of short-term cost savings.

Adaptation policies to increase terrestrial ecosystem resilience. Potential utility of a multicriteria approach

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

de Bremond, Ariane; Engle, Nathan L.

2014-01-30

Climate change is rapidly undermining terrestrial ecosystem resilience and capacity to continue providing their services to the benefit of humanity and nature. Because of the importance of terrestrial ecosystems to human well-being and supporting services, decision makers throughout the world are busy creating policy responses that secure multiple development and conservation objectives- including that of supporting terrestrial ecosystem resilience in the context of climate change. This article aims to advance analyses on climate policy evaluation and planning in the area of terrestrial ecosystem resilience by discussing adaptation policy options within the ecology-economy-social nexus. The paper evaluates these decisions in themore » realm of terrestrial ecosystem resilience and evaluates the utility of a set of criteria, indicators, and assessment methods, proposed by a new conceptual multi-criteria framework for pro-development climate policy and planning developed by the United Nations Environment Programme. Potential applications of a multicriteria approach to climate policy vis-A -vis terrestrial ecosystems are then explored through two hypothetical case study examples. The paper closes with a brief discussion of the utility of the multi-criteria approach in the context of other climate policy evaluation approaches, considers lessons learned as a result efforts to evaluate climate policy in the realm of terrestrial ecosystems, and reiterates the role of ecosystem resilience in creating sound policies and actions that support the integration of climate change and development goals.« less

National Conference on Integrated Resource Planning: Proceedings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Until recently, state regulators have focused most of their attention on the development of least-cost or integrated resource planning (IRP) processes for electric utilities. A number of commissions are beginning to scrutinize the planning processes of local gas distribution companies (LDCs) because of the increased control that LDCs have over their purchased gas costs (as well as the associated risks) and because of questions surrounding the role and potential of gas end-use efficiency options. Traditionally, resource planning (LDCs) has concentrated on options for purchasing and storing gas. Integrated resource planning involves the creation of a process in which supply-side and demand-side options are integrated to create a resource mix that reliably satisfies customers' short-term and long-term energy service needs at the lowest cost. As applied to gas utilities, an integrated resource plan seeks to balance cost and reliability, and should not be interpreted simply as the search for lowest commodity costs. The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners' (NARUC) Energy Conservation committee asked Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory (LBL) to survey state PUCs to determine the extent to which they have undertaken least cost planning for gas utilities. The survey included the following topics: status of state PUC least-cost planning regulations and practices for gas utilities; type and scope of natural gas DSM programs in effect, including fuel substitution; economic tests and analysis methods used to evaluate DSM programs; relationship between prudency reviews of gas utility purchasing practices and integrated resource planning; and key regulatory issues facing gas utilities during the next five years.

SUV Rollover Test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chambers, William V.

2004-01-01

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) approached NASA to evaluate vehicle rollover resistance using the High Capacity Centrifuge Facility. Testing was planned for six different sport utility vehicles. Previous methods for simulating the rollover conditions were considered to be not indicative of the true driving conditions. A more realistic gradual application of side loading could be achieved by using a centrifuge facility. A unique load measuring lower support system was designed to measure tire loading on the inboard tires and to indicate tire liftoff. This lower support system was designed to more closely emulate the actual rollover conditions. Additional design features were provided to mitigate potential safety hazards.

Donating blood and organs: using an extended theory of planned behavior perspective to identify similarities and differences in individual motivations to donate.

PubMed

Hyde, Melissa K; Knowles, Simon R; White, Katherine M

2013-12-01

Due to the critical shortage and continued need of blood and organ donations (ODs), research exploring similarities and differences in the motivational determinants of these behaviors is needed. In a sample of 258 university students, we used a cross-sectional design to test the utility of an extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) including moral norm, self-identity and in-group altruism (family/close friends and ethnic group), to predict people's blood and OD intentions. Overall, the extended TPB explained 77.0% and 74.6% of variance in blood and OD intentions, respectively. In regression analyses, common contributors to intentions across donation contexts were attitude, self-efficacy and self-identity. Normative influences varied with subjective norm as a significant predictor related to OD intentions but not blood donation intentions at the final step of regression analyses. Moral norm did not contribute significantly to blood or OD intentions. In-group altruism (family/close friends) was significantly related to OD intentions only in regressions. Future donation strategies should increase confidence to donate, foster a perception of self as the type of person who donates blood and/or organs, and address preferences to donate organs to in-group members only.

A systems approach to water recovery testing for space life support - Initial biomedical results from the ECLSS Water Recovery Test and plans for testbed utilization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aten, Laurie A.; Crump, William J.; Sauer, Richard L.

1992-01-01

Among the challenges of designing and constructing Space Station Freedom is the development of the water system. A review of past efforts in reclaiming waste water in enclosed environments reveals that there are many gaps in the biomedical understanding of this process. Some of the key uncertainties of human interaction with a closed water system include determining potential contaminants and establishing safe levels of multiple compounds in the enclosed system of Space Station. Another uncertainty is the microbial constituency of such a system and what impact it could have on crew health and performance. The use of iodine as the passive biocide may have both an indirect and direct impact on the crew. In this paper the initial results of the Water Recovery Test are reviewed from a biomedical perspective, revealing areas where more information is needed to develop the ECLSS water system. By including the approach of 'man as a subsystem', consideration is given to how man interacts with the total water system. Taking this systems approach to providing the crew with a safe source of water gives useful insight into the most efficient design and utilization of closed system testbeds.

Recent progress in utilization planning for Space Station Freedom

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bartoe, John-David F.; Thiringer, Peter S.

1991-01-01

The progress made in utilization planning for the redesigned Space Station Freedom (SSF) concept is described. Consideration is given to the SSF user capabilities, the strategic planning process, the strategic planning organizations, and the Consolidated Operations and Utilization Plan (COUP, which will be released in January 1993) as well as to the COUP development process and implementation. The process by which the COUP will be produced was exercised in the international Multilateral Strategic and Tactical Integration Process (MUSTIP) simulation. The paper describes the MUSTIP simulation and its activities along with MUSTIP findings and recommendations.

Close woods utilization commonly practiced in Delaware

Treesearch

Wayne G. Banks

1956-01-01

Woods-utilization studies were recently made on randomly selected logging operations scattered throughout Delaware. As would be expected, most of the operations studied were in pine stands in the southern part of the state. They showed that very close utilization of the trees cut was the general rule.

42 CFR 456.180 - Individual written plan of care.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Mental Hospitals Plan of Care § 456.180 Individual written plan of care. (a) Before admission to a mental hospital or...

Efficiency improvements of offline metrology job creation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zuniga, Victor J.; Carlson, Alan; Podlesny, John C.; Knutrud, Paul C.

1999-06-01

Progress of the first lot of a new design through the production line is watched very closely. All performance metrics, cycle-time, in-line measurement results and final electrical performance are critical. Rapid movement of this lot through the line has serious time-to-market implications. Having this material waiting at a metrology operation for an engineer to create a measurement job plan wastes valuable turnaround time. Further, efficient use of a metrology system is compromised by the time required to create and maintain these measurement job plans. Thus, having a method to develop metrology job plans prior to the actual running of the material through the manufacture area can significantly improve both cycle time and overall equipment efficiency. Motorola and Schlumberger have worked together to develop and test such a system. The Remote Job Generator (RJG) created job plans for new device sin a manufacturing process from an NT host or workstation, offline. This increases available system tim effort making production measurements, decreases turnaround time on job plan creation and editing, and improves consistency across job plans. Most importantly this allows job plans for new devices to be available before the first wafers of the device arrive at the tool for measurement. The software also includes a database manager which allows updates of existing job plans to incorporate measurement changes required by process changes or measurement optimization. This paper will review the result of productivity enhancements through the increased metrology utilization and decreased cycle time associated with the use of RJG. Finally, improvements in process control through better control of Job Plans across different devices and layers will be discussed.

Estimating Health-State Utility for Economic Models in Clinical Studies: An ISPOR Good Research Practices Task Force Report.

PubMed

Wolowacz, Sorrel E; Briggs, Andrew; Belozeroff, Vasily; Clarke, Philip; Doward, Lynda; Goeree, Ron; Lloyd, Andrew; Norman, Richard

Cost-utility models are increasingly used in many countries to establish whether the cost of a new intervention can be justified in terms of health benefits. Health-state utility (HSU) estimates (the preference for a given state of health on a cardinal scale where 0 represents dead and 1 represents full health) are typically among the most important and uncertain data inputs in cost-utility models. Clinical trials represent an important opportunity for the collection of health-utility data. However, trials designed primarily to evaluate efficacy and safety often present challenges to the optimal collection of HSU estimates for economic models. Careful planning is needed to determine which of the HSU estimates may be measured in planned trials; to establish the optimal methodology; and to plan any additional studies needed. This report aimed to provide a framework for researchers to plan the collection of health-utility data in clinical studies to provide high-quality HSU estimates for economic modeling. Recommendations are made for early planning of health-utility data collection within a research and development program; design of health-utility data collection during protocol development for a planned clinical trial; design of prospective and cross-sectional observational studies and alternative study types; and statistical analyses and reporting. Copyright © 2016 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Utility of diffusion tensor imaging tractography in decision making for extratemporal resective epilepsy surgery.

PubMed

Radhakrishnan, Ashalatha; James, Jija S; Kesavadas, Chandrasekharan; Thomas, Bejoy; Bahuleyan, Biji; Abraham, Mathew; Radhakrishnan, Kurupath

2011-11-01

To assess the utility of diffusion tensor imaging tractography (DTIT) in decision making in patients considered for extratemporal resective epilepsy surgery. We subjected 49 patients with drug-resistant focal seizures due to lesions located in frontal, parietal and occipital lobes to DTIT to map the white matter fiber anatomy in relation to the planned resection zone, in addition to routine presurgical evaluation. We stratified our patients preoperatively into different grades of risk for anticipated neurological deficits as judged by the distance of the white matter tracts from the resection zones and functional cortical areas. Thirty-seven patients underwent surgery; surgery was abandoned in 12 (24.5%) patients because of the high risk of postoperative neurological deficit. DTIT helped us to modify the surgical procedures in one-fourth of occipital, one-third of frontal, and two-thirds of parietal and multilobar resections. Overall, DTIT assisted us in surgical decision making in two-thirds of our patients. DTIT is a noninvasive imaging strategy that can be used effectively in planning resection of epileptogenic lesions at or close to eloquent cortical areas. DTIT helps in predicting postoperative neurological outcome and thereby assists in surgical decision making and in preoperative counseling of patients with extratemporal focal epilepsies. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Oilfield geothermal exploitation in China-A case study from the Liaohe oilfield in Bohai Bay Basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Shejiao; Yao, Yanhua; Fan, Xianli; Yan, Jiahong

2017-04-01

The clean geothermal energy can play a huge role in solving the problem of severe smog in China as it can replace large coal-fired heating in winter. Chinese government has paid close attention on the development and utilization of geothermal energy. In the "13th Five-Year" plan, the geothermal development is included into the national plan for the first time. China is very rich in the medium and low-temperature geothermal resources, ranking first in the geothermal direct use in the world for a long time. The geothermal resources are mainly concentrated in sedimentary basins, especially in petroliferous basins distributed in North China (in North China, heating is needed in winter). These basins are usually close to the large- and medium-sized cities. Therefore, tapping oilfield geothermal energy have attracted a great attention in the last few years as the watercut achieved above 90% in most oilfields and significant progress has been made. In this paper, taking the Liaohe Oilfield in the Bohai Bay Basin as an example, we discussed the distribution and potential of the geothermal resources, discussed how to use the existed technology to harness geothermal energy more effectively, and forecasted the development prospect of the oilfield geothermal energy. By using the volumetric method, we calculated the geothermal resources of the Guantao Formation, Dongying Formation, Shahejie Formation and basement rock in the Liaohe depression. We tested the geothermal energy utilization efficiency in different conditions by applying different pump technologies and utilizing geothermal energy in different depth, such as shallow geothermal energy (0-200m), middle-deep depth geothermal energy (200-4000m), and oilfield sewage heat produced with oil production. For the heat pump systems, we tested the conventional heat pump system, high-temperature heat pump system, super high-temperature heat pump system, and gas heat pump system. Finally, based on the analysis of national policy, the heat demands of oilfield, and the exploration and development technologies, we discussed the potential of the oilfield geothermal energy development for the industrial and the civil applications in the future.

25 CFR 1000.69 - How can a Tribe/Consortium obtain comments or selection documents received or utilized after OSG...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

...-DETERMINATION AND EDUCATION ACT Other Financial Assistance for Planning and Negotiation Grants for Non-BIA... documents received or utilized after OSG has made a decision on a planning grant application? 1000.69... selection documents received or utilized after OSG has made a decision on a planning grant application? A...

42 CFR 456.80 - Individual written plan of care.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Individual written plan of care. 456.80 Section 456... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Hospitals Plan of Care § 456.80 Individual written plan of care. (a) Before admission to a hospital or before authorization for...

Utilizing semantic networks to database and retrieve generalized stochastic colored Petri nets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Farah, Jeffrey J.; Kelley, Robert B.

1992-01-01

Previous work has introduced the Planning Coordinator (PCOORD), a coordinator functioning within the hierarchy of the Intelligent Machine Mode. Within the structure of the Planning Coordinator resides the Primitive Structure Database (PSDB) functioning to provide the primitive structures utilized by the Planning Coordinator in the establishing of error recovery or on-line path plans. This report further explores the Primitive Structure Database and establishes the potential of utilizing semantic networks as a means of efficiently storing and retrieving the Generalized Stochastic Colored Petri Nets from which the error recovery plans are derived.

SU-F-T-25: Design and Implementation of a Multi-Purpose Applicator for Pelvic Brachytherapy Applications

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

Bogue, J; Parsai, E

Purpose: The current generation of inflatable multichannel brachytherapy applicators, such as the Varian Capri, have limited implementation to only vaginal and rectal cancers. While there are similar designs utilizing rigid, non-inflatable applicators, these alternatives could cause increased dose to surrounding tissue due to air gaps. Modification of the Capri could allow for easier treatment planning by reducing the number of channels and increased versatility by modifying the applicator to include an attachable single tandem for cervical or multiple tandems for endometrial applications. Methods: A Varian Capri applicator was simulated in water to replicate a patient. Multiple plans were optimized tomore » deliver a prescribed dose of 100 cGy at 5mm away from the exterior of the applicator using six to thirteen existing channels. The current model was expanded upon to include a detachable tandem or multiple tandoms to increase its functionality to both cervical and endometrial cancers. Models were constructed in both threedimensional rendering software and Monte Carlo to allow prototyping and simulations. Results: Treatment plans utilizing six to thirteen channels produced limited dosimetric differences between channel arrangements, with a seven channel plan very closely approximating the thirteen channels. It was concluded that only seven channels would be necessary in future simulations to give an accurate representation of the applicator. Tandem attachments were prototyped for the applicator to demonstrate the ease of which they could be included. Future simulation in treatment planning software and Monte Carlo results will be presented to further define the ideal applicator geometry Conclusion: The current Capri applicator design could be easily modified to increase applicability to include cervical and endometrial treatments in addition to vaginal and rectal cancers. This new design helps in a more versatile single use applicator that can easily be inserted and to further reduce dose to critical structures during brachytherapy treatments.« less

Contingency Planning for Planetary Rovers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dearden, Richard; Meuleau, Nicolas; Ramakrishnan, Sailesh; Smith, David; Washington, Rich; Clancy, Daniel (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

There has been considerable work in AI on planning under uncertainty. But this work generally assumes an extremely simple model of action that does not consider continuous time and resources. These assumptions are not reasonable for a Mars rover, which must cope with uncertainty about the duration of tasks, the power required, the data storage necessary, along with its position and orientation. In this paper, we outline an approach to generating contingency plans when the sources of uncertainty involve continuous quantities such as time and resources. The approach involves first constructing a "seed" plan, and then incrementally adding contingent branches to this plan in order to improve utility. The challenge is to figure out the best places to insert contingency branches. This requires an estimate of how much utility could be gained by building a contingent branch at any given place in the seed plan. Computing this utility exactly is intractable, but we outline an approximation method that back propagates utility distributions through a graph structure similar to that of a plan graph.

Incremental Contingency Planning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dearden, Richard; Meuleau, Nicolas; Ramakrishnan, Sailesh; Smith, David E.; Washington, Rich

2003-01-01

There has been considerable work in AI on planning under uncertainty. However, this work generally assumes an extremely simple model of action that does not consider continuous time and resources. These assumptions are not reasonable for a Mars rover, which must cope with uncertainty about the duration of tasks, the energy required, the data storage necessary, and its current position and orientation. In this paper, we outline an approach to generating contingency plans when the sources of uncertainty involve continuous quantities such as time and resources. The approach involves first constructing a "seed" plan, and then incrementally adding contingent branches to this plan in order to improve utility. The challenge is to figure out the best places to insert contingency branches. This requires an estimate of how much utility could be gained by building a contingent branch at any given place in the seed plan. Computing this utility exactly is intractable, but we outline an approximation method that back propagates utility distributions through a graph structure similar to that of a plan graph.

The impact of a large penetration of intermittent sources on the power system operation and planning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ausin, Juan Carlos

This research investigated the impact on the power system of a large penetration of intermittent renewable sources, mainly wind and photovoltaic generation. Currently, electrical utilities deal with wind and PV plants as if they were sources of negative demand, that is to say, they have no control over the power output produced. In this way, the grid absorbs all the power fluctuation as if it were coming from a common load. With the level of wind penetration growing so quickly, there is growing concern amongst the utilities and the grid operators, as they will have to deal with a much higher level of fluctuation. In the same way, the potential cost reduction of PV technologies suggests that a similar development may be expected for solar production in the mid term. The first part of the research was focused on the issues that affect utility planning and reinforcement decision making. Although DG is located mainly on the distribution network, a large penetration may alter the flows, not only on the distribution lines, but also on the transmission system and through the transmission - distribution interfaces. The optimal capacity and production costs for the UK transmission network have been calculated for several combinations of load profiles and typical wind/PV output scenarios. A full economic analysis is developed, showing the benefits and disadvantages that a large penetration of these distributed generators may have on transmission system operator reinforcement strategies. Closely related to planning factors are institutional, revelatory, and economic considerations, such as transmission pricing, which may hamper the integration of renewable energy technologies into the electric utility industry. The second part of the research related to the impact of intermittent renewable energy technologies on the second by second, minute by minute, and half-hour by half-hour operations of power systems. If a large integration of these new generators partially replaces the conventional rotating machines the aggregate fluctuation starts to become an important factor, and should be taken into account for the calculation of the balancing requirements. Additional balancing requirements would increase the total balancing cost and this could stop the future development of the intermittent sources.

42 CFR 456.501 - UR plans as a condition for FFP.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Review Plans: FFP, Waivers, and Variances for Hospitals and Mental Hospitals § 456.501 UR plans as a condition for FFP. (a) Except... services furnished by a hospital or mental hospital unless the facility has in effect a UR plan that meets...

COMPLEAT (Community-Oriented Model for Planning Least-Cost Energy Alternatives and Technologies): A planning tool for publicly owned electric utilities. [Community-Oriented Model for Planning Least-Cost Energy Alternatives and Technologies (Compleat)

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

Not Available

1990-09-01

COMPLEAT takes its name, as an acronym, from Community-Oriented Model for Planning Least-Cost Energy Alternatives and Technologies. It is an electric utility planning model designed for use principally by publicly owned electric utilities and agencies serving such utilities. As a model, COMPLEAT is significantly more full-featured and complex than called out in APPA's original plan and proposal to DOE. The additional complexity grew out of a series of discussions early in the development schedule, in which it became clear to APPA staff and advisors that the simplicity characterizing the original plan, while highly desirable in terms of utility applications, wasmore » not achievable if practical utility problems were to be addressed. The project teams settled on Energy 20/20, an existing model developed by Dr. George Backus of Policy Assessment Associates, as the best candidate for the kinds of modifications and extensions that would be required. The remainder of the project effort was devoted to designing specific input data files, output files, and user screens and to writing and testing the compute programs that would properly implement the desired features around Energy 20/20 as a core program. This report presents in outline form, the features and user interface of COMPLEAT.« less

Seizure Action Plans Do Not Reduce Health Care Utilization in Pediatric Epilepsy Patients.

PubMed

Roundy, Lindsi M; Filloux, Francis M; Kerr, Lynne; Rimer, Alyssa; Bonkowsky, Joshua L

2016-03-01

Management of pediatric epilepsy requires complex coordination of care. We hypothesized that an improved seizure management care plan would reduce health care utilization and improve outcomes. The authors conducted a cohort study with historical controls of 120 epilepsy patients before and after implementation of a "Seizure Action Plan." The authors evaluated for differences in health care utilization including emergency department visits, hospitalizations, clinic visits, telephone calls, and the percentage of emergency department visits that resulted in hospitalization in patients who did or did not have a Seizure Action Plan. The authors found that there was no decrease in these measures of health care utilization, and in fact the number of follow-up clinic visits was increased in the group with Seizure Action Plans (4.2 vs 3.3, P = .006). However, the study was underpowered to detect smaller differences. This study suggests that pediatric epilepsy quality improvement measures may require alternative approaches to reduce health care utilization and improve outcomes. © The Author(s) 2015.

Seizure Action Plans Do Not Reduce Health Care Utilization in Pediatric Epilepsy Patients

PubMed Central

Roundy, Lindsi M.; Filloux, Francis M.; Kerr, Lynne; Rimer, Alyssa; Bonkowsky, Joshua L.

2015-01-01

Management of pediatric epilepsy requires complex coordination of care. We hypothesized that an improved seizure management care plan would reduce healthcare utilization and improve outcomes. We conducted a cohort study with historical controls of 120 epilepsy patients before and after implementation of a “Seizure Action Plan.” We evaluated for differences in healthcare utilization including emergency department visits, hospitalizations, clinic visits, telephone calls, and the percentage of emergency department visits that resulted in hospitalization in patients who did or did not have a Seizure Action Plan. We found that there was no decrease in these measures of healthcare utilization, and in fact the number of follow-up clinic visits was increased in the group with Seizure Action Plans (4.2 versus 3.3, p 0.006). However, the study was underpowered to detect smaller differences. Our study suggests that pediatric epilepsy quality improvement measures may require alternative approaches to reduce healthcare utilization and improve outcomes. PMID:26245799

The changing paradigm in surgery is system integration: How do we respond?

PubMed

Zenilman, Michael E; Freischlag, Julie-Ann

2017-12-08

With expansion of health care systems across the country, close relationships need to be developed between academic medical centers and their affiliated community hospitals. This creates opportunity to integrate surgical programs across different hospitals. Herein we describe a model of surgical integration at the system level of five large hospitals. We discuss utilizing advantages that both the academic and community hospital bring to the model. A close relationship between an interdisciplinary team, which includes the academic surgical chair, a regional director liaison who was embedded in the community, individual hospital leadership, and practice plan leaders was created. Three pillars as a foundation to success were physician leadership, the use of system infrastructure and development of new processes. This resulted in development of trust, leading to successful recruitments, models of employment and expansion into novel areas of patient safety. Once created, new opportunities for programming for surgical safety across the health care were identified. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Integrating market processes into utility resource planning

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

Kahn, E.P.

1992-11-01

Integrated resource planning has resulted in an abundance of alternatives for meeting existing and new demand for electricity services: (1) utility demand-side management (DSM) programs, (2) DSM bidding, (3) competitive bidding for private power supplies, (4) utility re-powering, and (5) new utility construction. Each alternative relies on a different degree of planning for implementation and, therefore, each alternative relies on markets to a greater or lesser degree. This paper shows how the interaction of planning processes and market forces results in resource allocations among the alternatives. The discussion focuses on three phenomena that are driving forces behind the unanticipated consequences'more » of contemporary integrated resource planning efforts. These forces are: (1) large-scale DSM efforts, (2) customer bypass, and (3) large-scale independent power projects. 22 refs., 3 figs., 2 tabs.« less

Reclamation of sanitary landfills: A case study in Shelby County, Tennessee

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

Riddick, P.M.; Kirsch, S.; Kung, Hsiang-Te

1992-07-01

Approximately 30,000 sanitary landfills were in operation in the United States in 1976; today, there are <7,000. The remaining 23,000 closed sites can be reclaimed to actually enhance the surrounding community; cost is the only limiting factor. Abandoned sanitary landfill sites do have problems, namely leachates, methane build-up, and subsidence. However, with modern techniques and planning, these problems can be overcome. Across the nation, old landfills have been converted into golf courses, parks, ski resorts, libraries, and even methane power plants. In some cases, a community's property value has actually increased after reclamation of the local landfill. Shelby County, inmore » southwestern Tennessee, currently has four closed sanitary landfills. Only one site has been fully utilized as a recreational facility. At this site, four soccer fields are home to over 150 league soccer teams. Two sites are home to airplane radio-control clubs, although most land at these sites is currently unused. The fourth site is completely unused and up for sale. All of these closed sanitary landfills have potential use as recreation areas, but, as is often the case, lack of money and initiative is preventing development. 7 refs.« less

Active Control of Solar Array Dynamics During Spacecraft Maneuvers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ross, Brant A.; Woo, Nelson; Kraft, Thomas G.; Blandino, Joseph R.

2016-01-01

Recent NASA mission plans require spacecraft to undergo potentially significant maneuvers (or dynamic loading events) with large solar arrays deployed. Therefore there is an increased need to understand and possibly control the nonlinear dynamics in the spacecraft system during such maneuvers. The development of a nonlinear controller is described. The utility of using a nonlinear controller to reduce forces and motion in a solar array wing during a loading event is demonstrated. The result is dramatic reductions in system forces and motion during a 10 second loading event. A motion curve derived from the simulation with the closed loop controller is used to obtain similar benefits with a simpler motion control approach.

PLANNING GUIDELINES FOR CONSTRUCTION OF FACILITIES AT THE STATE-SUPPORTED COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN COLORADO.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Colorado Association of State Institutions of Higher Education, Denver.

GUIDELINES ARE PRESENTED TO INSURE UNIFORM PLANNING AT THE EIGHT STATE-SUPPORTED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING IN COLORADO. TWO PLANNING CONSULTANT FIRMS SUBMITTED UTILIZATION CRITERIA AND SQUARE FOOTAGE CRITERIA WHICH WERE USED TO DEVELOP STANDARDS FOR PLANNING IN THE STATE INSTITUTIONS. STANDARDS WERE SET FOR (1) CLASSROOM UTILIZATION, (2)…

Planning satellite communication services and spectrum-orbit utilization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sawitz, P. H.

1982-01-01

The relationship between approaches to planning satellite communication services and spectrum-orbit utilization is considered, with emphasis on the fixed-satellite and the broadcasting-satellite services. It is noted that there are several possible approaches to planning space services, differing principally in the rigidity with which technical parameters are prescribed, in the time for which a plan remains in force, and in the procedures adopted for implementation and modifications. With some planning approaches, spectrum-orbit utilization is fixed at the time the plan is made. Others provide for greater flexibility by making it possible to postpone some decisions on technical parameters. In addition, the two political questions of what is equitable access and how it can be guaranteed in practice play an important role.

Utilization characteristics and importance of woody biomass resources on the rural-urban fringe in botswana.

PubMed

Nkambwe, Musisi; Sekhwela, Mogodisheng B M

2006-02-01

This article examines the utilization characteristics and importance of woody biomass resources in the rural-urban fringe zones of Botswana. In the literature for Africa, attention has been given to the availability and utilization of biomass in either urban or rural environments, but the rural-urban fringe has been neglected. Within southern Africa, this neglect is not justified; the rural-urban fringe, not getting the full benefits available in urban environments in Botswana, has developed problems in woody biomass availability and utilization that require close attention. In this article, socioeconomic data on the importance of woody biomass in the Batlokwa Tribal Territory, on the rural-urban fringe of Gaborone, Botswana, were collected together with ecologic data that reveal the utilization characteristics and potential for regrowth of woody biomass. The analysis of these results show that local woody biomass is very important in the daily lives of communities in the rural-urban fringe zones and that there is a high level of harvesting. However, there is no effort in planning land use in the tribal territory to either conserve this resource or provide alternatives to its utilization. The future of woody biomass resources in Botswana's rural-urban fringe is uncertain. The investigators recommend that a comprehensive policy for the development of the rural-urban fringe consider the importance of this resource. The neglect of this resource will have far-reaching implications on the livelihoods of residents as well as the environment in this zone.

Expected Utility Distributions for Flexible, Contingent Execution

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bresina, John L.; Washington, Richard

2000-01-01

This paper presents a method for using expected utility distributions in the execution of flexible, contingent plans. A utility distribution maps the possible start times of an action to the expected utility of the plan suffix starting with that action. The contingent plan encodes a tree of possible courses of action and includes flexible temporal constraints and resource constraints. When execution reaches a branch point, the eligible option with the highest expected utility at that point in time is selected. The utility distributions make this selection sensitive to the runtime context, yet still efficient. Our approach uses predictions of action duration uncertainty as well as expectations of resource usage and availability to determine when an action can execute and with what probability. Execution windows and probabilities inevitably change as execution proceeds, but such changes do not invalidate the cached utility distributions, thus, dynamic updating of utility information is minimized.

Impact of a Value-based Formulary on Medication Utilization, Health Services Utilization, and Expenditures.

PubMed

Yeung, Kai; Basu, Anirban; Hansen, Ryan N; Watkins, John B; Sullivan, Sean D

2017-02-01

Value-based benefit design has been suggested as an effective approach to managing the high cost of pharmaceuticals in health insurance markets. Premera Blue Cross, a large regional health plan, implemented a value-based formulary (VBF) for pharmaceuticals in 2010 that explicitly used cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) to inform medication copayments. The objective of the study was to determine the impact of the VBF. Interrupted time series of employer-sponsored plans from 2006 to 2013. Intervention group: 5235 beneficiaries exposed to the VBF. 11,171 beneficiaries in plans without any changes in pharmacy benefits. The VBF-assigned medications with lower value (estimated by CEA) to higher copayment tiers and assigned medications with higher value to lower copayment tiers. Primary outcome was medication expenditures from member, health plan, and member plus health plan perspectives. Secondary outcomes were medication utilization, emergency department visits, hospitalizations, office visits, and nonmedication expenditures. In the intervention group after VBF implementation, member medication expenditures increased by $2 per member per month (PMPM) [95% confidence interval (CI), $1-$3] or 9%, whereas health plan medication expenditures decreased by $10 PMPM (CI, $18-$2) or 16%, resulting in a net decrease of $8 PMPM (CI, $15-$2) or 10%, which translates to a net savings of $1.1 million. Utilization of medications moved into lower copayment tiers increased by 1.95 days' supply (CI, 1.29-2.62) or 17%. Total medication utilization, health services utilization, and nonmedication expenditures did not change. Cost-sharing informed by CEA reduced overall medication expenditures without negatively impacting medication utilization, health services utilization, or nonmedication expenditures.

Impact of High-Deductible Health Plans on Health Care Utilization and Costs

PubMed Central

Waters, Teresa M; Chang, Cyril F; Cecil, William T; Kasteridis, Panagiotis; Mirvis, David

2011-01-01

Background High-deductible health plans (HDHPs) are of high interest to employers, policy makers, and insurers because of potential benefits and risks of this fundamentally new coverage model. Objective To investigate the impact of HDHPs on health care utilization and costs in a heterogeneous group of enrollees from a variety of individual and employer-based health plans. Data Claims and member data from a major insurer and zip code-level census data. Study Design Retrospective difference-in-differences analyses were used to examine the impact of HDHP plans. This analytical approach compared changes in utilization and expenditures over time (2007 versus 2005) across the two comparison groups (HDHP switchers versus matched PPO controls). Results In two-part models, HDHP enrollment was associated with reduced emergency room use, increases in prescription medication use, and no change in overall outpatient expenditures. The impact of HDHPs on utilization differed by subgroup. Chronically ill enrollees and those who clearly had a choice of plans were more likely to increase utilization in specific categories after switching to an HDHP plan. Conclusions Whether HDHPs are associated with lower costs is far from settled. Various subgroups of enrollees may choose HDHPs for different reasons and react differently to plan incentives. PMID:21029087

78 FR 9016 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Massachusetts; Revisions to Fossil...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-07

... Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Massachusetts; Revisions to Fossil Fuel Utilization and..., inspection, maintenance and testing requirements for certain fossil fuel utilization facilities, rename and... fossil fuel utilization facility regulation, source registration regulation, and new industrial...

Embedding Human Expert Cognition Into Autonomous UAS Trajectory Planning.

PubMed

Narayan, Pritesh; Meyer, Patrick; Campbell, Duncan

2013-04-01

This paper presents a new approach for the inclusion of human expert cognition into autonomous trajectory planning for unmanned aerial systems (UASs) operating in low-altitude environments. During typical UAS operations, multiple objectives may exist; therefore, the use of multicriteria decision aid techniques can potentially allow for convergence to trajectory solutions which better reflect overall mission requirements. In that context, additive multiattribute value theory has been applied to optimize trajectories with respect to multiple objectives. A graphical user interface was developed to allow for knowledge capture from a human decision maker (HDM) through simulated decision scenarios. The expert decision data gathered are converted into value functions and corresponding criteria weightings using utility additive theory. The inclusion of preferences elicited from HDM data within an automated decision system allows for the generation of trajectories which more closely represent the candidate HDM decision preferences. This approach has been demonstrated in this paper through simulation using a fixed-wing UAS operating in low-altitude environments.

A feasibility study to determine if there is a market for automatic meter-reading devices

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

Hilberg, G.R.

1996-08-01

For many utilities the cost of manually reading meters is increasing due to personnel expenses and equipment costs. The current system of manual meters provides little ability for the utility to reduce costs. To reduce meter reading costs the utility must automate the manual system and reduce personnel expenses. A water utility in San Diego county was studied to calculate the cost of reading individual water meters. This would allow for the selective replacement of {open_quotes}high-cost{close_quotes} meters to quickly reduce meter-reading costs while limiting the necessary capital investments. As the {open_quotes}high-cost{close_quotes} meters are selectively replaced, a utility with a significantmore » difference in individual meter reading costs could save three to five dollars per meter per year. This study showed that the {open_quotes}high-cost{close_quotes} meters were six times more expensive to read than the average meter. Additionally, AMR systems increase the information available to consumers and to the utility on usage patterns and problems. The challenge was to cost effectively identify the {open_quotes}high-cost{close_quotes} meters. The costs to collect these data were less than $500.« less

40 CFR 60.1640 - What must I do if I plan to permanently close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart it?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart it? 60.1640 Section 60.1640 Protection of... NEW STATIONARY SOURCES Emission Guidelines and Compliance Times for Small Municipal Waste Combustion... do if I plan to permanently close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart it? (a) If you...

40 CFR 60.1640 - What must I do if I plan to permanently close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart it?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart it? 60.1640 Section 60.1640 Protection of... NEW STATIONARY SOURCES Emission Guidelines and Compliance Times for Small Municipal Waste Combustion... do if I plan to permanently close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart it? (a) If you...

40 CFR 60.1640 - What must I do if I plan to permanently close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart it?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart it? 60.1640 Section 60.1640 Protection of... NEW STATIONARY SOURCES Emission Guidelines and Compliance Times for Small Municipal Waste Combustion... do if I plan to permanently close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart it? (a) If you...

40 CFR 60.1640 - What must I do if I plan to permanently close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart it?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart it? 60.1640 Section 60.1640 Protection of... NEW STATIONARY SOURCES Emission Guidelines and Compliance Times for Small Municipal Waste Combustion... do if I plan to permanently close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart it? (a) If you...

40 CFR 60.1640 - What must I do if I plan to permanently close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart it?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart it? 60.1640 Section 60.1640 Protection of... NEW STATIONARY SOURCES Emission Guidelines and Compliance Times for Small Municipal Waste Combustion... do if I plan to permanently close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart it? (a) If you...

Preference reversal in quantum decision theory.

PubMed

Yukalov, Vyacheslav I; Sornette, Didier

2015-01-01

We consider the psychological effect of preference reversal and show that it finds a natural explanation in the frame of quantum decision theory. When people choose between lotteries with non-negative payoffs, they prefer a more certain lottery because of uncertainty aversion. But when people evaluate lottery prices, e.g., for selling to others the right to play them, they do this more rationally, being less subject to behavioral biases. This difference can be explained by the presence of the attraction factors entering the expression of quantum probabilities. Only the existence of attraction factors can explain why, considering two lotteries with close utility factors, a decision maker prefers one of them when choosing, but evaluates higher the other one when pricing. We derive a general quantitative criterion for the preference reversal to occur that relates the utilities of the two lotteries to the attraction factors under choosing vs. pricing and test successfully its application on experiments by Tversky et al. We also show that the planning paradox can be treated as a kind of preference reversal.

Southwest Project: resource/institutional requirements analysis. Volume III. Systems integration studies

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

Ormsby, L. S.; Sawyer, T. G.; Brown, Dr., M. L.

The purpose of this project is to provide information to DOE which can be used to establish its plans for accelerated commercialization and market penetration of solar electric generating plants in the southwestern region of the United States. The area of interest includes Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and sections of Oklahoma and Texas. The system integration study establishes the investment that utilities could afford to make in solar thermal, photovoltaic, and wind energy systems, and to assess the sensitivity of the break-even cost to critical variables including fuel escalation rates, fixed charge rates, load growth rates, cloudmore » cover, number of sites, load shape, and energy storage. This information will be used as input to Volume IV, Institutional Studies, one objective of which will be to determine the incentives required to close the gap between the break-even investment for the utilities of the Southwest and the estimated cost of solar generation.« less

The Economic Impact of Closed-Incision Negative-Pressure Therapy in High-Risk Abdominal Incisions: A Cost-Utility Analysis.

PubMed

Chopra, Karan; Gowda, Arvind U; Morrow, Chris; Holton, Luther; Singh, Devinder P

2016-04-01

Complex abdominal wall reconstruction is beset by postoperative complications. A recent meta-analysis comparing the use of closed-incision negative-pressure therapy to standard dressings found a statistically significant reduction in surgical-site infection. The use of closed-incision negative-pressure therapy is gaining acceptance in this population; however, the economic impact of this innovative dressing remains unknown. In this study, a cost-utility analysis was performed assessing closed-incision negative-pressure therapy and standard dressings following closure of abdominal incisions in high-risk patients. Cost-utility methodology involved reviewing literature related to closed-incision negative-pressure therapy in abdominal wall surgery, obtaining utility estimates to calculate quality-adjusted life-year scores for successful surgery and surgery complicated by surgical-site infection, summing costs using Medicare Current Procedural Terminology codes, and creating a decision tree illuminating the most cost-effective dressing strategy. One-way sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the robustness of the results. The aforementioned meta-analysis comparing closed-incision negative-pressure therapy to standard dressings included a subset of five studies assessing abdominal wall surgery in 829 patients (260 closed-incision negative-pressure therapy and 569 standard dressings). Decision tree analysis revealed an estimated savings of $1546.52 and a gain of 0.0024 quality-adjusted life-year with closed-incision negative-pressure therapy compared with standard dressings; therefore, closed-incision negative-pressure therapy is a dominant treatment strategy. One-way sensitivity analysis revealed that closed-incision negative-pressure therapy is a cost-effective option when the surgical-site infection rate is greater than 16.39 percent. The use of closed-incision negative-pressure therapy is cost-saving following closure of abdominal incisions in high-risk patients.

42 CFR 456.401 - State plan UR requirements and options; UR plan required for intermediate care facility services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 42 Public Health 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false State plan UR requirements and options; UR plan required for intermediate care facility services. 456.401 Section 456.401 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control:...

42 CFR 456.401 - State plan UR requirements and options; UR plan required for intermediate care facility services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 42 Public Health 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false State plan UR requirements and options; UR plan required for intermediate care facility services. 456.401 Section 456.401 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control:...

Dynamics of a Successful Planned Giving Program Utilizing Shared Leadership at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baldwin, Robin Lynn Brunty

2013-01-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dynamics of a successful planned giving program utilizing shared leadership at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This information will assist the leadership in determining if and how a successful planned giving program can be established for HBCUs. It is possible for planned gifts…

42 CFR 456.520 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Review Plans: FFP, Waivers, and Variances for Hospitals and Mental Hospitals Ur Plan: Remote Facility Variances from Time Requirements § 456.520 Definitions...

