An assessment of the cyber security legislation and its impact on the United States electrical sector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Born, Joshua

The purpose of this research was to examine the cyber-security posture for the United States' electrical grid, which comprises a major component of critical infrastructure for the country. The United States electrical sector is so vast, that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) estimates, it contains more than 6,413 power plants (this includes 3,273 traditional electric utilities and 1,738 nonutility power producers) with approximately 1,075 gigawatts of energy produced on a daily basis. A targeted cyber-security attack against the electric grid would likely have catastrophic results and could even serve as a precursor to a physical attack against the United States. A recent report by the consulting firm Black and Veatch found that one of the top five greatest concerns for United States electric utilities is the risk that cybersecurity poses to their industry and yet, only one-third state they are currently prepared to meet the increasingly likely threat. The report goes on to state, "only 32% of electric utilities surveyed had integrated security systems with the proper segmentation, monitoring and redundancies needed for cyber threat protection. Another 48 % said they did not" Recent estimates indicate that a large-scale cyber-attack against this sector could cost the United States economy as much as a trillion dollars within a weeks' time. Legislative efforts in the past have primarily been focused on creating mandates that encourage public and private partnership, which have been not been adopted as quickly as desired. With 85 % of all electric utilities being privately owned, it is key that the public and private sector partner in order to mitigate risks and respond as a cohesive unit in the event of a major attack. Keywords: Cybersecurity, Professor Riddell, cyber security, energy, intelligence, outlook, electrical, compliance, legislation, partnerships, critical infrastructure.

The Global Online Sexuality Survey (GOSS): the United States of America in 2011 chapter II: phosphodiesterase inhibitors utilization among English speakers.

PubMed

Shaeer, Osama

2013-02-01

Utility of phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDEi's) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) has been the focus of experimental and clinical studies. However, public preferences, attitudes, and experiences with PDEi's are rarely addressed from a population/epidemiology viewpoint. The Global Online Sexuality Survey (GOSS) is a worldwide epidemiologic study of sexuality and sexual disorders, first launched in the Middle East in 2010, followed by the United States in 2011. To describe the utilization rates, trends, and attitudes toward PDEi's in the United States in the year 2011. GOSS was randomly deployed to English-speaking male Web surfers in the United States via paid advertising on Facebook®, comprising 146 questions. Utilization rates and preferences for PDEi's by brand. Six hundred three subjects participated; mean age 53.43 years ± 13.9. Twenty-three point seven percent used PDEi's on more consistent basis, 37.5% of those with ED vs. 15.6% of those without ED (recreational users). Unrealistic safety concerns including habituation were pronounced. Seventy-nine point six percent of utilization was on prescription basis. PDEi's were purchased through pharmacies (5.3% without prescription) and in 16.5% over the Internet (68% without prescription). Nine point six percent nonprescription users suffered coronary heart disease. Prescription use was inclined toward sildenafil, generally, and particularly in severe cases, and shifted toward tadalafil in moderate ED and for recreational use, followed by vardenafil. Nonprescription utilization trends were similar, except in recreational use where sildenafil came first. In the United States unrealistic safety concerns over PDEi's utility exist and should be addressed. Preference for particular PDEi's over the others is primarily dictated by health-care providers, despite lack of guidelines that govern physician choice. Online and over-the-counter sales of PDEi's are common, and can expose a subset of users to health risks. Recreational use of PDEi's is common, and could be driven by undiagnosed premature ejaculation. © 2012 International Society for Sexual Medicine.

Electric Utility Deregulation and School Finance in the United States.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walters, Lawrence C.; Cornia, Gary C.

2001-01-01

Examines, state-by-state, the decline in assessed property values of electric utilities due to deregulation and the resulting impact on school district revenues. Concludes school revenue shortfall problems are more likely to occur in 12 states. Suggests strategies state governments can employ to respond to lost valuation and revenue. (PKP)

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

None

The purpose of this inventory of power plants is to provide a ready reference for planners whose focus is on the state, standard Federal region, and/or national level. Thus the inventory is compiled alphabetically by state within standard Federal regions. The units are listed alphabetically within electric utility systems which in turn are listed alphabetically within states. The locations are identified to county level according to the Federal Information Processing Standards Publication Counties and County Equivalents of the States of the United States. Data compiled include existing and projected electrical generation units, jointly owned units, and projected construction units.