Using Multiattribute Utility Theory as a Priority-Setting Tool in Human Services Planning.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Camasso, Michael J.; Dick, Janet

1993-01-01

The feasibility of applying multiattribute utility theory to the needs assessment and priority-setting activities of human services planning councils was studied in Essex County (New Jersey). Decision-making and information filtering processes are explored in the context of community planning. (SLD)

42 CFR 456.380 - Individual written plan of care.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Intermediate Care Facilities Plan of Care § 456.380 Individual written plan of care. (a) Before admission to an ICF or before...) Activities; (v) Therapies; (vi) Social services; (vii) Diet; and (viii) Special procedures designed to meet...

42 CFR 456.380 - Individual written plan of care.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Intermediate Care Facilities Plan of Care § 456.380 Individual written plan of care. (a) Before admission to an ICF or before...) Activities; (v) Therapies; (vi) Social services; (vii) Diet; and (viii) Special procedures designed to meet...

NASA science utilization plans for the Space Station.

PubMed

Reeves, E M; Cressy, P J

1995-10-01

The Mir-1 and International Space Station Alpha capabilities present the science community with unique long duration platforms to conduct a wide range of scientific research in the microgravity and life sciences as well as in the observational sciences, NASA is developing plans to use the capabilities of Mir and Space Station as they emerge during the development of the orbital program. In both cases the planned science utilization programs take advantage of the volume, crew, power, microgravity and logistics resupply unique to each phase. The paper will present these utilization plans in the context of an evolving scientific program.

Report: Survey Results on Information Used by Water Utilities to Conduct Vulnerability Assessments

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Report #2004-M-0001, November 21, 2003. EPA developed a Strategic Plan for Homeland Security (Plan), dated Sept 2002, which states that EPA will work with the States, tribes, drinking water utilities, and others to enhance the security of water utilities.

42 CFR 456.505 - Applicability of waiver.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Review Plans: FFP, Waivers, and Variances for Hospitals and Mental Hospitals Ur Plan: Waiver of Requirements § 456.505 Applicability of...

42 CFR 456.521 - Conditions for granting variance requests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Review Plans: FFP, Waivers, and Variances for Hospitals and Mental Hospitals Ur Plan: Remote Facility Variances from Time...

42 CFR 456.525 - Request for renewal of variance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Review Plans: FFP, Waivers, and Variances for Hospitals and Mental Hospitals Ur Plan: Remote Facility Variances from Time...

42 CFR 456.525 - Request for renewal of variance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Review Plans: FFP, Waivers, and Variances for Hospitals and Mental Hospitals Ur Plan: Remote Facility Variances from Time...

42 CFR 456.242 - UR plan requirements for medical care evaluation studies.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Mental Hospitals Ur Plan: Medical Care Evaluation Studies § 456.242 UR plan requirements for medical care... evaluation studies in the mental hospital; (2) Documents for each study— (i) Its results; and (ii) How the...

75 FR 62023 - Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation by Transmission Owning and Operating Public Utilities

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-07

...] Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation by Transmission Owning and Operating Public Utilities September 29... (75 FR 37884) proposing to amend the transmission planning and cost allocation requirements... transmission needs driven by public policy requirements established by state or federal laws or regulations...

40 CFR 72.43 - Phase I reduced utilization plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... (CONTINUED) PERMITS REGULATION Acid Rain Compliance Plan and Compliance Options § 72.43 Phase I reduced... any Acid Rain emissions limitation or emissions reduction requirements during Phase I; and (ii) Meets... this section shall include in the Acid Rain permit application for the unit a reduced utilization plan...

40 CFR 72.43 - Phase I reduced utilization plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... (CONTINUED) PERMITS REGULATION Acid Rain Compliance Plan and Compliance Options § 72.43 Phase I reduced... any Acid Rain emissions limitation or emissions reduction requirements during Phase I; and (ii) Meets... this section shall include in the Acid Rain permit application for the unit a reduced utilization plan...

40 CFR 72.43 - Phase I reduced utilization plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... (CONTINUED) PERMITS REGULATION Acid Rain Compliance Plan and Compliance Options § 72.43 Phase I reduced... any Acid Rain emissions limitation or emissions reduction requirements during Phase I; and (ii) Meets... this section shall include in the Acid Rain permit application for the unit a reduced utilization plan...

40 CFR 72.43 - Phase I reduced utilization plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... (CONTINUED) PERMITS REGULATION Acid Rain Compliance Plan and Compliance Options § 72.43 Phase I reduced... any Acid Rain emissions limitation or emissions reduction requirements during Phase I; and (ii) Meets... this section shall include in the Acid Rain permit application for the unit a reduced utilization plan...

40 CFR 72.43 - Phase I reduced utilization plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... (CONTINUED) PERMITS REGULATION Acid Rain Compliance Plan and Compliance Options § 72.43 Phase I reduced... any Acid Rain emissions limitation or emissions reduction requirements during Phase I; and (ii) Meets... this section shall include in the Acid Rain permit application for the unit a reduced utilization plan...

40 CFR 62.15095 - What must I do if I plan to permanently close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart it?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart it? 62.15095 Section 62.15095 Protection of... Combustion Units Constructed on or Before August 30, 1999 Compliance Schedule and Increments of Progress § 62.15095 What must I do if I plan to permanently close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart...

40 CFR 62.15095 - What must I do if I plan to permanently close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart it?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart it? 62.15095 Section 62.15095 Protection of... Combustion Units Constructed on or Before August 30, 1999 Compliance Schedule and Increments of Progress § 62.15095 What must I do if I plan to permanently close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart...

40 CFR 62.15095 - What must I do if I plan to permanently close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart it?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart it? 62.15095 Section 62.15095 Protection of... Combustion Units Constructed on or Before August 30, 1999 Compliance Schedule and Increments of Progress § 62.15095 What must I do if I plan to permanently close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart...

40 CFR 62.15095 - What must I do if I plan to permanently close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart it?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart it? 62.15095 Section 62.15095 Protection of... Combustion Units Constructed on or Before August 30, 1999 Compliance Schedule and Increments of Progress § 62.15095 What must I do if I plan to permanently close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart...

40 CFR 62.15095 - What must I do if I plan to permanently close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart it?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart it? 62.15095 Section 62.15095 Protection of... Combustion Units Constructed on or Before August 30, 1999 Compliance Schedule and Increments of Progress § 62.15095 What must I do if I plan to permanently close my municipal waste combustion unit and not restart...

40 CFR 60.3065 - What must I do if I plan to permanently close my air curtain incinerator that burns only wood...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... close my air curtain incinerator that burns only wood waste, clean lumber, and yard waste and not..., 2004 Model Rule-Air Curtain Incinerators That Burn Only Wood Waste, Clean Lumber, and Yard Waste § 60.3065 What must I do if I plan to permanently close my air curtain incinerator that burns only wood...

40 CFR 60.3065 - What must I do if I plan to permanently close my air curtain incinerator that burns only wood...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... close my air curtain incinerator that burns only wood waste, clean lumber, and yard waste and not..., 2004 Model Rule-Air Curtain Incinerators That Burn Only Wood Waste, Clean Lumber, and Yard Waste § 60.3065 What must I do if I plan to permanently close my air curtain incinerator that burns only wood...

40 CFR 60.3065 - What must I do if I plan to permanently close my air curtain incinerator that burns only wood...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... close my air curtain incinerator that burns only wood waste, clean lumber, and yard waste and not..., 2004 Model Rule-Air Curtain Incinerators That Burn Only Wood Waste, Clean Lumber, and Yard Waste § 60.3065 What must I do if I plan to permanently close my air curtain incinerator that burns only wood...

40 CFR 60.3065 - What must I do if I plan to permanently close my air curtain incinerator that burns only wood...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... close my air curtain incinerator that burns only wood waste, clean lumber, and yard waste and not..., 2004 Model Rule-Air Curtain Incinerators That Burn Only Wood Waste, Clean Lumber, and Yard Waste § 60.3065 What must I do if I plan to permanently close my air curtain incinerator that burns only wood...

40 CFR 60.3065 - What must I do if I plan to permanently close my air curtain incinerator that burns only wood...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... close my air curtain incinerator that burns only wood waste, clean lumber, and yard waste and not..., 2004 Model Rule-Air Curtain Incinerators That Burn Only Wood Waste, Clean Lumber, and Yard Waste § 60.3065 What must I do if I plan to permanently close my air curtain incinerator that burns only wood...

42 CFR 456.508 - Withdrawal of waiver.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Review Plans: FFP, Waivers, and..., 1978, as amended at 61 FR 38399, July 24, 1996] UR Plan: Remote Facility Variances from Time...

Impact of a Value-Based Formulary on Medication Utilization, Health Services Utilization, and Expenditures

PubMed Central

Yeung, Kai; Basu, Anirban; Hansen, Ryan N.; Watkins, John B.; Sullivan, Sean D.

2016-01-01

Background Value-based benefit design has been suggested as an effective approach to managing the high cost of pharmaceuticals in health insurance markets. Premera Blue Cross, a large regional health plan, implemented a Value-Based Formulary (VBF) for pharmaceuticals in 2010 that explicitly used cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) to inform medication copayments. Objective To determine the impact of the VBF. Design Interrupted time-series of employer-sponsored plans from 2006 to 2013. Subjects Intervention group: 5,235 beneficiaries exposed to the VBF. Control group: 11,171 beneficiaries in plans without any changes in pharmacy benefits. Intervention The VBF assigned medications with lower value (estimated by CEA) to higher copayment tiers and assigned medications with higher value to lower copayment tiers. Measures Primary outcome was medication expenditures from member, health plan, and member plus health plan perspectives. Secondary outcomes were medication utilization, emergency department visits, hospitalizations, office visits, and non-medication expenditures. Results In the intervention group after VBF implementation, member medication expenditures increased by $2 per member per month (PMPM) (95% CI, $1 to $3) or 9%, while health plan medication expenditures decreased by $10 PMPM (CI, $18 to $2) or 16%, resulting in a net decrease of $8 PMPM (CI, $15 to $2) or 10%, which translates to a net savings of $1.1 million. Utilization of medications moved into lower copayment tiers increased by 1.95 days’ supply (CI, 1.29 to 2.62) or 17%. Total medication utilization, health services utilization and non-medication expenditures did not change. Conclusions Cost-sharing informed by CEA reduced overall medication expenditures without negatively impacting medication utilization, health services utilization or non-medication expenditures. PMID:27579915

Walking the Walk/Talking the Talk: Mission Planning with Speech-Interactive Agents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bell, Benjamin; Short, Philip; Webb, Stewart

2010-01-01

The application of simulation technology to mission planning and rehearsal has enabled realistic overhead 2-D and immersive 3-D "fly-through" capabilities that can help better prepare tactical teams for conducting missions in unfamiliar locales. For aircrews, detailed terrain data can offer a preview of the relevant landmarks and hazards, and threat models can provide a comprehensive glimpse of potential hot zones and safety corridors. A further extension of the utility of such planning and rehearsal techniques would allow users to perform the radio communications planned for a mission; that is, the air-ground coordination that is critical to the success of missions such as close air support (CAS). Such practice opportunities, while valuable, are limited by the inescapable scarcity of complete mission teams to gather in space and time during planning and rehearsal cycles. Moreoever, using simulated comms with synthetic entities, despite the substantial training and cost benefits, remains an elusive objective. In this paper we report on a solution to this gap that incorporates "synthetic teammates" - intelligent software agents that can role-play entities in a mission scenario and that can communicate in spoken language with users. We employ a fielded mission planning and rehearsal tool so that our focus remains on the experimental objectives of the research rather than on developing a testbed from scratch. Use of this planning tool also helps to validate the approach in an operational system. The result is a demonstration of a mission rehearsal tool that allows aircrew users to not only fly the mission but also practice the verbal communications with air control agencies and tactical controllers on the ground. This work will be presented in a CAS mission planning example but has broad applicability across weapons systems, missions and tactical force compositions.

Reading the Tea Leaves: How Utilities in the West Are Managing Carbon Regulatory Risk in their Resource Plans

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

Barbose, Galen; Wiser, Ryan; Phadke, Amol

2008-02-01

The long economic lifetime and development lead-time of many electric infrastructure investments requires that utility resource planning consider potential costs and risks over a lengthy time horizon. One long-term -- and potentially far-reaching -- risk currently facing the electricity industry is the uncertain cost of future carbon dioxide (CO2) regulations. Recognizing the importance of this issue, many utilities (sometimes spurred by state regulatory requirements) are beginning to actively assess carbon regulatory risk within their resource planning processes, and to evaluate options for mitigating that risk. However, given the relatively recent emergence of this issue and the rapidly changing political landscape,more » methods and assumptions used to analyze carbon regulatory risk, and the impact of this analysis on the selection of a preferred resource portfolio, vary considerably across utilities. In this study, we examine the treatment of carbon regulatory risk in utility resource planning, through a comparison of the most-recent resource plans filed by fifteen investor-owned and publicly-owned utilities in the Western U.S. Together, these utilities account for approximately 60percent of retail electricity sales in the West, and cover nine of eleven Western states. This report has two related elements. First, we compare and assess utilities' approaches to addressing key analytical issues that arise when considering the risk of future carbon regulations. Second, we summarize the composition and carbon intensity of the preferred resource portfolios selected by these fifteen utilities and compare them to potential CO2 emission benchmark levels.« less

Report on annual utility oil buyers conference

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

Stambler, K.

1994-08-01

What was discussed at this year`s Utility Oil Buyers` Conference is summarized. This year`s conference was held in Boston and there were over 200 attendees representing over 130 different companies from the utility, oil trading, consulting and inspection industries. Attendees for this year`s came from as far away as Italy and Argentina. The mood at this year`s conference was somber, as each sector is feeling the effects of the decline in residual fuel oil demand--due to natural gas displacement, non-utility generation and an economy that is still lethargic. The topics that were covered ranged from {open_quotes}Life after Order 636{close_quotes} tomore » {open_quotes}Does Residual Fuel Oil Have a Future in a Utility Steam Boiler?{close_quotes} to {open_quotes}The Future of Shipping after OPA of 1990.{close_quotes} In addition, there were several topics that have been or will be covered at this conference.« less

Regulators to the rescue: PSC's restrain runaway utilities. [Missouri PSC and Kansas City Power and Light Co

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

Morgan, R.

1980-07-01

The Missouri Public Service Commission's refusal to let the Kansas City utility include a new plant in its rate base because the utility already has excess capacity could set a precedent for halting expansion plans across the country. The Missouri PSC staff accused the utility of ignoring conservation goals, distorting facts, and planning to speculate on the wholesale power market at the ratepayers' expense. Other state regulators unhappy with poor utility planning can be expected to take a good look at the Missouri decision. Regulators in New Jersey and Pennsylvania have already taken a hard line with the nuclear industrymore » since the Three Mile Island accident. (DCK)« less

Odor Control Test Report of the Urine Containment Bag (UCB) for Orion Utilization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Casper, Stephanie; Williams, Nichole M. M.

2010-01-01

The purpose of this report is to summarize the conclusions for the odor control test of the Urine Containment Bag (UCB), P/N SDD46107234-306 in an environment simulating a space craft capsule. JSC 65891, Odor Control Test Plan of the Urine Containment Bag (UCB) for Orion Utilization, documents the test plan. The details of the test set-up and data reduction are detailed in the WSTF test report for this test WSTF #10-44500, Odor Control Test Plan of the Urine Containment Bag (UCB) for Orion Utilization,. This document outlines the project conclusions and forward plans with regard to trash containment for Constellation.

Total recall. [Refinancing of debt by utilities

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

Hemptstead, J.

1994-02-15

The dramatic rally in the US treasury markets in 1992 and 1993 offered utility treasurers a unique opportunity to radically restructure their outstanding debt profiles by redeeming and refunding callable and refundable bonds. Since January 1991, utility companies have issued over $100 billion of nonconvertible debt securities; 53 percent of these companies indicated [open quotes]refinancing fixed income securities[close quotes] as the primary use of proceeds. After approximately 18 months of heavy refunding activity, utility treasurers have nearly exhausted the supply of currently callable debt and are now looking at alternative methods of reducing their embedded cost of debt and increasingmore » cash flows. The two most common methods are to repurchase highest-cost noncallable and/or currently nonrefundable bonds through [open quotes]open-market repurchases[close quotes] and [open quotes]tender offers.[close quotes] A third, less popular and less used, method is the [open quotes]defeasance[close quotes]. This article describes the advantages, disadvantages, and economic effects of these three types of financing.« less

An Economic Approach to Setting Contribution Limits in Qualified State-Sponsored Tuition Savings Plans.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ma, Jennifer; Warshawsky, Mark J.; Ameriks, John; Blohm, Julia A.

This study used an expected utility framework with a mean-lower partial moment specification for investor utility to determine the asset allocation and the allowable contribution limits for qualified state-sponsored tuition savings plans. Given the assumptions about state policymakers' perceptions of investor utility, the study determined the…

A Roadmap for Recovery/Decontamination Plan for Critical Infrastructure after CBRN Event Involving Drinking Water Utilities: Scoping Study

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-05-01

A Roadmap for Recovery/Decontamination Plan for Critical Infrastructure after CBRN Event Involving Drinking Water Utilities: Scoping Study... Drinking Water Utilities was supported by the Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP) which is led by Defence Research and Development Canada’s Centre...after CBRN Event Involving Drinking Water Utilities Scoping Study Prepared by: Vladimir Blinov Konstantin Volchek Emergencies Science and

42 CFR 456.507 - Review and granting of waiver requests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Review Plans: FFP, Waivers, and Variances for Hospitals and Mental Hospitals Ur Plan: Waiver of Requirements § 456.507 Review and...

42 CFR 456.524 - Notification of Administrator's action and duration of variance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

..., DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Review Plans: FFP, Waivers, and Variances for Hospitals and Mental Hospitals Ur Plan: Remote...

Cooperative efforts by industry and government to develop geothermal resources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Butler, D. R.

1974-01-01

The Federal government's current plans for participation in the geothermal field appear to affect four major areas of interest: (1) resources exploration and assessment, (2) resources utilization projects, (3) advanced research and technology, and (4) environmental, legal, and institutional research. Private industry is also actively involved in these same areas of interest. Because of lack of coordination and communication between the private and public sector, it appears that there will be considerable duplication of effort, and, in some cases, serious conflict. It is also likely that this lack of coordination and communication may result in lack of effort in some key areas. Close coordination and communication between government and industry may resolve some of the major problems that are clearly evident.

40 CFR 60.2855 - What must I do if I plan to permanently close my air curtain incinerator and not restart it?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE FOR NEW STATIONARY... Units Model Rule-Air Curtain Incinerators § 60.2855 What must I do if I plan to permanently close my air...

Effect of insurance parity on substance abuse treatment.

PubMed

Azzone, Vanessa; Frank, Richard G; Normand, Sharon-Lise T; Burnam, M Audrey

2011-02-01

This study examined the impact of insurance parity on the use, cost, and quality of substance abuse treatment. The authors compared substance abuse treatment spending and utilization from 1999 to 2002 for continuously enrolled beneficiaries covered by Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) plans, which require parity coverage of mental health and substance use disorders, with spending and utilization among beneficiaries in a matched set of health plans without parity coverage. Logistic regression models estimated the probability of any substance abuse service use. Conditional on use, linear models estimated total and out-of-pocket spending. Logistic regression models for three quality indicators for substance abuse treatment were also estimated: identification of adult enrollees with a new substance abuse diagnosis, treatment initiation, and treatment engagement. Difference-in-difference estimates were computed as (postparity - preparity) differences in outcomes in plans without parity subtracted from those in FEHB plans. There were no significant differences between FEHB and non-FEHB plans in rates of change in average utilization of substance abuse services. Conditional on service utilization, the rate of substance abuse treatment out-of-pocket spending declined significantly in the FEHB plans compared with the non-FEHB plans (mean difference=-$101.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]=-$198.06 to -$4.12), whereas changes in total plan spending per user did not differ significantly. With parity, more patients had new diagnoses of a substance use disorder (difference-in-difference risk=.10%, CI=.02% to .19%). No statistically significant differences were found for rates of initiation and engagement in substance abuse treatment. Findings suggest that for continuously enrolled populations, providing parity of substance abuse treatment coverage improved insurance protection but had little impact on utilization, costs for plans, or quality of care.

Photovoltaic balance-of-system designs and costs at PVUSA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reyes, A. B.; Jennings, C.

1995-05-01

This report is one in a series of 1994-1995 PVUSA reports that document PVUSA lessons learned at demonstration sites in California and Texas. During the last 7 years (1988 to 1994), 16 PV systems ranging from 20 kW to 500 kW have been installed. Six 20-kW emerging module technology (EMT) arrays and three turnkey (i.e., vendor designed and integrated) utility-scale systems were procured and installed at PVUSA's main test site in Davis, California. PVUSA host utilities have installed a total of seven EMT arrays and utility-scale systems in their service areas. Additional systems at Davis and host utility sites are planned. One of PVUSA's key objectives is to evaluate the performance, reliability, and cost of PV balance-of-system (BOS). In the procurement stage PVUSA encouraged innovative design to improve upon present practice by reducing maintenance, improving reliability, or lowering manufacturing or construction costs. The project team worked closely with suppliers during the design stage not only to ensure designs met functional and safety specifications, but to provide suggestions for improvement. This report, intended for the photovoltaic (PV) industry and for utility project managers and engineers considering PV plant construction and ownership, documents PVUSA utility-scale system design and cost lessons learned. Complementary PVUSA topical reports document: construction and safety experience; five-year assessment of EMTs; validation of the Kerman 500-kW grid-support PV plant benefits; PVUSA instrumentation and data analysis techniques; procurement, acceptance, and rating practices for PV power plants; experience with power conditioning units and power quality.

A case study of middle size floating airports for shallower and deeper waters

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

Yoshida, Koichiro; Suzuki, Hideyuki; Nishigaki, Makoto

1996-12-31

Demands for large and middle size airports are expanding in Japan with continuous increase of air transportation. However these demands will not be satisfied without effective ocean space utilization. Most of the wide and shallower waters suitable for reclamation have already been reclaimed. Furthermore those shallower waters are generally close to the residential area, and noise and environmental problems will be caused if they were used for airports. Deeper waters, which are relatively distant from the shore, are suitable for airport but reclamation of these waters are extremely difficult. This paper presents a structural planning of an open sea typemore » middle size floating airport to promote local economy and also improve transportation infrastructure of isolated islands. The airports of this plan are a semisubmersible type floating structure with a relatively thin deck, a number of slender columns and large size lower hulls. The floating structure is moored by inclined tension legs to restrain the motion. The diameter of the leg becomes much larger compared with the legs of existing tension leg platforms. Parameters related to the configuration of the floating structure and the mooring system are determined by comparing analyses results with the proper design criteria. Several kinds of static and dynamic computer programs are used in the planning. The proposed structural plan and the mooring system are considered as a typical floating airport appropriate for the open sea.« less

Optimizing the Long-Term Operating Plan of Railway Marshalling Station for Capacity Utilization Analysis

PubMed Central

Zhou, Wenliang; Yang, Xia; Deng, Lianbo

2014-01-01

Not only is the operating plan the basis of organizing marshalling station's operation, but it is also used to analyze in detail the capacity utilization of each facility in marshalling station. In this paper, a long-term operating plan is optimized mainly for capacity utilization analysis. Firstly, a model is developed to minimize railcars' average staying time with the constraints of minimum time intervals, marshalling track capacity, and so forth. Secondly, an algorithm is designed to solve this model based on genetic algorithm (GA) and simulation method. It divides the plan of whole planning horizon into many subplans, and optimizes them with GA one by one in order to obtain a satisfactory plan with less computing time. Finally, some numeric examples are constructed to analyze (1) the convergence of the algorithm, (2) the effect of some algorithm parameters, and (3) the influence of arrival train flow on the algorithm. PMID:25525614

Utilization of Military Women. (A Report of Increased Utilization of Military Women, FY-1973-1977)

DTIC Science & Technology

The purpose of the study was to examine the utilization of military women and to prepare contingency plans for increasing the use of women to offset...to the utilization of military women : History of women in the Armed Forces; potential supply of women for the Armed Forces; assignment policies...attrition rates; costs of military women versus men; and service plans for increasing use of military women .

A Preliminary Research Plan for Development of a Photosynthetic Link in a Closed Ecological Life Support System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morgan, P. W.

1979-01-01

The use of higher plants in a closed ecological life support system for long duration space missions involving large numbers of people is considered. The approach to planning and developing both the habitat for a long term space mission and closed ecological life support systems are discussed with emphasis on environmental compatibility and integrated systems design. The requirements of photosynthetic processes are summarized and evaluated in terms of their availability within a closed ecological life support environment. Specific references are recommended as a data base for future research on this topic.

The business case for payer support of a community-based health information exchange: a humana pilot evaluating its effectiveness in cost control for plan members seeking emergency department care.

PubMed

Tzeel, Albert; Lawnicki, Victor; Pemble, Kim R

2011-07-01

As emergency department utilization continues to increase, health plans must limit their cost exposure, which may be driven by duplicate testing and a lack of medical history at the point of care. Based on previous studies, health information exchanges (HIEs) can potentially provide health plans with the ability to address this need. To assess the effectiveness of a community-based HIE in controlling plan costs arising from emergency department care for a health plan's members. Albert Tzeel. The study design was observational, with an eligible population (N = 1482) of fully insured plan members who sought emergency department care on at least 2 occasions during the study period, from December 2008 through March 2010. Cost and utilization data, obtained from member claims, were matched to a list of persons utilizing the emergency department where HIE querying could have occurred. Eligible members underwent propensity score matching to create a test group (N = 326) in which the HIE database was queried in all emergency department visits, and a control group (N = 325) in which the HIE database was not queried in any emergency department visit. Post-propensity matching analysis showed that the test group achieved an average savings of $29 per emergency department visit compared with the control group. Decreased utilization of imaging procedures and diagnostic tests drove this cost-savings. When clinicians utilize HIE in the care of patients who present to the emergency department, the costs borne by a health plan providing coverage for these patients decrease. Although many factors can play a role in this finding, it is likely that HIEs obviate unnecessary service utilization through provision of historical medical information regarding specific patients at the point of care.

HONDA'S IDEA ABOUT THE UTILIZATION OF NATURAL SCENERY ON "THE USE OF SCENIC LANDSCAPES"

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ogawa, Toru; Sanada, Junko

Essentially, natural scenery area plan must include scenery conservation and utilization as well as natural conservation, actually however, it is said that natural scenery area plan leans much toward natural conservation. So this study aims to focus on Seiroku Honda who has a major thinking about "utilization of scenery" in the Japanese national park's formation stage and clarify Honda's idea about the utilization of natural scenery by analyzing his "the Use of Scenic Landscapes". As a result, following three points are clarified. 1) Honda has four ideas in the base of each plans. 2) scenic landscape as resources in Honda's own ideas. 3) there was some conflict between modification ways and landscape resources.

Handbook on Planning for Sustainability for Water and Wastewater Utilities

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The handbook details steps utilities can undertake to enhance their existing planning processes to ensure that water infrastructure investments are cost-effective over their life-cycle, resource efficient and support other relevant community goals.

24 CFR 203.205 - Plan coverage.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 2 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Plan coverage. 203.205 Section 203... Protection Plans (plan) § 203.205 Plan coverage. (a) Plan coverage must take effect at closing or settlement following the initial sale of the property to the homeowner. (b) During the first year of coverage, a Plan...

DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONAL EMERGENCY PLAN FOR MEDICAL DIAGNOSTICS AND THERAPY OF DETERMINISTIC EFFECTS AFTER RADIATION ACCIDENTS.

PubMed

Ziegler, Andreas

2016-09-01

The focus of nuclear emergency planning in Austria has been so far on mitigating effects of widespread contamination (e.g. after NPP accidents); however, these plans did not contain provisions on the medical management of an acute radiation syndrome. To close this gap, a 'Medical Radiation Emergency Plan' was created in 2009 and 2011. This paper describes the development of this plan (including the selection of consulted guidance) as well as its structure and main propositions and closes with an outlook on probable enhancements for the second edition. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

40 CFR 300.215 - Title III local emergency response plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... should be closely coordinated with applicable federal ACPs and state emergency response plans. (b... POLLUTION CONTINGENCY PLAN Planning and Preparedness § 300.215 Title III local emergency response plans... are codified at 40 CFR part 355. (a) Each LEPC is to prepare an emergency response plan in accordance...

40 CFR 300.215 - Title III local emergency response plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... should be closely coordinated with applicable federal ACPs and state emergency response plans. (b... POLLUTION CONTINGENCY PLAN Planning and Preparedness § 300.215 Title III local emergency response plans... are codified at 40 CFR part 355. (a) Each LEPC is to prepare an emergency response plan in accordance...

40 CFR 300.215 - Title III local emergency response plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... should be closely coordinated with applicable federal ACPs and state emergency response plans. (b... POLLUTION CONTINGENCY PLAN Planning and Preparedness § 300.215 Title III local emergency response plans... are codified at 40 CFR part 355. (a) Each LEPC is to prepare an emergency response plan in accordance...

40 CFR 300.215 - Title III local emergency response plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... should be closely coordinated with applicable federal ACPs and state emergency response plans. (b... POLLUTION CONTINGENCY PLAN Planning and Preparedness § 300.215 Title III local emergency response plans... are codified at 40 CFR part 355. (a) Each LEPC is to prepare an emergency response plan in accordance...

40 CFR 300.215 - Title III local emergency response plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... should be closely coordinated with applicable federal ACPs and state emergency response plans. (b... POLLUTION CONTINGENCY PLAN Planning and Preparedness § 300.215 Title III local emergency response plans... are codified at 40 CFR part 355. (a) Each LEPC is to prepare an emergency response plan in accordance...

77 FR 22691 - Fees on Health Insurance Policies and Self-Insured Plans for the Patient-Centered Outcomes...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-17

... statute provides that the Institute will not develop a dollars-per-quality-life-year estimate as a... have practical utility; How the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected may be... plan sponsors of calculating the average number of lives covered for the applicable policy year or plan...

Family Planning Visits by Teenagers: United States, 1978. Data on Health Resources Utilization Series 13, No. 58.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Foster, Jean; Eckard, Eugenia

Teenagers' utilization of family planning services is of major concern in view of the estimated 4.1 million adolescent females at risk, defined as fertile, sexually active teenagers who are not pregnant and who are not seeking to become pregnant. To obtain information regarding teenagers' use of medical family planning services in clinical…

STS/Spacelab payload utilization planning study: Executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

The planning process recommended to meet the orbital flight requirements for the Space Transportation System and payload development, procurement, operations, and support leading to authorization and funding of STS and payload project activities is described. The rationale and rp primary products of STS utilization planning are summarized along with the implementation of the system. Major recommendations of the study are included.

Utilizing grassroots workers in family planning programs in India: prospects and problems.

PubMed

Mani, S B

1991-01-01

In order to rapidly expand the network of delivery systems and speed up the process of acceptance of family planning messages and methods, a shift took place in the Indian family planning program from the bureaucratic "clinical" approach to the people oriented "extension" approach. As a result, there is an increasing emphasis on moving the family planning efforts closer to the grassroots level. A key methodological issue centers on the proper selection, cultural acceptability, and the effectiveness of the grassroots workers who are to be trained and through whom family planning motivational messages and methods are to be introduced. The Indian government, from time to time, has trained and utilized different groups of grassroots workers in its family planning promotional efforts. Anthropological field studies were conducted in two different regions in India to examine the potential and actual roles of two groups of grassroots workers--opinion leaders and traditional birth attendants--in the delivery of family planning services in the rural areas. These studies revealed that while the traditional birth attendants can be trained and utilized to a limited extent in promoting family planning efforts, especially to the eligible female clients, the role of the opinion leaders in such efforts is at best questionable. Based on these field studies, cultural and technical (including bureaucratic) problems in training and utilizing opinion leaders and traditional birth attendants are explored in detail. Modifications in the training program strategies are suggested to improve and expand the family planning delivery system in rural India.

Are prescription drug insurance choices consistent with expected utility theory?

PubMed

Bundorf, M Kate; Mata, Rui; Schoenbaum, Michael; Bhattacharya, Jay

2013-09-01

To determine the extent to which people make choices inconsistent with expected utility theory when choosing among prescription drug insurance plans and whether tabular or graphical presentation format influences the consistency of their choices. Members of an Internet-enabled panel chose between two Medicare prescription drug plans. The "low variance" plan required higher out-of-pocket payments for the drugs respondents usually took but lower out-of-pocket payments for the drugs they might need if they developed a new health condition than the "high variance" plan. The probability of a change in health varied within subjects and the presentation format (text vs. graphical) and the affective salience of the clinical condition (abstract vs. risk related to specific clinical condition) varied between subjects. Respondents were classified based on whether they consistently chose either the low or high variance plan. Logistic regression models were estimated to examine the relationship between decision outcomes and task characteristics. The majority of respondents consistently chose either the low or high variance plan, consistent with expected utility theory. Half of respondents consistently chose the low variance plan. Respondents were less likely to make discrepant choices when information was presented in graphical format. Many people, although not all, make choices consistent with expected utility theory when they have information on differences among plans in the variance of out-of-pocket spending. Medicare beneficiaries would benefit from information on the extent to which prescription drug plans provide risk protection. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved.

Moving toward integrated value-based planning: The issues

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

Chamberlin, J.H.; Braithwait, C.L.

1988-07-01

Integrated Value-Based Planning (IVP) is a promising new planning approach that uses value, as well as cost, as the common denominator for evaluating supply and demand resource options. Planning based on value yields an ''apples to apples'' comparison of utility and customer options. The IVP approach can form the cornerstone of a successful market-driven utility planning strategy. This conference will raise questions, discuss issues, and further the exchange of information regarding the tools, concepts, and techniques needed to put IVP into the utility planner's toolbox. This proceedings is more than a compendium of papers. It is designed to let bothmore » participants and non-participants exchange information. To this end, listings and cross-listings of papers, speakers and participant interest areas, along with the ever-invaluable phone number have been included.« less

Future directions: Integrated resource planning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bauer, D. C.; Eto, J.

Integrated resource planning or IRP is the process for integrating supply- and demand-side resources to provide energy services at a cost that balances the interests of all stakeholders. It now is the resource planning process used by electric utilities in over 30 states. The goals of IRP have evolved from least cost planning and encouragement of demand-side management to broader, more complex issues including core competitive business activity, risk management and sharing, accounting for externalities, and fuel switching between gas and electricity. IRP processes are being extended to other interior regions of the country, to non-investor owned utilities, and to regional (rather than individual utility) planning bases, and to other fuels (natural gas). The comprehensive, multi-valued, and public reasoning characteristics of IRP could be extended to applications beyond energy, e.g., transportation, surface water management, and health care in ways suggested.

7 CFR 1781.19 - Approval, closing, and cancellation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 12 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Approval, closing, and cancellation. 1781.19 Section...) LOANS AND ADVANCES § 1781.19 Approval, closing, and cancellation. (a) Approval and closing actions will... included in the list of sponsoring or co-sponsoring local organizations in the plan. (2) Closing...

Planning a Stigmatized Nonvisible Illness Disclosure: Applying the Disclosure Decision-Making Model

PubMed Central

Choi, Soe Yoon; Venetis, Maria K.; Greene, Kathryn; Magsamen-Conrad, Kate; Checton, Maria G.; Banerjee, Smita C.

2016-01-01

This study applied the disclosure decision-making model (DD-MM) to explore how individuals plan to disclose nonvisible illness (Study 1), compared to planning to disclose personal information (Study 2). Study 1 showed that perceived stigma from the illness negatively predicted disclosure efficacy; closeness predicted anticipated response (i.e., provision of support) although it did not influence disclosure efficacy; disclosure efficacy led to reduced planning, with planning leading to scheduling. Study 2 demonstrated that when information was considered to be intimate, it negatively influenced disclosure efficacy. Unlike the model with stigma (Study 1), closeness positively predicted both anticipated response and disclosure efficacy. The rest of the hypothesized relationships showed a similar pattern to Study 1: disclosure efficacy reduced planning, which then positively influenced scheduling. Implications of understanding stages of planning for stigmatized information are discussed. PMID:27662447

Planning a Stigmatized Nonvisible Illness Disclosure: Applying the Disclosure Decision-Making Model.

PubMed

Choi, Soe Yoon; Venetis, Maria K; Greene, Kathryn; Magsamen-Conrad, Kate; Checton, Maria G; Banerjee, Smita C

2016-11-16

This study applied the disclosure decision-making model (DD-MM) to explore how individuals plan to disclose nonvisible illness (Study 1), compared to planning to disclose personal information (Study 2). Study 1 showed that perceived stigma from the illness negatively predicted disclosure efficacy; closeness predicted anticipated response (i.e., provision of support) although it did not influence disclosure efficacy; disclosure efficacy led to reduced planning, with planning leading to scheduling. Study 2 demonstrated that when information was considered to be intimate, it negatively influenced disclosure efficacy. Unlike the model with stigma (Study 1), closeness positively predicted both anticipated response and disclosure efficacy. The rest of the hypothesized relationships showed a similar pattern to Study 1: disclosure efficacy reduced planning, which then positively influenced scheduling. Implications of understanding stages of planning for stigmatized information are discussed.

Renewable energy in electric utility capacity planning: a decomposition approach with application to a Mexican utility

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

Staschus, K.

1985-01-01

In this dissertation, efficient algorithms for electric-utility capacity expansion planning with renewable energy are developed. The algorithms include a deterministic phase that quickly finds a near-optimal expansion plan using derating and a linearized approximation to the time-dependent availability of nondispatchable energy sources. A probabilistic second phase needs comparatively few computer-time consuming probabilistic simulation iterations to modify this solution towards the optimal expansion plan. For the deterministic first phase, two algorithms, based on a Lagrangian Dual decomposition and a Generalized Benders Decomposition, are developed. The probabilistic second phase uses a Generalized Benders Decomposition approach. Extensive computational tests of the algorithms aremore » reported. Among the deterministic algorithms, the one based on Lagrangian Duality proves fastest. The two-phase approach is shown to save up to 80% in computing time as compared to a purely probabilistic algorithm. The algorithms are applied to determine the optimal expansion plan for the Tijuana-Mexicali subsystem of the Mexican electric utility system. A strong recommendation to push conservation programs in the desert city of Mexicali results from this implementation.« less

Analysis of potential benefits of integrated-gasifier combined cycles for a utility system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choo, Y. K.

1983-01-01

Potential benefits of integrated gasifier combined cycle (IGCC) units were evaluated for a reference utility system by comparing long range expansion plans using IGCC units and gas turbine peakers with a plan using only state of the art steam turbine units and gas turbine peakers. Also evaluated was the importance of the benefits of individual IGCC unit characteristics, particularly unit efficiency, unit equivalent forced outage rate, and unit size. A range of IGCC units was analyzed, including cases achievable with state of the art gas turbines and cases assuming advanced gas turbine technology. All utility system expansion plans that used IGCC units showed substantial savings compared with the base expansion plan using the steam turbine units.

The use of routine monitoring and evaluation systems to assess a referral model of family planning and HIV service integration in Nigeria.

PubMed

Chabikuli, Nzapfurundi O; Awi, Dorka D; Chukwujekwu, Ogo; Abubakar, Zubaida; Gwarzo, Usman; Ibrahim, Mohammed; Merrigan, Mike; Hamelmann, Christoph

2009-11-01

To measure changes in service utilization of a model integrating family planning with HIV counselling and testing (HCT), antiretroviral therapy (ART) and prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) in the Nigerian public health facilities. It is a retrospective survey of attendance and family planning commodity uptake in 71 health facilities in Nigeria that analyzes the preintegration and postintegration periods between March 2007 and January 2009. A prepost retrospective comparison of mean attendance at family planning clinics and couple-years of protection (CYP) compared 6 months preintegration with 9 months postintegration period. An analysis of service ratios was conducted, relating completed referrals at family planning clinics to service utilization at the referring HIV clinics. Mean attendance at family planning clinics increased significantly from 67.6 in preintegration to 87.0 in postintegration. The mean CYP increased significantly from 32.3 preintegration to 38.2 postintegration. Service ratio of referrals from each of the HIV clinics was low but increased in the postintegration period by 4, 34 and 42 per 1000 clients from HCT, ART and PMTCT clinics, respectively. Service ratios were higher in primary healthcare settings than in secondary or tertiary hospitals. Attendance by men at family planning clinics was significantly higher among clients referred from HIV clinics. Family planning-HIV integration using the referral model improved family planning service utilization by clients accessing HIV services, but further improvement is possible. Male utilization of family planning services also improved. The government of Nigeria should review the family planning user fee policy and scale up the integration in primary healthcare facilities.