Charting the Emergence of Corporate Procurement of Utility-Scale PV |

Science.gov Websites

Jeffrey J. Cook Though most large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) deployment has been driven by utility corporate interest in renewables as more companies are recognizing that solar PV can provide clean United States highlighting states with utility-scale solar PV purchasing options Figure 2. States with

Healthcare resource utilization and epidemiology of pediatric burn-associated hospitalizations, United States, 2000.

PubMed

Shields, Brenda J; Comstock, R Dawn; Fernandez, Soledad A; Xiang, Huiyun; Smith, Gary A

2007-01-01

The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology and financial burden of burn-associated hospitalizations for children younger than 18 years in the United States. Retrospective data analysis of pediatric burn-associated hospitalizations was done using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database for 2000. An estimated 10,000 children younger than 18 years were hospitalized for burn-associated injuries in the United States in 2000. These children spent an estimated 66,200 days in the hospital with associated hospital charges equal to USD 211,772,700. Total charges and length of stay for pediatric burn-associated hospitalizations in the United States during 2000 were associated with degree of burn, percentage of total body surface area burned, child's age, region of the United States, hospital location, and hospital type. Children 2 years old or younger were more likely to be nonwhite, be hospitalized for burns, and burn their hands/wrists, compared with children 3 to 17 years of age. Male children in both age groups were more likely to be hospitalized for burns than female children. Children 2 years old or younger were more likely to be burned by hot liquids/vapors and contact with hot substances/objects, while children 3 to 17 years were more likely to be burned by fire/flames. This study is the first national study on healthcare resource utilization for pediatric burn-associated hospitalizations to utilize the KID database. Burns are a major source of pediatric morbidity and are associated with significant national healthcare resource utilization annually. Future burn prevention efforts should emphasize implementing passive injury prevention strategies, especially for young children who are nonwhite and live in low-income communities.

Alaska | Midmarket Solar Policies in the United States | Solar Research |

Science.gov Websites

developers may offer community solar programs. State Incentive Programs Program Administrator Incentive decisions. Utility Incentive Programs Check with local utilities for midscale solar incentives. Resources and utility policies and incentive programs. Net Metering and Interconnection Regulatory Commission of

Development of communication networks and water quality early warning detection systems at drinking water utilities in the Ohio River Valley Basin.

PubMed

Schulte, J G; Vicory, A H

2005-01-01

Source water quality is of major concern to all drinking water utilities. The accidental introduction of contaminants to their source water is a constant threat to utilities withdrawing water from navigable or industrialized rivers. The events of 11 September, 2001 in the United States have heightened concern for drinking water utility security as their source water and finished water may be targets for terrorist acts. Efforts are underway in several parts of the United States to strengthen early warning capabilities. This paper will focus on those efforts in the Ohio River Valley Basin.

Are men shortchanged on health? Perspective on health care utilization and health risk behavior in men and women in the United States.

PubMed

Pinkhasov, R M; Wong, J; Kashanian, J; Lee, M; Samadi, D B; Pinkhasov, M M; Shabsigh, R

2010-03-01

Significant gender disparities exist in life expectancy and major disease morbidity. There is a need to understand the major issues related to men's health that contributes to these significant disparities. It is hypothesized that, high-risk behaviors and low utilization of all and preventive health services contribute to the higher mortality and the higher and earlier morbidity in men. Data was collected from CDC: Health United States, 2007; Health Behavior of Adults: United States 2002-04; and National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2005 Summary. In United States, men are more likely to be regular and heavy alcohol drinkers, heavier smokers who are less likely to quit, non-medical illicit drug users, and are more overweight compared to women. Men are less likely to utilize health care visits to doctor's offices, emergency departments (ED), and physician home visits than women. They are also less likely to make preventive care, hospice care, dental care visits, and have fewer hospital discharges and shorter hospital stays than women. High-risk behaviors and low utilization of health services may contribute to the lower life expectancy in men. In the context of public health, behavioral and preventive interventions are needed to reduce the gender disparity.

Racial disparity in hospice use in the United States in 2002.

PubMed

Connor, S R; Elwert, F; Spence, C; Christakis, N A

2008-04-01

We used complete Centers for Disease Control death certificate records and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 100% Standard Analytic File for hospice claims for 2002 to examine differences in hospice utilization between African-American and white decedents living in the United States. White decedents were more likely to use hospice in the year before their death than African-American decedents (29% vs 22%). Cause-specific hospice utilization rates among women were consistently higher than among men within a given race. African-American decedents were consistently less likely to use hospice than white decedents for almost all conditions. Hospice utilization was lower among African-American than among white decedents in 31 of 40 states. The higher the overall hospice utilization in a state, the less the positive difference between white and African-American usage rates; that is, the more accepted hospice is, as measured by 'market share', the lower the racial disparity in its use.