Artificial Intelligence Research Branch future plans

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stewart, Helen (Editor)

1992-01-01

This report contains information on the activities of the Artificial Intelligence Research Branch (FIA) at NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) in 1992, as well as planned work in 1993. These activities span a range from basic scientific research through engineering development to fielded NASA applications, particularly those applications that are enabled by basic research carried out in FIA. Work is conducted in-house and through collaborative partners in academia and industry. All of our work has research themes with a dual commitment to technical excellence and applicability to NASA short, medium, and long-term problems. FIA acts as the Agency's lead organization for research aspects of artificial intelligence, working closely with a second research laboratory at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and AI applications groups throughout all NASA centers. This report is organized along three major research themes: (1) Planning and Scheduling: deciding on a sequence of actions to achieve a set of complex goals and determining when to execute those actions and how to allocate resources to carry them out; (2) Machine Learning: techniques for forming theories about natural and man-made phenomena; and for improving the problem-solving performance of computational systems over time; and (3) Research on the acquisition, representation, and utilization of knowledge in support of diagnosis design of engineered systems and analysis of actual systems.

Utilization of Health Research Recommendation in Policy and Planning in Nepal.

PubMed

Dhimal, M; Pandey, A R; Aryal, K K; Budhathoki, C B; Vaidya, D L; Karki, K K; Onta, S

2016-09-01

Over the past decade in Nepal, a large number of studies have been carried in a variety of health areas; however whether evidence derived from these studies has been used to inform health policy has not been explored. This study aims to assess the utilization of recommendations from health research in health policy and plans, and to identify the factors that influence utilization of research findings by policy makers' in Nepal. Qualitative study incorporating literature review and semi-structured interviews was used. Research reports and health related policies were collected from governmental and non-governmental bodies. Documents were reviewed to identify the utilization of research-based recommendations in health policy and plan formulation. In-depth interviews were conducted with key policy makers and researchers to identify factors that hinder the utilization of research recommendations. A total of 83 health related research reports were identified, of which 48 had recommendations. Four policies and three plans, from total 21 identified plans and policies, were found to have incorporated recommendations from research. Of the 48 studies that had recommendations, 35 were found to be used in the policy making process. Lack of appropriate communication mechanisms, and concerns related to the quality of research conducted, were the main factors hindering the translation of evidence into policy. Communication gaps exist between researchers and policy makers, which seem to have impeded the utilization of research-based information and recommendations in decision-making process. Establishing a unit responsible for synthesizing evidences and producing actionable messages for policy makers can improve utilization of research findings.

13. Site D57 & 58C, Layout and Utility Plan, U.S. ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

13. Site D-57 & 58-C, Layout and Utility Plan, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1 March 1957. - Newport NIKE Missile Battery D-57/58, Integrated Fire Control Area, Newport Road, Carleton, Monroe County, MI

Fossil fuels in a sustainable energy future

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

Bechtel, T.F.

1995-12-01

The coal industry in the United States has become a world leader in safety, productivity, and environmental protection in the mining of coal. The {open_quotes}pick-and-shovel{close_quotes} miner with mangled limbs and black lung disease has been replaced by the highly skilled technicians that lead the world in tons per man-hour. The gob piles, polluted streams, and scared land are a thing of the past. The complementary efforts of the DOE and EPRI-funded programs in coal utilization R&D and the Clean Coal Technology Program commercial demonstrations, have positioned the power generation industry to utilize coal in a way that doesn`t pollute themore » air or water, keeps electrical power costs low, and avoids the mountains of waste material. This paper reviews the potential for advanced coal utilization technologies in new power generation applications as well as the repowering of existing plants to increase their output, raise their efficiency, and reduce pollution. It demonstrates the potential for these advanced coal-fueled plants to play a complementary role in future planning with the natural gas and oil fired units currently favored in the market place. The status of the US program to demonstrate these technologies at commercial scale is reviewed in some detail.« less

Regional inequalities of child mortality in peninsular Malaysia with special reference to the differentials between Perlis and Kuala Terengganu.

PubMed

Brehm, U

1993-05-01

In Peninsular Malaysia child mortality rates (5q0) vary from 13 to 63 per thousand at district level. The spatial pattern is closely associated with the regional distribution of socio-economic factors. But due to multicollinearity it is difficult to isolate the influence of socio-economic variables from other variables by employing aggregated data. However, individual data collected in a case-control-study that was conducted in Perlis and Kuala Terengganu confirm the important role of socio-economic factors. So it should be possible to achieve a further reduction of child mortality by raising the income and educational level of the under-privileged groups. Apart from that, as the case of Perlis shows, the provision of family planning and preventive medical services may also contribute to lower child mortality independent from socio-economic changes. But, as the comparison with Kuala Terengganu shows, the utilization of family planning and preventive medical services is not only influenced by the accessibility to, but also by the socio-culturally determined acceptability of such services.

Electrical load management at the Goldstone DSN Complex

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rayburn, J. C.

1981-01-01

A Power Load Management Plan was deveoped which utilizes the unique power generating capabilities of the stations to reduce the stress on the local utility's reserve capacity and reduce the cost of electrical power at the stations. The plan has greatly reduced the cost of Goldstone electrical power by completely eliminating the use of commercial power during the local utility's high usage periods each day.

Preference reversal in quantum decision theory

PubMed Central

Yukalov, Vyacheslav I.; Sornette, Didier

2015-01-01

We consider the psychological effect of preference reversal and show that it finds a natural explanation in the frame of quantum decision theory. When people choose between lotteries with non-negative payoffs, they prefer a more certain lottery because of uncertainty aversion. But when people evaluate lottery prices, e.g., for selling to others the right to play them, they do this more rationally, being less subject to behavioral biases. This difference can be explained by the presence of the attraction factors entering the expression of quantum probabilities. Only the existence of attraction factors can explain why, considering two lotteries with close utility factors, a decision maker prefers one of them when choosing, but evaluates higher the other one when pricing. We derive a general quantitative criterion for the preference reversal to occur that relates the utilities of the two lotteries to the attraction factors under choosing vs. pricing and test successfully its application on experiments by Tversky et al. We also show that the planning paradox can be treated as a kind of preference reversal. PMID:26500592

SU-F-T-443: Quantification of Dosimetric Effects of Dental Metallic Implant On VMAT Plans

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

Lin, C; Jiang, W; Feng, Y

Purpose: To evaluate the dosimetric impact of metallic implant that correlates with the size of targets and metallic implants and distance in between on volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans for head and neck (H&N) cancer patients with dental metallic implant. Methods: CT images of H&N cancer patients with dental metallic implant were used. Target volumes with different sizes and locations were contoured. Metal artifact regions excluding surrounding critical organs were outlined and assigned with CT numbers close to water (0HU). VMAT plans with half-arc, one-full-arc and two-full-arcs were constructed and same plans were applied to structure sets with and withoutmore » CT number assignment of metal artifact regions and compared. D95% was utilized to investigate PTV dose coverage and SNC Patient− Software was used for the analysis of dose distribution difference slice by slice. Results: For different targets sizes, variation of PTV dose coverage (Delta-D95%) with and without CT number replacement reduced with larger target volume for all half-arc, one-arc and two-arc VMAT plans even though there were no clinically significant differences. Additionally, there were no significant variations of the maximum percent difference (max.%diff) of dose distribution. With regard to the target location, Delta-D95% and max. %diff dropped with increasing distance between target and metallic implant. Furthermore, half-arc plans showed greater impact than one-arc plans, and two-arc plans had smallest influence for PTV dose coverage and dose distribution. Conclusion: The target size has less correlation of doseimetric impact than the target location relative to metallic implants. Plans with more arcs alleviate the dosimetric effect of metal artifact because of less contribution to the target dose from beams going through the regions with metallic artifacts. Incorrect CT number causes inaccurate dose distribution, therefore appropriately overwriting metallic artifact regions with reasonable CT numbers is recommended. More patient data are collected and under further analysis.« less

A Teacher Activist's Response to Schools Closing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reed, Sam, III

2013-01-01

In this article, the author presents his thoughts, as a teacher activist, on the school closing process in Philadelphia, particularly the effect of the closing process on Beeber Middle School and its response to the closing. The District's Facilities Master Plan originally called for closing 37 schools, Some schools were removed from the closing…

A new Gamma Knife radiosurgery paradigm: Tomosurgery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Xiaoliang

The Leksell (Elekta, Stockholm, Sweden) Gamma Knife(TM) (LGK) is the worldwide standard-of-care for the radiosurgical treatment of a wide variety of intracranial lesions. The current LGK utilizes a step-and-shoot dose delivery mechanism where the centroid of each conformal radiation dose (i.e., the shot isocenter) requires repositioning the patient outside of the irradiation field. Perhaps the greatest challenge the LGK treatment team faces is planning the treatment of large and/or complexly shaped lesions that may be in close proximity to critical neural or vascular structures. The standard manual treatment planning approach is a time consuming procedure where additional time spent does not guarantee the identification of an increasingly optimal treatment plan. I propose a new radiosurgery paradigm which I refer to as "Tomosurgery". The Tomosurgery paradigm begins with the division of the target volume into a series of adjacent treatment slices, each with a carefully determined optimal thickness. The use of a continuously moving disk-shaped radiation shot that moves through the lesion in a raster-scanning pattern is expected to improve overall radiation dose conformality and homogeneity. The Tomosurgery treatment planning algorithm recruits a two-stage optimization strategy, which first plans each treatment slice as a simplified 2D problem and secondly optimally assembles the 2D treatment plans into the final 3D treatment plan. Tested on 11 clinical LGK cases, the automated inversely-generated Tomosurgery treatment plans performed as well or better than the neurosurgeon's manually created treatment plans across all criteria: (a) dose volume histograms, (b) dose homogeneity, (c) dose conformality, and (d) critical structure damage, where applicable. LGK Tomosurgery inverse treatment planning required much less time than standard of care, manual (i.e., forward) LGK treatment planning procedures. These results suggest that Tomosurgery might provide an improvement over the current LGK radiosurgery treatment planning software. As regards treatment delivery, a Tomosurgery Investigational Platform (TIP) is proposed to perform the physical validation of radiation dose delivery. The TIP should facilitate translation of the Tomosurgery paradigm to several other radiosurgery and/or radiotherapy devices without the need for expensive modification of commercial devices until the feasibility of delivering Tomosurgical treatment plans has been well established.

Evidence-based nursing practice: both state of the art in general and specific to pressure sores.

PubMed

Buss, I C; Halfens, R J; Abu-Saad, H H; Kok, G

1999-01-01

The importance of research-based practice in nursing has been frequently stressed, and a number of nursing studies have been conducted whose results enable nursing to improve knowledge and practice. This study reports a literature review in which the current status of knowledge and research utilization with regard to pressure sores is described. This review first gives an overview of studies on knowledge utilization in general and shows that the spontaneous diffusion of knowledge is inappropriate. Furthermore, an overview of planned research utilization activities focusing on pressure sore prevention and treatment in nursing is presented. The results of these studies show that planned research utilization activities performed in individual organizations lead to positive outcomes in almost all cases. Therefore, it could be concluded that implementing planned research utilization activities in individual health care institutions seems to be an effective strategy to decrease pressure sore incidence and prevalence rates.

42 CFR 456.520 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Review Plans: FFP, Waivers, and Variances for Hospitals and Mental Hospitals Ur Plan: Remote Facility Variances from Time Requirements § 456.520 Definitions... granted by the Administrator to the Medicaid agency for a specific remote facility to use time periods...

East Cameron Block 270, a Pleistocene field

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

Holland, D.S.; Sutley, C.E.; Berlitz, R.E.

1974-01-01

Exploration of the Plio-Pleistocene in the Gulf of Mexico since 1970 has discovered significant hydrocarbon reserves. One of the better gas fields to date has been the Block 270 E. Cameron field. Utilization of a coordinated exploitation plan with Schlumberger has allowed Pennzoil as operator, to develop and put on production the Block 270 field in a minimum time period. Block 270 field is a N.-S. trending faulted nose at 6,000 ft. At G-Sand depth (8,700 ft), the structure has closed, forming an elongated N.-S. structure with dip in all directions from the Block 270 area. Closure is the resultmore » of contemporaneous growth on the E. bounding regional fault. Structural and stratigraphic interpretations from dipmeters were used to help determine the most favorable offset locations.« less

Factors associated with utilization of long-acting and permanent contraceptive methods among women who have decided not to have more children in Gondar city.

PubMed

Zenebe, Chernet Baye; Adefris, Mulat; Yenit, Melaku Kindie; Gelaw, Yalemzewod Assefa

2017-09-06

Despite the fact that long acting family planning methods reduce population growth and improve maternal health, their utilization remains poor. Therefore, this study assessed the prevalence of long acting and permanent family planning method utilization and associated factors among women in reproductive age groups who have decided not to have more children in Gondar city, northwest Ethiopia. An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from August to October, 2015. Three hundred seventeen women who have decided not to have more children were selected consecutively into the study. A structured and pretested questionnaire was used to collect data. Both bivariate and multi-variable logistic regressions analyses were used to identify factors associated with utilization of long acting and permanent family planning methods. The multi-variable logistic regression analysis was used to investigate factors associated with the utilization of long acting and permanent family planning methods. The Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with the corresponding 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was used to show the strength of associations, and variables with a P-value of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. In this study, the overall prevalence of long acting and permanent contraceptive (LAPCM) method utilization was 34.7% (95% CI: 29.5-39.9). According to the multi-variable logistic regression analysis, utilization of long acting and permanent contraceptive methods was significantly associated with women who had secondary school, (AOR: 2279, 95% CI: 1.17, 4.44), college, and above education (AOR: 2.91, 95% CI: 1.36, 6.24), history of previous utilization (AOR: 3.02, 95% CI: 1.69, 5.38), and information about LAPCM (AOR: 8.85, 95% CI: 2.04, 38.41). In this study the prevalence of long acting and permanent family planning method utilization among women who have decided not to have more children was high compared with previous studies conducted elsewhere. Advanced educational status, previous utilization of LAPCM, and information on LAPCM were significantly associated with the utilization of LAPCM. As a result, strengthening behavioral change communication channels to make information accessible is highly recommended.

How can we maximize the use of our operating lists? An analysis of factors influencing theatre efficiency in oculoplastic day surgery.

PubMed

Nagendran, Sonali T; Siah, We Fong; Litwin, Andre; Barbosa, Christine; Jayatilake, Jan; Malhotra, Raman

2016-12-01

Operating theatre utilization has become the principal measure of NHS operating theatre service performance. We analysed data from oculoplastic theatres in a tertiary centre to identify factors influencing theatre efficiency. We conducted three audits on operating theatre utilization in 2011, 2014 and 2015. Data was collected from real time information entered into the hospital database, including time of arrival, induction, first cut and close of operation. The primary outcome measure was the operating list utilization rate, a combined value of anaesthetic and surgical time as a proportion of the total planned session time. The initial 2011 audit recorded an operating list utilization rate of 81.2%. However, this dropped to 64.5% in 2014 following new management and a move to a new theatre suite. Analysis of the factors contributing to poor theatre efficiency led to changes that streamlined the patient pathway, including standardized case scheduling and reducing staggered patient arrival. A 2015 reaudit analyzing the effects of these changes demonstrated an increase in the operating list utilization rate to 78%. It was significantly higher (p < 0.01) for whole-day lists (85%) compared to half-day lists (75%), suggesting that whole-day lists were more efficient. Operating theatres are a valuable resource and the factors affecting theatre efficiency within our unit are common and will be relevant to units elsewhere. Correcting them can lead to significant improvements in patient care. Data from this study may provide a benchmark for other units in the United Kingdom.

Impact of HMO ownership on management processes and utilization outcomes.

PubMed

Ahern, M; Molinari, C

2001-05-01

To examine the effects of health maintenance organization (HMO) ownership characteristics on selected utilization outcomes and management processes affecting utilization. We used 1995 HMO data from the American Association of Health Plans. Using regression analysis, we examined the relation between HMO utilization (hospital discharges, days, and average length of stay; cardiac catheterization procedures; and average cost of outpatient prescriptions) and the structural characteristics of HMOs: ownership type (insurance company, hospital, physician, independent, and national managed care company), HMO size, for-profit status, model type, geographic region, and payer mix. HMO ownership type is significantly associated with medical management processes, including risk sharing by providers, risk sharing by consumers, and other management strategies. Relative to hospital-owned HMOs, insurance company-owned HMOs have fewer hospital discharges, fewer hospital days, and longer lengths of stay. National managed care organization-owned HMOs have fewer cardiac catheterizations and lower average outpatient prescription costs. Independently owned HMOs have more cardiac catheterizations. For-profit HMOs have lower prescription costs. Relative to hospital-owned HMOs, insurance company-owned HMOs are more likely to use hospital risk sharing and provider capitation and less likely to use out-of-pocket payments for hospital use and a closed formulary. National managed care organization-owned HMOs are less likely to use provider capitation, out-of-pocket payments for hospital use, catastrophic case management, and hospital risk sharing. Physician-hospital-owned HMOs are less likely to use catastrophic case management. For-profit HMOs are more likely to use hospital risk sharing and catastrophic case management. HMO ownership type affects utilization outcomes and management strategies.

42 CFR 456.522 - Content of request for variance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Review Plans: FFP, Waivers, and Variances for Hospitals and Mental Hospitals Ur Plan: Remote Facility Variances from Time..., mental hospital, and ICF located within a 50-mile radius of the facility; (e) The distance and average...

42 CFR 456.508 - Withdrawal of waiver.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Review Plans: FFP, Waivers, and Variances for Hospitals and Mental Hospitals Ur Plan: Waiver of Requirements § 456.508 Withdrawal of waiver.... (b) If a waiver is withdrawn by the Administrator, each hospital or mental hospital covered by the...

42 CFR 456.522 - Content of request for variance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Review Plans: FFP, Waivers, and Variances for Hospitals and Mental Hospitals Ur Plan: Remote Facility Variances from Time... travel time between the remote facility and each facility listed in paragraph (e) of this section; (f...

42 CFR 456.521 - Conditions for granting variance requests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Review Plans: FFP, Waivers, and Variances for Hospitals and Mental Hospitals Ur Plan: Remote Facility Variances from Time... is unable to meet the time requirements for which the variance is requested; and (2) A revised UR...

Concurrent planning and execution for a walking robot

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simmons, Reid

1990-07-01

The Planetary Rover project is developing the Ambler, a novel legged robot, and an autonomous software system for walking the Ambler over rough terrain. As part of the project, we have developed a system that integrates perception, planning, and real-time control to navigate a single leg of the robot through complex obstacle courses. The system is integrated using the Task Control Architecture (TCA), a general-purpose set of utilities for building and controlling distributed mobile robot systems. The walking system, as originally implemented, utilized a sequential sense-plan-act control cycle. This report describes efforts to improve the performance of the system by concurrently planning and executing steps. Concurrency was achieved by modifying the existing sequential system to utilize TCA features such as resource management, monitors, temporal constraints, and hierarchical task trees. Performance was increased in excess of 30 percent with only a relatively modest effort to convert and test the system. The results lend support to the utility of using TCA to develop complex mobile robot systems.

The Business Case for Payer Support of a Community-Based Health Information Exchange: A Humana Pilot Evaluating Its Effectiveness in Cost Control for Plan Members Seeking Emergency Department Care

PubMed Central

Tzeel, Albert; Lawnicki, Victor; Pemble, Kim R.

2011-01-01

Background As emergency department utilization continues to increase, health plans must limit their cost exposure, which may be driven by duplicate testing and a lack of medical history at the point of care. Based on previous studies, health information exchanges (HIEs) can potentially provide health plans with the ability to address this need. Objective To assess the effectiveness of a community-based HIE in controlling plan costs arising from emergency department care for a health plan's members. Albert Tzeel Methods The study design was observational, with an eligible population (N = 1482) of fully insured plan members who sought emergency department care on at least 2 occasions during the study period, from December 2008 through March 2010. Cost and utilization data, obtained from member claims, were matched to a list of persons utilizing the emergency department where HIE querying could have occurred. Eligible members underwent propensity score matching to create a test group (N = 326) in which the HIE database was queried in all emergency department visits, and a control group (N = 325) in which the HIE database was not queried in any emergency department visit. Results Post–propensity matching analysis showed that the test group achieved an average savings of $29 per emergency department visit compared with the control group. Decreased utilization of imaging procedures and diagnostic tests drove this cost-savings. Conclusions When clinicians utilize HIE in the care of patients who present to the emergency department, the costs borne by a health plan providing coverage for these patients decrease. Although many factors can play a role in this finding, it is likely that HIEs obviate unnecessary service utilization through provision of historical medical information regarding specific patients at the point of care. PMID:25126351

Medicare Part D Roulette: Potential Implications of Random Assignment and Plan Restrictions

PubMed Central

Patel, Rajul A.; Walberg, Mark P.; Woelfel, Joseph A.; Amaral, Michelle M.; Varu, Paresh

2013-01-01

Background Dual-eligible (Medicare/Medicaid) beneficiaries are randomly assigned to a benchmark plan, which provides prescription drug coverage under the Part D benefit without consideration of their prescription drug profile. To date, the potential for beneficiary assignment to a plan with poor formulary coverage has been minimally studied and the resultant financial impact to beneficiaries unknown. Objective We sought to determine cost variability and drug use restrictions under each available 2010 California benchmark plan. Methods Dual-eligible beneficiaries were provided Part D plan assistance during the 2010 annual election period. The Medicare Web site was used to determine benchmark plan costs and prescription utilization restrictions for each of the six California benchmark plans available for random assignment in 2010. A standardized survey was used to record all de-identified beneficiary demographic and plan specific data. For each low-income subsidy-recipient (n = 113), cost, rank, number of non-formulary medications, and prescription utilization restrictions were recorded for each available 2010 California benchmark plan. Formulary matching rates (percent of beneficiary's medications on plan formulary) were calculated for each benchmark plan. Results Auto-assigned beneficiaries had only a 34% chance of being assigned to the lowest cost plan; the remainder faced potentially significant avoidable out-of-pocket costs. Wide variations between benchmark plans were observed for plan cost, formulary coverage, formulary matching rates, and prescription utilization restrictions. Conclusions Beneficiaries had a 66% chance of being assigned to a sub-optimal plan; thereby, they faced significant avoidable out-of-pocket costs. Alternative methods of beneficiary assignment could decrease beneficiary and Medicare costs while also reducing medication non-compliance. PMID:24753963

PDCI Wide-Area Damping Control: PSLF Simulations of the 2016 Open and Closed Loop Test Plan

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

Wilches Bernal, Felipe; Pierre, Brian Joseph; Elliott, Ryan Thomas

To demonstrate and validate the performance of the wide-are a damping control system, the project plans to conduct closed-loop tests on the PDCI in summer/fall 2016. A test plan details the open and closed loop tests to be conducted on the P DCI using the wide-area damping control system. To ensure the appropriate level of preparedness, simulations were performed in order to predict and evaluate any possible unsafe operations before hardware experiments are attempted. This report contains the result s from these simulations using the power system dynamics software PSLF (Power System Load Flow, trademark of GE). The simulations usemore » the WECC (Western Electricity Coordinating Council) 2016 light summer and heavy summer base cases.« less

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act Evaluation Study: Impact on Specialty Behavioral Health Care Utilization and Spending Among Carve-In Enrollees.

PubMed

Harwood, Jessica M; Azocar, Francisca; Thalmayer, Amber; Xu, Haiyong; Ong, Michael K; Tseng, Chi-Hong; Wells, Kenneth B; Friedman, Sarah; Ettner, Susan L

2017-02-01

The federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) sought to eliminate historical disparities between insurance coverage for behavioral health (BH) treatment and coverage for medical treatment. Our objective was to evaluate MHPAEA's impact on BH expenditures and utilization among "carve-in" enrollees. We received specialty BH insurance claims and eligibility data from Optum, sampling 5,987,776 adults enrolled in self-insured plans from large employers. An interrupted time series study design with segmented regression analysis estimated monthly time trends of per-member spending and use before (2008-2009), during (2010), and after (2011-2013) MHPAEA compliance (N=179,506,951 member-month observations). Outcomes included: total, plan, patient out-of-pocket spending; outpatient utilization (assessment/diagnostic evaluation visits, medication management, individual and family psychotherapy); intermediate care utilization (structured outpatient, day treatment, residential); and inpatient utilization. MHPAEA was associated with increases in monthly per-member total spending, plan spending, assessment/diagnostic evaluation visits [respective immediate increases of: $1.05 (P=0.02); $0.88 (P=0.04); 0.00045 visits (P=0.00)], and individual psychotherapy visits [immediate increase of 0.00578 visits (P=0.00) and additional increases of 0.00017 visits/mo (P=0.03)]. MHPAEA was associated with modest increases in total and plan spending and outpatient utilization; for example, in July 2012 predicted per-enrollee plan spending was $4.92 without MHPAEA and $6.14 with MHPAEA. Efforts should focus on understanding how other barriers to BH care unaddressed by MHPAEA may affect access/utilization. Future research should evaluate effects produced by the Affordable Care Act's inclusion of BH care as an essential health benefit and expansion of MHPAEA protections to the individual and small group markets.

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

Bradley, E.C.; Killough, S.M.; Rowe, J.C.

The purpose of the Smart Crane Ammunition Transfer System (SCATS) project is to demonstrate robotic/telerobotic controls technology for a mobile articulated crane for missile/ munitions handling, delivery, and reload. Missile resupply and reload have been manually intensive operations up to this time. Currently, reload missiles are delivered by truck to the site of the launcher. A crew of four to five personnel reloads the missiles from the truck to the launcher using a hydraulic-powered crane. The missiles are handled carefully for the safety of the missiles and personnel. Numerous steps are required in the reload process and the entire reloadmore » operation can take over 1 h for some missile systems. Recent U.S. Army directives require the entire operation to be accomplished in a fraction of that time. Current requirements for the development of SCATS are being based primarily on reloading Patriot missiles. The planned development approach will integrate robotic control and sensor technology with a commercially available hydraulic articulated crane. SCATS is being developed with commercially available hardware as much as possible. Development plans include adding a 3-D.F. end effector with a grapple to the articulating crane; closed-loop position control for the crane and end effector; digital microprocessor control of crane functions; simplified operator interface; and operating modes which include rectilinear movement, obstacle avoidance, and partial automated operation. The planned development will include progressive technology demonstrations. Ultimate plans are for this technology to be transferred and utilized in the military fielding process.« less

Close Companion Friends, Self-Expression, and Psychological Well-Being in Late Life

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Krause, Neal

2010-01-01

This study has two central aims. Both are associated with self-expression, which is defined as the ability to fully utilize one's own talents and abilities. The first goal is to see if self-expression reduces depressive symptoms over time whereas the second aim is to see whether close companion friends help older people more fully utilize their…

42 CFR 456.524 - Notification of Administrator's action and duration of variance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

..., DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Review Plans: FFP, Waivers, and Variances for Hospitals and Mental Hospitals Ur Plan: Remote Facility Variances from Time Requirements § 456.524 Notification of Administrator's action and duration of...

Planning for a Distributed Disruption: Innovative Practices for Incorporating Distributed Solar into Utility Planning

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

Mills, Andrew D.; Barbose, Galen L.; Seel, Joachim

The rapid growth of distributed solar photovoltaics (DPV) has critical implications for U.S. utility planning processes. This report informs utility planning through a comparative analysis of roughly 30 recent utility integrated resource plans or other generation planning studies, transmission planning studies, and distribution system plans. It reveals a spectrum of approaches to incorporating DPV across nine key planning areas, and it identifies areas where even the best current practices might be enhanced. (1) Forecasting DPV deployment: Because it explicitly captures several predictive factors, customer-adoption modeling is the most comprehensive forecasting approach. It could be combined with other forecasting methods tomore » generate a range of potential futures. (2) Ensuring robustness of decisions to uncertain DPV quantities: using a capacity-expansion model to develop least-cost plans for various scenarios accounts for changes in net load and the generation portfolio; an innovative variation of this approach combines multiple per-scenario plans with trigger events, which indicate when conditions have changed sufficiently from the expected to trigger modifications in resource-acquisition strategy. (3) Characterizing DPV as a resource option: Today's most comprehensive plans account for all of DPV's monetary costs and benefits. An enhanced approach would address non-monetary and societal impacts as well. (4) Incorporating the non-dispatchability of DPV into planning: Rather than having a distinct innovative practice, innovation in this area is represented by evolving methods for capturing this important aspect of DPV. (5) Accounting for DPV's location-specific factors: The innovative propensity-to-adopt method employs several factors to predict future DPV locations. Another emerging utility innovation is locating DPV strategically to enhance its benefits. (6) Estimating DPV's impact on transmission and distribution investments: Innovative practices are being implemented to evaluate system needs, hosting capacities, and system investments needed to accommodate DPV deployment. (7) Estimating avoided losses associated with DPV: A time-differentiated marginal loss rate provides the most comprehensive estimate of avoided losses due to DPV, but no studies appear to use it. (8) Considering changes in DPV's value with higher solar penetration: Innovative methods for addressing the value changes at high solar penetrations are lacking among the studies we evaluate. (9) Integrating DPV in planning across generation, transmission, and distribution: A few states and regions have started to develop more comprehensive processes that link planning forums, but there are still many issues to address.« less

Planning for a Distributed Disruption: Innovative Practices for Incorporating Distributed Solar into Utility Planning

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

Mill, Andrew; Barbose, Galen; Seel, Joachim

The rapid growth of distributed solar photovoltaics (DPV) has critical implications for U.S. utility planning processes. This report informs utility planning through a comparative analysis of roughly 30 recent utility integrated resource plans or other generation planning studies, transmission planning studies, and distribution system plans. It reveals a spectrum of approaches to incorporating DPV across nine key planning areas, and it identifies areas where even the best current practices might be enhanced. 1) Forecasting DPV deployment: Because it explicitly captures several predictive factors, customer-adoption modeling is the most comprehensive forecasting approach. It could be combined with other forecasting methods tomore » generate a range of potential futures. 2) Ensuring robustness of decisions to uncertain DPV quantities: using a capacity-expansion model to develop least-cost plans for various scenarios accounts for changes in net load and the generation portfolio; an innovative variation of this approach combines multiple per-scenario plans with trigger events, which indicate when conditions have changed sufficiently from the expected to trigger modifications in resource-acquisition strategy. 3) Characterizing DPV as a resource option: Today’s most comprehensive plans account for all of DPV’s monetary costs and benefits. An enhanced approach would address non-monetary and societal impacts as well. 4) Incorporating the non-dispatchability of DPV into planning: Rather than having a distinct innovative practice, innovation in this area is represented by evolving methods for capturing this important aspect of DPV. 5) Accounting for DPV’s location-specific factors: The innovative propensity-to-adopt method employs several factors to predict future DPV locations. Another emerging utility innovation is locating DPV strategically to enhance its benefits. 6) Estimating DPV’s impact on transmission and distribution investments: Innovative practices are being implemented to evaluate system needs, hosting capacities, and system investments needed to accommodate DPV deployment. 7) Estimating avoided losses associated with DPV: A time-differentiated marginal loss rate provides the most comprehensive estimate of avoided losses due to DPV, but no studies appear to use it. 8) Considering changes in DPV’s value with higher solar penetration: Innovative methods for addressing the value changes at high solar penetrations are lacking among the studies we evaluate. 9) Integrating DPV in planning across generation, transmission, and distribution: A few states and regions have started to develop more comprehensive processes that link planning forums, but there are still many issues to address.« less

Developing a Robust Strategy for Implementing a Water Resources Master Plan in Lima, Peru

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalra, N.; Groves, D.; Bonzanigo, L.; Molina-Perez, E.

2015-12-01

Lima, the capital of Peru, faces significant water stress. It is the fifth largest metropolitan area in Latin America, and the second largest desert city in the world. The city has developed a Master Plan of major investment projects to improve water reliability until 2040. Yet key questions remain. Is the Master Plan sufficient for ensuring reliability in the face of deeply uncertain future climate change and demand? How do uncertain budget and project feasibility conditions shape Lima's options? How should the investments in the plan be prioritized, and can some be delayed? Lima is not alone in facing these planning challenges. Governments invest billions of dollars annually in long-term projects. Yet deep uncertainties pose formidable challenges to making near-term decisions that make long-term sense. The World Bank has spearheaded a community of practice on methods for Decision Making Under Deep Uncertainty (DMU). This pilot project in Peru is the first in-depth application of DMU techniques to water supply planning in a developing country. It builds on prior analysis done in New York, California, and for the Colorado River, yet shows how these methods can be applied in regions which do not have as advanced data or tools available. The project combines three methods in particular -- Robust Decision Making, Decision Scaling, and Adaptive Pathways -- to help Lima implement its Master Plan in a way that is robust, no-regret, and adaptive. It was done in close partnership with SEDAPAL, the water utility company in Lima, and in coordination with other national WRM and meteorological agencies. This talk will: Present the planning challenges Lima and other cities face, including climate change Describe DMU methodologies and how they were applied in collaboration with SEDAPAL Summarize recommendations for achieving long-term water reliability in Lima Suggest how these methodologies can benefit other investment projects in developing countries.

Operational Planning for Multiple Heterogeneous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Three Dimensions

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-06-01

human input in the planning process. Two solution methods are presented: (1) a mixed-integer program, and (2) an algorithm that utilizes a metaheuristic ...and (2) an algorithm that utilizes a metaheuristic to generate composite variables for a linear program, called the Composite Operations Planning...that represent a path and an associated type of UAV. The reformulation is incorporated into an algorithm that uses a metaheuristic to generate the

Utilization of Negotiated Tuition Aid Benefits. A Summary of the Study "Where Are the Women? A Study of the Underutilization of Tuition Aid Plans."

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abramovitz, Mimi

A chapter from the forthcoming book, "Practitioners' Guide to Education for Working Adults," describes a year-long study to explore the low utilization of tuition aid plans in three unionized companies. The research has shown that the use of tuition aid programs is in inverse ratio to need. Workers who tend to utilize tuition aid are those who…

A Plan to Close the Achievement Gap for African American Students. Final Report. Submitted by the HB2722 Advisory Committee

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, 2008

2008-01-01

In 2008, the Washington State Legislature passed HB 2722, which called for the appointment of an Advisory Committee charged with creating a plan--which, when fully implemented, will close the education gap for African American students. Beginning in May 2008, the newly appointed HB 2722 Advisory Committee took on this challenging charge. Early in…

42 CFR 456.181 - Reports of evaluations and plans of care.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Reports of evaluations and plans of care. 456.181 Section 456.181 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Mental Hospitals...

IET area plot and utilities plan. Includes drainage. Ralph M. ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

IET area plot and utilities plan. Includes drainage. Ralph M. Parsons 902-4-ANP-U-310. Date: February 1954. Approved by INEEL Classification Office for public release. INEEL code no. 035-0100-00-693-106898 - Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Test Area North, Scoville, Butte County, ID

47 CFR 54.313 - Annual reporting requirements for high-cost recipients.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... planning with a focus on Tribal community anchor institutions; (ii) Feasibility and sustainability planning... annual report, any ETC that files annual financial reports with the Rural Utilities Service may instead file a copy of its report to the Rural Utilities Service. (g) Areas with No Terrestrial Backhaul...

76 FR 53450 - Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation by Transmission Owning and Operating Public Utilities...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-26

... Planning and Cost Allocation by Transmission Owning and Operating Public Utilities; Notice of Staff Informational Conferences Take notice that Commission staff will convene three informational conferences to discuss the requirements of Order No. 1000.\\1\\ The Commission directed its staff to hold the informational...

The impact of national health insurance on the utilization of health care services by pregnant women: the case in Taiwan.

PubMed

Chen, L M; Wen, S W; Li, C Y

2001-03-01

Substantially increased funding for health care services occurred in Taiwan after the implementation of a national health insurance plan in 1995. This study attempts to examine the impact of this national health insurance plan on the utilization of prenatal and intrapartum care services. Nationally representative surveys of all pregnant women in Taiwan in 1989 (1,662 participants) and in 1996 (3,626 participants) were included in the analysis. We first compared the distribution of birth characteristics between the two surveys. We then calculated the rate of utilization of various prenatal and intrapartum care services in the two surveys in the overall sample and in subsamples, stratified by maternal education, age, and parity. The utilization of most prenatal and intrapartum care services, especially the complicated laboratory tests, increased in 1996 compared to 1989. For example, the proportion of women who received amniocentesis increased from 1.62% in 1989 to 5.60% in 1996 and German measles testing increased from 5.96% to 27.11%. By contrast, the proportion of women who received consultation services was stable over time, or for family planning, consultation declined from 33.21% to 27.00%. These changes in utilization over time were consistently observed across different maternal education, age, and parity groups. The utilization of prenatal and intrapartum care services, especially for the more expensive services, has substantially increased in Taiwan since the implementation of the national health insurance. For countries considering similar national health insurance plan, it may be helpful to consider cost-containing measures before the implementation of such a plan.

PEL and Corridor Planning: State of the Practice Review of Planning and Environment Linkages Implementation in Corridor Planning

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-07-01

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) commissioned a review of transportation corridor plans to determine the extent to which these plans have utilized FHWA's Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) approach, as described in the FHWA Guidance on ...

IPEM: An Integrated Planning, Effectiveness Model.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Donsky, Aaron P.

While historically higher education has utilized many different planning paradigms and elements, two concepts (strategic planning and operational planning) can be presented as the major planning concepts into which the various paradigms can be placed. Starting in fall 1991, Seminole Community College developed a planning model which integrated…

Solar thermal power plants in small utilities - An economic impact analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bluhm, S. A.; Ferber, R. R.; Mayo, L. G.

1979-01-01

A study was performed to assess the potential economic impact of small solar thermal electric power systems in statistically representative synthetic small utilities of the Southwestern United States. Power supply expansion plans were compared on the basis of present worth of future revenue requirements for 1980-2000 with and without solar thermal plants. Coal-fired and oil-fired municipal utility expansion plans with 5 percent solar penetration were 0.5 percent and 2.25 percent less expensive, respectively, than the corresponding conventional plan. At $969/kWe, which assumes the same low cost solar equipment but no improvement in site development costs, solar penetration of 5 percent in the oil-fired municipal reduced revenue requirements 0.88 percent. The paper concludes that some solar thermal plants are potentially economic in small community utilities of the Southwest.

People, planning, predictions pull DP&L to pinnacle

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

Beaty, W.; Warkentin, D.

Dayton Power and Light was chosen as the 26th utility to receive Electric Light and Power`s annual Utility of the Year award for investor-owned electric utilities. The award not only recognizes management for having guided the company to a high level of achievement, but to each employee for their contribution to the company`s success. Using its formula of three Ps to success - people, planning, and predict and prevent - this West Central Ohio utility plans on using its current plain vanilla approach to business to carve out its own pattern for the years ahead. DP&L`s employees have gone abovemore » and beyond the call of duty to serve its customers and shareholders. The utility`s operations are epitomized by the excellent fuel efficiency of its generating plants. DP&L has been in Electric Light & Power`s top 10 heat rate rankings for nine out of the past 10 years. Investor earnings per share increased from $1.15 in 1991 to $1.34 in 1992, with earnings per share rising by 6% to $1.42 in 1993.« less

The Future of Electricity Resource Planning

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

Kahrl, Fredrich; Mills, Andrew; Lavin, Luke

Electricity resource planning is the process of identifying longer-term investments to meet electricity reliability requirements and public policy goals at a reasonable cost. Resource planning processes provide a forum for regulators, electric utilities, and electricity industry stakeholders to evaluate the economic, environmental, and social benefits and costs of different investment options. By facilitating a discussion on future goals, challenges and strategies, resource planning processes often play an important role in shaping utility business decisions. Resource planning emerged more than three decades ago in an era of transition, where declining electricity demand and rising costs spurred fundamental changes in electricity industrymore » regulation and structure. Despite significant changes in the industry, resource planning continues to play an important role in supporting investment decision making. Over the next two decades, the electricity industry will again undergo a period of transition, driven by technological change, shifting customer preferences and public policy goals. This transition will bring about a gradual paradigm shift in resource planning, requiring changes in scope, approaches and methods. Even as it changes, resource planning will continue to be a central feature of the electricity industry. Its functions — ensuring the reliability of high voltage (“bulk”) power systems, enabling oversight of regulated utilities and facilitating low-cost compliance with public policy goals — are likely to grow in importance as the electricity industry enters a new period of technological, economic and regulatory change. This report examines the future of electricity resource planning in the context of a changing electricity industry. The report examines emerging issues and evolving practices in five key areas that will shape the future of resource planning: (1) central-scale generation, (2) distributed generation, (3) demand-side resources, (4) transmission and (5) uncertainty and risk management. The analysis draws on a review of recent resource plans for 10 utilities that reflect some of the U.S. electricity industry’s extensive diversity.« less

School Closings in Philadelphia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jack, James; Sludden, John

2013-01-01

In 2012, the School District of Philadelphia closed six schools. In 2013, it closed 24. The closure of 30 schools has occurred amid a financial crisis, headlined by the district's $1.35 billion deficit. School closures are one piece of the district's plan to cut expenditures and close its budget gap. The closures are also intended to make…

24 CFR 401.407 - Closing conducted by PAE.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Closing conducted by PAE. 401.407... (MARK-TO-MARKET) Restructuring Plan § 401.407 Closing conducted by PAE. After the owner has executed the Restructuring Commitment, the PAE must arrange for a closing to execute all documents necessary for...