Forest carbon management in the United States: 1600-2100

Treesearch

Richard A. Birdsey; Kurt Pregitzer; Alan Lucier

2006-01-01

This paper reviews the effects of past forest management on carbon stocks in the United States, and the challenges for managing forest carbon resources in the 21st century. Forests in the United States were in approximate carbon balance with the atmosphere from 1600-1800. Utilization and land clearing caused a large pulse of forest carbon emissions during the 19th...

Chloramine chemistry - web based application

EPA Science Inventory

Chlorine disinfection remains quite popular in the United States, but because of the Stage 1 and Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rules, many United States utilities now use combinations of chlorine and chloramines to avoid excessive regulated trihalomethane and ...

Arthroplasty Utilization in the United States is Predicted by Age-Specific Population Groups.

PubMed

Bashinskaya, Bronislava; Zimmerman, Ryan M; Walcott, Brian P; Antoci, Valentin

2012-01-01

Osteoarthritis is a common indication for hip and knee arthroplasty. An accurate assessment of current trends in healthcare utilization as they relate to arthroplasty may predict the needs of a growing elderly population in the United States. First, incidence data was queried from the United States Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1993 to 2009. Patients undergoing total knee and hip arthroplasty were identified. Then, the United States Census Bureau was queried for population data from the same study period as well as to provide future projections. Arthroplasty followed linear regression models with the population group >64 years in both hip and knee groups. Projections for procedure incidence in the year 2050 based on these models were calculated to be 1,859,553 cases (hip) and 4,174,554 cases (knee). The need for hip and knee arthroplasty is expected to grow significantly in the upcoming years, given population growth predictions.

44 CFR 206.117 - Housing assistance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... permanent housing in insular areas outside the continental United States and in other remote locations when... provide assistance for the reasonable cost of any transportation, utility hookups, or installation of a... on the household's bedroom requirement and the location of the rental unit. (C) All utility costs and...

44 CFR 206.117 - Housing assistance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... permanent housing in insular areas outside the continental United States and in other remote locations when... provide assistance for the reasonable cost of any transportation, utility hookups, or installation of a... on the household's bedroom requirement and the location of the rental unit. (C) All utility costs and...

44 CFR 206.117 - Housing assistance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... permanent housing in insular areas outside the continental United States and in other remote locations when... provide assistance for the reasonable cost of any transportation, utility hookups, or installation of a... on the household's bedroom requirement and the location of the rental unit. (C) All utility costs and...

The Cost of Saving Electricity Through Energy Efficiency Programs Funded by Utility Customers: 2009–2015

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

Hoffman, Ian M.; Goldman, Charles A.; Murphy, Sean

The average cost to utilities to save a kilowatt-hour (kWh) in the United States is 2.5 cents, according to the most comprehensive assessment to date of the cost performance of energy efficiency programs funded by electricity customers. These costs are similar to those documented earlier. Cost-effective efficiency programs help ensure electricity system reliability at the most affordable cost as part of utility planning and implementation activities for resource adequacy. Building on prior studies, Berkeley Lab analyzed the cost performance of 8,790 electricity efficiency programs between 2009 and 2015 for 116 investor-owned utilities and other program administrators in 41 states. Themore » Berkeley Lab database includes programs representing about three-quarters of total spending on electricity efficiency programs in the United States.« less

Adding concentrated solar power plants to wind farms to achieve a good utility electrical load match

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Texas has the greatest installed wind turbine capacity of any state in the United States, the percentage of wind capacity approaches 10% of the utilities capacity (in 2010 the total wind generated capacity in Texas was 8%). It is becomimg increasingly difficult for the utility to balance the elec...

Ground-source heat pump case studies and utility programs

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

Lienau, P.J.; Boyd, T.L.; Rogers, R.L.

1995-04-01

Ground-source heat pump systems are one of the promising new energy technologies that has shown rapid increase in usage over the past ten years in the United States. These systems offer substantial benefits to consumers and utilities in energy (kWh) and demand (kW) savings. The purpose of this study was to determine what existing monitored data was available mainly from electric utilities on heat pump performance, energy savings and demand reduction for residential, school and commercial building applications. In order to verify the performance, information was collected for 253 case studies from mainly utilities throughout the United States. The casemore » studies were compiled into a database. The database was organized into general information, system information, ground system information, system performance, and additional information. Information was developed on the status of demand-side management of ground-source heat pump programs for about 60 electric utility and rural electric cooperatives on marketing, incentive programs, barriers to market penetration, number units installed in service area, and benefits.« less

Black Hills versus Weinberger: How Useful is It for Other Air Force Bases to Competitively Acquire Electricity.