14 CFR 77.2 - Definition of terms.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... planning document or military service military airport planning document. Precision instrument runway means... military airport layout plan; any other FAA planning document, or military service military airport planning document. Utility runway means a runway that is constructed for and intended to be used by...

Estate and business planning for the retiring physician.

PubMed

Kingma, Kenneth W; Vaughn, Thomas D

2012-01-01

Retiring physicians have much to think about for estate planning purposes. The authors stand ready to help physicians sell or close their medical practice, navigate the 2010 Tax Act, take advantage of current planning opportunities, and prepare appropriate estate planning documents. Every estate is unique, so it is important to contact an estate planning advisor before taking any action.

14 CFR 99.11 - ADIZ flight plan requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 2 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false ADIZ flight plan requirements. 99.11... flight plan requirements. (a) No person may operate an aircraft into, within, or from a departure point within an ADIZ, unless the person files, activates, and closes a flight plan with the appropriate...

14 CFR 99.11 - ADIZ flight plan requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false ADIZ flight plan requirements. 99.11... flight plan requirements. (a) No person may operate an aircraft into, within, or from a departure point within an ADIZ, unless the person files, activates, and closes a flight plan with the appropriate...

29 CFR 4010.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

..., earliest retirement age at valuation date, ERISA, expected retirement age (XRA), fair market value, IRS...). Fair market value of the plan's assets means the fair market value of the plan's assets at the end of... not adopted a closing date, the calendar year. Funding target means, with respect to a plan for a plan...

Strategic planning for the International Space Station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Griner, Carolyn S.

1990-01-01

The concept for utilization and operations planning for the International Space Station Freedom was developed in a NASA Space Station Operations Task Force in 1986. Since that time the concept has been further refined to definitize the process and products required to integrate the needs of the international user community with the operational capabilities of the Station in its evolving configuration. The keystone to the process is the development of individual plans by the partners, with the parameters and formats common to the degree that electronic communications techniques can be effectively utilized, while maintaining the proper level and location of configuration control. The integration, evaluation, and verification of the integrated plan, called the Consolidated Operations and Utilization Plan (COUP), is being tested in a multilateral environment to prove out the parameters, interfaces, and process details necessary to produce the first COUP for Space Station in 1991. This paper will describe the concept, process, and the status of the multilateral test case.

Will the Needs-Based Planning of Health Human Resources Currently Undertaken in Several Countries Lead to Excess Supply and Inefficiency?

PubMed

Basu, Kisalaya; Pak, Maxwell

2016-01-01

Recently, the emphasis on health human resources (HHR) planning has shifted away from a utilization-based approach toward a needs-based one in which planning is based on the projected health needs of the population. However, needs-based models that are currently in use rely on a definition of 'needs' that include only the medical circumstances of individuals and not personal preferences or other socio-economic factors. We examine whether planning based on such a narrow definition will maximize social welfare. We show that, in a publicly funded healthcare system, if the planner seeks to meet the aggregate need without taking utilization into consideration, then oversupply of HHR is likely because 'needs' do not necessarily translate into 'usage.' Our result suggests that HHR planning should track the healthcare system as access gradually improves because, even if health care is fully accessible, individuals may not fully utilize it to the degree prescribed by their medical circumstances. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Manpower Planning for the Wastewater Treatment Workforce of Texas: An Emerging Function. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Texas Water Utilities Association (58th, College Station, Texas, March, 1976).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jackson, Tom

This paper, presented at the 58th annual meeting of the Texas Water Utilities Association, attempts to point out the need for manpower planning for the wastewater treatment workforce of Texas. As reasons for manpower planning, this document discloses estimates of 1400-1500 new jobs, 1300 of which will be in wastewater treatment facilities of 1 MGD…

12 CFR 575.8 - Contents of Stock Issuance Plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... stockholders' equity at the close of the proposed issuance. (7) Provide that an ESOP, a MRP or an Option Plan... ESOP, MRP, or Option Plan that are attributable to such persons shall not be counted as being acquired...

Monitoring outcomes for the Medicare Advantage program: methods and application of the VR-12 for evaluation of plans.

PubMed

Kazis, Lewis E; Selim, Alfredo J; Rogers, William; Qian, Shirley X; Brazier, John

2012-01-01

The Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12) is one of the major patient-reported outcomes for ranking the Medicare Advantage (MA) plans in the Health Outcomes Survey (HOS). Approaches for scoring physical and mental health are given using contemporary norms and regression estimators. A new metric approach for the VR-12 called the "VR-6D" is presented with case-mix adjustments for monitoring plans that combine utilities and mortality. Results show that the models for ranking health outcomes of the plans are robust and credible. Future directions include the use of utilities for evaluating and ranking of MA plans.

Building the Foundation for Close Reading with Developing Readers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baker, Sheila F.; McEnery, Lillian

2017-01-01

Close Reading utilizes several strategies to help readers think more critically about a text. Close reading can be performed within the context of shared readings, read-alouds by the teacher, literature discussion groups, and guided reading groups. Students attempting to more closely read difficult texts may benefit from technologies and platforms…

Closing the Inter-Agency Gap: Role of the Marine Infantry Battalion on the Future Battlefield

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-04-26

Master of Military Studies Research Paper September 2009- April2010 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Sa. CONTRACT NUMBER Closing the Inter-Agency Gap : Role of the...battlalion the future battlefield will be to close the inter-agency gap by utilizing a comprehensive government approach to locate, close with, and...

Developmental trends in utilizing perceptual closure for grouping of shape: effects of spatial proximity and collinearity.

PubMed

Hadad, Bat-Sheva; Kimchi, Ruth

2006-11-01

In two experiments, visual search was used to study the grouping of shape on the basis of perceptual closure among participants 5-23 years of age. We first showed that young children, like adults, demonstrate an efficient search for a concave target among convex distractors for closed connected stimuli but an inefficient search for open stimuli. Reliable developmental differences, however, were observed in search for fragmented stimuli as a function of spatial proximity and collinearity between the closure-inducing fragments. When only closure was available, search for all the age groups was equally efficient for spatially close fragments and equally inefficient for spatially distant fragments. When closure and collinearity were available, search for spatially close fragments was equally efficient for all the age groups, but search for spatially distant fragments was inefficient for younger children and improved significantly between ages 5 and 10. These findings suggest that young children can utilize closure as efficiently as can adults for the grouping of shape for closed or nearly closed stimuli. When the closure-inducing fragments are spatially distant, only older children and adults, but not 5-year-olds, can utilize collinearity to enhance closure for the perceptual grouping of shape.

Conceptual design of closed Brayton cycle for coal-fired power generation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shah, R. P.; Corman, J. C.

1977-01-01

The objectives to be realized in developing a closed cycle gas turbine are (1) to exploit high temperature gas turbine technology while maintaining a working fluid which is free from combustion gas contamination, (2) to achieve compact turbo-equipment designs through pressurization of the working fluid, and (3) to obtain relatively simple cycle configurations. The technical/economic performance of a specific closed cycle gas turbine system was evaluated through the development of a conceptual plant and system design. This energy conversion system is designed for electric utility service and to utilize coal directly in an environmentally acceptable manner.

A comparison of mail-service and retail community pharmacy claims in 5 prescription benefit plans.

PubMed

Clark, Bartholomew E; Siracuse, Mark V; Garis, Robert I

2009-06-01

Little evidence has been presented to date that would either support or refute a widely held belief that mail-service pharmacy utilization routinely produces savings in drug benefit costs for prescription benefit plan sponsors. To present a comparative analysis of mail-service and community pharmacy service drug benefit costs for 5 employer-sponsored prescription drug benefit plans. A cross-sectional comparison of 17,725 matched transaction pairs of community and mail-service prescriptions from a data set comprised 484,987 prescription claims from a convenience sample of 5 employer-sponsored prescription benefit plans. Differences between community pharmacy and mail-service prescription transactions were examined at the per-unit level of analysis for drug ingredient costs, dispensing fees, co-payments, dollar amounts paid by plan sponsor, and total dollar amounts. Overall, the total cost of prescriptions was lower through mail-service pharmacies for all 5 plans studied. Two of 5 plans had co-payment incentives to use mail-service, yet plan sponsors paid more for mail-service drugs; respectively, 4.5% and 8.3% more overall, 25.0% and 21.4% more for generic medications; and 3.0% and 7.0% more for brand name medications. Mail-service co-payments were 48.9% and 51.7% lower. Mail-service utilization rates were 15.2% and 31.5% of the total number of prescriptions dispensed in the period studied. Three of 5 plans had no co-payment incentive to use mail-service and paid less for mail-service drugs; respectively, 18.7%, 6.6%, and 15.7% less overall; 17.4%, 15.6%, and 7.9% less for generic medications; and 18.8%, 5.2%, and 16.6% less for brand name medications. Mail-service co-payments were 10.5% more, 5.2% less, and 1.8% more than community pharmacy co-payments, respectively. Mail-service utilization rates were 0.8%, 1.2%, and 4.4%. Co-payment incentives to use mail-service pharmacies instead of community pharmacies were associated with higher mail-service utilization rates and with higher costs to plan sponsors. Absence of a co-payment incentive to use mail-service pharmacies was associated with lower mail-service utilization rates and with lower costs to plan sponsors.

The Lunar Mapping and Modeling Project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noble, S. K.; Nall, M. E.; French, R. A.; Muery, K. G.

2009-12-01

The Lunar Mapping and Modeling Project (LMMP) has been created to manage the development of a suite of lunar mapping and modeling products that support the Constellation Program (CxP) and other lunar exploration activities, including the planning, design, development, test and operations associated with lunar sortie missions, crewed and robotic operations on the surface, and the establishment of a lunar outpost. The information provided through LMMP will assist CxP in: planning tasks in the areas of landing site evaluation and selection, design and placement of landers and other stationary assets, design of rovers and other mobile assets, developing terrain-relative navigation (TRN) capabilities, and assessment and planning of science traverses. The project draws on expertise from several NASA and non-NASA organizations (MSFC, ARC, GSFC, JPL, CRREL - US Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, and the USGS). LMMP will utilize data predominately from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, but also historical and international lunar mission data (e.g. Apollo, Lunar Orbiter, Kaguya, Chandrayaan-1), as available and appropriate, to meet Constellation’s data needs. LMMP will provide access to this data through a single intuitive and easy to use NASA portal that transparently accesses appropriately sanctioned portions of the widely dispersed and distributed collections of lunar data, products and tools. Two visualization systems are being developed, a web-based system called Lunar Mapper, and a desktop client, ILIADS, which will be downloadable from the LMMP portal. LMMP will provide such products as local and regional imagery and DEMs, hazard assessment maps, lighting and gravity models, and resource maps. We are working closely with the LRO team to prevent duplication of efforts and to ensure the highest quality data products. While Constellation is our primary customer, LMMP is striving to be as useful as possible to the lunar science community, the lunar commercial community, the lunar education and public outreach (E/PO) community, and anyone else interested in accessing or utilizing lunar data. A beta version of the portal and visualization systems is expected to be released in late 2009, with a version 1 release planned for early 2011.

EPA RESPONSE PROTOCOL TOOLBOX TO HELP EVALUATION OF CONTAMINATION THREATS & RESPONDING TO THREATS: MODULE 1-WATER UTILITY PLANNING GUIDE

EPA Science Inventory

EPA's Office of Research and Development and Office of Water/Water Security Division have jointly developed a Response Protocol Toolbox (RPTB) to address the complex, multi-faceted challenges of a water utility's planning and response to intentional contamination of drinking wate...

A Critical Examination of Senior Executive Leadership Succession Planning and Management with Implications for Underrepresented Minorities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jackson, LeKeisha D.

2017-01-01

Guided by the research questions, this study utilized a sequential explanatory mixed methods research design to examine senior executive leadership succession planning at four-year, predominately white, doctoral universities in the state of Georgia. Utilizing the Representative Bureaucracy theory and the Mateso SPM conceptual model, this study…

The use of scenarios for long-range planning by investor-owned electric utilities in the Pacific Northwest

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lyons, John V.

Scenario planning is a method of organizing and understanding large amounts of quantitative and qualitative data for leaders to make better strategic decisions. There is a lack of academic research about scenario planning with a subsequent shortage of definitions and theories. This study utilized a case study methodology to analyze scenario planning by investor-owned electric utilities in the Pacific Northwest in their integrated resource planning (IRP) process. The cases include Avista Corporation, Idaho Power, PacifiCorp, Portland General Electric, and Puget Sound Energy. This study sought to determine how scenario planning was used, what scenario approach was used, the scenario outcomes, and the similarities and differences in the scenario planning processes. The literature review of this study covered the development of scenario planning, common definitions and theories, approaches to scenario development, and scenario outcomes. A research methodology was developed to classify the scenario development approach into intuitive, hybrid, or quantitative approaches; and scenario outcomes of changed thinking, stories of plausible futures, improved decision making, and enhanced organizational learning. The study found all three forms of scenario planning in the IRPs. All of the cases used a similar approach to IRP development. All of the cases had at least improved decision making as an outcome of scenario planning. Only one case demonstrated all four scenario outcomes. A critical finding was a correlation between the use of the intuitive approach and the use of all scenario outcomes. Another major finding was the unique use of predetermined elements, which are normally consistent across scenarios, but became critical uncertainties in some of the scenarios in the cases for this study. This finding will need to be confirmed by future research as unique to the industry or an aberration. An unusually high number of scenarios were found for cases using the hybrid approach, which was unexpected based on the literature. This work expanded the methods for studying scenario planning, enhanced the body of scholarly works on scenario planning, and provided a starting point for additional research concerning the use of scenario planning by electric utilities.

7 CFR 1751.101 - General.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM PLANNING AND DESIGN CRITERIA, AND PROCEDURES State Telecommunications Modernization Plan... Plan must, at a minimum, apply to RUS Borrowers' wireline service areas. If a Modernization Plan is...

TU-AB-303-03: CBCT-Based On-Site Simulation, Planning, and Delivery (OSPD) for Whole Brain Radiotherapy

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

Le, A; Choe, K; Jiang, S

2015-06-15

Purpose: To demonstrate the feasibility of a CBCT-based on-site simulation, planning, and delivery (OSPD) for whole brain radiotherapy, in which all steps from imaging, planning to treatment delivery are performed at the treatment unit in one appointment time slot. This work serves as the proof of concept for future OSPD single fraction radiation therapy. Methods: An integrated on-site imaging, planning and delivery workflow was developed and tested for whole brain radiotherapy. An automated two-opposed-oblique-beam plan is created by utilizing the treatment planning system scripting and simple field-in-field IMRT. The IMRT plan is designed with maximum 8 control points to covermore » the target volume consisting of the brain to C1/C2 of the spinal cord, with dose homogeneity criteria from −5% to +7% of the prescription dose. Due to inaccuracy of reconstructed Hounsfield unit numbers in CBCT images, the dose distribution is calculated with non-heterogeneity correction introducing only clinically insignificant dose discrepancy. A coherent and synchronized workflow was designed for a team of attending physician, physicist, therapists, and dosimetrist to work closely with the ability to quickly modify, approve, and implement the treatment. Results: Thirty-one patients have been treated with this OSPD treatment, without compromising the plan quality compared to our regular clinically used parallel apposed 2D plans. The average time for these procedures are 48.02 ±11.55 minutes from the time patient entered the treatment room until s/he exited, and 35.09 ±10.35 minutes from starting CBCT until last beam delivered. This time duration is comparable to the net time when individual tasks are summed up during our regular CT- based whole brain planning and delivery. Conclusions: The OSPD whole brain treatment has been tested to be clinically feasible. The next step is to further improve the efficiency and to streamline the workflow. Other disease sites will be also tested with this new technology.« less

Cost-utility analysis of antiviral use under pandemic influenza using a novel approach - linking pharmacology, epidemiology and heath economics.

PubMed

Wu, D B C; Chaiyakunapruk, N; Pratoomsoot, C; Lee, K K C; Chong, H Y; Nelson, R E; Smith, P F; Kirkpatrick, C M; Kamal, M A; Nieforth, K; Dall, G; Toovey, S; Kong, D C M; Kamauu, A; Rayner, C R

2018-03-01

Simulation models are used widely in pharmacology, epidemiology and health economics (HEs). However, there have been no attempts to incorporate models from these disciplines into a single integrated model. Accordingly, we explored this linkage to evaluate the epidemiological and economic impact of oseltamivir dose optimisation in supporting pandemic influenza planning in the USA. An HE decision analytic model was linked to a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) - dynamic transmission model simulating the impact of pandemic influenza with low virulence and low transmissibility and, high virulence and high transmissibility. The cost-utility analysis was from the payer and societal perspectives, comparing oseltamivir 75 and 150 mg twice daily (BID) to no treatment over a 1-year time horizon. Model parameters were derived from published studies. Outcomes were measured as cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Sensitivity analyses were performed to examine the integrated model's robustness. Under both pandemic scenarios, compared to no treatment, the use of oseltamivir 75 or 150 mg BID led to a significant reduction of influenza episodes and influenza-related deaths, translating to substantial savings of QALYs. Overall drug costs were offset by the reduction of both direct and indirect costs, making these two interventions cost-saving from both perspectives. The results were sensitive to the proportion of inpatient presentation at the emergency visit and patients' quality of life. Integrating PK/PD-EPI/HE models is achievable. Whilst further refinement of this novel linkage model to more closely mimic the reality is needed, the current study has generated useful insights to support influenza pandemic planning.

Translation of First North American 50 and 70 cc Total Artificial Heart Virtual and Clinical Implantations: Utility of 3D Computed Tomography to Test Fit Devices.

PubMed

Ferng, Alice S; Oliva, Isabel; Jokerst, Clinton; Avery, Ryan; Connell, Alana M; Tran, Phat L; Smith, Richard G; Khalpey, Zain

2017-08-01

Since the creation of SynCardia's 50 cc Total Artificial Hearts (TAHs), patients with irreversible biventricular failure now have two sizing options. Herein, a case series of three patients who have undergone successful 50 and 70 cc TAH implantation with complete closure of the chest cavity utilizing preoperative "virtual implantation" of different sized devices for surgical planning are presented. Computed tomography (CT) images were used for preoperative planning prior to TAH implantation. Three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of preoperative chest CT images were generated and both 50 and 70 cc TAHs were virtually implanted into patients' thoracic cavities. During the simulation, the TAHs were projected over the native hearts in a similar position to the actual implantation, and the relationship between the devices and the atria, ventricles, chest wall, and diaphragm were assessed. The 3D reconstructed images and virtual modeling were used to simulate and determine for each patient if the 50 or 70 cc TAH would have a higher likelihood of successful implantation without complications. Subsequently, all three patients received clinical implants of the properly sized TAH based on virtual modeling, and their chest cavities were fully closed. This virtual implantation increases our confidence that the selected TAH will better fit within the thoracic cavity allowing for improved surgical outcome. Clinical implantation of the TAHs showed that our virtual modeling was an effective method for determining the correct fit and sizing of 50 and 70 cc TAHs. © 2016 International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

7 CFR 1927.58 - Closing the transaction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) RURAL HOUSING SERVICE, RURAL BUSINESS-COOPERATIVE SERVICE, RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, AND FARM SERVICE AGENCY, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PROGRAM... other necessary parties to arrange the time and place of closing. The transaction may be closed when the...

7 CFR 1927.58 - Closing the transaction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) RURAL HOUSING SERVICE, RURAL BUSINESS-COOPERATIVE SERVICE, RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, AND FARM SERVICE AGENCY, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PROGRAM... other necessary parties to arrange the time and place of closing. The transaction may be closed when the...

Undersea line planned to transmit to an island

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

Not Available

The electric utility serving Nantucket Island in Massachusetts, which until now has generated its own power, plans to lay 25 miles of transmission cable to connect with New England's mainland grid. The line will allow the utility to purchase less costly power and retire several old generators, improving both reliability and air quality on the island. Nantucket Electric Co. says the 33-Mw submarine link, costing at least $23 million, probably will connect with a line near the elbow on Cape Cod. The undersea cable will be as deep as 60 ft. Nantucket Electric plans to form a partnership within amore » few months with a mainland utility or private producer that would help finance the project and sell the power. The island utility has preliminary approval by the state Industrial Finance Agency for a tax-exempt bond issue to finance the cable, contingent on its finding a partner.« less

Comprehensive Smart Grid Planning in a Regulated Utility Environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Turner, Matthew; Liao, Yuan; Du, Yan

2015-06-01

This paper presents the tools and exercises used during the Kentucky Smart Grid Roadmap Initiative in a collaborative electric grid planning process involving state regulators, public utilities, academic institutions, and private interest groups. The mandate of the initiative was to assess the existing condition of smart grid deployments in Kentucky, to enhance understanding of smart grid concepts by stakeholders, and to develop a roadmap for the deployment of smart grid technologies by the jurisdictional utilities of Kentucky. Through involvement of many important stakeholder groups, the resultant Smart Grid Deployment Roadmap proposes an aggressive yet achievable strategy and timetable designed to promote enhanced availability, security, efficiency, reliability, affordability, sustainability and safety of the electricity supply throughout the state while maintaining Kentucky's nationally competitive electricity rates. The models and methods developed for this exercise can be utilized as a systematic process for the planning of coordinated smart grid deployments.

Obsessive-compulsive (anankastic) personality disorder: toward the ICD-11 classification.

PubMed

Fineberg, Naomi A; Reghunandanan, Samar; Kolli, Sangeetha; Atmaca, Murad

2014-01-01

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is an early-onset disorder characterized by perfectionism, need for control, and cognitive rigidity. Its nosological status is currently under review. Historically, OCPD has been conceptualized as bearing a close relationship with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In this article, we discuss the diagnosis of OCPD in anticipation of its review for the ICD-11, from the perspective of clinical utility, global applicability, and research planning. Considering the recent establishment of an obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (OCRD) category in DSM-5, we focus on the relationship between OCPD and the disorders that are currently thought to bear a close relationship with OCD, including DSM-5 OCRD, and other compulsive disorders such as eating disorder and autistic spectrum disorder (that were not included in the DSM-5 OCRD category), as well as with the personality disorders, focusing on nosological determinants such as phenomenology, course of illness, heritability, environmental risk factors, comorbidity, neurocognitive endophenotypes, and treatment response. Based on this analysis, we attempt to draw conclusions as to its optimal placement in diagnostic systems and draw attention to key research questions that could be explored in field trials.

75 FR 32963 - Notice of Availability of the Draft Resource Management Plan and Draft Environmental Impact...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-10

.... Alternative B: Same as Alternative A. Alternative C: ACEC would be rescinded. Closed to wind and solar energy... mineral material sales. Closed to wind and solar energy. Closed to motorized travel. Visual Resource... and Hilltop. Closed to wind and solar energy. Visual Resource Management Class I would apply to a...

Taming B.C. Hydro: Site C and the implementation of the B.C. Utilities Commission Act

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, L. Graham

1988-07-01

Public policy making in resources management is greatly influenced by the institutional arrangements that arise out of the legal powers, administrative structures, and financial provisions of the decision system. In British Columbia, the institutional arrangements for energy planning in the province have been greatly altered by the passage of the Utilities Commission Act in 1980. This act redefines the policy implementation process for energy in British Columbia and provides for the regulation of the province's power utility, B.C. Hydro. This is the first time that the hitherto autonomous utility has been subject to regulation and the Utilities Commission Act represents a major reform in the institutional arrangements for energy planning in the province. The article evaluates the effectiveness of the 1980 B.C. Utilities Commission Act and assesses the impact of the legislation upon the institutional arrangements for energy planning in the province. Data for the article were derived from written sources and a series of personal interviews with key participants involved with energy planning in B.C. It is shown that the act represented a major departure in the management of energy resources in B.C. Moreover the implementation of the act's provisions, particularly in regard to B.C. Hydro, had a dramatic impact on the development of new energy projects in the province. It is suggested that while the political and economic climate during the period also favored restraint, the major influence on “taming” the utility was passage of the Utilities Commission Act. The article concludes by exploring the implications of policy changes that have occurred as a consequence of the act's impact on B.C. Hydro.

Family planning utilization and factors associated among women receiving abortion services in health facilities of central zone towns of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: a cross sectional Study.

PubMed

Hagos, Goshu; Tura, Gurmesa; Kahsay, Gizienesh; Haile, Kebede; Grum, Teklit; Araya, Tsige

2018-06-05

Abortion remains among the leading causes of maternal death worldwide. Post-abortion contraception is significantly effective in preventing unintended pregnancy and abortion if provided before women leave the health facilty. However, the status of post-abortion family planning (PAFP) utilization and the contributing factors are not well studied in Tigray region. So, we conduct study aimed on family planning utilization and factors associated with it among women receiving abortion services. A facility based cross-sectional study design was conducted among women receiving abortion services in central zone of Tigray from December 2015to February 2016 using a total of 416 sample size. Women who came for abortion services were selected using systematic random sampling technique.. The data were collected using a pre-tested interviewer administered questionnair. Data were coded and entered in to Epi info 7 and then exported to SPSS for analysis. Descriptive statisticslike frequencies and mean were computed to display the results. Both Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was used in the analysis. Variables statistically significant at p < 0.05 in the bivariable analysis were checked in multivariable logistic regration to identify independently associated factors. Then variables which were significantly associated with post abortion family planning utilization at p-value < 0.05 in the multivariable analysis were declared as significantly associated factors. A total of 409 abortion clients were interviewed in this study with 98.3% of response rate. Majority 290 (70.9%) of study participants utilized contracepives after abortion. Type of health facility, the decision maker on timing of having child, knowledge that pregnancy can happen soon after abortion and husband's opposition towards contraceptives were significantly associated with Post-abortion family planning ustilization. About one-third of abortion women failed to receive contraceptive before leaving the facility. Private facilities should strengthen utilization of contraceptives on post abortion care service. Health providers should provide counseling on timing of fertility-return following abortion before women left the facility once they receive abortion care. Women empowerment through enhancing community's awareness focusing on own decision making in the family planning utilization including the partner should be strengthened.

SU-E-T-515: Field-In-Field Compensation Technique Using Multi-Leaf Collimator to Deliver Total Body Irradiation (TBI) Dose

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

Lakeman, T; Wang, IZ; Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY

Purpose: Total body irradiation (TBI) uses large parallel-opposed radiation fields to suppress the patient's immune system and eradicate the residual cancer cells in preparation of recipient for bone marrow transplant. The manual placement of lead compensators has been used conventionally to compensate for the varying thickness through the entire body in large-field TBI. The goal of this study is to pursue utilizing the modern field-in-field (FIF) technique with the multi-leaf collimator (MLC) to more accurately and efficiently deliver dose to patients in need of TBI. Method: Treatment plans utilizing the FIF technique to deliver a total body dose were createdmore » retrospectively for patients for whom CT data had been previously acquired. Treatment fields include one pair of opposed open large fields (collimator=45°) with a specific weighting and a succession of smaller fields (collimator=90°) each with their own weighting. The smaller fields are shaped by moving MLC to block the sections of the patient which have already received close to 100% of the prescribed dose. The weighting factors for each of these fields were calculated using the attenuation coefficient of the initial lead compensators and the separation of the patient in different positions in the axial plane. Results: Dose-volume histograms (DVH) were calculated for evaluating the FIF compensation technique. The maximum body doses calculated from the DVH were reduced from the non-compensated 179.3% to 148.2% in the FIF plans, indicating a more uniform dose with the FIF compensation. All calculated monitor units were well within clinically acceptable limits and exceeded those of the original lead compensation plan by less than 50 MU (only ~1.1% increase). Conclusion: MLC FIF technique for TBI will not significantly increase the beam on time while it can substantially reduce the compensator setup time and the potential risk of errors in manually placing lead compensators.« less

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

Basavatia, A; Kalnicki, S; Garg, M

Purpose: To implement a clinically useful palm vein pattern recognition biometric system to treat the correct treatment plan to the correct patient each and every time and to check-in the patient into the department to access the correct medical record. Methods: A commercially available hand vein scanning system was paired to Aria and utilized an ADT interface from the hospital electronic health system. Integration at two points in Aria, version 11 MR2, first at the appointment tracker screen for the front desk medical record access and second at the queue screen on the 4D treatment console took place for patientmore » daily time-out. A test patient was utilized to check accuracy of identification as well as to check that no unintended interactions take place between the 4D treatment console and the hand vein scanning system. This system has been in clinical use since December 2013. Results: Since implementation, 445 patients have been enrolled into our biometric system. 95% of patients learn the correct methodology of hand placement on the scanner in the first try. We have had two instances of patient not found because of a bad initial scan. We simply erased the scanned metric and the patient enrolled again in those cases. The accuracy of the match is 100% for each patient, we have not had one patient misidentified. We can state this because we still use patient photo and date of birth as identifiers. A QA test patient is run monthly to check the integrity of the system. Conclusion: By utilizing palm vein scans along with the date of birth and patient photo, another means of patient identification now exits. This work indicates the successful implementation of technology in the area of patient safety by closing the gap of treating the wrong plan to a patient in radiation oncology. FOJP Service Corporation covered some of the costs of the hardware and software of the palm vein pattern recognition biometric system.« less

Can hospital relocations and closures be stopped through the legal system?

PubMed Central

Rose, M G

1983-01-01

The recent history of litigation to stop hospital closings in or relocations from minority communities is reviewed. Legal arguments and facts raised by plaintiffs and defendants in seven cases are summarized in the context of civil rights and health planning legislation. The results of the litigation are mixed. One hospital was denied permission to close, but this was decided principally on procedural grounds. A planning agency's recommendation against closing another hospital may prove difficult to implement for financial reasons. Several cases have resulted in modifications of relocation plans and have established guarantees of certain rights to plaintiffs. These, however, may be difficult to enforce if hospitals lack the desire or resources to sustain needed levels of service. Generally, the courts have been reluctant to undertake socioeconomic decision making. They have tended to excuse relocations with racially discriminatory impacts when it has been argued that the relocations were necessary for hospital financial survival, and they have been unwilling to test the credibility of those arguments. Legal avenues to contesting with success the closing of most hospitals also appear to be blocked by similar untested contentions. PMID:6199325

TRANSMISSION NETWORK PLANNING METHOD FOR COMPARATIVE STUDIES (JOURNAL VERSION)

EPA Science Inventory

An automated transmission network planning method for comparative studies is presented. This method employs logical steps that may closely parallel those taken in practice by the planning engineers. Use is made of a sensitivity matrix to simulate the engineers' experience in sele...

26 CFR 11.402(e)(4)(A)-1 - Lump sum distributions in the case of an employee who has separated from service.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... close of the plan year within which the employee incurs a one-year break in service (within the meaning of section 411) if— (1) By reason of the break in service, the amount is actually forfeited at or prior to the close of that plan year, and (2) The break in service occurs within 25 months after the...

Benefits from remote sensing data utilization in urban planning processes and system recommendations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mallon, H. J.; Howard, J. Y.

1972-01-01

The benefits of utilizing remote sensor data in the urban planning process of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments are investigated. An evaluation of sensor requirements, a description/ comparison of costs, benefits, levels of accuracy, ease of attainment, and frequency of update possible using sensor versus traditional data acquisition techniques are discussed.

Generating capacity in US electric utilities: How is it used? How much is needed over the decade

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keelin, T. W.; Oatman, E. N.; Gent, M. R.

1982-10-01

This report addresses: how US generating capacity is used to supply today's consumers with electricity; whether new capacity planned over the next decade is enough to provide a secure supply of electricity; how delays and cancellations of planned capacity would result in higher electricity costs and threaten the security of electricity supply; and how today's decisions determine electricity supply for the next decade and beyond. It is concluded that there is not an electricity supply crisis currently, but there is a planning crisis. This conclusion is based on the following: existing capacity supplies current needs, but provides little room for economic growth; new capacity is planned to provide a secure supply of electricity for the demand projected by utilities; if demand is lower, planned capacity will reduce costs and, if demand is higher, planned capacity will not be adequate; planned capacity may not be realized.

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act Evaluation Study: Impact on Specialty Behavioral Healthcare Utilization and Spending Among Carve-In Enrollees

PubMed Central

Harwood, Jessica M.; Azocar, Francisca; Thalmayer, Amber; Xu, Haiyong; Ong, Michael K.; Tseng, Chi-Hong; Wells, Kenneth B.; Friedman, Sarah; Ettner, Susan L.

2016-01-01

Objective The federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) sought to eliminate historical disparities between insurance coverage for behavioral health (BH) treatment and coverage for medical treatment. Our objective was to evaluate MHPAEA’s impact on BH expenditures and utilization among “carve-in” enrollees. Method We received specialty BH insurance claims and eligibility data from Optum, sampling 5,987,776 adults enrolled in self-insured plans from large employers. An interrupted time series study design with segmented regression analysis estimated monthly time trends of per-member spending and use before (2008–2009), during (2010), and after (2011–2013) MHPAEA compliance (N=179,506,951 member-month observations). Outcomes included: total, plan, patient out-of-pocket spending; outpatient utilization (assessment/diagnostic evaluation visits; medication management; individual and family psychotherapy); intermediate care utilization (structured outpatient; day treatment; residential); and inpatient utilization. Results MHPAEA was associated with increases in monthly per-member total spending, plan spending, assessment/diagnostic evaluation visits (respective immediate increases of: $1.05 [p=0.02]; $0.88 [p=0.04]; 0.00045 visits [p=0.00]), and individual psychotherapy visits (immediate increase of 0.00578 visits [p=0.00] and additional increases of 0.00017 visits/month [p=0.03]). Conclusions MHPAEA was associated with modest increases in total and plan spending and outpatient utilization; e.g., in July 2012 predicted per-enrollee plan spending was $4.92 without MHPAEA and $6.14 with MHPAEA. Efforts should focus on understanding how other barriers to BH care unaddressed by MHPAEA may affect access/utilization. Future research should evaluate effects produced by the Affordable Care Act’s inclusion of BH care as an essential health benefit and expansion of MHPAEA protections to the individual and small group markets. PMID:27632769

13 CFR 307.16 - Effective utilization of Revolving Loan Funds.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... the capital utilization standard after a reasonable period of time, as determined by EDA, it may be... 13 Business Credit and Assistance 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Effective utilization of Revolving... Funds and Use of Grant Funds § 307.16 Effective utilization of Revolving Loan Funds. (a) Loan closing...

Utility-Scale Photovoltaic Deployment Scenarios of the Western United States: Implications for Solar Energy Zones in Nevada

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

Frew, Bethany; Mai, Trieu; Krishnan, Venkat

2016-12-01

In this study, we use the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL's) Regional Energy Deployment System (ReEDS) capacity expansion model to estimate utility-scale photovoltaic (UPV) deployment trends from present day through 2030. The analysis seeks to inform the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's (BLM's) planning activities related to UPV development on federal lands in Nevada as part of the Resource Management Plan (RMP) revision for the Las Vegas and Pahrump field offices. These planning activities include assessing the demand for new or expanded additional Solar Energy Zones (SEZ), per the process outlined in BLM's Western Solar Plan process.

Exploring the usefulness of comprehensive care plans for children with medical complexity (CMC): a qualitative study.

PubMed

Adams, Sherri; Cohen, Eyal; Mahant, Sanjay; Friedman, Jeremy N; Macculloch, Radha; Nicholas, David B

2013-01-19

The Medical Home model recommends that Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) receive a medical care plan, outlining the child's major medical issues and care needs to assist with care coordination. While care plans are a primary component of effective care coordination, the creation and maintenance of care plans is time, labor, and cost intensive, and the desired content of the care plan has not been studied. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the usefulness and desired content of comprehensive care plans by exploring the perceptions of parents and health care providers (HCPs) of children with medical complexity (CMC). This qualitative study utilized in-depth semi-structured interviews and focus groups. HCPs (n = 15) and parents (n = 15) of CMC who had all used a comprehensive care plan were recruited from a tertiary pediatric academic health sciences center. Themes were identified through grounded theory analysis of interview and focus group data. A multi-dimensional model of perceived care plan usefulness emerged. The model highlights three integral aspects of the care plan: care plan characteristics, activating factors and perceived outcomes of using a care plan. Care plans were perceived as a useful tool that centralized and focused the care of the child. Care plans were reported to flatten the hierarchical relationship between HCPs and parents, resulting in enhanced reciprocal information exchange and strengthened relationships. Participants expressed that a standardized template that is family-centered and includes content relevant to both the medical and social needs of the child is beneficial when integrated into overall care planning and delivery for CMC. Care plans are perceived to be a useful tool to both health care providers and parents of CMC. These findings inform the utility and development of a comprehensive care plan template as well as a model of how and when to best utilize care plans within family-centered models of care.

The Impact of Coverage Restrictions on Antipsychotic Utilization Among Low-Income Medicare Part D Enrollees.

PubMed

Roberto, Pamela N; Brandt, Nicole; Onukwugha, Eberechukwu; Perfetto, Eleanor; Powers, Christopher; Stuart, Bruce

2017-11-01

Prior research demonstrates substantial access problems associated with utilization management and formulary exclusions for antipsychotics in Medicaid, but the use and impact of coverage restrictions for these medications in Medicare Part D remains unknown. We assess the effect of coverage restrictions on antipsychotic utilization in Part D by exploiting a unique natural experiment in which low-income beneficiaries are randomly assigned to prescription drug plans with varying levels of formulary generosity. Despite considerable variation in use of coverage restrictions across Part D plans, we find no evidence that these restrictions significantly deter utilization or reduce access to antipsychotics for low-income beneficiaries.

Utility Building Plan, elevations and sections. March Air Force Base, ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Utility Building Plan, elevations and sections. March Air Force Base, Riverside, California, COmbat Operations Center, Utility Building. By Moffatt and Nichol, Engineers, 122 West Fifth Street, Long Beach, California; for the Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, Office of the District Engineer, Los Angeles, California. Drawing no. AW-60-02-03, sheet no. 57, approved March, 1962; specifications no. ENG-04-353-62-66; D.O. series AW 1596/57, Rev. "B"; file drawer 1290. Last revised 3 October 1966 "drawings updated." Various scales. 29 x 41 inches. pencil on paper - March Air Force Base, Strategic Air Command, Utility Building, 5220 Riverside Drive, Moreno Valley, Riverside County, CA

Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program FY98

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

Hansen, T.; Chartock, M.

1999-02-05

The Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL or Berkeley Lab) Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program FY 1998 report is compiled from annual reports submitted by principal investigators following the close of the fiscal year. This report describes the supported projects and summarizes their accomplishments. It constitutes a part of the Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) program planning and documentation process that includes an annual planning cycle, projection selection, implementation, and review. The LBNL LDRD program is a critical tool for directing the Laboratory's forefront scientific research capabilities toward vital, excellent, and emerging scientific challenges. The program providesmore » the resources for LBNL scientists to make rapid and significant contributions to critical national science and technology problems. The LDRD program also advances LBNL's core competencies, foundations, and scientific capability, and permits exploration of exciting new opportunities. All projects are work in forefront areas of science and technology. Areas eligible for support include the following: Advanced study of hypotheses, concepts, or innovative approaches to scientific or technical problems; Experiments and analyses directed toward ''proof of principle'' or early determination of the utility of new scientific ideas, technical concepts, or devices; and Conception and preliminary technical analyses of experimental facilities or devices.« less

Enhancing the Human Factors Engineering Role in an Austere Fiscal Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stokes, Jack W.

2003-01-01

An austere fiscal environment in the aerospace community creates pressures to reduce program costs, often minimizing or sometimes even deleting the human interface requirements from the design process. With an assumption that the flight crew can recover real time from a poorly human factored space vehicle design, the classical crew interface requirements have been either not included in the design or not properly funded, though carried as requirements. Cost cuts have also affected quality of retained human factors engineering personnel. In response to this concern, planning is ongoing to correct the acting issues. Herein are techniques for ensuring that human interface requirements are integrated into a flight design, from proposal through verification and launch activation. This includes human factors requirements refinement and consolidation across flight programs; keyword phrases in the proposals; closer ties with systems engineering and other classical disciplines; early planning for crew-interface verification; and an Agency integrated human factors verification program, under the One NASA theme. Importance is given to communication within the aerospace human factors discipline, and utilizing the strengths of all government, industry, and academic human factors organizations in an unified research and engineering approach. A list of recommendations and concerns are provided in closing.

Analytical Verifications in Cryogenic Testing of NGST Advanced Mirror System Demonstrators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cummings, Ramona; Levine, Marie; VanBuren, Dave; Kegley, Jeff; Green, Joseph; Hadaway, James; Presson, Joan; Cline, Todd; Stahl, H. Philip (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

Ground based testing is a critical and costly part of component, assembly, and system verifications of large space telescopes. At such tests, however, with integral teamwork by planners, analysts, and test personnel, segments can be included to validate specific analytical parameters and algorithms at relatively low additional cost. This paper opens with strategy of analytical verification segments added to vacuum cryogenic testing of Advanced Mirror System Demonstrator (AMSD) assemblies. These AMSD assemblies incorporate material and architecture concepts being considered in the Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST) design. The test segments for workmanship testing, cold survivability, and cold operation optical throughput are supplemented by segments for analytical verifications of specific structural, thermal, and optical parameters. Utilizing integrated modeling and separate materials testing, the paper continues with support plan for analyses, data, and observation requirements during the AMSD testing, currently slated for late calendar year 2002 to mid calendar year 2003. The paper includes anomaly resolution as gleaned by authors from similar analytical verification support of a previous large space telescope, then closes with draft of plans for parameter extrapolations, to form a well-verified portion of the integrated modeling being done for NGST performance predictions.

Do PEV Drivers Park Near Publicly Accessible EVSE in San Diego but Not Use Them?

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

Francfort, James Edward

The PEV charging stations deployed as part of The EV Project included both residential and non-residential sites. Non-residential sites included EVSE installed in workplace environments, fleet applications and those that were publicly accessible near retail centers, parking lots, and similar locations. The EV Project utilized its Micro-Climate® planning process to determine potential sites for publicly accessible EVSE in San Diego. This process worked with local stakeholders to target EVSE deployment near areas where significant PEV traffic and parking was expected. This planning process is described in The Micro-Climate deployment Process in San Diego1. The EV Project issued its deployment planmore » for San Diego in November 2010, prior to the sale of PEVs by Nissan and Chevrolet. The Project deployed residential EVSE concurrent with vehicle delivery starting in December 2010. The installation of non-residential EVSE commenced in April 2011 consistent with the original Project schedule, closely following the adoption of PEVs. The residential participation portion of The EV Project was fully subscribed by January 2013 and the non-residential EVSE deployment was essentially completed by August 2013.« less

Manual for Preparing Individualized Education Programs.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baylor, Terrill D.

Presented are guidelines for developing an individualized program and services plan, an individual implementation plan, and daily activity and strategy plans for handicapped students. Instructions are outlined for utilizing forms related to planning and implementation of individualized education programs. Appended are sample forms. (SBH)

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Closure of the Central Facilities Area Sewage Treatment Plant Lagoon 3 and Land Application Area

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

Lewis, Michael G.

This quality assurance project plan describes the technical requirements and quality assurance activities of the environmental data collection/analyses operations to close Central Facilities Area Sewage treatment Plant Lagoon 3 and the land application area. It describes the organization and persons involved, the data quality objectives, the analytical procedures, and the specific quality control measures to be employed. All quality assurance project plan activities are implemented to determine whether the results of the sampling and monitoring performed are of the right type, quantity, and quality to satisfy the requirements for closing Lagoon 3 and the land application area.

13 CFR 307.9 - Revolving Loan Fund Plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... lending area under § 307.18, a change in critical management staff, or a change to the strategic purpose...-approved economic development plan, if applicable, for the Region. (2) The Plan must identify the strategic... management procedures, including loan processing, underwriting, closing, disbursements, collections...

Airport Capacity Enhancement Plan.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1986-01-01

The first edition of the Airport Capacity Enhancement Plan has been developed by the Federal Aviation Administration's newly established Airport Capacity Program Office (ACPO). The plan is intended to increase the capacity and efficient utilization o...

Airport Capacity Enhancement Plan

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1987-01-01

The first edition of the Airport Capacity Enhancement Plan has been developed by the Federal Aviation Administration's newly established Airport Capacity Program Office (ACPO). The plan is intended to increase the capacity and efficient utilization o...

48 CFR 552.219-73 - Goals for Subcontracting Plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

...: Goals for Subcontracting Plan (JUN 2005) (a) Maximum practicable utilization of small, HUBZone small... correct deficiencies in a plan within the time specified by the Contracting Officer shall make the offeror...

48 CFR 552.219-73 - Goals for Subcontracting Plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

...: Goals for Subcontracting Plan (JUN 2005) (a) Maximum practicable utilization of small, HUBZone small... correct deficiencies in a plan within the time specified by the Contracting Officer shall make the offeror...

48 CFR 552.219-73 - Goals for Subcontracting Plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

...: Goals for Subcontracting Plan (JUN 2005) (a) Maximum practicable utilization of small, HUBZone small... correct deficiencies in a plan within the time specified by the Contracting Officer shall make the offeror...

48 CFR 552.219-73 - Goals for Subcontracting Plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

...: Goals for Subcontracting Plan (JUN 2005) (a) Maximum practicable utilization of small, HUBZone small... correct deficiencies in a plan within the time specified by the Contracting Officer shall make the offeror...

Utilization of Ambulatory Mental Health Services.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Williams, Stephen J.; Richardson, Mary

1980-01-01

Studied the use of mental health services by enrolled populations, in order to establish a model or predictor of utilization. Primary focus of utilization data has been patient characteristics; organizational variables, such as plan design and benefit packages, are also shown to affect utilization. (LAB)

The path to active living: physical activity through community design in Somerville, Massachusetts.

PubMed

Burke, Noreen M; Chomitz, Virginia R; Rioles, Nicole A; Winslow, Stephen P; Brukilacchio, Lisa B; Baker, Jessie C

2009-12-01

Somerville, Massachusetts, an ethnically diverse, urban community northwest of Boston, presents opportunities and challenges for active living. With a dense street grid, well-maintained sidewalks, neighborhood parks, and existing Community Path, Somerville is very walkable. However, two major surface arteries traverse and bisect neighborhoods, creating pedestrian safety and environmental justice issues. Major goals included promoting increased collaboration and communication among existing active-living efforts; managing the Community Path extension project; encouraging Portuguese-speaking adults to incorporate daily physical activity; leveraging existing urban planning work to establish secure, attractive walking/biking corridors; and embedding active-living messages in everyday life. The Somerville Active Living by Design Partnership (ALbD) successfully created a robust task force that was integrated with citywide active-living efforts, secured resources to increase infrastructure and support for active living, including city-level coordinator positions, and changed decision-making practices that led to incorporation of pedestrian and bicycle transportation priorities into city planning and that influenced the extension of the Community Path. Partnerships must employ sustainability planning early on, utilize skilled facilitative leaders to manage leadership transitions, and engage new partners. Identifying, cultivating, and celebrating champions, especially those with political power, are critical. Working closely with research partners leads to rich data sources for planning and evaluation. Changing the built environment is difficult; working toward smaller wins is realistic and achievable. The synergy of ALbD and other community interventions created a foundation for short-term successes and accelerated political-cultural changes already underway with respect to active living.

Planning Tool for Strategic Evaluation of Facility Plans - 13570

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

Magoulas, Virginia; Cercy, Michael; Hall, Irin

2013-07-01

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) has developed a strategic planning tool for the evaluation of the utilization of its unique resources for processing and research and development of nuclear materials. The Planning Tool is a strategic level tool for assessing multiple missions that could be conducted utilizing the SRNL facilities and showcasing the plan. Traditional approaches using standard scheduling tools and laying out a strategy on paper tended to be labor intensive and offered either a limited or cluttered view for visualizing and communicating results. A tool that can assess the process throughput, duration, and utilization of the facility wasmore » needed. SRNL teamed with Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS), a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, to create the next generation Planning Tool. The goal of this collaboration was to create a simulation based tool that allows for quick evaluation of strategies with respect to new or changing missions, and clearly communicates results to the decision makers. This tool has been built upon a mature modeling and simulation software previously developed by NNS. The Planning Tool provides a forum for capturing dependencies, constraints, activity flows, and variable factors. It is also a platform for quickly evaluating multiple mission scenarios, dynamically adding/updating scenarios, generating multiple views for evaluating/communicating results, and understanding where there are areas of risks and opportunities with respect to capacity. The Planning Tool that has been developed is useful in that it presents a clear visual plan for the missions at the Savannah River Site (SRS). It not only assists in communicating the plans to SRS corporate management, but also allows the area stakeholders a visual look at the future plans for SRS. The design of this tool makes it easily deployable to other facility and mission planning endeavors. (authors)« less

Closing the Achievement Gap: Challenges and Opportunities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Robards, Shirley N.

2008-01-01

Closing the achievement gap between low- and high-achieving public school students is an important goal of public education. This article explores background information and research and discusses examples of best practices to close the achievement gap. Several plans have been proposed as ways to enhance the achievement of under-represented…

Scleroderma

MedlinePlus

... Utility Nav Community Outreach Publications in Asian Languages Portal en español Main navigation Menu Close Health Topics ... Trials News Room About NIAMS Asian Language Publications Portal en espanol Community Outreach Initiative Menu Menu Close ...

To Plan or Not to Plan, That Is the Question

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dolph, David A.

2016-01-01

Strategic planning is a process utilized by numerous organizations, including K-12 school boards, intent on improvement and reform. A thoughtful strategic planning process can help develop a board's desired future driven by goals and strategies aimed at progress. However, improvement processes such as strategic planning are challenging. In fact,…

7 CFR 1778.22 - Planning development and procurement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 12 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Planning development and procurement. 1778.22 Section 1778.22 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE... Planning development and procurement. Planning development and procurement for grants made under this part...

Patterns of service use in two types of managed behavioral health care plans.

PubMed

Merrick, Elizabeth L; Hodgkin, Dominic; Hiatt, Deirdre; Horgan, Constance M; Azzone, Vanessa; McCann, Bernard; Ritter, Grant; Zolotusky, Galima; McGuire, Thomas G; Reif, Sharon

2010-01-01

The study examined service use patterns by level of care in two managed care plans offered by a national managed behavioral health care organization (MBHO): an employee assistance program (EAP) combined with a standard behavioral health plan (integrated plan) and a standard behavioral health plan. The cross-sectional analysis used 2004 administrative data from the MBHO. Utilization of 11 specific service categories was compared. The weighted sample reflected exact matching on sociodemographic characteristics (unweighted N=710,014; weighted N=286,750). A larger proportion of enrollees in the integrated plan than in the standard plan used outpatient mental health and substance abuse office visits (including EAP visits) (p<.01) and substance abuse intensive outpatient or day treatment (p<.05), and the proportion using residential substance abuse rehabilitation was lower (p<.05). The integrated and standard products had distinct utilization patterns in this large MBHO. In particular, greater use of certain outpatient services was observed in the integrated plan.

Agriculture and Food: Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources Sector-Specific Plan as Input to the National Infrastructure Protection Plan

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-05-01

sliced egg sand- wich (closed-faced), frozen fish dinner, rabbit stew, shrimp-flavored instant noodles , venison jerky, buffalo burgers, alligator...meat or 2% or more poultry (e.g., chicken noodle ) Other products Cheese, onion, mushroom pizza; spaghetti sauces (less than 3% red meat), spaghetti...sauce with mushrooms and 2% meat, pork and beans, sliced egg sandwich (closed-faced), frozen fish dinner, rabbit stew, shrimp-flavored instant

Fifteen-foot diameter modular space station Kennedy Space Center launch site support definition (space station program Phase B extension definition)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bjorn, L. C.; Martin, M. L.; Murphy, C. W.; Niebla, J. F., V

1971-01-01

This document defines the facilities, equipment, and operational plans required to support the MSS Program at KSC. Included is an analysis of KSC operations, a definition of flow plans, facility utilization and modifications, test plans and concepts, activation, and tradeoff studies. Existing GSE and facilities that have a potential utilization are identified, and new items are defined where possible. The study concludes that the existing facilities are suitable for use in the space station program without major modification from the Saturn-Apollo configuration.

The Utility of Case-Control Methods for Health Policy and Planning Analysis: An Illustration from Kinshasa, Zaire.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mock, Nancy B.; And Others

1993-01-01

The use of case-control methodology as an applied policy/planning research tool in assessing the potential effectiveness of behavioral interventions is studied in connection with diarrhea control in Zaire. Results with 107 matched pairs of children demonstrate the importance of hygiene-related knowledge and the utility of the research approach.…

Utilizing the Six Realms of Meaning in Improving Campus Standardized Test Scores through Team Teaching and Strategic Planning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stevenson, Rosnisha D.; Kritsonis, William Allan

2009-01-01

This article will seek to utilize Dr. William Allan Kritsonis' book "Ways of Knowing Through the Realms of Meaning" (2007) as a framework to improve a campus's standardized test scores, more specifically, their TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) scores. Many campuses have an improvement plan, also known as a Campus…

78 FR 25760 - Proposed Information Collection; Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program Grants

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-02

...--renovate or redesign existing close-to- home recreation facilities. Innovation--specific activities that... existing programs. Planning--development of a Recovery Action Program plan. The information collection... recreation system goals. Citizen involvement in the development of the Action Plan is required and may...

Impact of Medicare SELECT on Cost and Utilization in 11 States

PubMed Central

Lee, A. James; Garfinkel, Steven A.; Khandker, Rezaul K.; Norton, Edward C.

1997-01-01

In this article, the authors evaluate the cost and utilization effects of the SELECT implementations in 11 States. In particular they compare the before-and-after enrollment experiences of Medicare beneficiaries newly enrolled in SELECT plans with the experiences of those newly enrolled in traditional medigap plans. Using Medicare claims data for 1991 through 1994, the authors find that Medicare SELECT increased costs in five States, decreased costs in three States, and had no effect in three States. Cost increases were generally related to Part B utilization. PMID:10179998

Careful Planning Key to Accurate Fixed Reports Assets.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

MaRous, Arnold M.

1986-01-01

Only with careful planning can school business managers develop fixed asset information and good recordkeeping. Use of a simple inventory system and discussion with school districts already utilizing this system will assist planning. (CJH)

Improving Closing Task Completion in a Drugstore

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fante, Rhiannon; Davis, Ora L.; Kempt, Vivian

2013-01-01

A within-subject ABAB reversal design was utilized to investigate the effects of graphic feedback and goal setting on employee closing task completion. Goal setting was contingent upon baseline performance and graphic feedback was posted weekly. It was found that goal setting and graphic feedback improved employee closing task completion.…

Closed Captioned TV: A Resource for ESL Literacy Education. ERIC Digest.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Parks, Carolyn

Recent technological, pedagogical, and regulatory developments have heightened awareness and appreciation of the utility of closed captioned television (CCTV) for adult English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) and literacy instruction. A federal mandate that most televisions provide a closed caption decoder, increased captioning of all program types,…

Dual Expander Cycle Rocket Engine with an Intermediate, Closed-cycle Heat Exchanger

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Greene, William D. (Inventor)

2008-01-01

A dual expander cycle (DEC) rocket engine with an intermediate closed-cycle heat exchanger is provided. A conventional DEC rocket engine has a closed-cycle heat exchanger thermally coupled thereto. The heat exchanger utilizes heat extracted from the engine's fuel circuit to drive the engine's oxidizer turbomachinery.

Raynaud's Phenomenon

MedlinePlus

... Utility Nav Community Outreach Publications in Asian Languages Portal en español Main navigation Menu Close Health Topics ... Trials News Room About NIAMS Asian Language Publications Portal en espanol Community Outreach Initiative Menu Menu Close ...

Automated medial axis seeding and guided evolutionary simulated annealing for optimization of gamma knife radiosurgery treatment plans

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Pengpeng

The Leksell Gamma KnifeRTM (LGK) is a tool for providing accurate stereotactic radiosurgical treatment of brain lesions, especially tumors. Currently, the treatment planning team "forward" plans radiation treatment parameters while viewing a series of 2D MR scans. This primarily manual process is cumbersome and time consuming because the difficulty in visualizing the large search space for the radiation parameters (i.e., shot overlap, number, location, size, and weight). I hypothesize that a computer-aided "inverse" planning procedure that utilizes tumor geometry and treatment goals could significantly improve the planning process and therapeutic outcome of LGK radiosurgery. My basic observation is that the treatment team is best at identification of the location of the lesion and prescribing a lethal, yet safe, radiation dose. The treatment planning computer is best at determining both the 3D tumor geometry and optimal LGK shot parameters necessary to deliver a desirable dose pattern to the tumor while sparing adjacent normal tissue. My treatment planning procedure asks the neurosurgeon to identify the tumor and critical structures in MR images and the oncologist to prescribe a tumoricidal radiation dose. Computer-assistance begins with geometric modeling of the 3D tumor's medial axis properties. This begins with a new algorithm, a Gradient-Phase Plot (G-P Plot) decomposition of the tumor object's medial axis. I have found that medial axis seeding, while insufficient in most cases to produce an acceptable treatment plan, greatly reduces the solution space for Guided Evolutionary Simulated Annealing (GESA) treatment plan optimization by specifying an initial estimate for shot number, size, and location, but not weight. They are used to generate multiple initial plans which become initial seed plans for GESA. The shot location and weight parameters evolve and compete in the GESA procedure. The GESA objective function optimizes tumor irradiation (i.e., as close to the prescribed dose as possible) and minimizes normal tissue and critical structure damage. In tests of five patient data sets (4 acoustic neuromas and 1 meningioma), the G-P Plot/GESA-generated treatment plans improved conformality of the lethal dose to the tumor, required no human interaction, improved dose homogeneity, suggested use of fewer shots, and reduced treatment administration time.

Generalizable open source urban water portfolio simulation framework demonstrated using a multi-objective risk-based planning benchmark problem.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trindade, B. C.; Reed, P. M.

2017-12-01

The growing access and reduced cost for computing power in recent years has promoted rapid development and application of multi-objective water supply portfolio planning. As this trend continues there is a pressing need for flexible risk-based simulation frameworks and improved algorithm benchmarking for emerging classes of water supply planning and management problems. This work contributes the Water Utilities Management and Planning (WUMP) model: a generalizable and open source simulation framework designed to capture how water utilities can minimize operational and financial risks by regionally coordinating planning and management choices, i.e. making more efficient and coordinated use of restrictions, water transfers and financial hedging combined with possible construction of new infrastructure. We introduce the WUMP simulation framework as part of a new multi-objective benchmark problem for planning and management of regionally integrated water utility companies. In this problem, a group of fictitious water utilities seek to balance the use of the mentioned reliability driven actions (e.g., restrictions, water transfers and infrastructure pathways) and their inherent financial risks. Several traits of this problem make it ideal for a benchmark problem, namely the presence of (1) strong non-linearities and discontinuities in the Pareto front caused by the step-wise nature of the decision making formulation and by the abrupt addition of storage through infrastructure construction, (2) noise due to the stochastic nature of the streamflows and water demands, and (3) non-separability resulting from the cooperative formulation of the problem, in which decisions made by stakeholder may substantially impact others. Both the open source WUMP simulation framework and its demonstration in a challenging benchmarking example hold value for promoting broader advances in urban water supply portfolio planning for regions confronting change.

An Initial Strategy for Commercial Industry Awareness of the International Space Station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jorgensen, Catherine A.

1999-01-01

While plans are being developed to utilize the ISS for scientific research, and human and microgravity experiments, it is time to consider the future of the ISS as a world-wide commercial marketplace developed from a government owned, operated and controlled facility. Commercial industry will be able to seize this opportunity to utilize the ISS as a unique manufacturing platform and engineering testbed for advanced technology. NASA has begun the strategic planning of the evolution and commercialization of the ISS. The Pre-Planned Program Improvement (P3I) Working Group at NASA is assessing the future ISS needs and technology plans to enhance ISS performance. Some of these enhancements will allow the accommodation of commercial applications and the Human Exploration and Development of Space mission support. As this information develops, it is essential to disseminate this information to commercial industry, targeting not only the private and public space sector but also the non-aerospace commercial industries. An approach is presented for early distribution of this information via the ISS Evolution Data book that includes ISS baseline system information, baseline utilization and operations plans, advanced technologies, future utilization opportunities, ISS evolution and Design Reference Missions (DRM). This information source and tool can be used as catalyst in the commercial world for the generation of ideas and options to enhance the current capabilities of the ISS.

Optimization in the utility maximization framework for conservation planning: a comparison of solution procedures in a study of multifunctional agriculture

PubMed Central

Stoms, David M.; Davis, Frank W.

2014-01-01

Quantitative methods of spatial conservation prioritization have traditionally been applied to issues in conservation biology and reserve design, though their use in other types of natural resource management is growing. The utility maximization problem is one form of a covering problem where multiple criteria can represent the expected social benefits of conservation action. This approach allows flexibility with a problem formulation that is more general than typical reserve design problems, though the solution methods are very similar. However, few studies have addressed optimization in utility maximization problems for conservation planning, and the effect of solution procedure is largely unquantified. Therefore, this study mapped five criteria describing elements of multifunctional agriculture to determine a hypothetical conservation resource allocation plan for agricultural land conservation in the Central Valley of CA, USA. We compared solution procedures within the utility maximization framework to determine the difference between an open source integer programming approach and a greedy heuristic, and find gains from optimization of up to 12%. We also model land availability for conservation action as a stochastic process and determine the decline in total utility compared to the globally optimal set using both solution algorithms. Our results are comparable to other studies illustrating the benefits of optimization for different conservation planning problems, and highlight the importance of maximizing the effectiveness of limited funding for conservation and natural resource management. PMID:25538868

Planning Routes Across Economic Terrains: Maximizing Utility, Following Heuristics

PubMed Central

Zhang, Hang; Maddula, Soumya V.; Maloney, Laurence T.

2010-01-01

We designed an economic task to investigate human planning of routes in landscapes where travel in different kinds of terrain incurs different costs. Participants moved their finger across a touch screen from a starting point to a destination. The screen was divided into distinct kinds of terrain and travel within each kind of terrain imposed a cost proportional to distance traveled. We varied costs and spatial configurations of terrains and participants received fixed bonuses minus the total cost of the routes they chose. We first compared performance to a model maximizing gain. All but one of 12 participants failed to adopt least-cost routes and their failure to do so reduced their winnings by about 30% (median value). We tested in detail whether participants’ choices of routes satisfied three necessary conditions (heuristics) for a route to maximize gain. We report failures of one heuristic for 7 out of 12 participants. Last of all, we modeled human performance with the assumption that participants assign subjective utilities to costs and maximize utility. For 7 out 12 participants, the fitted utility function was an accelerating power function of actual cost and for the remaining 5, a decelerating power function. We discuss connections between utility aggregation in route planning and decision under risk. Our task could be adapted to investigate human strategy and optimality of route planning in full-scale landscapes. PMID:21833269

Challenges and Driving Forces for Business Plans in Biobanking.

PubMed

Macheiner, Tanja; Huppertz, Berthold; Bayer, Michaela; Sargsyan, Karine

2017-04-01

Due to increased utilization of biospecimens for research and emergence of new technologies, the availability and quality of biospecimens and their collection are coming more and more into focus. However, the long-term economic situation of biobanks is still mostly unclear. Also, the common sustainable utilization of various international biobanks is challenging due to local differences in sample processing, law and ethics. This article discusses possible strategies to achieve a sustainable utilization of biospecimens as part of the business plan of biobanks. The following questions were addressed as part of a business plan: (1) How can a biobank build up and maintain an up-to-date infrastructure? (2) What kind of funding can support the sustainability of a biobank? (3) Is there an international solution for informed consents to enable sample and data sharing? (4) How can a biobank react during economically unstable periods? (5) Which kind of biobanking research is innovative? (6) What kind of education could be most needful for knowledge transfer in biobanking? (7) Does an expiration date for a biobank make sense according to the period of funding? A strategy for optimal utilization begins with sharing of resources, infrastructure, and investments at the planning stage of a biobank, and continues to the transfer of knowledge and know-how by education. For clinical biobanks in particular, a long-term funding and cost recovery strategy is necessary for sustainable utilization.

Optimization in the utility maximization framework for conservation planning: a comparison of solution procedures in a study of multifunctional agriculture

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kreitler, Jason R.; Stoms, David M.; Davis, Frank W.

2014-01-01

Quantitative methods of spatial conservation prioritization have traditionally been applied to issues in conservation biology and reserve design, though their use in other types of natural resource management is growing. The utility maximization problem is one form of a covering problem where multiple criteria can represent the expected social benefits of conservation action. This approach allows flexibility with a problem formulation that is more general than typical reserve design problems, though the solution methods are very similar. However, few studies have addressed optimization in utility maximization problems for conservation planning, and the effect of solution procedure is largely unquantified. Therefore, this study mapped five criteria describing elements of multifunctional agriculture to determine a hypothetical conservation resource allocation plan for agricultural land conservation in the Central Valley of CA, USA. We compared solution procedures within the utility maximization framework to determine the difference between an open source integer programming approach and a greedy heuristic, and find gains from optimization of up to 12%. We also model land availability for conservation action as a stochastic process and determine the decline in total utility compared to the globally optimal set using both solution algorithms. Our results are comparable to other studies illustrating the benefits of optimization for different conservation planning problems, and highlight the importance of maximizing the effectiveness of limited funding for conservation and natural resource management.

Integrated payload and mission planning, phase 3. Volume 4: Optimum utilization of Spacelab racks and pallets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Logston, R. G.; Budris, G. D.

1977-01-01

The methodology to optimize the utilization of Spacelab racks and pallets and to apply this methodology to the early STS Spacelab missions was developed. A review was made of Spacelab Program requirements and flow plans, generic flow plans for racks and pallets were examined, and the principal optimization criteria and methodology were established. Interactions between schedule, inventory, and key optimization factors; schedule and cost sensitivity to optional approaches; and the development of tradeoff methodology were addressed. This methodology was then applied to early spacelab missions (1980-1982). Rack and pallet requirements and duty cycles were defined, a utilization assessment was made, and several trade studies performed involving varying degrees of Level IV integration, inventory level, and shared versus dedicated Spacelab racks and pallets.

26 CFR 11.412(c)-7 - Election to treat certain retroactive plan amendments as made on the first day of the plan year.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... amendments as made on the first day of the plan year. 11.412(c)-7 Section 11.412(c)-7 Internal Revenue... treat certain retroactive plan amendments as made on the first day of the plan year. (a) General rule... the date of the close of the first plan year to which the amendment applies and the date on which the...

26 CFR 11.412(c)-7 - Election to treat certain retroactive plan amendments as made on the first day of the plan year.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... amendments as made on the first day of the plan year. 11.412(c)-7 Section 11.412(c)-7 Internal Revenue... treat certain retroactive plan amendments as made on the first day of the plan year. (a) General rule... the date of the close of the first plan year to which the amendment applies and the date on which the...

26 CFR 11.412(c)-7 - Election to treat certain retroactive plan amendments as made on the first day of the plan year.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... amendments as made on the first day of the plan year. 11.412(c)-7 Section 11.412(c)-7 Internal Revenue... treat certain retroactive plan amendments as made on the first day of the plan year. (a) General rule... the date of the close of the first plan year to which the amendment applies and the date on which the...

26 CFR 11.412(c)-7 - Election to treat certain retroactive plan amendments as made on the first day of the plan year.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... amendments as made on the first day of the plan year. 11.412(c)-7 Section 11.412(c)-7 Internal Revenue... treat certain retroactive plan amendments as made on the first day of the plan year. (a) General rule... the date of the close of the first plan year to which the amendment applies and the date on which the...

26 CFR 11.412(c)-7 - Election to treat certain retroactive plan amendments as made on the first day of the plan year.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... amendments as made on the first day of the plan year. 11.412(c)-7 Section 11.412(c)-7 Internal Revenue... treat certain retroactive plan amendments as made on the first day of the plan year. (a) General rule... the date of the close of the first plan year to which the amendment applies and the date on which the...

26 CFR 301.6057-1 - Employee retirement benefit plans; identification of participant with deferred vested retirement...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... subject to forfeiture by reason of an event or condition occurring subsequent to the close of the plan... considered to separate from service covered by the plan solely because the participant incurs a break in... the second of two consecutive one-year breaks in service (as defined in the plan for vesting...

40 CFR 60.2615 - What must I do if I plan to permanently close my CISWI unit and not restart it?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE FOR NEW STATIONARY SOURCES Emissions Guidelines and Compliance Times for Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incineration Units Model... plan is due. Model Rule—Waste Management Plan ...

40 CFR 60.2615 - What must I do if I plan to permanently close my CISWI unit and not restart it?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE FOR NEW STATIONARY SOURCES Emissions Guidelines and Compliance Times for Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incineration Units Model... plan is due. Model Rule—Waste Management Plan ...

29 CFR 2520.104b-3 - Summary of material modifications to the plan and changes in the information required to be...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... future must disclose a summary of that modification within 210 days after the close of the plan year in... plan, including a reduction that occurs as a result of a change in formulas, methodologies or schedules...

Pre-Surgical Integration of fMRI and DTI of the Sensorimotor System in Transcortical Resection of a High-Grade Insular Astrocytoma

PubMed Central

Ekstrand, Chelsea L.; Mickleborough, Marla J. S.; Fourney, Daryl R.; Gould, Layla A.; Lorentz, Eric J.; Ellchuk, Tasha; Borowsky, Ron W.

2016-01-01

Herein we report on a patient with a WHO Grade III astrocytoma in the right insular region in close proximity to the internal capsule who underwent a right frontotemporal craniotomy. Total gross resection of insular gliomas remains surgically challenging based on the possibility of damage to the corticospinal tracts. However, maximizing the extent of resection has been shown to decrease future adverse outcomes. Thus, the goal of such surgeries should focus on maximizing extent of resection while minimizing possible adverse outcomes. In this case, pre-surgical planning included integration of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), to localize motor and sensory pathways. Novel fMRI tasks were individually developed for the patient to maximize both somatosensory and motor activation simultaneously in areas in close proximity to the tumor. Information obtained was used to optimize resection trajectory and extent, facilitating gross total resection of the astrocytoma. Across all three motor-sensory tasks administered, fMRI revealed an area of interest just superior and lateral to the astrocytoma. Further, DTI analyses showed displacement of the corona radiata around the superior dorsal surface of the astrocytoma, extending in the direction of the activation found using fMRI. Taking into account these results, a transcortical superior temporal gyrus surgical approach was chosen in order to avoid the area of interest identified by fMRI and DTI. Total gross resection was achieved and minor post-surgical motor and sensory deficits were temporary. This case highlights the utility of comprehensive pre-surgical planning, including fMRI and DTI, to maximize surgical outcomes on a case-by-case basis. PMID:27013996

Transit management certificate program.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-07-01

TTI worked closely with the Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning Department : (LAUP) of Texas A&M University (TAMU) to develop a transit management certificate : focus for the current Graduate Certificate in Transportation Planning (CTP) housed ...

Creating a bridge between data collection and program planning: a technical assistance model to maximize the use of HIV/AIDS surveillance and service utilization data for planning purposes.

PubMed

Logan, Jennifer A; Beatty, Maile; Woliver, Renee; Rubinstein, Eric P; Averbach, Abigail R

2005-12-01

Over time, improvements in HIV/AIDS surveillance and service utilization data have increased their usefulness for planning programs, targeting resources, and otherwise informing HIV/AIDS policy. However, community planning groups, service providers, and health department staff often have difficulty in interpreting and applying the wide array of data now available. We describe the development of the Bridging Model, a technical assistance model for overcoming barriers to the use of data for program planning. Through the use of an iterative feedback loop in the model, HIV/AIDS data products constantly are evolving to better inform the decision-making tasks of their multiple users. Implementation of this model has led to improved data quality and data products and to a greater willingness and ability among stakeholders to use the data for planning purposes.

Effects of Mental Health Parity on High Utilizers of Services: Pre-Post Evidence From a Large, Self-Insured Employer.

PubMed

Grazier, Kyle L; Eisenberg, Daniel; Jedele, Jenefer M; Smiley, Mary L

2016-04-01

This study evaluated utilization of mental health and substance use services among enrollees at a large employee health plan following changes to benefit limits after passage in 2008 of federal mental health parity legislation. This study used a pre-post design. Benefits and claims data for 43,855 enrollees in the health plan in 2009 and 2010 were analyzed for utilization and costs after removal of a 30-visit cap on the number of covered mental health visits. There was a large increase in the proportion of health plan enrollees with more than 30 outpatient visits after the cap's removal, an increase of 255% among subscribers and 176% among dependents (p<.001). The number of people near the 30-visit limit for substance use disorders was too few to observe an effect. Federal mental health parity legislation is likely to increase utilization of mental health services by individuals who had previously met their benefit limit.

Bioregenerative Life Support System Research as part of the DLR EDEN Initiative

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bamsey, Matthew; Schubert, Daniel; Zabel, Paul; Poulet, Lucie; Zeidler, Conrad

In 2011, the DLR Institute of Space Systems launched a research initiative called EDEN - Evolution and Design of Environmentally-closed Nutrition-Sources. The research initiative focuses on bioregenerative life support systems, especially greenhouse modules, and technologies for future crewed vehicles. The EDEN initiative comprises several projects with respect to space research, ground testing and spin-offs. In 2014, EDEN’s new laboratory officially opened. This new biological cleanroom laboratory comprises several plant growth chambers incorporating a number of novel controlled environment agriculture technologies. This laboratory will be the nucleus for a variety of plant cultivation experiments within closed environments. The utilized technologies are being advanced using the pull of space technology and include such items as stacked growth systems, PAR-specific LEDs, intracanopy lighting, aeroponic nutrient delivery systems and ion-selective nutrient sensors. The driver of maximizing biomass output per unit volume and energy has much application in future bioregenerative life support systems but can also provide benefit terrestrially. The EDEN laboratory also includes several specially constructed chambers for advancing models addressing the interaction between bioregenerative and physical-chemical life support systems. The EDEN team is presently developing designs for containerized greenhouse modules. One module is planned for deployment to the German Antarctic Station, Neumayer III. The shipping container based system will provide supplementation to the overwintering crew’s diet, provide psychological benefit while at the same time advancing the technology and operational readiness of harsh environment plant production systems. In addition to hardware development, the EDEN team has participated in several early phase designs such as for the ESA Greenhouse Module for Space System and for large-scale vertical farming. These studies often utilize the Institute of Space Systems Concurrent Engineering Facility.

An assessment of rural health care delivery system in some areas of West Bengal-an overview.

PubMed

Ray, Sandip Kumar; Basu, Subhra S; Basu, Amal Kumar

2011-01-01

A cross sectional observational study was carried out in three districts of West Bengal by following observational, quantitative and qualitative methods during July to December 2006 to find out the extent of utilization, strengths, weaknesses and gap as well as suggest recommendations in connection with health care delivery system for the state of West Bengal, India. A total of 672 episodes of illnesses were reported (2 weeks recall) by the study population of the three selected districts in three geographically separated divisions of West Bengal. None did seek care from any health facilities for treatment in case of 221 (32.89%) episodes; especially from tribal areas where in case of 76.19% none sought any health care from any facilities depended on their home remedies. In rest of episodes the (451), majority preferred government health facilities (38.58%), followed by Unqualified quacks (29.27%) due to low cost as well as living in close proximity, 27.27% preferred qualified Private practitioners and only 4.88% preferred AYUSH, as a first choice. Referral was mostly by self or by close relatives/families (61%) and not by a doctor. Awareness is required to avoid unnecessary referral. Cleanliness of the premises, face-lift, and clean toilet with privacy and availability of safe drinking water facilities could have an improved client satisfaction in rural health care delivery systems. This could be achieved through community participation with the involvement of PRI. However, as observed in the study RCH services including Family Planning as well as immunization services (preventive services) were utilized much better while there was a strong need of improvement of Post Natal Care, otherwise, Neonatal and Maternal mortality and morbidity will continue to be high.

Results of an Initial Field Study of New Techniques for Citizen Participation in Educational Facilities Planning.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zucker, Charles B.

The utility of a particular citizen participation planning approach as applied to educational facilities planning is described. With the aid of a clear-cut decisionmaking procedure, citizens could participate effectively in the development of specific planning policy statements. Such statements could be used to discuss planning priorities, focus…

Planning and managing market research: Electric utility market research monograph series: Monograph 1

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

Whitelaw, R.W.

1987-01-01

The market research techniques available now to the electric utility industry have evolved over the last thirty years into a set of sophisticated tools that permit complex behavioral analyses that earlier had been impossible. The marketing questions facing the electric utility industry now are commensurately more complex than ever before. This document was undertaken to present the tools and techniques needed to start or improve the usefulness of market research activities within electric utilities. It describes proven planning and management techniques as well as decision criteria for structuring effective market research functions for each utility's particular needs. The monograph establishesmore » the parameters of sound utility market research given trade-offs between highly centralized or decentralized organizations, research focus, involvement in decision making, and personnel and management skills necessary to maximize the effectiveness of the structure chosen.« less

Economics of Utility Scale Photovoltaics at Purdue University

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arnett, William

The research for this case study shows that utility scale solar photovoltaics has become a competitive energy investment option, even when a campus operates a power plant at low electricity rates. To evaluate this an economic model called SEEMS (Solar Economic Evaluation Modelling Spreadsheets) was developed to evaluate a number of financial scenarios in Real Time Pricing for universities. The three main financing structures considered are 1) land leasing, 2) university direct purchase, and 3) third party purchase. Unlike other commercially available models SEEMS specifically accounts for real time pricing, where the local utility provides electricity at an hourly rate that changes with the expected demand. In addition, SEEMS also includes a random simulation that allows the model to predict the likelihood of success for a given solar installation strategy. The research showed that there are several options for utility scale solar that are financially attractive. The most practical financing structure is with a third party partnership because of the opportunity to take advantage of tax incentives. Other options could become more attractive if non-financial benefits are considered. The case study for this research, Purdue University, has a unique opportunity to integrate utility-scale solar electricity into its strategic planning. Currently Purdue is updating its master plan which will define how land is developed. Purdue is also developing a sustainability plan that will define long term environmental goals. In addition, the university is developing over 500 acres of land west of campus as part of its Aerospace Innovation District. This research helps make the case for including utility-scale solar electricity as part of the university's strategic planning.

Estimated Budget Impact of Adopting the Affordable Care Act's Required Smoking Cessation Coverage on United States Healthcare Payers.