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-04-01

whether the base must follow state created utility franchise territories. This paper analyzes the court opinion approving the competition, and the...the state franchised electric utility, Black Hills Power & Light Company (Black Hills), Ellswor-th competed for this additional power need. A company...utility franchise laws and regulations when it purchased the additional power. Both the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota

Disparities in Assisted Reproductive Technology Utilization by Race and Ethnicity, United States, 2014: A Commentary.

PubMed

Dieke, Ada C; Zhang, Yujia; Kissin, Dmitry M; Barfield, Wanda D; Boulet, Sheree L

2017-06-01

Disparities in infertility and access to infertility treatments, such as assisted reproductive technology (ART), by race/ethnicity, have been reported. However, identifying disparities in ART usage may have been hampered by missing race/ethnicity information in ART surveillance. We review infertility prevalence and treatment disparities, use recent data to examine ART use in the United States by race/ethnicity and residency in states with mandated insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization (IVF), and discuss approaches for reducing disparities. We used 2014 National ART Surveillance System (NASS) data to calculate rates of ART procedures per million women 15-44 years of age, a proxy measure of ART utilization, for Census-defined racial/ethnic groups in the United States; rates were further stratified by the presence of insurance mandates for IVF treatment. Missing race/ethnicity data (35.6% of cycles) were imputed. Asian/Pacific Islander (A/PI) women had the highest rates of ART utilization at 5883 ART procedures per million women 15-44 years of age in 2014, whereas American Indian/Alaska Native non-Hispanic women had the lowest rates at 807 per million, compared with other racial/ethnic groups. In each racial/ethnic category, ART utilization rates were higher for women in states with an insurance mandate for IVF treatment versus those without. In 2014, A/PI women had the highest rates of ART utilization. ART utilization for all racial/ethnic groups was higher in states with insurance mandates for IVF than those without, although disparities were still evident. Although mandates may increase access to infertility treatments, they are not sufficient to eliminate these disparities.

Opposite Worlds, Singular Mission: Teaching as an ITA

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mutua, Consolata Nthemba

2014-01-01

This chapter presents an autoethnography of an international graduate teaching assistant (ITA) at two universities (in a midsize state university in the eastern United States and a large public research university in the southwestern United States). Standpoint and muted group theories are utilized to discuss the experiences of being a female ITA…

Development and Field Test of the Trial Battery for Project A. Improving the Selection, Classification and Utilization of Army Enlisted Personnel. Project A: Improving the Selection, Classification and Utilization of Army Enlisted Personnel. ARI Technical Report 739.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Peterson, Norman G., Ed.

As part of the United States Army's Project A, research has been conducted to develop and field test a battery of experimental tests to complement the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery in predicting soldiers' job performance. Project A is the United States Army's large-scale manpower effort to improve selection, classification, and…

Green Power Marketing in the United States: A Status Report (Ninth Edition)

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

Bird, L.; Swezey, B.

Voluntary consumer decisions to purchase electricity supplied by renewable energy sources represent a powerful market support mechanism for renewable energy development. Beginning in the early 1990s, a small number of U.S. utilities began offering ''green power'' options to their customers. Since then, these products have become more prevalent, both from traditional utilities and from marketers operating in states that have introduced competition into their retail electricity markets. Today, more than half of all U.S. consumers have an option to purchase some type of green power product from a retail electricity provider. Currently, more than 600 utilities, or about 20% ofmore » utilities nationally, offer green power programs to customers. These programs allow customers to purchase some portion of their power supply as renewable energy--almost always at a higher price--or to contribute funds for the utility to invest in renewable energy development. The term ''green pricing'' is typically used to refer to these utility programs offered in regulated or noncompetitive electricity markets. This report documents green power marketing activities and trends in the United States.« less

48 CFR 52.219-8 - Utilization of small business concerns.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... United States Small Business Administration or the awarding agency of the United States as may be... List of Qualified HUBZone Small Business Concerns maintained by the Small Business Administration... small disadvantaged business in the Dynamic Small Business Search database maintained by the Small...

48 CFR 52.219-8 - Utilization of Small Business Concerns.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... United States Small Business Administration or the awarding agency of the United States as may be... List of Qualified HUBZone Small Business Concerns maintained by the Small Business Administration... small disadvantaged business in the Dynamic Small Business Search database maintained by the Small...