PubMed

Baker, Christine L; Ferrufino, Cheryl P; Bruno, Marianna; Kowal, Stacey

2017-01-01

Despite abundant information on the negative impacts of smoking, more than 40 million adult Americans continue to smoke. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires tobacco cessation as a preventive service with no patient cost share for all FDA-approved cessation medications. Health plans have a vital role in supporting smoking cessation by managing medication access, but uncertainty remains on the gaps between smoking cessation requirements and what is actually occurring in practice. This study presents current cessation patterns, real-world drug costs and plan benefit design data, and estimates the 1- to 5-year pharmacy budget impact of providing ACA-required coverage for smoking cessation products to understand the fiscal impact to a US healthcare plan. A closed cohort budget impact model was developed in Microsoft Excel ® to estimate current and projected costs for US payers (commercial, Medicare, Medicaid) covering smoking cessation medicines, with assumptions for coverage and smoking cessation product utilization based on current, real-world national and state-level trends for hypothetical commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid plans with 1 million covered lives. A Markov methodology with five health states captures quit attempt and relapse patterns. Results include the number of smokers attempting to quit, number of successful quitters, annual costs, and cost per-member per-month (PMPM). The projected PMPM cost of providing coverage for smoking cessation medications is $0.10 for commercial, $0.06 for Medicare, and $0.07 for Medicaid plans, reflecting a low incremental PMPM impact of covering two attempts ranging from $0.01 for Medicaid to $0.02 for commercial and Medicare payers. The projected PMPM impact of covering two quit attempts with access to all seven cessation medications at no patient cost share remains low. Results of this study reinforce that the impact of adopting the ACA requirements for smoking cessation coverage will have a limited near-term impact on health plan's budgets. Pfizer Inc.

An application of corelap algoritm to improve the utilization space of the classroom

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sembiring, A. C.; Budiman, I.; Mardhatillah, A.; Tarigan, U. P.; Jawira, A.

2018-04-01

The high demand of the room due to the increasing number of students requires the addition of the room The limited number of rooms, the price of land and the cost of building expensive infrastructure requires effective and efficient use of the space. The facility layout redesign is done using the Computerized Relationship Planning (CORELAP) algorithm based on total closeness rating (TCR). By calculating the square distance between the departments based on the coordinates of the central point of the department. The distance obtained is multiplied by the material current from the From-to chart matrix. The analysis is done by comparing the total distance between the initial layout and the proposed layout and then viewing the activities performed in each room. The results of CORELAP algorithm processing gives an increase of room usage efficiency equal to 14, 98% from previous activity.

Remotely controlled sensor apparatus for use in dig-face characterization system

DOEpatents

Josten, N.E.; Svoboda, J.M.

1999-05-25

A remotely controlled sensor platform apparatus useful in a dig-face characterization system is deployed from a mobile delivery device such as standard heavy construction equipment. The sensor apparatus is designed to stabilize sensors against extraneous motions induced by heavy equipment manipulations or other outside influences, and includes a terrain sensing and sensor elevation control system to maintain the sensors in close ground proximity. The deployed sensor apparatus is particularly useful in collecting data in work environments where human access is difficult due to the presence of hazardous conditions, rough terrain, or other circumstances that prevent efficient data collection by conventional methods. Such work environments include hazardous waste sites, unexploded ordnance sites, or construction sites. Data collection in these environments by utilizing the deployed sensor apparatus is desirable in order to protect human health and safety, or to assist in planning daily operations to increase efficiency. 13 figs.

Remotely controlled sensor apparatus for use in dig-face characterization system

DOEpatents

Josten, Nicholas E.; Svoboda, John M.

1999-01-01

A remotely controlled sensor platform apparatus useful in a dig-face characterization system is deployed from a mobile delivery device such as standard heavy construction equipment. The sensor apparatus is designed to stabilize sensors against extraneous motions induced by heavy equipment manipulations or other outside influences, and includes a terrain sensing and sensor elevation control system to maintain the sensors in close ground proximity. The deployed sensor apparatus is particularly useful in collecting data in work environments where human access is difficult due to the presence of hazardous conditions, rough terrain, or other circumstances that prevent efficient data collection by conventional methods. Such work environments include hazardous waste sites, unexploded ordnance sites, or construction sites. Data collection in these environments by utilizing the deployed sensor apparatus is desirable in order to protect human health and safety, or to assist in planning daily operations to increase efficiency.

Study of multiple asteroid flyby missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

The feasibility, scientific objectives, mission profile characteristics, and implementation of an asteroid belt exploration mission by a spacecraft guided to intercept three or more asteroids at close range are discussed. A principal consideration in planning a multiasteroid mission is to cut cost by adapting an available and flight-proven spacecraft design such as Pioneer F and G, augmenting its propulsion and guidance capabilities and revising the scientific payload complement in accordance with required mission characteristics. Spacecraft modification necessary to meet the objectives and requirements of the mission were studied. A ground rule of the study was to hold design changes to a minimum and to utilize available technology as much as possible. However, with mission dates not projected before the end of this decade, a reasonable technology growth in payload instrument design and some subsystem components is anticipated that can be incorporated in the spacecraft adaptation.

The 2015-2016 SEPMAP Program at NASA JSC: Science, Engineering, and Program Management Training

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Graham, L.; Archer, D.; Bakalyar, J.; Berger, E.; Blome, E.; Brown, R.; Cox, S.; Curiel, P.; Eid, R.; Eppler, D.;

Gaze-contingent soft tissue deformation tracking for minimally invasive robotic surgery.

PubMed

Mylonas, George P; Stoyanov, Danail; Deligianni, Fani; Darzi, Ara; Yang, Guang-Zhong

2005-01-01

The introduction of surgical robots in Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) has allowed enhanced manual dexterity through the use of microprocessor controlled mechanical wrists. Although fully autonomous robots are attractive, both ethical and legal barriers can prohibit their practical use in surgery. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that it is possible to use real-time binocular eye tracking for empowering robots with human vision by using knowledge acquired in situ. By utilizing the close relationship between the horizontal disparity and the depth perception varying with the viewing distance, it is possible to use ocular vergence for recovering 3D motion and deformation of the soft tissue during MIS procedures. Both phantom and in vivo experiments were carried out to assess the potential frequency limit of the system and its intrinsic depth recovery accuracy. The potential applications of the technique include motion stabilization and intra-operative planning in the presence of large tissue deformation.

A Report on Administrative Compensation Planning for St. Paul Public School Personnel.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hooker, Clifford P.; Mueller, Van D.

This report describes and analyzes various devices and techniques that may be utilized in planning local school administrative compensation. The document outlines broad overall goals for compensation planning, describes and evaluates the application of a compensation plan in the St. Paul schools, and proposes alternative strategies for…

PLANNING THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLANT. SCHOOL PLANT PLANNING SERIES.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Utah State Board of Education, Salt Lake City.

CAREFUL PLANNING FOR THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MAXIMIZES THE USE OF SPACE TO PROVIDE CHILDREN WITH FREQUENT CHANGES IN ACTIVITY AND A WIDE VARIETY OF EXPERIENCES. IN THE PLANNING PROCESS, SPECIAL CONSIDERATION IS GIVEN TO LONG RANGE DEVELOPMENT THUS PREVENTING OVERBUILDING AND UNDERBUILDING. THE PLANT SHOULD FIT, THROUGH INCREASING UTILITY BY…

New Directions in Statewide Computer Planning and Cooperation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Norris, Donald M.; St. John, Edward P.

1981-01-01

In the 1960s and early 1970s, statewide planning efforts usually resulted in plans for centralized hardware networks. The focus of statewide planning has shifted to the issue of improved computer financing, information sharing, and enhanced utilization in instruction, administration. A "facilitating network" concept and Missouri efforts…

Study of the Subarea Approach to Health Manpower Planning.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Comprehensive Health Planning, Inc., Chicago, IL.

Recognizing the need for a health manpower planning system that would insure the recruitment, training, utilization, and retention of area residents as skilled providers of health care, Comprehensive Health Planning, Inc., Metropolitan Chicago (CHP), and the West Side Health Planning Organization (WSHPO) embarked on a 1-year project to demonstrate…

Countywide Cooperative Library Service, Lincoln County, Oregon. An Action Plan.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dalton, Phyllis I.

This comprehensive action plan addresses eight areas important to the development of county-wide cooperative library service: the utilization of total library resources and services, accessibility of library service, organization, financing, special services for special needs, short range action plans, and long-range planning. Additional sections…

Factors Affecting Utilization of Family Planning Services in a Post-Conflict Setting, South Sudan: A Qualitative Study

PubMed Central

Ahmed, Waled Amen Mohammed; Shokai, Sara Boutros; Abduelkhair, Insaf Hassan; Boshra, Amira Yahia

2015-01-01

This study aims to explore and examine the conjectures surrounding the utilization of family planning services among currently married couples of childbearing age in Renk County. This study has adopted a qualitative method to collect data on factors affecting the utilization of family planning services through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews, in rural and urban areas of Renk County. It targeted married women, men as well as unmarried men and women. The researchers conducted nine focus group discussions and nine interviews at both Jelhak (rural setting) and Renk (urban setting). The results suggested that the people of Renk County prefer to have large families and therefore choose not to use family planning methods. The data collected was analyzed by means of thematic analysis. This included the construction of a thematic framework, coding, editing and categorization of available data as well as the creation of sub-themes. The result also suggested that perception is a main factor that affects utilization of family planning services with a majority of the people in Renk and Jelhak preferring to have many children in order to increase the family size for some reasons. These are linked to religion, social stigma and taboo that are attached to childless people or users of family planning methods for birth control purposes. The responses revealed some variation in perception between rural (Jelhak) and urban (Renk) areas. Respondents from Renk area reported that some people use family planning services for economic reasons that involve alleviation of financial difficulties and provision of better education when the family size is small. On the other hand, rural people from Jelhak perceive family planning to be socially un-acceptable. Furthermore, men and women of Jelhak reported that after each birth of a child, married couples avoid sexual relationship for a period of two years as means of family planning. Women of both Urban and Rural settings reported intentions to use conventional methods of family planning without the knowledge of their spouses. PMID:29546129

Factors Affecting Utilization of Family Planning Services in a Post-Conflict Setting, South Sudan: A Qualitative Study.

PubMed

Ahmed, Waled Amen Mohammed; Shokai, Sara Boutros; Abduelkhair, Insaf Hassan; Boshra, Amira Yahia

2015-01-01

This study aims to explore and examine the conjectures surrounding the utilization of family planning services among currently married couples of childbearing age in Renk County. This study has adopted a qualitative method to collect data on factors affecting the utilization of family planning services through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews, in rural and urban areas of Renk County. It targeted married women, men as well as unmarried men and women. The researchers conducted nine focus group discussions and nine interviews at both Jelhak (rural setting) and Renk (urban setting). The results suggested that the people of Renk County prefer to have large families and therefore choose not to use family planning methods. The data collected was analyzed by means of thematic analysis. This included the construction of a thematic framework, coding, editing and categorization of available data as well as the creation of sub-themes. The result also suggested that perception is a main factor that affects utilization of family planning services with a majority of the people in Renk and Jelhak preferring to have many children in order to increase the family size for some reasons. These are linked to religion, social stigma and taboo that are attached to childless people or users of family planning methods for birth control purposes. The responses revealed some variation in perception between rural (Jelhak) and urban (Renk) areas. Respondents from Renk area reported that some people use family planning services for economic reasons that involve alleviation of financial difficulties and provision of better education when the family size is small. On the other hand, rural people from Jelhak perceive family planning to be socially un-acceptable. Furthermore, men and women of Jelhak reported that after each birth of a child, married couples avoid sexual relationship for a period of two years as means of family planning. Women of both Urban and Rural settings reported intentions to use conventional methods of family planning without the knowledge of their spouses.

Capacity planning for the future.

PubMed

Johnson, A M

1997-01-01

Managed care is changing the way health care organizations plan for their futures. Traditional planning takes into account history and geography, while the new approach factors in the impact of managed care of future utilization. The new approach also incorporates strategic planning into an organization's broader strategic plan and budgeting process. The result is a more comprehensive planning method that is critical for health care organization's success.

Characteristics of private-sector managed care for mental health and substance abuse treatment.

PubMed

Garnick, D W; Hendricks, A M; Dulski, J D; Thorpe, K E; Horgan, C

1994-12-01

This study examined diversity during the late 1980s in managed care programs for mental health, alcohol abuse, and drug abuse to identify ways in which research can generate more meaningful data on the effectiveness of utilization review programs. Telephone interviews were conducted with representatives of utilization review programs for employee health insurance plans in 31 firms that employed 2.1 million people in 1990. Questions addressed qualifications of personnel, clinical criteria to authorize care, integration with employee assistance plans, penalties for not complying with utilization review procedures, outpatient review, and carve out of mental health and substance abuse review. Large variations in utilization review programs were found. Programs employed a range of review personnel and used a variety of clinical criteria to authorize care. More than two-thirds did not carve out mental health and substance abuse review from medical-surgical review. Some firms' employee assistance plans were integrated with utilization review programs, while others remained unintegrated. Penalties for not following program procedures varied widely, as did review of outpatient services. Because of trends toward even more diversity in utilization review programs in the 1990s, research that identifies the specific features of managed care programs that hold most promise for controlling costs while maintaining quality of care will increasingly be needed.

7 CFR 1942.122 - Actions prior to loan closing and start of construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 13 2010-01-01 2009-01-01 true Actions prior to loan closing and start of...) RURAL HOUSING SERVICE, RURAL BUSINESS-COOPERATIVE SERVICE, RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, AND FARM SERVICE... Rescue and Other Small Community Facilities Projects § 1942.122 Actions prior to loan closing and start...

Least-cost transportation planning in ODOT : feasibility report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1995-03-01

Least-Cost Planning or Integrated Resource Planning is used in the electric utility industry to broaden the scope of choices to meet service requirements. This typically includes methods to reduce to demands for electricity as well the more tradition...

The California general plan process and sustainable transportation planning

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2001-11-01

This study reviewed the current and potential utility of California's General Plan process as a tool for promoting more sustainable local transportation systems The study used multiple methods to investigate this issue, including: 1. An extensive lit...

Sampling-based real-time motion planning under state uncertainty for autonomous micro-aerial vehicles in GPS-denied environments.

PubMed

Li, Dachuan; Li, Qing; Cheng, Nong; Song, Jingyan

2014-11-18

This paper presents a real-time motion planning approach for autonomous vehicles with complex dynamics and state uncertainty. The approach is motivated by the motion planning problem for autonomous vehicles navigating in GPS-denied dynamic environments, which involves non-linear and/or non-holonomic vehicle dynamics, incomplete state estimates, and constraints imposed by uncertain and cluttered environments. To address the above motion planning problem, we propose an extension of the closed-loop rapid belief trees, the closed-loop random belief trees (CL-RBT), which incorporates predictions of the position estimation uncertainty, using a factored form of the covariance provided by the Kalman filter-based estimator. The proposed motion planner operates by incrementally constructing a tree of dynamically feasible trajectories using the closed-loop prediction, while selecting candidate paths with low uncertainty using efficient covariance update and propagation. The algorithm can operate in real-time, continuously providing the controller with feasible paths for execution, enabling the vehicle to account for dynamic and uncertain environments. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed approach can generate feasible trajectories that reduce the state estimation uncertainty, while handling complex vehicle dynamics and environment constraints.

Sampling-Based Real-Time Motion Planning under State Uncertainty for Autonomous Micro-Aerial Vehicles in GPS-Denied Environments

PubMed Central

Li, Dachuan; Li, Qing; Cheng, Nong; Song, Jingyan

2014-01-01

This paper presents a real-time motion planning approach for autonomous vehicles with complex dynamics and state uncertainty. The approach is motivated by the motion planning problem for autonomous vehicles navigating in GPS-denied dynamic environments, which involves non-linear and/or non-holonomic vehicle dynamics, incomplete state estimates, and constraints imposed by uncertain and cluttered environments. To address the above motion planning problem, we propose an extension of the closed-loop rapid belief trees, the closed-loop random belief trees (CL-RBT), which incorporates predictions of the position estimation uncertainty, using a factored form of the covariance provided by the Kalman filter-based estimator. The proposed motion planner operates by incrementally constructing a tree of dynamically feasible trajectories using the closed-loop prediction, while selecting candidate paths with low uncertainty using efficient covariance update and propagation. The algorithm can operate in real-time, continuously providing the controller with feasible paths for execution, enabling the vehicle to account for dynamic and uncertain environments. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed approach can generate feasible trajectories that reduce the state estimation uncertainty, while handling complex vehicle dynamics and environment constraints. PMID:25412217

Consecutive Plate Acoustic Suppressor Apparatus and Methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Doychak, Joseph (Inventor); Parrott, Tony L. (Inventor)

1993-01-01

An apparatus and method for suppressing acoustic noise utilizes consecutive plates, closely spaced to each other so as to exploit dissipation associated with sound propagation in narrow channels to optimize the acoustic resistance at a liner surface. The closely spaced plates can be utilized as high temperature structural materials for jet engines by constructing the plates from composite materials. Geometries of the plates, such as plate depth, shape, thickness, inter-plate spacing, arrangement, etc., can be selected to achieve bulk material-like behavior.

The use of IV-tubing as a closed-suction drainage system during neurosurgical cases in Tanzania.

PubMed

Bonfield, Christopher M; Shabani, Hamisi K; Kanumba, Emmanuel S; Ellegala, Dilantha B; Nicholas, Joyce

2013-01-01

Commercial closed-suctions drainage systems are commonly used in the United States and many other countries for use in neurosurgical cases. However, in Tanzania and other developing nations with fewer resources, these are not available. This report explores another option for a closed-system drainage system utilizing inexpensive supplies found commonly in hospitals around the world. Sterile IV-tubing is cut, inserted into the wound, and brought out through an adjacent puncture incision. For suction, an empty plastic bottle can be attached to the tubing. The IV-tubing closed-suction drainage system was applied in both cranial and spinal neurosurgical procedures, including as subdural, subgaleal, epidural, and suprafacial drains. It maintained suction and was an adequate substitute when commercial drains are unavailable. This report illustrates how sterile IV-tubing can be adapted for use as a closed-drainage system. It utilizes inexpensive supplies commonly found in many hospitals throughout the world and can be applied to both cranial and spinal neurosurgical procedures.

Moving beyond the Typologies of Managed Care: The Example of Health Plan Predictors of Screening Mammography

PubMed Central

Tye, Sherilyn; Phillips, Kathryn A; Liang, Su-Ying; Haas, Jennifer S

2004-01-01

Objectives To develop a framework of factors to characterize health plans, to identify how plan characteristics were measured in a national survey, and to apply our findings to an analysis of the predictors of screening mammography. Data Source The primary data were from the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Study Design Women ages 40+, with private insurance, and no history of breast cancer were included in the study (N=2,909). We used multivariate logistic regression to estimate mammography utilization in the past two years relative to health plan and demographic factors. Health plan measures included whether there is a defined provider network, whether coverage is restricted to a network, use of gatekeepers, level of cost containment, copayment and deductible amounts, coinsurance rate, and breadth of benefit coverage. Principal Findings We found no significant difference in reported mammography utilization using a dichotomous comparison of individuals enrolled in managed care versus indemnity plans. However, women in health plans with a defined provider network were more likely to report having received a mammogram in the past two years than those without networks (adjusted OR=1.21, 95 percent CI=1.07–1.36), and women in gatekeeper plans were more likely to report receiving mammography than those without gatekeepers (adjusted OR=1.18, 95 percent CI=1.03–1.36). Restricted out-of-network coverage, use of cost containment, enrollee cost sharing, and breadth of benefit coverage did not appear to affect mammography use. Conclusions It is important to examine the effect of individual health plan components on the utilization of health care, rather than use the traditional broader categorizations of managed versus nonmanaged care or simple health plan typologies. PMID:14965083

Medical care transition planning and dental care use for youth with special health care needs during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood: a preliminary explanatory model

PubMed Central

Chi, Donald L.

2013-01-01

Objectives To test the hypotheses that youth with special health care needs (YSHCN) with a medical care transition plan are more likely to use dental care during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood and that different factors are associated with dental utilization for YSHCN with and YSHCN without functional limitations. Methods National Survey of CSHCN (2001) and Survey of Adult Transition and Health (2007) data were analyzed (N=1,746). The main predictor variable was having a medical care transition plan, defined as having discussed with a doctor how health care needs might change with age and having developed a transition plan. The outcome variable was dental care use in 2001 (adolescence) and 2007 (young adulthood). Multiple variable Poisson regression models with robust standard errors were used to estimate covariate-adjusted relative risks (RR). Results About 63% of YSHCN had a medical care transition plan and 73.5% utilized dental care. YSHCN with a medical care transition plan had a 9% greater relative risk (RR) of utilizing dental care than YSHCN without a medical care transition plan (RR:1.09; 95% CI:1.03–1.16). In the models stratified by functional limitation status, having a medical care transition plan was significantly associated with dental care use, but only for YSHCN without functional limitations (RR:1.11; 95% CI:1.04–1.18). Conclusions Having a medical care transition plan is significantly associated with dental care use, but only for YSHCN with no functional limitation. Dental care should be an integral part of the comprehensive health care transition planning process for all YSHCN. PMID:23812799

Exploring the relationship between planning and procurement in Western U.S. electric utilities

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

Carvallo Bodelon, Juan Pablo; Sanstad, Alan H.; Larsen, Peter H.

Integrated resource planning (IRP) is an important regulatory process used in many U.S. states to formulate and evaluate least-cost and risk-assessed portfolios to meet future load requirements for electric utilities. In principle, effective implementation of IRP seeks to assure regulators and the public that utility investment decisions, given uncertainty, are as cost-effective as possible. However, to date, there is no empirical assessment on the effectiveness of IRP implementation. In this analysis, we compare planning, procurement processes and actual decisions for a sample of twelve load serving entities (LSEs) across the Western U. S. from 2003-2014. The 2008/2009 recession provides amore » unique “stress test” to the planning process and offers an excellent opportunity to trace how procurement decisions responded to this largely unforeseen event. In aggregate, there is a general alignment between planned and procured supply-side capacity. However, there are significant differences in the choice of supply-side resources and type of ownership for individual LSEs. We develop case studies for three LSEs and find that subsequent plans differ significantly due to changes in the planning environment and that procurement decisions in some cases are impacted by factors that are not accounted for in the planning process. Our results reveal that a limited amount of information produced during the long-term planning process (e.g., forecasts, methods, and least cost/risk portfolios) are ultimately used during the procurement process, and that the latter process relies extensively on the most recent information available for decision making. These findings suggest that states' IRP rules and regulations mandating long-term planning horizons with the same analytical complexity throughout the planning period may not create useful information for the procurement process. The social value of a long-term planning process that departs from procurement and the balance between transparency and complexity of the planning and procurement processes is an open question.« less

Quality and clinical supply considerations of Paediatric Investigation Plans for IV preparations-A case study with the FP7 CloSed project.

PubMed

Hanning, Sara M; Orlu Gul, Mine; Winslade, Jackie; Baarslag, Manuel A; Neubert, Antje; Tuleu, Catherine

2016-09-25

A Paediatric Investigation Plan (PIP) is a development plan that aims to ensure that sufficient data are obtained through studies in paediatrics to support the generation of marketing authorisation of medicines for children. This paper highlights some practical considerations and challenges with respect to PIP submissions and paediatric clinical trials during the pharmaceutical development phase, using the FP7-funded Clonidine for Sedation of Paediatric Patients in the Intensive Care Unit (CloSed) project as a case study. Examples discussed include challenges and considerations regarding formulation development, blinding and randomisation, product labelling and shipment and clinical trial requirements versus requirements for marketing authorisation. A significant quantity of information is required for PIP submissions and it is hoped that future applicants may benefit from an insight into some critical considerations and challenges faced in the CloSed project. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Variations in Patterns of Utilization and Charges for the Care of Low Back Pain in North Carolina, 2000 to 2009: A Statewide Claims' Data Analysis.

PubMed

Hurwitz, Eric L; Li, Dongmei; Guillen, Jenni; Schneider, Michael J; Stevans, Joel M; Phillips, Reed B; Phelan, Shawn P; Lewis, Eugene A; Armstrong, Richard C; Vassilaki, Maria

2016-05-01

The purpose of the study was to compare utilization and charges generated by medical doctors (MD), doctors of chiropractic (DC) and physical therapists (PT) by patterns of care for the treatment of low back pain in North Carolina. This was an analysis of low-back-pain-related closed claim data from the North Carolina State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees from 2000 to 2009. Data were extracted from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina for the North Carolina State Health Plan using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision diagnostic codes for uncomplicated low back pain (ULBP) and complicated low back pain (CLBP). Care patterns with single-provider types and no referrals incurred the least charges on average for both ULBP and CLBP. When care did not include referral providers or services, for ULBP, MD and DC care was on average $465 less than MD and PT care. For CLBP, MD and DC care averaged $965 more than MD and PT care. However, when care involved referral providers or services, MD and DC care was on average $1600 less when compared to MD and PT care for ULBP and $1885 less for CLBP. Risk-adjusted charges (available 2006-2009) for patients in the middle quintile of risk were significantly less for DC care patterns. Chiropractic care alone or DC with MD care incurred appreciably fewer charges for ULBP than MD care with or without PT care. This finding was reversed for CLBP. Adjusted charges for both ULBP and CLBP patients were significantly lower for DC patients. Copyright © 2016 National University of Health Sciences. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The novel use of climate information in water utility planning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yates, D. N.

2016-12-01

Municipal water utilities have a long history of planning and yet their traditional use of climate information has been rather static in nature, using approaches such as 'safe-yield' to design their water infrastructure. New planning paradigms, such as triple-bottom-line approaches that integerate environemntal, social, and financial aspects of the water enterprise have led water utilies to use climate information in a much more rich and informative way. This presentation will describe examples of how climate climate information, hydrologic modeling, and water systems decision support tools are uniquely bleneded to help water utilties make informed decisions.

Land use/land cover and land capability data for evaluating land utilization and official land use planning in Indramayu Regency, West Java, Indonesia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ambarwulan, W.; Widiatmaka; Nahib, I.

2018-05-01

Land utilization in Indonesia is regulated in an official spatial land use planning (OSLUP), stipulated by government regulations. However in fact, land utilizations are often develops inconsistent with regulations. OSLUP itself is also not usually compatible with sustainable land utilizations. This study aims to evaluate current land utilizations and OSLUP in Indramayu Regency, West Java. The methodology used is the integrated analysis using land use and land cover (LU/LC) data, land capability data and spatial pattern in OSLUP. Actual LU/LC are interpreted using SPOT-6 imagery of 2014. The spatial data of land capabilities are derived from land capability classification using field data and laboratory analysis. The confrontation between these spatial data is interpreted in terms of future direction for sustainable land use planning. The results shows that Indramayu regency consists of 8 types of LU/LC. Land capability in research area range from class II to VIII. Only a small portion of the land in Indramayu has been used in accordance with land capability, but most of the land is used exceeding its land capability.

Hurricane Preparedness and Control Plan

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

This plan establishes policy and sets forth guidance, responsibilities and procedures utilized by Federal Electric Corp., communications department in support of the KSC Emergency Preparedness Plan, Annex A, Hurricane Control Plan (GP-355) dated 27 May 1971. This plan covers all FEC communications department personnel, facilities, and equipment situated at the Kennedy Space Center that are the responsibility of FEC contract NAS 10-4967.

The Close-Up Imager Onboard the ESA ExoMars Rover: Objectives, Description, Operations, and Science Validation Activities.

PubMed

Josset, Jean-Luc; Westall, Frances; Hofmann, Beda A; Spray, John; Cockell, Charles; Kempe, Stephan; Griffiths, Andrew D; De Sanctis, Maria Cristina; Colangeli, Luigi; Koschny, Detlef; Föllmi, Karl; Verrecchia, Eric; Diamond, Larryn; Josset, Marie; Javaux, Emmanuelle J; Esposito, Francesca; Gunn, Matthew; Souchon-Leitner, Audrey L; Bontognali, Tomaso R R; Korablev, Oleg; Erkman, Suren; Paar, Gerhard; Ulamec, Stephan; Foucher, Frédéric; Martin, Philippe; Verhaeghe, Antoine; Tanevski, Mitko; Vago, Jorge L

The Close-Up Imager (CLUPI) onboard the ESA ExoMars Rover is a powerful high-resolution color camera specifically designed for close-up observations. Its accommodation on the movable drill allows multiple positioning. The science objectives of the instrument are geological characterization of rocks in terms of texture, structure, and color and the search for potential morphological biosignatures. We present the CLUPI science objectives, performance, and technical description, followed by a description of the instrument's planned operations strategy during the mission on Mars. CLUPI will contribute to the rover mission by surveying the geological environment, acquiring close-up images of outcrops, observing the drilling area, inspecting the top portion of the drill borehole (and deposited fines), monitoring drilling operations, and imaging samples collected by the drill. A status of the current development and planned science validation activities is also given. Key Words: Mars-Biosignatures-Planetary Instrumentation. Astrobiology 17, 595-611.

33 CFR 279.5 - Policy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... utilize an interdisciplinary team with leadership by planning, and participation from engineering, design.... Subsequent aspects of planning, development, and management for the specific project will be directed to... management plans for each specific water resource project, including at least one public meeting. The...

77 FR 22949 - Administrative Simplification: Adoption of a Standard for a Unique Health Plan Identifier...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-17

..., MD 21244-8013. Please allow sufficient time for mailed comments to be received before the close of... addresses prior to the close of the comment period: a. For delivery in Washington, DC-- Centers for Medicare... comments received before the close of the comment period are available for viewing by the public, including...

Impact of pharmacy benefit design on prescription drug utilization: a fixed effects analysis of plan sponsor data.

PubMed

Roebuck, M Christopher; Liberman, Joshua N

2009-06-01

To study the impact of various elements of pharmacy benefit design on both the absolute and relative utilization of generics, brands, retail pharmacy, and mail service. Panel data on 1,074 plan sponsors covering 21.6 million individuals over 12 calendar quarters (2005-2007). A retrospective analysis of pharmacy claims. To control for potential endogeneity, linear fixed effects models were estimated for each of six dependent variables: the generic utilization rate, the brand utilization rate, the generic dispensing rate (GDR), the retail pharmacy utilization rate, the mail service utilization rate, and the mail distribution rate. Most member cost-share variables were nonlinearly associated with changes in prescription drug utilization. Marginal effects were generally greater in magnitude for brand out-of-pocket costs than for generic out-of-pocket costs. Time dummies, as well as other pharmacy benefit design elements, also yielded significant results. Prior estimates of the effect of member cost sharing on prescription drug utilization may be biased if complex benefit designs, mail service fulfillment, and unmeasured factors such as pharmaceutical pipelines are not accounted for. Commonly cited relative utilization metrics, such as GDR, may be misleading if not examined alongside absolute prescription drug utilization.

20 CFR 668.700 - What process must an INA grantee use to plan its employment and training services?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT Section 166 Planning/Funding Process § 668.700 What process must an INA grantee use to plan its employment and training services? (a) An INA grantee may utilize the planning procedures... development and administration of strategic community development efforts. ...

Automatic mission planning algorithms for aerial collection of imaging-specific tasks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sponagle, Paul; Salvaggio, Carl

2017-05-01

The rapid advancement and availability of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) has led to many novel exploitation tasks utilizing that utilize this unique aerial imagery data. Collection of this unique data requires novel flight planning to accomplish the task at hand. This work describes novel flight planning to better support structure-from-motion missions to minimize occlusions, autonomous and periodic overflight of reflectance calibration panels to permit more efficient and accurate data collection under varying illumination conditions, and the collection of imagery data to study optical properties such as the bidirectional reflectance distribution function without disturbing the target in sensitive or remote areas of interest. These novel mission planning algorithms will provide scientists with additional tools to meet their future data collection needs.

Evaluation Planning, Evaluation Management, and Utilization of Evaluation Results within Adult Literacy Campaigns, Programs and Projects (with Implications for Adult Basic Education and Nonformal Education Programs in General). A Working Paper.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bhola, H. S.

Addressed to professionals involved in program evaluation, this working paper covers various aspects of evaluation planning, including the following: planning as a sociotechnical process, steps in evaluation planning, program planning and implementation versus evaluation planning and implementation, the literacy system and its subsystems, and some…

Inventory of Electric Utility Power Plants in the United States

EIA Publications

2002-01-01

Final issue of this report. Provides detailed statistics on existing generating units operated by electric utilities as of December 31, 2000, and certain summary statistics about new generators planned for operation by electric utilities during the next 5 years.

Measuring migraine-related quality of care across 10 health plans.

PubMed

Pracilio, Valerie P; Silberstein, Stephen; Couto, Joseph; Bumbaugh, Jon; Hopkins, Mary; Ng-Mak, Daisy; Sennett, Cary; Goldfarb, Neil I

2012-08-01

To refine a previously published standardized quality and utilization measurement set for migraine care and to establish performance benchmarks. Retrospective application of the migraine measurement set to health plan data in order to assess patterns of health service utilization. Measurement specifications were applied to data from 10 health plans for measurement year 2009. Of the 2.9 million continuously enrolled members of the health plans, 138,004 (4.7%) met inclusion criteria for the migraine population. Of these, 26% did not have a migraine diagnosis, but were utilizing migraine drugs; 12% had a computed tomography scan within the year (range 8%-25% across plans); and 8% had magnetic resonance imaging (range 6%-11%). Nearly 18% of the migraineurs had 1 or more visits to an emergency department/urgent care center for migraine; few (6%) were followed up with primary care visits. Approximately one-fourth of the migraineurs were not being routinely monitored by a physician. Medication utilization also was examined for members of the migraine population with pharmacy benefits. A significant proportion (42%) were given a migraine preventive, 38% had at least 1 prescription for a triptan, and 2% of those on triptans were potentially overutilizing the medication. Among patients aged 18 to 49 years who were given triptans, 3% had a cardiac contraindication; this percentage rose to 7% for patients aged 50 to 64 years. This study demonstrates the value of standardized measures in identifying potential quality issues for migraine care, including underdiagnosis, overutilization of imaging, and underutilization of preventive drugs.

A&M. TAN633. Utilities plan and profiles. Layout of TAN633 in ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

A&M. TAN-633. Utilities plan and profiles. Layout of TAN-633 in relation to neighboring buildings: actuator building, pool building, water filter building, liquid waste treatment plant, and buried storage tanks. Ralph M. Parsons 1229-13-ANP/GE-3-301-U-1. Date: December 1956. INEEL index code no. 034-0301-00-693-107311 - Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Test Area North, Scoville, Butte County, ID

Tracking Behavior Assessment Methodology and Support Strategies: A National Survey of How Schools Utilize Functional Behavioral Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Couvillon, Michael A.; Bullock, Lyndal M.; Gable, Robert A.

2009-01-01

Although functional behavioral assessments (FBAs) and behavior intervention plans (BIPs) have been utilized since the 1960s, their use has steadily increased since the passing of IDEA 1997 which mandated their use in specified circumstances. References to FBAs and BIPs in No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, the 2004 re-authorization of IDEA, and in…

Evaluation of Cities in the Context of Energy Efficient Urban Planning Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Handan Yücel Yıldırım, H.; Burcu Gültekin, Arzuhan; Tanrıvermiş, Harun

2017-10-01

Due to the increase in energy need with urbanization as a result of industrialization and rapid population growth, preservation of natural resources has become impossible. As the energy generated particularly from non-renewable natural resources that are in danger of depletion such as coal, natural gas, petroleum is limited, and as environmental issues caused by energy resources increase, means of safe and continuous access to energy are searched in the world. Owing to the limited energy resources and energy dependence on foreign sources in the world, particularly in European Union countries, efforts of increasing the share of renewable energy sources in energy consumption increased in all industries, including urban planning as well. Concordantly, it is necessary to develop policies and approaches that enable utilization of domestic resources complying with the country’s conditions, and monitor developments in energy. Such policies and approaches, which must be implemented in urban planning as well, have great importance in terms of not deteriorating habitable environments of future generations while utilizing present-day energy resources, prevalence of utilization of renewable energy sources, and utilization of energy effectively. For that purpose, this paper puts forward a conceptual framework covering the principles, strategies, and methods on energy efficient urban planning approach, and discusses the energy efficient urban area examples within the scope of the suggested framework.

Education and Library Services for Community Information Utilities.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Farquhar, John A.

The concept of "computer utility"--the provision of computing and information service by a utility in the form of a national network to which any person desiring information could gain access--has been gaining interest among the public and among the technical community. This report on planning community information utilities discusses the…

Hospital development plans: a new tool to break ground for strategic thinking in Tanzanian hospitals.

PubMed

Flessa, Steffen

2005-12-01

Tanzanian hospitals suffer from underfunding and poor management. In particular, planning and strategic thinking need improvement. Cultural values such as subordination, risk aversion, and high time preference, together with a long history of socialist government, result in lack of responsibility, accountability, and planning. This has been addressed by the health sector reform with its focus on decentralization, strengthened by the introduction of basket funding facilitated by the Comprehensive Council Health Plans. As a consequence of this the next logical step is to improve the authority of regional and district hospitals in the use of their resources by introducing hospital development plans. These strategic plans were introduced as tools of strategic planning in 2001 by the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau in close collaboration with the Tanzanian Ministry of Health, binding the release of rehabilitation funds to presentation of a strategic hospital plan. This study examines the rationale and content of hospital development plans. Initial experiences are discussed. The quality of presented plans has steadily improved, but there is a tendency for hospitals with a close connection to development partners to present well prepared reports while other hospitals have severe problems fulfilling the requirements. For many hospitals it is in fact the first time that they have had to define their functions and future role, thus breaking ground for strategic thinking.

[Closing wedge osteotomy of the tibial head in treatment of single compartment arthrosis].

PubMed

Jakob, R P; Jacobi, M

2004-02-01

Closing wedge high tibial osteotomy is an efficient method for the treatment of medial osteoarthritis of the knee. Prerequisites of successful surgery are proper indication and planning as well as the understanding of biomechanics and pathophysiology. The technique of osteotomy to choose (opening or closing wedge) depends on the type of malalignment and on additional pathologies. The surgical technique demands high precision to realize the planned correction and to avoid complications. Implants with angular stability provide advantages compared to traditional implants. Correct indication and surgical technique results in a desirable follow-up, which often lasts for at least 10 years. The effect on the prognosis of the young patient with cartilage damage is still unclear.

Determining rules for closing customer service centers: A public utility company's fuzzy decision

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dekorvin, Andre; Shipley, Margaret F.

1992-01-01

In the present work, we consider the general problem of knowledge acquisition under uncertainty. A commonly used method is to learn by examples. We observe how the expert solves specific cases and from this infer some rules by which the decision was made. Unique to this work is the fuzzy set representation of the conditions or attributes upon which the decision make may base his fuzzy set decision. From our examples, we infer certain and possible rules containing fuzzy terms. It should be stressed that the procedure determines how closely the expert follows the conditions under consideration in making his decision. We offer two examples pertaining to the possible decision to close a customer service center of a public utility company. In the first example, the decision maker does not follow too closely the conditions. In the second example, the conditions are much more relevant to the decision of the expert.

Healthier students are better learners: high-quality, strategically planned, and effectively coordinated school health programs must be a fundamental mission of schools to help close the achievement gap.

PubMed

Basch, Charles E

2011-10-01

To discuss implications for educational policy and practice relevant to closing the achievement gap based on the literature review and synthesis presented in 7 articles of the October 2011 special issue of the Journal of School Health. Implications for closing the achievement gap are drawn from analyses of current literature. During the past several decades, school reform efforts to close the achievement gap have focused on various strategies, yielding very limited progress. Educationally relevant health disparities influence students' motivation and ability to learn, but reducing these disparities has been largely overlooked as an element of an overall strategy for closing the achievement gap. If these health problems are not addressed, the educational benefits of other school reform efforts will be jeopardized. Healthier students are better learners. School health programs and services that are evidence based, strategically planned to influence academic achievement, and effectively coordinated warrant validation as a cohesive school improvement initiative for closing the achievement gap. National, state, and local responsibilities for supporting school health are outlined, including shared strategies; leadership from the U.S. Department of Education; policy development; guidance, technical assistance, and professional development; accountability and data and software systems; and a research agenda. To date, the U.S. Department of Education has not provided leadership for integrating evidence-based, strategically planned, and effectively coordinated school health programs and services into the fundamental mission of schools. Now is an opportune time for change. © 2011, American School Health Association.

42 CFR 456.500 - Purpose.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Review Plans: FFP, Waivers, and Variances for Hospitals and Mental Hospitals § 456.500 Purpose. For hospitals and mental hospitals, this subpart— (a...

Harvesting the Experts'"Secret Sauce" To Close the Performance Gap.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Seidman, William; McCauley, Michael

2003-01-01

Explores the "secret sauce" that makes the difference between experts and less successful personnel. Indicates that the successful use of this plan can improve planning time, training time, and task performance time. (Author/LRW)

40 CFR 62.14575 - What must I do if I close my CISWI unit and then restart it?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... FACILITIES AND POLLUTANTS Federal Plan Requirements for Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incineration... necessary process changes and air pollution control devices operate as designed. Waste Management Plan ...