77 FR 35657 - Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-14

... Information Collection Activity; Comment Request AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice and... 35, as amended), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development administers rural utilities programs through the Rural Utilities Service. The USDA Rural Development invites...

Online marketing strategies of plastic surgeons and clinics: a comparative study of the United Kingdom and the United States.

PubMed

Nassab, Reza; Navsaria, Harshad; Myers, Simon; Frame, James

2011-07-01

The cosmetic surgery market is a rapidly growing sector of healthcare, and the use of marketing strategies is now an integral part of any cosmetic surgery practice. In this study, the authors review 50 Web sites from practitioners in London and New York to quantify the utilization of online marketing, comparing results between the United Kingdom and the United States.

Characterizing the sustainable forestry issue network in thc United States

Treesearch

Steverson O. Moffat; Frederick W. Cubbage; Thomas P. Holmes; Elizabethann O' Sullivan

2001-01-01

Issue network analysis techniques were applied to the issue sustainable forestry in the United States to identify potential public and private outcomes for the issue. A quantitative approach based on work by Laumann and Knoke [(The Organizational State (1987)] was utilized in conjunction with the Delphi method. Results suggest that the parity in the distribution of...

The Higher Education Academic Readiness of Students in the United States

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carlson, Ronald; McChesney, Christopher

2016-01-01

The authors examined the state of United States student academic readiness for higher education from a global perspective utilizing data from the Organization of Economic and Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which tests over a half a million 15 year old student's skills and knowledge.…

Green Care: A Review of the Benefits and Potential of Animal-Assisted Care Farming Globally and in Rural America.

PubMed

Artz, Brianna; Bitler Davis, Doris

2017-04-13

The term Green Care includes therapeutic, social or educational interventions involving farming; farm animals; gardening or general contact with nature. Although Green Care can occur in any setting in which there is interaction with plants or animals, this review focuses on therapeutic practices occurring on farms. The efficacy of care farming is discussed and the broad utilization of care farming and farm care communities in Europe is reviewed. Though evidence from care farms in the United States is included in this review, the empirical evidence which could determine its efficacy is lacking. For example, the empirical evidence supporting or refuting the efficacy of therapeutic horseback riding in adults is minimal, while there is little non-equine care farming literature with children. The health care systems in Europe are also much different than those in the United States. In order for insurance companies to cover Green Care techniques in the United States, extensive research is necessary. This paper proposes community-based ways that Green Care methods can be utilized without insurance in the United States. Though Green Care can certainly be provided in urban areas, this paper focuses on ways rural areas can utilize existing farms to benefit the mental and physical health of their communities.

48 CFR 52.219-8 - Utilization of small business concerns.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... United States Small Business Administration or the awarding agency of the United States as may be... List of Qualified HUBZone Small Business Concerns maintained by the Small Business Administration... small disadvantaged business in the CCR Dynamic Small Business Search database maintained by the Small...

48 CFR 52.219-8 - Utilization of small business concerns.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... United States Small Business Administration or the awarding agency of the United States as may be... List of Qualified HUBZone Small Business Concerns maintained by the Small Business Administration... small disadvantaged business in the CCR Dynamic Small Business Search database maintained by the Small...

Combined Utility/Transportation Tunnel Systems - Economic, Technical and Institutional Feasibility

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1976-07-01

Although utility tunnels are common in Europe and Asia, United States use is largely confined to institutions where all utilities are under single ownership. Cut-and-cover transportation projects appear to display nearly ideal conditions for the use ...

Hospital Utilization and Cost Trends in Canada and the United States

PubMed Central

Andersen, Ronald; Hull, John T.

1969-01-01

Differences in hospital costs and utilization between the United States and Canada are analyzed and an attempt made to measure the significance of various demographic, economic, and other factors thought to be related to the differences. Increases in utilization are traced to population increases and to actual increased use per person; and cost increases tied to general inflationary trends are separated from those attributable to specific hospital price increases. Differences in the financing and reimbursement mechanisms in the two countries are shown to have had little effect on relative cost increases, which in the period under consideration were parallelled by similar or greater increases in other industrialized nations. PMID:4981616

Instructional television utilization in the United States

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dumolin, J. R.

1971-01-01

Various aspects of utilizing instructional television (ITV) are summarized and evaluated and basic guidelines for future utilization of television as an instructional medium in education are considered. The role of technology in education, capabilities and limitations of television as an instructional media system and the state of ITV research efforts are discussed. Examples of various ongoing ITV programs are given and summarized. The problems involved in the three stages of the ITV process (production, distribution, and classroom utilization) are presented. A summary analysis outlines probable trends in future utilization.