Quasi Real Time Cruise Deployment Guidance to Coherent Regions Using Lagrangian Methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dehghani Ashkezari, M.; Barone, B.; Follows, M. J.; Hill, C. N.; Wilson, S. T.; Karl, D. M.

2016-02-01

We describe Lagrangian strategies that were used to help plan a field experiment in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre in July 2015 close to Station ALOHA. The field study, part of the Simons Collaboration on Ocean Processes and Ecology (SCOPE), aimed to characterize diel changes in the composition and activity of the surface ocean microbial community. The study required forecasting a coherent water mass would remain relatively isolated from neighboring waters over 10 days. To this end, we used near-real-time remote-sensed altimetric data with 0.25 degree resolution (provided by Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research) to compute particle trajectories and Finite-Time Lyapunov Exponent (FTLE) techniques to pinpoint the candidate coherent regions and exclude undesirable, highly dispersive regimes. We will demonstrate the utility of the approach, which was successful at the identification of the coherent region as evidenced by the trajectories of Surface Velocity Program drifters. It accurately identified a poorly suited field of strong transport close to Station ALOHA and identified a well suited region, associated with an anti-cylonic eddy that provided an ideal context for the field campaign. This talk will describe the methodology and the results from the Summer 2015 expedition as well as the potential to apply the approach more broadly.

One-Two Punch: Utilizing Teacher Research Experiences and Related Classroom Activities to Increase Student Interest in STEM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wold-Brennon, R.; Cooper, S. K.

2014-12-01

Through collaborations between scientists and educators, the Consortium for Ocean Leadership developed a series of marine geosciences classroom activities and lesson plans -- including the Adopt-a-Microbe project, a collection of hands-on science lessons that use the sub-seafloor microbiology topics to provide engaging pathways for K-12 students to learn about the world around them. The goal of these activities has been to introduce youth to deep ocean exploration, inspire interest in microbial oceanography, and foster higher education goals and career paths in related sciences for our youth. From the beginning, these lessons were developed in close working relationships between scientists and educators, and the lessons geared towards middle school have been recently piloted with the intent to maximize sustained student interest in STEM topics. While teaching these units, educators used surveys, polls, group discussions, and interviews to shed light on correlations between student interest in STEM and their close proximity to exemplary and enthusiastic educators and student leaders who are active in STEM activities such as research projects and expeditions. Educators continue to use Adopt-a-Microbe and related expedition science-based lessons to explore the broader impacts of their professional development in the Geosciences on their students' professed interest in STEM.

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

Sauter, Nicholas K., E-mail: nksauter@lbl.gov; Hattne, Johan; Grosse-Kunstleve, Ralf W.

The Computational Crystallography Toolbox (cctbx) is a flexible software platform that has been used to develop high-throughput crystal-screening tools for both synchrotron sources and X-ray free-electron lasers. Plans for data-processing and visualization applications are discussed, and the benefits and limitations of using graphics-processing units are evaluated. Current pixel-array detectors produce diffraction images at extreme data rates (of up to 2 TB h{sup −1}) that make severe demands on computational resources. New multiprocessing frameworks are required to achieve rapid data analysis, as it is important to be able to inspect the data quickly in order to guide the experiment in realmore » time. By utilizing readily available web-serving tools that interact with the Python scripting language, it was possible to implement a high-throughput Bragg-spot analyzer (cctbx.spotfinder) that is presently in use at numerous synchrotron-radiation beamlines. Similarly, Python interoperability enabled the production of a new data-reduction package (cctbx.xfel) for serial femtosecond crystallography experiments at the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS). Future data-reduction efforts will need to focus on specialized problems such as the treatment of diffraction spots on interleaved lattices arising from multi-crystal specimens. In these challenging cases, accurate modeling of close-lying Bragg spots could benefit from the high-performance computing capabilities of graphics-processing units.« less

Coosa River Storage Annex, Talladega, Alabama Environmental Investigation, Final Management and Resources Utilization Plan

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-02-01

to adequately assess the health and environmental risks associated with the closure and transfer of the Annex forI other use; and 3) identification of...1990); Draft Final Technical Plan, Draft Final Sampling Design Plan and Draft Final Health and Safety Plan, USATHAMA, June 1990. 2.1.2 Draft Final...Final Technical Plan, Sampling Design Plan and Health and Safety Plan) supplied by USATHAMA. The estimate may be revised, with USATHAMA approval, as

Integrating climate change in transportation and land use scenario planning : an example from central New Mexico

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-04-01

The Central New Mexico Climate Change Scenario Planning Project, an Interagency Transportation, Land Use, and Climate Change Initiative, utilized a scenario planning process to develop a multiagency transportation- and land use-focused development st...

Transportation Planning and ITS : Putting the Pieces Together

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2000-01-01

It is time to mainstream ITS into the intermodal and multi-modal transportation plans of States and metropolitan regions. This publication shows how transportation planning can address ITS more fully and how ITS can be utilized to make the most of th...

7 CFR 1751.105 - Amending a Modernization Plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 11 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Amending a Modernization Plan. 1751.105 Section 1751.105 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM PLANNING AND DESIGN CRITERIA, AND PROCEDURES State...

SU-F-T-536: Contra-Lateral Breast Study for Prone Versus Supine Patients

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

Marrero, M; Joseph, K; Klein, E

Purpose: There are several advantages to utilizing the prone technique for intact breast cancer patients. However, as the topography changes, accompanied by the influence of a supporting breast board and patient treatment couch, the question that arises is to whether there is a concern for contralateral breast dose for intact breast cancer patients being treated with this technique. Methods: An anthropomorphic phantom with breast mounds to duplicate intact breast cancer treatment was planned in prone and supine position. Two tangential beams were executed in the similar manner for as the radiotherapy planning system. For the prone setup, a breast densemore » foam board was used to support the phantom. A grid of 24 OSL nanodots was placed at 6cm, 4cm, and 2cm apart from the medial border for both prone and supine setups. The phantom was set up using megavoltage imaging and treated as per plan. Additional, a similar study was performed on a patient treated in prone position. Results: Overall, the contralateral breast dose was generally higher for prone setups at all locations especially when close to the medial border. The average mean dose was found to be 1.8%, 2.5% of the prescribed dose for supine respectively prone position. The average of the standard deviation is 1.04%, 1.38% for supine respectively prone position. As for patient treated in prone position average mean dose was found to be 1.165% of the prescribed dose and average of the standard deviation is 9.456%. Conclusion: There is minimal influence of scatter from the breast board. It appears that the volatility of the setup could lead to higher doses than expected from the planning system to the contralateral breast when the patient is in the prone position.« less

Developing Spatial Management Options for the Protection of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems in the South Pacific Ocean Region.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rowden, A. A.; Lundquist, C. J.; Clark, M. R.; Anderson, O. F.; Guinotte, J. M.; Baird, S. J.; Roux, M. J.; Wadhwa, S.

2016-02-01

The South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO) Convention includes specific provisions to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs). The SPRFMO Commission has determined that the interim measures put in place to protect VMEs would be replaced by an improved system of fishable and closed areas. These closures would effectively represent a preliminary spatial management plan, whereby conservation and management measures are implemented that will result in sustainable fisheries and benthic protection. We used the conservation planning tool Zonation to develop spatial management options that balance the protection of VMEs with utilisation of high value areas for fishing. Input data included habitat suitability maps, and uncertainties associated with these model predictions, for eleven VME indicator taxa (4 Scleractinian coral species; 3 other cnidarian groups (Family Stylasteridae, Order Antipatharia, Order Pennatulacea; 2 classes of sponges (Demospongiae, Hexactinellidae), and 2 echninoderm groups (Crinoidea and Brisingida)) at bathyal depths across the entire SPRFMO area (divided into 1 km2 grid cells); New Zealand fishing catch data (for two different time periods and trawl types); naturalness (represented by proxy variable using the number of trawl tows); and a bioregionalisation scheme. Running various scenario models for spatial planning allowed for the cost to fishing to be determined, in terms of the amount of the trawl catch footprint lost if high priority areas for VME indicator taxa are protected. Generally, the cost to fishing was low given the relatively high proportion of suitable habitat for VME indicator taxa protected. The main outcome of the present study is a demonstration of the practical utility of using available data, including modelled data, and the Zonation conservation planning software tool to develop options for the spatial management of the SPRFMO area.

LSU: The Library Space Utilization Methodology.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hall, Richard B.

A computerized research technique for measuring the space utilization of public library facilities provides a behavioral activity and occupancy analysis for library planning purposes. The library space utilization (LSU) methodology demonstrates that significant information about the functional requirements of a library can be measured and…

7 CFR 1780.62 - Utility purchase contracts.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 12 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Utility purchase contracts. 1780.62 Section 1780.62 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (CONTINUED) WATER AND WASTE LOANS AND GRANTS Planning, Designing, Bidding, Contracting...

Documenting Living Monuments in Indonesia: Methodology for Sustainable Utility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suryaningsih, F.; Purwestri, N.

2013-07-01

The systematic documentation of cultural heritage in Indonesia has been developed after the establishment of Bataviaasch Genootschap van Kunsten en Wetenschappen (1778) and De Oudheidkundige Dienst (1913) by the Netherlands Indies government. After Indonesian independent, the tasks of cultural heritage documentation take over by The Ministry of Culture (now become The Ministry of Education of Culture) with focus on the ancient and classical heritage, so called dead monument. The needed of comprehensive documentation data regarding cultural heritage become significant issues since the government and private sector pay attention to the preservation of heritage building in the urban site, so called living monument. The archives of original drawing plan many times do not fit with the existing condition, while the conservation plan demands a document such as built drawing plan to work on. The technology, methodology and system to provide such comprehensive document of heritage building and site become important, to produce good conservation plan and heritage building regular maintenance. It means the products will have a sustainable and various utility values. Since 1994, Documentation Centre for Architecture - Indonesia (PDA), has established to meet the needs of a comprehensive data of heritage building (living monuments), to utilized as basic document for conservation planning. Not only provide document of the digital drawing such site plan, plan, elevation, section and details of architecture elements, but also document of historic research, material analysis and completed with diagnosis and mapping of building damages. This manuscript is about PDA field experience, working in this subject issue

Planning and Doing in Professional Teaching Practice. A Study with Early Childhood Education Teachers Working with ICT (3-6 Years)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ramírez, Elena; Clemente, María; Recamán, Adriana; Martín-Domínguez, Jorge; Rodríguez, Inés

2017-01-01

Planning is one of the professional tasks teachers have to carry out before their direct action in the classrooms. This planning is closely interrelated to the way teachers teach. The question about how and why teachers reach their decisions in their pre-class planning is a classical one in the research into curricular design and development. The…

Water Utility Planning for an Emergency Drinking Water Supply

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Reviews roles and responsibilities among various levels of government regarding emergency water supplies and seeks to encourage collaboration and partnership regarding emergency water supply planning.

Fundamental Physics and Practical Applications of Electromagnetic Local Flow Control in High Speed Flows (Rutgers)

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-02-16

field. Techniques utilizing this design use an open- loop control and no flow monitoring sensors are required. Conversely, reactive (or closed - loop ...and closed (dashed line) configuration. 38 closed configuration described above, the ambiguity in the critical limits of the transition...flow; a new vortex is then shed from the cavity leading edge, closing the feedback loop .[31] Open cavities with an L/D approximately greater than

Pneumatic pressure wave generator provides economical, simple testing of pressure transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gaal, A. E.; Weldon, T. P.

1967-01-01

Testing device utilizes the change in pressure about a bias or reference pressure level produced by displacement of a center-driven piston in a closed cylinder. Closely controlled pneumatic pressure waves allow testing under dynamic conditions.

Retroperitoneal Metastasis Abutting Small Bowel: A Novel Magnetic Resonance-Guided Radiation Approach

PubMed Central

Glide-Hurst, Carri; Siddiqui, M.Salim; Chetty, Indrin J; Movsas, Benjamin

2018-01-01

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is an option for selected patients with metastatic disease. However, sometimes these lesions are located in such close proximity to critical normal structures that the use of safe tumoricidal SBRT doses is not achievable. Here we present a case in which real-time imaging and tracking with a magnetic resonance linear accelerator (MR-LINAC) provided a novel treatment approach and enabled safe treatment of the tumor using SBRT. Our case is a 69-year-old female who presented with localized recurrent small cell lung cancer with a retroperitoneal (FDG-avid) soft tissue lesion measuring 2.4 x 4.1 cm that was causing pain and right hydronephrosis. A Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved MR-LINAC system was utilized for planning and the delivery of 21 Gy in three fractions to the retroperitoneal lesion planning target volume (PTV), limited by the neighboring small bowel tolerance. The gross tumor volume (GTV) itself received 27 Gy (9 Gy per fraction). Simulation was performed using a volumetric MR imaging study in treatment position co-registered to a 4D-computed tomography (CT) image set for contouring of the target and organs at risk (OAR). Treatment planning was performed using the primary CT dataset. We developed a reasonable SBRT treatment plan to deliver the prescribed dose without exceeding tolerance doses to the right kidney, the small bowel and all other OAR’s. Real-time MR imaging and tracking during treatment delivery enabled assessment of respiratory-induced target movement in relation to the small bowel and kidney. Gating was performed to halt treatment when PTV movement exceeded the 2-mm range as specified by the treating physician. The treatment course was concluded successfully. The patient denied any acute gastrointestinal or genitourinary toxicity. The pain was significantly improved within a short time following treatment. Follow-up CT showed a near complete response of the mass with total restoration of renal functions, allowing the ureteric stent to be removed. This response has been maintained for five months till the last follow-up. In conclusion, MR-guided planning and delivery using real-time MR imaging and tracking facilitated the treatment of the retroperitoneal mass accurately and efficiently with excellent clinical and radiological response and minimal to no toxicity. We would not discern it safe to treat this mass utilizing SBRT without this ability to accurately visualize the tumor boundary using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and offer tracking of the target within the millimeter of surrounding critical OAR’s. PMID:29872593

Career-Life Planning with First Nations People.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Offet-Gartner, Kathy

The Career-Life Planning Model for First Nations People (1997) was created by Drs. Rod McCormick and Norm Admundson to address the need for more culturally sensitive career planning with First Nations people. The most unique thing about this model is the inclusion of many cultural practices, such as: opening and closing prayers, the invitation to…

Taking Aim at Gun Violence: Rebuilding Community Education & Employment Pathways

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bryant, Rhonda

2013-01-01

In January 2013, President Obama released a plan for protecting children and communities by reducing gun violence. This plan has generated serious debate from both sides of the issue. The ensuing conversations about how to solve the issue of gun violence have been volatile. The President's plan includes reforms to close loopholes on background…

Using Baltimore HIV behavioral surveillance data for local HIV prevention planning.

PubMed

German, Danielle; Linton, Sabriya; Cassidy-Stewart, Hope; Flynn, Colin

2014-04-01

In response to the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) and as part of CDC's Enhanced Comprehensive HIV Prevention Plan (ECHPP) project, Maryland developed a comprehensive local HIV prevention plan for the Baltimore-Towson Metropolitan Statistical Area and identified a series of priority HIV prevention and service goals. The current project sought to: (1) determine how well National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) indicators were aligned with NHAS/ECHPP-informed local HIV prevention goals (2) facilitate on-going NHBS data utilization to inform on-going local HIV prevention and service planning, and (3) build a foundation for future NHBS data utilization in local HIV decision-making. Project activities identified key HIV-related indicators in NHBS that are directly or indirectly related to local HIV priorities as informed by NHAS/ECHPP, which can be used for HIV prevention planning in the Baltimore area. Areas for enhancing NHBS and local data collection to further inform HIV prevention priorities are highlighted.

Using Global Climate Data to Inform Long-Term Water Planning Decisions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Groves, D. G.; Lempert, R.

2008-12-01

Water managers throughout the world are working to consider climate change in their long-term water planning processes. The best available information regarding plausible future hydrologic conditions are largely derived from global circulation models and from paleoclimate data. To date there lacks a single approach for (1) utilizing these data in water management planning tools for analysis and (2) evaluating the myriad of possible adaptation options. This talk will describe several approaches being used at RAND to incorporate global projections of climate change into local, regional, and state-wide long-term water planning. It will draw on current work with the California Department of Water Resources and other local Western water agencies, and a recently completed project with the Inland Empire Utilities Agency. Work to date suggests that climate information can be assimilated into local water planning tools to help identify robust climate adaptation water management strategies.

Software Testbed for Developing and Evaluating Integrated Autonomous Subsystems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ong, James; Remolina, Emilio; Prompt, Axel; Robinson, Peter; Sweet, Adam; Nishikawa, David

2015-01-01

To implement fault tolerant autonomy in future space systems, it will be necessary to integrate planning, adaptive control, and state estimation subsystems. However, integrating these subsystems is difficult, time-consuming, and error-prone. This paper describes Intelliface/ADAPT, a software testbed that helps researchers develop and test alternative strategies for integrating planning, execution, and diagnosis subsystems more quickly and easily. The testbed's architecture, graphical data displays, and implementations of the integrated subsystems support easy plug and play of alternate components to support research and development in fault-tolerant control of autonomous vehicles and operations support systems. Intelliface/ADAPT controls NASA's Advanced Diagnostics and Prognostics Testbed (ADAPT), which comprises batteries, electrical loads (fans, pumps, and lights), relays, circuit breakers, invertors, and sensors. During plan execution, an experimentor can inject faults into the ADAPT testbed by tripping circuit breakers, changing fan speed settings, and closing valves to restrict fluid flow. The diagnostic subsystem, based on NASA's Hybrid Diagnosis Engine (HyDE), detects and isolates these faults to determine the new state of the plant, ADAPT. Intelliface/ADAPT then updates its model of the ADAPT system's resources and determines whether the current plan can be executed using the reduced resources. If not, the planning subsystem generates a new plan that reschedules tasks, reconfigures ADAPT, and reassigns the use of ADAPT resources as needed to work around the fault. The resource model, planning domain model, and planning goals are expressed using NASA's Action Notation Modeling Language (ANML). Parts of the ANML model are generated automatically, and other parts are constructed by hand using the Planning Model Integrated Development Environment, a visual Eclipse-based IDE that accelerates ANML model development. Because native ANML planners are currently under development and not yet sufficiently capable, the ANML model is translated into the New Domain Definition Language (NDDL) and sent to NASA's EUROPA planning system for plan generation. The adaptive controller executes the new plan, using augmented, hierarchical finite state machines to select and sequence actions based on the state of the ADAPT system. Real-time sensor data, commands, and plans are displayed in information-dense arrays of timelines and graphs that zoom and scroll in unison. A dynamic schematic display uses color to show the real-time fault state and utilization of the system components and resources. An execution manager coordinates the activities of the other subsystems. The subsystems are integrated using the Internet Communications Engine (ICE). an object-oriented toolkit for building distributed applications.

Financial statistics of major US investor-owned electric utilities 1992

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

Not Available

The Financial Statistics of Major US Investor-Owned Electric Utilities publication presents summary and detailed financial accounting data on the investor-owned electric utilities. The objective of the publication is to provide Federal and State governments, industry, and the general public with current and historical data that can be used for policymaking and decisionmaking purposes related to investor-owned electric utility issues. The Financial Statistics of Major US Investor-Owned Electric Utilities publication provides information about the financial results of operations of investor-owned electric utilities for use by government, industry, electric utilities, financial organizations and educational institutions in energy planning. In the private sector,more » the readers of this publication are researchers and analysts associated with the financial markets, the policymaking and decisionmaking members of electric utility companies, and economic development organizations. Other organizations that may be interested in the data presented in this publication include manufacturers of electric power equipment and marketing organizations. In the public sector, the readers of this publication include analysts, researchers, statisticians, and other professionals engaged in regulatory, policy, and program areas. These individuals are generally associated with the Congress, other legislative bodies, State public utility commissions, universities, and national strategic planning organizations.« less

An Analysis of Strategies for Teaching Standards-Based Lesson Plan Alignment to Preservice Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Drost, Bryan R.; Levine, Anita C.

2015-01-01

Research consistently shows that well-aligned lesson plans lead to better student learning outcomes. The development of these plans challenges both preservice teachers and the teacher educators who instruct them. This exploratory study examined strategies for teaching lesson plan alignment utilized by 87 teacher educators in the United States.…

Popes in the Pizza: Analyzing Activity Reports to Create and Sustain a Strategic Plan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sweet, Charlie; Blythe, Hal; Keeley, E. J.; Forsyth, Ben

2008-01-01

This article presents a practical methodology for creating and sustaining strategic planning, the task analysis. Utilizing our Teaching & Learning Center Strategic Plan as a model, we demonstrate how working with a weekly status report provides a comprehensive listing of detail necessary to analyze and revise the plan. The new methodology is…

A Model for Long Range Planning for Seminole Community College.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miner, Norris

A model for long-range planning designed to maximize involvement of college personnel, to improve communication among various areas of the college, to provide a process for evaluation of long-range plans and the planning process, to adjust to changing conditions, to utilize data developed at a level useful for actual operations, and to have…

Developing State Agency Facility Plans: A Guide to Planning and Implementation. Michigan Studies in Rehabilitation Utilization Series: 4.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, Juliet V.; Wargel, James F.

Intended for use in inservice training of vocational rehabilitation agency personnel, this facility planning guide is designed to (1) help state agencies understand the new facility planning requirements of the Rehabilitation Comprehensive Services and Developmental Disabilities Amendments of 1978, (2) provide information about a six-step planning…

Utah geothermal commercialization planning. Semi-annual progress report, January 1, 1979--June 30, 1979

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

Green, S.; Wagstaff, L.W.

1979-06-01

The effects of the Utah geothermal planning project were concentrated on the Utah geothermal legislation, the Roosevelt Hot Springs time phased project plan and the Salt Lake County area development plan. Preliminary findings indicate a potential for heat pump utilization, based on market interest and the existence of suitable groundwater conditions. (MHR)

Study on utilization of advanced composites in commercial aircraft wing structures, volume 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sakata, I. F.; Ostrom, R. B.

1978-01-01

A plan is defined for a composite wing development effort which will assist commercial transport manufacturers in reaching a level of technology readiness where the utilization of composite wing structure is a cost competitive option for a new aircraft production plan. The recommended development effort consists of two programs: a joint government/industry material development program and a wing structure development program. Both programs are described in detail.

Space Station Freedom Utilization Conference. Executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1993-01-01

The Space Station Freedom Utilization Conference was held on 3-6 Aug. 1992 in Huntsville, Alabama. The purpose of the conference was to bring together prospective space station researchers and the people in NASA and industry with whom they would be working to exchange information and discuss plans and opportunities for space station research. Topics covered include: research capabilities; research plans and opportunities; life sciences research; technology research; and microgravity research and biotechnology.

NASA's Commercial Space Centers: Bringing Together Government and Industry for "Out of this World" Benefits

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Robinson, R. Keith; Henderson, Robin N. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is making significant effort to accommodate commercial research in the utilization plans of the International Space Station (ISS)[1]. NASA is providing 30% of the research accommodations in the ISS laboratory modules to support commercial endeavors. However, the availability of resources alone does not necessarily translate into significant private sector participation in NASA's ISS utilization plans. Due to the efforts of NASA's Commercial Space Centers (CSC's), NASA has developed a very robust plan for involving the private sector in ISS utilization activities. Obtaining participation from the private sector requires a demonstrated capability for obtaining commercially significant research results. Since 1985, NASA CSC's have conducted over 200 commercial research activities aboard parabolic aircraft, sounding rockets, the Space Shuttle, and the ISS. The success of these activities has developed substantial investment from private sector companies in commercial space research.

School Emergency Planning Guide.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Benedetto, Harry J.

This guide was prepared to assist Pennsylvania schools and communities in the development of comprehensive emergency plans. Procedures for identifying and responding to potential community and school emergency situations are presented. A plan for developing and organizing mass care centers utilizing school and community facilities and resources is…

Educational Planning Past, Present and Future.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Williams, Gareth

1979-01-01

Two contrasting models of educational planning are described: the "technocratic," which dominated educational planning in the past; and the currently utilized "political," in which decisions emerge as the result of interplay between powerful pressure groups. The future is seen as likely to hold still greater conflict in…

7 CFR 1948.79 - Application procedure for planning grants.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

..., RURAL BUSINESS-COOPERATIVE SERVICE, RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, AND FARM SERVICE AGENCY, DEPARTMENT OF... growth management and/or housing plans; (3) A statement declaring that the planning neither duplicates... determination be made of the applicant's legal existence and authority to prepare growth management and/or...

New Hampshire state rail plan 2001

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2001-04-01

This report is the 2001 update to the New Hampshire Statewide Rail Plan, which was last updated in 1991 and amended in 1993. The Rail Plan presents an overview of the current status of the New Hampshire Rail System, who operates it and how it is util...

Transport aircraft loading and balancing system: Using a CLIPS expert system for military aircraft load planning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Richardson, J.; Labbe, M.; Belala, Y.; Leduc, Vincent

1994-01-01

The requirement for improving aircraft utilization and responsiveness in airlift operations has been recognized for quite some time by the Canadian Forces. To date, the utilization of scarce airlift resources has been planned mainly through the employment of manpower-intensive manual methods in combination with the expertise of highly qualified personnel. In this paper, we address the problem of facilitating the load planning process for military aircraft cargo planes through the development of a computer-based system. We introduce TALBAS (Transport Aircraft Loading and BAlancing System), a knowledge-based system designed to assist personnel involved in preparing valid load plans for the C130 Hercules aircraft. The main features of this system which are accessible through a convivial graphical user interface, consists of the automatic generation of valid cargo arrangements given a list of items to be transported, the user-definition of load plans and the automatic validation of such load plans.

Biological-based and physical-based optimization for biological evaluation of prostate patient's plans

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sukhikh, E.; Sheino, I.; Vertinsky, A.

2017-09-01

Modern modalities of radiation treatment therapy allow irradiation of the tumor to high dose values and irradiation of organs at risk (OARs) to low dose values at the same time. In this paper we study optimal radiation treatment plans made in Monaco system. The first aim of this study was to evaluate dosimetric features of Monaco treatment planning system using biological versus dose-based cost functions for the OARs and irradiation targets (namely tumors) when the full potential of built-in biological cost functions is utilized. The second aim was to develop criteria for the evaluation of radiation dosimetry plans for patients based on the macroscopic radiobiological criteria - TCP/NTCP. In the framework of the study four dosimetric plans were created utilizing the full extent of biological and physical cost functions using dose calculation-based treatment planning for IMRT Step-and-Shoot delivery of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in prostate case (5 fractions per 7 Gy).

Department of the Navy Transformation Plan: FY 2014-2016

Science.gov Websites

alignment don business priorities (fy14-16) strategic opportunities for transformation don institutional Closing... summary don transformation model Download PDF Submit an Idea Department of the Navy Transformation Plan FY 2014-2016

Cargo Movement Operations (CMOS) Increment I Installation and Checkout Plan for Langley AFB

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-10-28

ERCI ACCEPTS COMMENT: YES [ ] NO [ ] COMMENT DISPOSITION: ACCEPT [ ] REJECT [ ] COMMENT STATUS: OPEN [ ] CLOSED [ ] Cmnt Page Paragraph No. No...document. CMOS PMO ACCEPTS COMMENT: YES [ ) NO [ ] ERCI ACCEPTS COMMENT: YES [ ] NO [ ] COMMENT DISPOSITION: COMMENT STATUS: OPEN [ ] CLOSED [

Contingency Teaching during Close Reading

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fisher, Douglas; Frey, Nancy

2015-01-01

12 teachers were interviewed and observed as they engaged students in close reading. We analyzed their responses and instruction to determine the scaffolds that were used as well as the contingency teaching plans they implemented when students were unable to understand the text.

A negotiation methodology and its application to cogeneration planning

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

Wang, S.M.; Liu, C.C.; Luu, S.

Power system planning has become a complex process in utilities today. This paper presents a methodology for integrated planning with multiple objectives. The methodology uses a graphical representation (Goal-Decision Network) to capture the planning knowledge. The planning process is viewed as a negotiation process that applies three negotiation operators to search for beneficial decisions in a GDN. Also, the negotiation framework is applied to the problem of planning for cogeneration interconnection. The simulation results are presented to illustrate the cogeneration planning process.

The ANGWIN Antarctic Research Program: First Results on Coordinated Trans-Antarctic Gravity Wave Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taylor, M. J.; Pautet, P. D.; Zhao, Y.; Nakamura, T.; Ejiri, M. K.; Murphy, D. J.; Moffat-Griffin, T.; Kavanagh, A. J.; Takahashi, H.; Wrasse, C. M.

2014-12-01

ANGWIN (ANrctic Gravity Wave Instrument Network) is a new "scientist driven" research program designed to develop and utilize a network of Antarctic atmospheric gravity wave observatories, operated by different nations working together in a spirit of close scientific collaboration. Our research plan has brought together colleagues from several international institutions, all with a common goal to better understand the large "continental-scale" characteristics and impacts of gravity waves on the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere (MLT) environment over Antarctica. ANGWIN combines complementary measurements obtained using new and existing aeronomy instrumentation with new modeling capabilities. To date, our activities have focused on developing coordinated airglow image data of gravity waves in the MLT region at the following sites: McMurdo (US), Syowa (Japan), Davis (Australia), Halley (UK), Rothera (UK), and Comandante Ferraz (Brazil). These are all well-established international research stations that are uniformly distributed around the continental perimeter, and together with ongoing measurements at South Pole Station they provide unprecedented coverage of the Antarctic gravity wave field and its variability during the extended polar winter season. This presentation introduces the ANGWIN program and research goals, and presents first results on trans-Antarctic wave propagation using coordinated measurements during the winter season 2011. We also discuss future plans for the development of this exciting program for Antarctic research.

A study on the utilization of advanced composites in commercial aircraft wing structure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Watts, D. J.

1978-01-01

A study was conducted to define the technology and data needed to support the introduction of advanced composite materials in the wing structure of future production aircraft. The study accomplished the following: (1) definition of acceptance factors, (2) identification of technology issues, (3) evaluation of six candidate wing structures, (4) evaluation of five program options, (5) definition of a composite wing technology development plan, (6) identification of full-scale tests, (7) estimation of program costs for the total development plan, (8) forecast of future utilization of composites in commercial transport aircraft and (9) identification of critical technologies for timely program planning.

The Spectrum Orbit Utilization Program (SOUP) used for DBS plan analysis at RARC '83

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davidson, J.; Ottey, H. R.; Sawitz, P.; Zusman, F. S.

1985-01-01

This paper describes the history, functions, and usage of the program that was used to analyze the plans for direct broadcast satellite service developed in the course of the 1983 Regional Administrative Radio Conference for ITU Region 2. Given the requirements for direct broadcast service by the administrations, the conference delegates (1) developed the appropriate technical parameters; (2) made tentative assignments to the orbit locations, frequencies, and polarizations of space stations, (3) calculated the interferences and margins of such assignments through the use of the Spectrum Orbit Utilization Program (SOUP); and (4) iterated this procedure until an acceptable plan was found.

Analysis of integrated photovoltaic-thermal systems using solar concentrators

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

Yusoff, M.B.

1983-01-01

An integrated photovoltaic-thermal system using solar concentrators utilizes the solar radiation spectrum in the production of electrical and thermal energy. The electrical conversion efficiency of this system decreases with increasing solar cell temperature. Since a high operating temperature is desirable to maximize the quality of thermal output of the planned integrated system, a proper choice of the operating temperature for the unit cell is of vital importance. The analysis predicts performance characteristics of the unit cell by considering the dependence of the heat generation, the heat absorption and the heat transmission on the material properties of the unit cell structure.more » An analytical model has been developed to describe the heat transport phenomena occurring in the unit cell structure. The range of applicability of the one-dimensional and the two-dimensional models, which have closed-form solutions, has been demonstrated. Parametric and design studies point out the requirements for necessary good electrical and thermal performance. A procedure utilizing functional forms of component characteristics in the form of partial coefficients of the dependent variable has been developed to design and operate the integrated system to have a desirable value of the thermal to electrical output ratio both at design and operating modes.« less

Learning Alone, Together: Closed-Cohort Structure in an Online Journalism and Mass Communication Graduate Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Blankenship, Justin C.; Gibson, Rhonda

2016-01-01

In a closed-cohort educational program design, students enter a program together, take the same courses together, and, ideally, graduate together. In an effort to increase interaction and communication among students, it has been utilized more and more for online graduate programs. This article surveyed students in one of the few closed-cohort…

Closing the Professional Development, Learning Outcome and Budget Proposal Gap at a Two-Year Eduational Institution: An Action Research Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mason, Eric L.

2014-01-01

Two-year community colleges are commissioned to close the assessment-outcome loop, which includes the research site for this study. This action research study, which utilized quantitative and qualitative data sets, was designed to close the assessments, learning outcomes and the professional development budget proposal process gap. The developed…

7 CFR 1751.104 - Obtaining RUS approval of a proposed Modernization Plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 11 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Obtaining RUS approval of a proposed Modernization Plan. 1751.104 Section 1751.104 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM PLANNING AND DESIGN...

In Situ Resource Utilization Technologies for Enhancing and Expanding Mars Scientific and Exploration Missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sridhar, K. R.; Finn, J. E.

2000-01-01

The primary objectives of the Mars exploration program are to collect data for planetary science in a quest to answer questions related to Origins, to search for evidence of extinct and extant life, and to expand the human presence in the solar system. The public and political engagement that is critical for support of a Mars exploration program is based on all of these objectives. In order to retain and to build public and political support, it is important for NASA to have an integrated Mars exploration plan, not separate robotic and human plans that exist in parallel or in sequence. The resolutions stemming from the current architectural review and prioritization of payloads may be pivotal in determining whether NASA will have such a unified plan and retain public support. There are several potential scientific and technological links between the robotic-only missions that have been flown and planned to date, and the combined robotic and human missions that will come in the future. Taking advantage of and leveraging those links are central to the idea of a unified Mars exploration plan. One such link is in situ resource utilization (ISRU) as an enabling technology to provide consumables such as fuels, oxygen, sweep and utility gases from the Mars atmosphere.

Trends in capacity utilization for therapeutic monoclonal antibody production.

PubMed

Langer, Eric S

2009-01-01

The administration of high doses of therapeutic antibodies requires large-scale, efficient, cost effective manufacturing processes. An understanding of how the industry is using its available production capacity is important for production planning, and facility expansion analysis. Inaccurate production planning for therapeutic antibodies can have serious financial ramifications. In the recent 5(th) Annual Report and Survey of Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Capacity and Production, 434 qualified respondents from 39 countries were asked to indicate, among other manufacturing issues, their current trends and future predictions with respect to the production capacity utilization of monoclonal antibodies in mammalian cell culture systems. While overall production of monoclonals has expanded dramatically since 2003, the average capacity utilization for mammalian cell culture systems, has decreased each year since 2003. Biomanufacturers aggressively attempt to avoid unanticipated high production demands that can create a capacity crunch. We summarize trends associated with capacity utilization and capacity constraints which indicate that biopharmaceutical manufacturers are doing a better job planning for capacity. The results have been a smoothing of capacity use shifts and an improved ability to forecast capacity and outsourcing needs. Despite these data, today, the instability and financial constraints caused by the current global economic crisis are likely to create unforeseen shifts in our capacity utilization and capacity expansion trends. These shifts will need to be measured in subsequent studies.

Crash analysis of I-64 closure in St. Louis county.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2011-08-01

On January 2, 2008, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) closed significant portions of Missouri Interstate 64 : (I-64) in St. Louis County for reconstruction. During the planning stages of this project, the proposal to close all lanes o...

42 CFR 456.231 - Continued stay review required.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Mental Hospitals Ur Plan... a review of each recipient's continued stay in the mental hospital to decide whether it is needed...

Resilience Mitigation Financing Webinar for Water and Wastewater Utilities

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The Resilience Mitigation Financing for Water and Wastewater Utilities webinar focuses on tools and financing resources to conduct resilience planning and to mitigate impacts before a disaster strikes.

Costs and Trends in Utilization of Low-value Services Among Older Adults With Commercial Insurance or Medicare Advantage.

PubMed

Carter, Elizabeth A; Morin, Pamela E; Lind, Keith D

2017-11-01

Overutilization of low-value services (unnecessary or minimally beneficial tests or procedures) has been cited as a large contributor to the high costs of health care in the United States. To analyze trends in utilization of low-value services from 2009 to 2014 among commercial and Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollees 50 and older. A retrospective analysis of deidentified claims obtained from the OptumLab Data Warehouse. Adults 50 and older enrolled in commercial plans and adults 65 and older enrolled in MA plans between 2009 and 2014. Costs and utilization of 16 low-value services in the following categories: cancer screening, imaging, and invasive procedures. The most commonly performed low-value service was imaging of the head for syncope, at rates of 33%-39% in commercial enrollees and 45% in MA enrollees. The least common service was peripheral artery stenting (<1%) in commercial enrollees, and laminectomy (0.15% in 2009) and renal artery stenting in MA enrollees (0.07% in 2014). Renal artery stenting decreased by roughly 75% over the study period, the largest decrease in utilization, with ∼$30 million and $10 million in reduced spending for commercial and MA plans and enrollees, respectively. Spending on these services in 2014 totaled $317.6 million for commercial and $100.8 million for MA health plans. Clinicians, researchers, and policymakers should strive to reach consensus on methods for more reliably and accurately identifying low-value service utilization. Greater consistency would facilitate monitoring use of low-value services and changing clinical practice patterns over time.

“Forward-Thinking” in U.S. Biobanking

PubMed Central

Edwards, Teresa P.; Lassiter, Dragana; Davis, Arlene M.; Henderson, Gail E.

2017-01-01

Aims: Do biobanks enact policies and plans that allow them to anticipate and respond to potential challenges? If a biobank has one such policy or plan, is it likely to have more? Using survey data from 456 U.S. biobanks, we assess four possible indicators of such “forward-thinking.” Methods: We present response frequencies and cross-tabulations regarding policies for return of results and ownership of specimens, and for having a formal business plan and a plan for what happens to specimens if the biobank closes. We analyze the relationships among these indicators, using chi-square for tests of statistical significance. Results: Policies—Sixty-two percent of biobanks have a policy about returning individual research results; 70% have a policy designating ownership of specimens and/or technology. Having these two policies is significantly related (p < 0.001). Plans—34% of biobanks have a formal business plan; 26% have a written plan for what will happen to the specimens if the biobank closes. Having these two plans is significantly related (p < 0.001). Relationships among indicators—only 7% of biobanks are forward-thinking across all four indicators; 12% are forward-thinking across none. Discussion: The two policies we examined tend to occur together, as do the two plans. These policies and plans seem to tap different aspects of accountability and responsiveness. Specifically, the policies reflect issues most commonly raised in the ethical and legal literature on biobanking, while the plans are indicators of sustainability, a separate area of concern in biobanking. PMID:28118036

9 CFR 54.8 - Requirements for flock plans and post-exposure management and monitoring plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Requirements for flock plans and post... and post-exposure management and monitoring plans. (a) The owner of the flock or his or her agent must...: Utilization of a live-animal screening test; restrictions on the animals that may be moved from the flock...

9 CFR 54.8 - Requirements for flock plans and post-exposure management and monitoring plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Requirements for flock plans and post... and post-exposure management and monitoring plans. (a) The owner of the flock or his or her agent must...: Utilization of a live-animal screening test; restrictions on the animals that may be moved from the flock...

9 CFR 54.8 - Requirements for flock plans and post-exposure management and monitoring plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Requirements for flock plans and post... and post-exposure management and monitoring plans. (a) The owner of the flock or his or her agent must...: Utilization of a live-animal screening test; restrictions on the animals that may be moved from the flock...

9 CFR 54.8 - Requirements for flock plans and post-exposure management and monitoring plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Requirements for flock plans and post... and post-exposure management and monitoring plans. (a) The owner of the flock or his or her agent must...: Utilization of a live-animal screening test; restrictions on the animals that may be moved from the flock...

9 CFR 54.8 - Requirements for flock plans and post-exposure management and monitoring plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Requirements for flock plans and post... and post-exposure management and monitoring plans. (a) The owner of the flock or his or her agent must...: Utilization of a live-animal screening test; restrictions on the animals that may be moved from the flock...