7 CFR 1945.18 - United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Agriculture Council (FAC).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 13 2010-01-01 2009-01-01 true United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Agriculture Council (FAC). 1945.18 Section 1945.18 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) RURAL HOUSING SERVICE, RURAL BUSINESS-COOPERATIVE SERVICE, RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE...

7 CFR 1945.18 - United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Agriculture Council (FAC).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 13 2011-01-01 2009-01-01 true United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Agriculture Council (FAC). 1945.18 Section 1945.18 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) RURAL HOUSING SERVICE, RURAL BUSINESS-COOPERATIVE SERVICE, RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE...

7 CFR 1945.18 - United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Agriculture Council (FAC).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 13 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Agriculture Council (FAC). 1945.18 Section 1945.18 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) RURAL HOUSING SERVICE, RURAL BUSINESS-COOPERATIVE SERVICE, RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE...

Increasing the percentage of renewable energy in the Southwestern United States

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Combining the output of wind farms with that of Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plants (including a heat storage system) resulted in a substantial percentage (40%) of the total utility electrical generation in the Southwestern United States being met by renewable energy. Using wind and solar resourc...

Latino Immigrant Students' School Experiences in the United States: The Importance of Family- School-Community Collaborations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sibley, Erin; Brabeck, Kalina

2017-01-01

This paper reviews the literature on the educational experiences of Latino immigrant students in the United States, from early childhood through postsecondary educational attainment. Utilizing a developmental-contextual perspective, we explain the various environmental, political, structural, and psychological challenges these students face, while…

77 FR 40324 - Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-09

... compromising RUS loan security, and to reduce the cost to borrowers, in terms of time, expenses and paperwork... make loans in the several United States and Territories of the United States for rural electrification... subordinating loans made by the national Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation, the Federal Financing...

Friendships of Indonesian and United States Youth

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

French, Doran C.; Pidada, Sri; Victor, Andrea

2005-01-01

Issues in the study of friendship across cultures were explored by reviewing a set of studies focusing on the friendships of Indonesian and United States youth. Four topics are considered: similarity of friendships across cultures, dimensions of friendships that vary across cultures, the utility of the individualism/collectivism dimension for…

76 FR 13125 - Announcement of Grant Application Deadlines and Funding Levels; Correction

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-10

... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Announcement of Grant Application Deadlines and Funding Levels; Correction AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of Solicitation of Applications; correction. SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Utilities Service...

76 FR 12017 - Announcement of Grant Application Deadlines and Funding Levels

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-04

... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Announcement of Grant Application Deadlines and Funding Levels AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of solicitation of applications. SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announces the...

77 FR 76302 - Notice Lodging of Proposed Consent Decree Under the Clean Air Act

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-27

... Utilities Company for violations of state and federal opacity, New Source Review, and Title V regulations at the company's electric generating station in Ghent, Kentucky. The proposed consent decree requires... Utilities Company, Civil Action No. 3:12-cv-00076-CFVT. The United States filed this lawsuit under the Clean...

The Utility of Corporate-Style Balance Sheets for DoD Managers

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-06-01

operations of the executive branch ( United States Department of Commerce, 2014, p. 3- 2). 19 5. The Federal Financial Management Improvement Act of...federal financial management systems requirements, applicable federal accounting standards, and the United States Government Standard General Ledger at...General Accountability Office (1991). The Chief Financial Officers Act: A mandate for federal financial management reform. Washington, DC: Author. United

Using Mobile Health Clinics to Reach College Students: A National Demonstration Project

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fennell, Reginald; Escue, Christopher

2013-01-01

Background: The mobile health unit (MHU) was a grant-funded national initiative to explore the utilization of a mobile clinic to provide health promotion and clinical services for college students in the United States. Purpose: In 2010 and 2011, a 38-foot mobile clinic tested the feasibility of utilizing the clinic to deliver health promotion and…

Green Power Marketing in the United States. A Status Report (2008 Data)