Integrating MRP (materiel requirements planning) II and JIT to achieve world-class status.

PubMed

Titone, R C

1994-05-01

The concepts and principles of using manufacturing resource planning (MRP II) for planning are not new. Their success has been proven in numerous manufacturing companies in America. The concepts and principles of using just-in-time (JIT) inventory for execution, while more recent, have also been available for some time, and their success in Japan well documented. However, it is the effective integration of these two powerful tools that open the way to achieving world-class manufacturing status. This article will utilize a newly developed world-class manufacturing model, which will review the aspects of planning, beginning with a business plan through the production planning process and culminating with a master schedule that drives a materiel/capacity plan. The importance and interrelationship of these functions are reviewed. The model then illustrates the important aspects of executing these plans beginning with people issues, through total quality control (TQC) and pull systems. We will then utilize this new functional model to demonstrate the relationship between these various functions and the importance of integrating them with a total comprehensive manufacturing strategy that will lead to world-class manufacturing and profits.

The economics of stranded investment - a two-way street

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

Cearley, R.; McKinzie, L.

In the transition to deregulation, the risk, costs and benefits of utility assets are transferred from the customer to the investor, creating potential stranded benefits as well as stranded costs. Investors may be better or worse off depending on whether an asset`s cost is below or above market. Regulators can minimize unintended wealth transfers by compensating each potential loser in the transition. The amount of investment stranded - i.e., the portion of plant that is above market value - does seem to be a murky issue. This article sets a framework for evaluating stranded investment and traces the possible welfaremore » effects of different policies to address it. It defines {open_quote}stranded costs,{close_quote} {open_quote}stranded investment,{close_quote} and {open_quote}stranded benefits.{close_quote} It addresses their interrelationship, and shows that the redefinition of property rights during the transition to a competitive market is what leads to stranded investment. The elimination of the utility`s exclusive franchise - i.e., its obligation to serve and customers` obligation to pay - leads to the redefinition of those property rights as they pertain to the costs, benefits and risks associated with existing utility generation. Finally, the authors address the possible welfare implications from this transition.« less

MO-D-213-02: Quality Improvement Through a Failure Mode and Effects Analysis of Pediatric External Beam Radiotherapy

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

Gray, J; Lukose, R; Bronson, J

2015-06-15

Purpose: To conduct a failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) as per AAPM Task Group 100 on clinical processes associated with teletherapy, and the development of mitigations for processes with identified high risk. Methods: A FMEA was conducted on clinical processes relating to teletherapy treatment plan development and delivery. Nine major processes were identified for analysis. These steps included CT simulation, data transfer, image registration and segmentation, treatment planning, plan approval and preparation, and initial and subsequent treatments. Process tree mapping was utilized to identify the steps contained within each process. Failure modes (FM) were identified and evaluated with amore » scale of 1–10 based upon three metrics: the severity of the effect, the probability of occurrence, and the detectability of the cause. The analyzed metrics were scored as follows: severity – no harm = 1, lethal = 10; probability – not likely = 1, certainty = 10; detectability – always detected = 1, undetectable = 10. The three metrics were combined multiplicatively to determine the risk priority number (RPN) which defined the overall score for each FM and the order in which process modifications should be deployed. Results: Eighty-nine procedural steps were identified with 186 FM accompanied by 193 failure effects with 213 potential causes. Eighty-one of the FM were scored with a RPN > 10, and mitigations were developed for FM with RPN values exceeding ten. The initial treatment had the most FM (16) requiring mitigation development followed closely by treatment planning, segmentation, and plan preparation with fourteen each. The maximum RPN was 400 and involved target delineation. Conclusion: The FMEA process proved extremely useful in identifying previously unforeseen risks. New methods were developed and implemented for risk mitigation and error prevention. Similar to findings reported for adult patients, the process leading to the initial treatment has an associated high risk.« less

Linking EfS and Biodiversity? A UK-wide Survey of the Status of Education within Local Biodiversity Action Plans.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Young, Jennifer

2001-01-01

Explores potential for developing education for sustainability (EfS) through biodiversity planning in the UK based on a survey conducted in April 1999. Concludes that biodiversity practitioners have the tools to deliver EfS through implementation of local biodiversity action plans (LBAPs), the concept allowing close links to Local Agenda 21,…

Using the Plan View to Teach Basic Crystallography in General Chemistry

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cushman, Cody V.; Linford, Matthew R.

2015-01-01

The plan view is used in crystallography and materials science to show the positions of atoms in crystal structures. However, it is not widely used in teaching general chemistry. In this contribution, we introduce the plan view, and show these views for the simple cubic, body-centered cubic, face-centered cubic, hexagonal close packed, CsCl, NaCl,…

Long Range Facilities Planning and Design Implementation for Students with Disabilities: A Guide for New Jersey School Districts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lowenkron, Ruth; Ponessa, Joan

2005-01-01

The long range facilities planning (LRFP) process presents a wonderful opportunity for New Jersey's school districts to re-examine and strengthen their long term planning for educational adequacy in 21st century school facilities. It provides an opportunity for districts to work closely with the special education community to ensure that New…

Cargo Movement Operations System (CMOS) Draft Software Test Plan. Increment II

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-02-14

COMMENT: YES [ ] NO [ ] COMMENT DISPOSITION: ACCEPT [ ] REJECT [ J COMMENT STATUS: OPEN [ ] CLOSED [ ] Cmnt Page Paragraph No. No. Number Comment 1. 5 2...ERCI ACCEPTS COMMENT: YES [ ] NO [ ] COMMENT DISPOSITION: COMMENT STATUS: OPEN [ J CLOSED [ ] ORIGINATOR CONTROL NUMBER: STP-0003 PROGRAM OFFICE CONTROL...NO [1 ERCI ACCEPTS COMMENT: YES [ 1 NO [ ] COMMENT DISPOSITION: COMMENT STATUS: OPEN [ ] CLOSED [ ] ORIGINATOR CONTROL NUMBER: STP-0004 PROGRAM

Closing the Loop: A Study of How the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) Is Used for Decision-Making and Planning in Student Affairs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCaul, Jennifer Lee

2015-01-01

"Closing the loop" is a commonly used phrase in discussing cyclical processes, such as the area of outcomes assessment in higher education. Increased interest in accountability and a shift in accreditation focus have necessitated that higher education institutions are closing the assessment loop and creating a culture of evidence to…

Validation of a deformable MRI to CT registration algorithm employing same day planning MRI for surrogate analysis.

PubMed

Padgett, Kyle R; Stoyanova, Radka; Pirozzi, Sara; Johnson, Perry; Piper, Jon; Dogan, Nesrin; Pollack, Alan

2018-03-01

Validating deformable multimodality image registrations is challenging due to intrinsic differences in signal characteristics and their spatial intensity distributions. Evaluating multimodality registrations using these spatial intensity distributions is also complicated by the fact that these metrics are often employed in the registration optimization process. This work evaluates rigid and deformable image registrations of the prostate in between diagnostic-MRI and radiation treatment planning-CT by utilizing a planning-MRI after fiducial marker placement as a surrogate. The surrogate allows for the direct quantitative analysis that can be difficult in the multimodality domain. For thirteen prostate patients, T2 images were acquired at two different time points, the first several weeks prior to planning (diagnostic-MRI) and the second on the same day as the planning-CT (planning-MRI). The diagnostic-MRI was deformed to the planning-CT utilizing a commercially available algorithm which synthesizes a deformable image registration (DIR) algorithm from local rigid registrations. The planning-MRI provided an independent surrogate for the planning-CT for assessing registration accuracy using image similarity metrics, including Pearson correlation and normalized mutual information (NMI). A local analysis was performed by looking only within the prostate, proximal seminal vesicles, penile bulb, and combined areas. The planning-MRI provided an excellent surrogate for the planning-CT with residual error in fiducial alignment between the two datasets being submillimeter, 0.78 mm. DIR was superior to the rigid registration in 11 of 13 cases demonstrating a 27.37% improvement in NMI (P < 0.009) within a regional area surrounding the prostate and associated critical organs. Pearson correlations showed similar results, demonstrating a 13.02% improvement (P < 0.013). By utilizing the planning-MRI as a surrogate for the planning-CT, an independent evaluation of registration accuracy is possible. This population provides an ideal testing ground for MRI to CT DIR by obviating the need for multimodality comparisons which are inherently more challenging. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

The Transition of NASA EOS Datasets to WFO Operations: A Model for Future Technology Transfer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Darden, C.; Burks, J.; Jedlovec, G.; Haines, S.

2007-01-01

The collocation of a National Weather Service (NWS) Forecast Office with atmospheric scientists from NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Alabama has afforded a unique opportunity for science sharing and technology transfer. Specifically, the NWS office in Huntsville has interacted closely with research scientists within the SPORT (Short-term Prediction and Research and Transition) Center at MSFC. One significant technology transfer that has reaped dividends is the transition of unique NASA EOS polar orbiting datasets into NWS field operations. NWS forecasters primarily rely on the AWIPS (Advanced Weather Information and Processing System) decision support system for their day to day forecast and warning decision making. Unfortunately, the transition of data from operational polar orbiters or low inclination orbiting satellites into AWIPS has been relatively slow due to a variety of reasons. The ability to integrate these high resolution NASA datasets into operations has yielded several benefits. The MODIS (MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectrometer ) instrument flying on the Aqua and Terra satellites provides a broad spectrum of multispectral observations at resolutions as fine as 250m. Forecasters routinely utilize these datasets to locate fine lines, boundaries, smoke plumes, locations of fog or haze fields, and other mesoscale features. In addition, these important datasets have been transitioned to other WFOs for a variety of local uses. For instance, WFO Great Falls Montana utilizes the MODIS snow cover product for hydrologic planning purposes while several coastal offices utilize the output from the MODIS and AMSR-E instruments to supplement observations in the data sparse regions of the Gulf of Mexico and western Atlantic. In the short term, these datasets have benefited local WFOs in a variety of ways. In the longer term, the process by which these unique datasets were successfully transitioned to operations will benefit the planning and implementation of products and datasets derived from both NPP and NPOESS. This presentation will provide a brief overview of current WFO usage of satellite data, the transition of datasets between SPORT and the N W S , and lessons learned for future transition efforts.

Load Forecasting in Electric Utility Integrated Resource Planning

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

Carvallo, Juan Pablo; Larsen, Peter H.; Sanstad, Alan H

Integrated resource planning (IRP) is a process used by many vertically-integrated U.S. electric utilities to determine least-cost/risk supply and demand-side resources that meet government policy objectives and future obligations to customers and, in many cases, shareholders. Forecasts of energy and peak demand are a critical component of the IRP process. There have been few, if any, quantitative studies of IRP long-run (planning horizons of two decades) load forecast performance and its relationship to resource planning and actual procurement decisions. In this paper, we evaluate load forecasting methods, assumptions, and outcomes for 12 Western U.S. utilities by examining and comparing plansmore » filed in the early 2000s against recent plans, up to year 2014. We find a convergence in the methods and data sources used. We also find that forecasts in more recent IRPs generally took account of new information, but that there continued to be a systematic over-estimation of load growth rates during the period studied. We compare planned and procured resource expansion against customer load and year-to-year load growth rates, but do not find a direct relationship. Load sensitivities performed in resource plans do not appear to be related to later procurement strategies even in the presence of large forecast errors. These findings suggest that resource procurement decisions may be driven by other factors than customer load growth. Our results have important implications for the integrated resource planning process, namely that load forecast accuracy may not be as important for resource procurement as is generally believed, that load forecast sensitivities could be used to improve the procurement process, and that management of load uncertainty should be prioritized over more complex forecasting techniques.« less

A Revised Embedded Planning Tool for Intensive Reading Instruction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wei, Yan; Lombardi, Allison; Simonsen, Brandi; Coyne, Michael; Faggella-Luby, Michael; Freeman, Jennifer; Kearns, Devin

2017-01-01

A single-subject AB multiple-baseline design across participants was utilized to investigate the effectiveness of the Revised Tier Three Instructional Planning (T-TIP) tool on teacher lesson planning, with a focus on corrective and elaborative feedback within intensive literacy instructional settings in secondary schools. Findings revealed that…

The Comprehensive Dropout Prevention Plan.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Broward County School Board, Fort Lauderdale, FL.

The Comprehensive Dropout Prevention Plan utilizes the resources of Broward County public schools and the community for dropout prevention. A matrix of dropout prevention options has been assembled from both existing programs and from new program designs. General components of the plan include the following: (1) dropout retrieval activities; (2)…

7 CFR 4280.42 - Application evaluation and selection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... Project plans, its management, and, if applicable, its products and operating plans. (The business plan...) Nature of the Project. Rural Development will award up to 60 points based on whether the Project: (i) Is... connection project (such as streets or utilities)—20 points; (ii) Provides Technical Assistance to rural...

Design for Medical Education. The Development and Planning of a Medical College and Care Center.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Peery, Thomas M.; Green, Alan C.

Planning and design procedures which one medical education center employed in translating its educational objectives, philosophy and techniques into laboratory, classroom and clinic facilities are described. Basic planning considerations included--(1) determination of the curriculum, (2) facility utilization rate, (3) housing of research…

7 CFR 1940.333 - Applicability to planning assistance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 13 2010-01-01 2009-01-01 true Applicability to planning assistance. 1940.333 Section..., RURAL BUSINESS-COOPERATIVE SERVICE, RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, AND FARM SERVICE AGENCY, DEPARTMENT OF... to planning assistance. The award of FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 funds for...

Dynamic Strategic Planning in a Professional Knowledge-Based Organization

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Olivarius, Niels de Fine; Kousgaard, Marius Brostrom; Reventlow, Susanne; Quelle, Dan Grevelund; Tulinius, Charlotte

2010-01-01

Professional, knowledge-based institutions have a particular form of organization and culture that makes special demands on the strategic planning supervised by research administrators and managers. A model for dynamic strategic planning based on a pragmatic utilization of the multitude of strategy models was used in a small university-affiliated…

Montana Statewide Outdoor Recreation Plan: Action Program.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Montana State Fish and Game Commission, Helena.

The current revision of Montana's Statewide Outdoor Recreation Plan allows for utilizing the state's outdoor recreational resources to the best advantage of present and future generations. In developing the action program, consideration has been given to preservation, protection, and enhancement of the natural environment. The plan has also been…

The relationship between budget allocated and budget utilized of faculties in an academic institution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aziz, Wan Noor Hayatie Wan Abdul; Aziz, Rossidah Wan Abdul; Shuib, Adibah; Razi, Nor Faezah Mohamad

2014-06-01

Budget planning enables an organization to set priorities towards achieving certain goals and to identify the highest priorities to be accomplished with the available funds, thus allowing allocation of resources according to the set priorities and constraints. On the other hand, budget execution and monitoring enables allocated funds or resources to be utilized as planned. Our study concerns with investigating the relationship between budget allocation and budget utilization of faculties in a public university in Malaysia. The focus is on the university's operations management financial allocation and utilization based on five categories which are emolument expenditure, academic or services and supplies expenditure, maintenance expenditure, student expenditure and others expenditure. The analysis on financial allocation and utilization is performed based on yearly quarters. Data collected include three years faculties' budget allocation and budget utilization performance involving a sample of ten selected faculties of a public university in Malaysia. Results show that there are positive correlation and significant relationship between quarterly budget allocation and quarterly budget utilization. This study found that emolument give the highest contribution to the total allocation and total utilization for all quarters. This paper presents some findings based on statistical analysis conducted which include descriptive statistics and correlation analysis.

7 CFR 1781.19 - Approval, closing, and cancellation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 12 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Approval, closing, and cancellation. 1781.19 Section 1781.19 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (CONTINUED) RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT (RCD) LOANS AND WATERSHED (WS...

7 CFR 1781.19 - Approval, closing, and cancellation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 12 2014-01-01 2013-01-01 true Approval, closing, and cancellation. 1781.19 Section 1781.19 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (CONTINUED) RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT (RCD) LOANS AND WATERSHED (WS...

7 CFR 1781.19 - Approval, closing, and cancellation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 12 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Approval, closing, and cancellation. 1781.19 Section 1781.19 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (CONTINUED) RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT (RCD) LOANS AND WATERSHED (WS...

7 CFR 1781.19 - Approval, closing, and cancellation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 12 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Approval, closing, and cancellation. 1781.19 Section 1781.19 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (CONTINUED) RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT (RCD) LOANS AND WATERSHED (WS...

From home, to market, to headquarters, to home. Relocating health services planning and purchasing in New Zealand.

PubMed

Gauld, Robin

2002-01-01

Health sector restructuring has been in vogue, but no country has engaged in as much health sector restructuring as New Zealand where, in a decade, there have been four different public health sector structures. This article discusses New Zealand's four structures with an emphasis on relocating the critical functions of health care planning and purchasing, and on the development of the present district health board system. The four structures include: an area health board system (1989-1991) with planning and purchasing located at "home" in local areas and closely aligned with service provision; a competitive internal market system (1993-1996) which separated planning and purchasing from service provision; a centralised system with a "headquarters" controlling planning and purchasing (1997-1999) while maintaining the distance from provision; and the district health board system currently under development (1999-) which sees purchasing and planning sent home again to regions and linked closely with service provision. The present system entails the devolution of considerable responsibility to the local level, within a framework of strong central government control. Based on New Zealand's experience, the article notes that all but the market structure appear to have provided an adequate environment for effective health care planning and purchasing.

State Network Utilization Study: Mississippi Educational Television.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilson, Savan; And Others

This document is the result of a utilization study of Mississippi Educational Television where 27 target audiences were identified and surveyed. The following information is included: a draft of and updated state network utilization studies; planning and management strategies; a profile of the survey populations; a distance learning survey report;…

47 CFR 54.313 - Annual reporting requirements for high-cost recipients.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... planning with a focus on Tribal community anchor institutions; (ii) Feasibility and sustainability planning... the Rural Utility Service (RUS) shall provide copies of their RUS Operating Report for...

Drinking Water Action Plan

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

EPA's Drinking Water Action Plan serves as a national call to action, urging all levels of government, utilities, community organizations, and other stakeholders to work together to increase the safety and reliability of drinking water.

Age and closeness of death as determinants of health and social care utilization: a case-control study.

PubMed

Forma, Leena; Rissanen, Pekka; Aaltonen, Mari; Raitanen, Jani; Jylhä, Marja

2009-06-01

We used case-control design to compare utilization of health and social services between older decedents and survivors, and to identify the respective impact of age and closeness of death on the utilization of services. Data were derived from multiple national registers. The sample consisted of 56,001 persons, who died during years 1998-2000 at the age of > or = 70, and their pairs matched on age, gender and municipality of residence, who were alive at least 2 years after their counterpart's death. Data include use of hospitals, long-term care and home care. Decedents' utilization within 2 years before death and survivors' utilization in the same period of time was assessed in three age groups (70-79, 80-89 and > or = 90 years) and by gender. Decedents used hospital and long-term care more than their surviving counterparts, but the time patterns were different. In hospital care the differences between decedents and survivors rose in the last months of the study period, whereas in long-term care there were clear differences during the whole 2-year period. The differences were smaller in the oldest age group than in younger age groups. Closeness of death is an important predictor of health and social service use in old age, but its influence varies between age groups. Not only the changing age structure, but also the higher average age at death affects the future need for services.

Closing the Loop Sampler.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

California Integrated Waste Management Board, Sacramento.

Closing the Loop (CTL) is a science curriculum designed to introduce students to integrated waste management through awareness. This document presents five lesson plans focusing on developing an understanding of natural resources, solid wastes, conservation, and the life of landfills. Contents include: (1) "What Are Natural Resources?"; (2)…

Walking the Trustee Tightrope.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rood, William S.

1993-01-01

A college governing board can become more directive without resorting to micromanagement. This requires a strategic plan providing focus and direction, a disciplined monitoring of the plan, a close working relationship between trustee committee chairs and administrative counterparts, and an atmosphere encouraging trustees to ask the right…

Endoscopic repair of an injured internal carotid artery utilizing femoral endovascular closure devices.

PubMed

Van Rompaey, Jason; Bowers, Greg; Radhakrishnan, Jay; Panizza, Benedict; Solares, C Arturo

2014-06-01

Injury to the internal carotid artery is a feared complication of endoscopic endonasal surgery of the skull base. Such an event, although rare, is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Even if bleeding is controlled, permanent neurological defects frequently persist. Many techniques have been developed to manage internal carotid artery rupture with varying degrees of success. The purpose of this study was to explore endoscopic management of arterial damage with endovascular closure devices used for a femoral arteriotomy. The ability to remotely suture a damaged artery permits the possible adaptation of this technology in managing endoscopic arterial complications. Technical note. After the creation of an endoscopic endonasal corridor in a cadaveric specimen, an arteriotomy was created at the cavernous portion of the internal carotid artery. The Angio-Seal, StarClose, and MynxGrip vascular closure devices were utilized under endoscopic guidance to repair the arteriotomy. Angiography was then done on a cadaver sutured with the StarClose. Both the Angio-Seal and StarClose were deployed quickly and appeared to provide sufficient closure of the arteriotomy. The Angio-Seal required the use of a guidewire and was longer to deploy when compared with the StarClose. The StarClose deployment was quick and facile. The MynxGrip also deployed without difficulty. The Angio-Seal and StarClose systems were both successfully deployed utilizing an endoscopic endonasal approach. The MynxGrip was the easiest to deploy and has the greatest potential to be of benefit in this application. Further studies with hemodynamic models are required to properly assess the appropriateness in this setting. NA. © 2014 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

42 CFR 456.133 - Subsequent continued stay review dates.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Hospitals Ur Plan....128 and 456.134(a); (b) The committee assigns a subsequent review date each time it decides under...

42 CFR 456.133 - Subsequent continued stay review dates.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Hospitals Ur Plan....128 and 456.134(a); (b) The committee assigns a subsequent review date each time it decides under...

Notification: Evaluation of Laboratory Equipment Utilization

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Project #OPE-FY14-0024, April 08, 2014. The Office of Inspector General plans to begin preliminary research on equipment utilization within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development.

Climate change adaptation in regulated water utilities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vicuna, S.; Melo, O.; Harou, J. J.; Characklis, G. W.; Ricalde, I.

2017-12-01

Concern about climate change impacts on water supply systems has grown in recent years. However, there are still few examples of pro-active interventions (e.g. infrastructure investment or policy changes) meant to address plausible future changes. Deep uncertainty associated with climate impacts, future demands, and regulatory constraints might explain why utility planning in a range of contexts doesn't explicitly consider climate change scenarios and potential adaptive responses. Given the importance of water supplies for economic development and the cost and longevity of many water infrastructure investments, large urban water supply systems could suffer from lack of pro-active climate change adaptation. Water utilities need to balance the potential for high regret stranded assets on the one side, with insufficient supplies leading to potentially severe socio-economic, political and environmental failures on the other, and need to deal with a range of interests and constraints. This work presents initial findings from a project looking at how cities in Chile, the US and the UK are developing regulatory frameworks that incorporate utility planning under uncertainty. Considering for example the city of Santiago, Chile, recent studies have shown that although high scarcity cost scenarios are plausible, pre-emptive investment to guard from possible water supply failures is still remote and not accommodated by current planning practice. A first goal of the project is to compare and contrast regulatory approaches to utility risks considering climate change adaptation measures. Subsequently we plan to develop and propose a custom approach for the city of Santiago based on lessons learned from other contexts. The methodological approach combines institutional assessment of water supply regulatory frameworks with simulation-based decision-making under uncertainty approaches. Here we present initial work comparing the regulatory frameworks in Chile, UK and USA evaluating their ability to incorporate uncertain climate and other changes into long-term infrastructure investment planning. The potential for regulatory and financial adaptive measures is explored in addition to a discussion on evaluating their appropriateness via various modelling-based intervention decision-making approaches.

Dynamic Domains in Data Production Planning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Golden, Keith; Pang, Wanlin

2005-01-01

This paper discusses a planner-based approach to automating data production tasks, such as producing fire forecasts from satellite imagery and weather station data. Since the set of available data products is large, dynamic and mostly unknown, planning techniques developed for closed worlds are unsuitable. We discuss a number of techniques we have developed to cope with data production domains, including a novel constraint propagation algorithm based on planning graphs and a constraint-based approach to interleaved planning, sensing and execution.

Narrow Networks on the Individual Marketplace in 2017.

PubMed

Polski, Daniel; Weiner, Janet; Zhang, Yuehan

2017-09-01

This Issue Brief describes the breadth of physician networks on the ACA marketplaces in 2017. We find that the overall rate of narrow networks is 21%, which is a decline since 2014 (31%) and 2016 (25%). Narrow networks are concentrated in plans sold on state-based marketplaces, at 42%, compared to 10% of plans on federally-facilitated marketplaces. Issuers that have traditionally offered Medicaid coverage have the highest prevalence of narrow network plans at 36%, with regional/local plans and provider-based plans close behind at 27% and 30%. We also find large differences in narrow networks by state and by plan type.

Jet-boundary and Plan-form Corrections for Partial-Span Models with Reflection-Plane, End-Plate, or No End-Plate in a Closed Circular Wind Tunnel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sivells, James C; Deters, Owen J

1946-01-01

A method is presented for determining the jet-boundary and plan-form corrections necessary for application to test data for a partial-span model with a reflection plane, an end plate, or no end plate in a closed circular wind tunnel. Examples are worked out for a partial-span model with each of the three end conditions in the Langley 19-foot pressure tunnel and the corrections are applied to measured values of lift, drag, pitching-moment, rolling-moment, and yawing-moment coefficients.

Response to Request for Correction #10007

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Response to the American Chemistry Council's Request for Correction #10007 that challenged the objectivity and utility of statements in the EPA Bisphenol A Action Plan and refusal to edit the EPA Bisphenol A Action Plan.

End-of-Life Care Planning in Accountable Care Organizations: Associations with Organizational Characteristics and Capabilities.

PubMed

Ahluwalia, Sangeeta C; Harris, Benjamin J; Lewis, Valerie A; Colla, Carrie H

2018-06-01

To measure the extent to which accountable care organizations (ACOs) have adopted end-of-life (EOL) care planning processes and characterize those ACOs that have established processes related to EOL. This study uses data from three waves (2012-2015) of the National Survey of ACOs. Respondents were 397 ACOs participating in Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial ACO contracts. This is a cross-sectional survey study using multivariate ordered logit regression models. We measured the extent to which the ACO had adopted EOL care planning processes as well as organizational characteristics, including care management, utilization management, health informatics, and shared decision-making capabilities, palliative care, and patient-centered medical home experience. Twenty-one percent of ACOs had few or no EOL care planning processes, 60 percent had some processes, and 19.6 percent had advanced processes. ACOs with a hospital in their system (OR: 3.07; p = .01), and ACOs with advanced care management (OR: 1.43; p = .02), utilization management (OR: 1.58, p = .00), and shared decision-making capabilities (OR: 16.3, p = .000) were more likely to have EOL care planning processes than those with no hospital or few to no capabilities. There remains considerable room for today's ACOs to increase uptake of EOL care planning, possibly by leveraging existing care management, utilization management, and shared decision-making processes. © Health Research and Educational Trust.

42 CFR 456.145 - Number of studies required to be performed.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Hospitals Ur Plan..., at least, have one study in progress at any time and complete one study each calendar year. ...

42 CFR 456.145 - Number of studies required to be performed.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Control: Hospitals Ur Plan..., at least, have one study in progress at any time and complete one study each calendar year. ...

42 CFR 456.506 - Waiver options for Medicaid agency.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZATION CONTROL Utilization Review Plans: FFP, Waivers... options for Medicaid agency. (a) The agency may apply for a waiver at any time it has the procedures...

Power system restoration - A task force report

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

Adibi, M.; Clelland, P.; Link, L.

1987-05-01

The IEEE PES System Operation Subcommittee has established the Power System Restoration Task Force to: review operating practices, conduct a literature search, prepare relevant glossaries and bibliographies, and promote information exchange through technical papers. This is the first report of the Task Force. The problem of bulk power system restoration following a complete or partial collapse is practically as old as the electric utility industry itself. Many electric utilities have developed over the years system restoration schemes that meet the needs of their particular systems. These plans provide a great deal of insight into how the restorative process is viewedmore » by operating and planning personnel and what concerns and constraints any plan must operate under.« less

A fuel cycle assessment guide for utility and state energy planners

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

Not Available

1994-07-01

This guide, one in a series of documents designed to help assess fuel cycles, is a framework for setting parameters, collecting data, and analyzing fuel cycles for supply-side and demand-side management. It provides an automated tool for entering comparative fuel cycle data that are meaningful to state and utility integrated resource planning, collaborative, and regional energy planning activities. It outlines an extensive range of energy technology characteristics and environmental, social, and economic considerations within each stage of a fuel cycle. The guide permits users to focus on specific stages or effects that are relevant to the technology being evaluated andmore » that meet the user`s planning requirements.« less

7 CFR 1778.23 - Grant closing and disbursement of funds.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 12 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Grant closing and disbursement of funds. 1778.23 Section 1778.23 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (CONTINUED) EMERGENCY AND IMMINENT COMMUNITY WATER ASSISTANCE GRANTS...

Hadron Physics with Antiprotons

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

Wiedner, Ulrich

2005-10-26

The new FAIR facility which comes into operation at GSI in the upcoming years has a dedicated program of utilizing antiprotons for hadron physics. In particular, the planned PANDA experiment belongs to the group of core experiments at the new FAIR facility in Darmstadt/Germany. PANDA will be a universal detector to study the strong interaction by utilizing the annihilation process of antiprotons with protons and nuclear matter. The current paper gives an introduction into the hadron physics with antiprotons and part of the planned physics program with PANDA.

On Being a Master Planner - A Step by Step Guide. From a Nationwide Study of Environmental Education Planning.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rocchio, Richard; Lee, Eve

This guide demonstrates a new way of utilizing the planning process within a social movement context in view of developing a state master plan for environmental education. In addition the book serves as a guide to realistic planning, including models, definitions, and examples. The guide contains five parts: Part One - The background, Part Two -…

Developing and Testing Simulated Occupational Experiences for Distributive Education Students in Rural Communities: Volume III: Training Plans: Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ., Blacksburg.

Volume 3 of a three volume final report presents prototype job training plans developed as part of a research project which pilot tested a distributive education program for rural schools utilizing a retail store simulation plan. The plans are for 15 entry-level and 15 career-level jobs in seven categories of distributive business (department…

A Preliminary Investigation of the Utility of the "Behavior Support Plan Quality Evaluation Guide II" for Use in Australia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Webber, Lynne S.; McVilly, Keith R.; Fester, Tarryn; Zazelis, Telly

2011-01-01

Background: The quality of behaviour support plans (BSPs) can be an important influence on the quality of the support provided to people with disability who show challenging behaviours. The Behavior Support Plan Quality Evaluation Guide II (BSP-QE II) is one tool that may be useful in assessing the quality of behaviour support plans. It has…

40 CFR 256.24 - Recommendations for closing or upgrading open dumps.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 26 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Recommendations for closing or upgrading open dumps. 256.24 Section 256.24 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) SOLID WASTES GUIDELINES FOR DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF STATE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLANS...

40 CFR 256.24 - Recommendations for closing or upgrading open dumps.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 26 2012-07-01 2011-07-01 true Recommendations for closing or upgrading open dumps. 256.24 Section 256.24 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) SOLID WASTES GUIDELINES FOR DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF STATE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLANS...

40 CFR 256.24 - Recommendations for closing or upgrading open dumps.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 25 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Recommendations for closing or upgrading open dumps. 256.24 Section 256.24 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) SOLID WASTES GUIDELINES FOR DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF STATE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLANS...

24 CFR 590.23 - Program close-out.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 3 2011-04-01 2010-04-01 true Program close-out. 590.23 Section 590.23 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban Development (Continued) OFFICE OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN...

24 CFR 590.23 - Program close-out.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Program close-out. 590.23 Section 590.23 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban Development (Continued) OFFICE OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN...

"Close the Door on Your Way Out": Parent Perspectives on Supported Transition Planning for Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in Ireland

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Doyle, Alison; Mc Guckin, Conor; Shevlin, Michael

2017-01-01

Students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities encounter complex and circuitous transitions from post-primary settings to Higher Education. In Ireland, inequitable access to Individual Education Plans, and a lack of policy infrastructure to provide formal transition planning, means that these journeys are varied and uncertain. This study…

Hanford Facility Dangerous Waste Closure Plan - Plutonium Finishing Plant Treatment Unit Glovebox HA-20MB

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

PRIGNANO, A.L.

2003-06-25

This closure plan describes the planned activities and performance standards for closing the Plutonium Finishing Plant (PFP) glovebox HA-20MB that housed an interim status ''Resource Conservation and Recovery Act'' (RCRA) of 1976 treatment unit. This closure plan is certified and submitted to Ecology for incorporation into the Hanford Facility RCRA Permit (HF RCRA Permit) in accordance with Hanford Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (Tri-Party Agreement; TPA) Milestone M-83-30 requiring submittal of a certified closure plan for ''glovebox HA-20MB'' by July 31, 2003. Glovebox HA-20MB is located within the 231-5Z Building in the 200 West Area of the Hanford Facility.more » Currently glovebox HA-20MB is being used for non-RCRA analytical purposes. The schedule of closure activities under this plan supports completion of TPA Milestone M-83-44 to deactivate and prepare for dismantlement the above grade portions of the 234-5Z and ZA, 243-Z, and 291-Z and 291-Z-1 stack buildings by September 30, 2015. Under this closure plan, glovebox HA-20MB will undergo clean closure to the performance standards of Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 173-303-610 with respect to all dangerous waste contamination from glovebox HA-20MB RCRA operations. Because the intention is to clean close the PFP treatment unit, postclosure activities are not applicable to this closure plan. To clean close the unit, it will be demonstrated that dangerous waste has not been left at levels above the closure performance standard for removal and decontamination. If it is determined that clean closure is not possible or is environmentally impractical, the closure plan will be modified to address required postclosure activities. Because dangerous waste does not include source, special nuclear, and by-product material components of mixed waste, radionuclides are not within the scope of this documentation. Any information on radionuclides is provided only for general knowledge. Clearance form only sent to RHA.« less

Valuing Treatments for Parkinson Disease Incorporating Process Utility: Performance of Best-Worst Scaling, Time Trade-Off, and Visual Analogue Scales.

PubMed

Weernink, Marieke G M; Groothuis-Oudshoorn, Catharina G M; IJzerman, Maarten J; van Til, Janine A

2016-01-01

The objective of this study was to compare treatment profiles including both health outcomes and process characteristics in Parkinson disease using best-worst scaling (BWS), time trade-off (TTO), and visual analogue scales (VAS). From the model comprising of seven attributes with three levels, six unique profiles were selected representing process-related factors and health outcomes in Parkinson disease. A Web-based survey (N = 613) was conducted in a general population to estimate process-related utilities using profile-based BWS (case 2), multiprofile-based BWS (case 3), TTO, and VAS. The rank order of the six profiles was compared, convergent validity among methods was assessed, and individual analysis focused on the differentiation between pairs of profiles with methods used. The aggregated health-state utilities for the six treatment profiles were highly comparable for all methods and no rank reversals were identified. On the individual level, the convergent validity between all methods was strong; however, respondents differentiated less in the utility of closely related treatment profiles with a VAS or TTO than with BWS. For TTO and VAS, this resulted in nonsignificant differences in mean utilities for closely related treatment profiles. This study suggests that all methods are equally able to measure process-related utility when the aim is to estimate the overall value of treatments. On an individual level, such as in shared decision making, BWS allows for better prioritization of treatment alternatives, especially if they are closely related. The decision-making problem and the need for explicit trade-off between attributes should determine the choice for a method. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

TOPEX/POSEIDON joint verification plan

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

TOPEX/POSEIDON is a satellite mission that will use altimetry to make precise measurements of sea level with the primary goal of studying global ocean circulation. The mission is jointly conducted by the United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the French space agency, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES). The current plans call for a launch of the satellite in August 1992. The primary mission will last 3 years, and provisions were made to extend the mission for an additional 2 years. The mission was coordinated with a number of international oceanographic and meteorological programs, including the World Ocean Circulation Experiment and the Tropical Ocean and Global Atmosphere Program, both of which are sponsored by the World Climate Research Program. The observations of TOPEX/POSEIDON are timed to provide a global perspective for interpreting the in situ measurements collected by these programs and in turn will be combined with observations of other satellites to achieve a global, four-dimensional description of the circulation of the world's oceans. In the autumn of 1987, an international team of 38 Principal Investigators was selected to participate in the mission. These scientists have been working closely with the TOPEX/POSEIDON Project to refine the mission design and science plans. During the first 6 months after launch, a number of these investigators will join with the project to conduct a wide range of oceanographic and geophysical investigations using the TOPEX/POSEIDON data. The purpose of these investigations is to demonstrate the scientific utility of the mission to the international scientific community.

ALF: a facility for x-ray lithography II--a progress report

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lesoine, L. G.; Kukkonen, Kenneth W.; Leavey, Jeffrey A.

1992-07-01

In our previous paper which we presented here two years ago, we described the ALF (Advanced Lithography Facility), IBM's new facility for X-ray lithography which was built as an addition to the Advanced Semiconductor Technology Center at IBM's semiconductor plant in Hopewell Jct., NY. At that time, we described the structure, its utilities, facilities and special features such as the radiation shielding, control room, clean room and vibration resistant design. The building has been completed and occupied. By the time this paper is presented the storage ring will be commissioned, the clean room occupied, and two beamlines with one stepper operational. In this paper we will review the successful completion of the facility with its associated hardware. The installation of the synchrotron will be described elsewhere. We will also discuss the first measurements of vibration, clean room cleanliness and the effectiveness of the radiation shielding. The ALF was completed on schedule and cost objectives were met. This is attributed to careful planning, close cooperation among all the parties involved from the technical team in IBM Research, the system vendor (Oxford Instruments of Oxford England) to the many contractors and subcontractors and to strong support from IBM senior management. All the planned building specifications were met and the facility has come on-line with a minimum of problems. Most important, the initial measurements show that the radiation shielding plan is sound and that with a few modifications the dose limit of 10% of background will be met. Any concerns about an electron accelerator and synchrotron in an industrial setting have been eliminated.

Self-Care in Palliative Care Nursing and Medical Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

PubMed

Mills, Jason; Wand, Timothy; Fraser, Jennifer A

2017-06-01

Self-care is an important consideration for palliative care professionals. To date, few details have been recorded about the nature or uptake of self-care practices in the palliative care workforce. As part of a broader mixed methods study, this article reports findings from a national survey of nurses and doctors. The objective of this study was to examine perceptions, education, and practices relating to self-care among palliative care nursing and medical professionals. A cross-sectional survey using REDCap software was conducted between April and May 2015. Perceived importance of self-care, self-care education and planning, and self-care strategies most utilized were explored. Descriptive statistics were calculated and content analysis used to identify domains of self-care. Three hundred seventy-two palliative care nursing and medical professionals practicing in Australia. Most respondents regarded self-care as very important (86%). Some rarely practised self-care and less than half (39%) had received training in self-care. Physical self-care strategies were most commonly reported, followed closely by social self-care and inner self-care. Self-care plans had been used by a small proportion of respondents (6%) and over two-thirds (70%) would consider using self-care plans if training could be provided. Self-care is practised across multiple health related domains, with physical self-care strategies used most frequently. Australian palliative care nurses and doctors recognize the importance of self-care practice, but further education and training are needed to increase their understanding of, and consistency in, using effective self-care strategies. These findings carry implications for professional practice and future research.

BASF confirms plans for world-scale cracker on the Gulf Coast

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

Wood, A.

BASF Corp. has confirmed plans that it will build a world-scale cracker on the Gulf Coast. The company has completed preliminary work, and {open_quotes}the results of our project analysis have been extremely encouraging,{close_quotes} says chemicals president Carl A. Jennings. {open_quotes}We`ll proceed with high priority to have the cracker ready for startup in second-half 2000.{close_quotes} The company says it will select a location for the project by mid-1977. In addition to considering its sites at Geismar, LA; Freeport, TX; and Altamira, Mexico, BASF says that {open_quotes}cooperative arrangements{close_quotes} are being looked at. That could include locating the project at a different site,more » adjacent to a feedstock source, according to Jennings. He says the project could also include joint venture partners.« less