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

Bird, Lori; Kreycik, Claire; Friedman, Barry

Voluntary consumer decisions to buy electricity supplied from renewable energy sources represent a powerful market support mechanism for renewable energy development. In the early 1990s, a small number of U.S. utilities began offering 'green power' options to their customers. Since then, these products have become more prevalent, both from traditional utilities and from renewable energy marketers operating in states that have introduced competition into their retail electricity markets or offering renewable energy certificates (RECs) online. Today, more than half of all U.S. electricity customers have an option to purchase some type of green power product directly from a retail electricitymore » provider, while all consumers have the option to purchase RECs. This report documents green power marketing activities and trends in the United States including utility green pricing programs offered in regulated electricity markets; green power marketing activity in competitive electricity markets, as well as green power sold to voluntary purchasers in the form of RECs; and renewable energy sold as greenhouse gas offsets in the United States. These sections are followed by a discussion of key market trends and issues. The final section offers conclusions and observations.« less

Green Power Marketing in the United States: A Status Report (2008 Data)

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

Bird, L.; Kreycik, C.; Friedman, B.

Voluntary consumer decisions to buy electricity supplied from renewable energy sources represent a powerful market support mechanism for renewable energy development. In the early 1990s, a small number of U.S. utilities began offering 'green power' options to their customers. Since then, these products have become more prevalent, both from traditional utilities and from renewable energy marketers operating in states that have introduced competition into their retail electricity markets or offering renewable energy certificates (RECs) online. Today, more than half of all U.S. electricity customers have an option to purchase some type of green power product directly from a retail electricitymore » provider, while all consumers have the option to purchase RECs. This report documents green power marketing activities and trends in the United States including utility green pricing programs offered in regulated electricity markets; green power marketing activity in competitive electricity markets, as well as green power sold to voluntary purchasers in the form of RECs; and renewable energy sold as greenhouse gas offsets in the United States. These sections are followed by a discussion of key market trends and issues. The final section offers conclusions and observations.« less

Green Power Marketing in the United States. A Status Report (11th Edition)

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

Bird, Lori; Kreycik, Claire; Friedman, Barry

This report documents green power marketing activities and trends in the United States. It presents aggregate green power sales data for all voluntary purchase markets across the United States. It also provides summary data on utility green pricing programs offered in regulated electricity markets and green power marketing activity in competitive electricity markets, as well as green power sold to voluntary purchasers in the form of renewable energy certificates. Key market trends and issues are also discussed.

Green Power Marketing in the United States: A Status Report (11th Edition)

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

Bird, L.; Kreycik, C.; Friedman, B.

This report documents green power marketing activities and trends in the United States. It presents aggregate green power sales data for all voluntary purchase markets across the United States. It also provides summary data on utility green pricing programs offered in regulated electricity markets and green power marketing activity in competitive electricity markets, as well as green power sold to voluntary purchasers in the form of renewable energy certificates. Key market trends and issues are also discussed.

Survey of electric utility demand for coal. [1972-1992; by utility and state

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

Asbury, J.G.; Caruso, J.V.; Kouvalis, A.

1979-08-01

This report presents the results of a survey of electric utility demand for coal in the United States. The sources of survey information are: (1) Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Form 423 data on utility coal purchases during the period July 1972 through December 1978 and (2) direct telephone survey data on utility coal-purchase intentions for power plants to be constructed by 1992. Price and quantity data for coal used in existing plants are presented to illustrate price and market-share trends in individual coal-consuming states during recent years. Coal source, quality, quantity, and transportation data are reported for existing and plannedmore » generating plants.« less

Neighborhood deprivation and preterm birth among non-Hispanic black and white women in eight geographic areas in the United States

EPA Science Inventory

Disparities in preterm birth by race and ethnic group have been demonstrated in the United States. Recent research focuses on the impact of neighborhood environmental context on racial disparities in pregnancy outcomes. The authors utilized vital records birth certificate and...

"Voseo" to "Tuteo" Accommodation among Salvadorans in the United States

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sorenson, Travis

2013-01-01

Central America, including El Salvador, has been cited as the least studied of the Spanish-language dialect zones. The paucity of linguistic research extends to the language use of these populations in the United States, including that of Salvadorans who have relocated there. This paper analyzes Salvadorans' utilization of "voseo" and…

Strange Bedfellows: The New Neoliberalism of Catholic Schooling in the United States

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burke, Kevin J.

2012-01-01

The article utilizes critical social theory and critical religious theory to examine the emergent and historically aberrant alignment between Catholic schools and neoliberal market-based reforms in the United States. The author traces the historical split between Catholic and public schooling, attending to the role of the litigious in shaping…

Characteristics of Doctoral Scientists and Engineers in the United States, 1973.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Scopino, John A.; And Others

This publication presents data on the supply, utilization, and characteristics of U.S. doctoral scientists and engineers. The population surveyed consisted of individuals in the United States who held science or engineering doctorates, or who had received doctorates in nonscience and nonengineering areas but were employed in science or engineering…

7 CFR 1780.3 - Definitions and grammatical rules of construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... water and waste disposal loans and grants. Similar system cost means the average annual EDU user cost of... purposes of this part: Agency means the Rural Utilities Service and any United States Department of... latest decennial census of the United States. Rural Development means the mission area of the Under...

7 CFR 1780.3 - Definitions and grammatical rules of construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... water and waste disposal loans and grants. Similar system cost means the average annual EDU user cost of... purposes of this part: Agency means the Rural Utilities Service and any United States Department of... latest decennial census of the United States. Rural Development means the mission area of the Under...

7 CFR 1780.3 - Definitions and grammatical rules of construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... water and waste disposal loans and grants. Similar system cost means the average annual EDU user cost of... purposes of this part: Agency means the Rural Utilities Service and any United States Department of... latest decennial census of the United States. Rural Development means the mission area of the Under...

7 CFR 1780.3 - Definitions and grammatical rules of construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... water and waste disposal loans and grants. Similar system cost means the average annual EDU user cost of... purposes of this part: Agency means the Rural Utilities Service and any United States Department of... latest decennial census of the United States. Rural Development means the mission area of the Under...

Renewables-Friendly Grid Development Strategies. Experience in the United States, Potential Lessons for China

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

Hurlbut, David; Zhou, Ella; Porter, Kevin

2015-10-01

This report aims to help China's reform effort by providing a concise summary of experience in the United States with "renewables-friendly"" grid management, focusing on experiences that might be applicable to China. It focuses on utility-scale renewables and sets aside issues related to distributed generation.

"Life without nuclear power": A nuclear plant retirement formulation model and guide based on economics. San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station case: Economic impacts and reliability considerations leading to plant retirement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wasko, Frank

Traditionally, electric utilities have been slow to change and very bureaucratic in nature. This culture, in and of itself, has now contributed to a high percentage of United States electric utilities operating uneconomical nuclear plants (Crooks, 2014). The economic picture behind owning and operating United States nuclear plants is less than favorable for many reasons including rising fuel, capital and operating costs (EUCG, 2012). This doctoral dissertation is specifically focused on life without nuclear power. The purpose of this dissertation is to create a model and guide that will provide electric utilities who currently operate or will operate uneconomical nuclear plants the opportunity to economically assess whether or not their nuclear plant should be retired. This economic assessment and stakeholder analysis will provide local government, academia and communities the opportunity to understand how Southern California Edison (SCE) embraced system upgrade import and "voltage support" opportunities to replace "base load" generation from San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) versus building new replacement generation facilities. This model and guide will help eliminate the need to build large replacement generation units as demonstrated in the SONGS case analysis. The application of The Nuclear Power Retirement Model and Guide will provide electric utilities with economic assessment parameters and an evaluation assessment progression needed to better evaluate when an uneconomical nuclear plant should be retired. It will provide electric utilities the opportunity to utilize sound policy, planning and development skill sets when making this difficult decision. There are currently 62 nuclear power plants (with 100 nuclear reactors) operating in the United States (EIA, 2014). From this group, 38 are at risk of early retirement based on the work of Cooper (2013). As demonstrated in my model, 35 of the 38 nuclear power plants qualify to move to the economic assessment review and then on to the stakeholder cost benefit analysis (if model qualifications are met) leading to a final plant retirement decision. This application via the model and guide, in turn, will lead electric utilities to explore system upgrade import opportunities and mitigation measures versus building new replacement generation facilities. United States nuclear reactors are licensed for 40 years with a 20 year extension available prior to the expiration date (EIA, 2013). Since late 2012, electric power companies have announced the early retirement of four uneconomical nuclear power plants while other studies have indicated that as many as 70 percent of United States nuclear power plants are potentially at risk for early retirement (Crooks, 2014 and Cooper, 2013). A high percentage of these aforementioned nuclear plants have operating licenses that will not expire until 2030 and beyond. Thus, for the most part, replacement power contingency planning has not been initiated for these plants or is still in preliminary stages. The recent nuclear plant retirements are the first since 1998 (EIA, 2013). Decisions to retire the plants involved concerns over maintenance and repair costs as well as declining profitability (EIA, 2013). In addition, the Energy Information Administration (2010-2012) released data that demonstrated that the worst 25 percent of United States nuclear plants are far more expensive to operate and generate electricity than new gas plants. It is equally important to understand and explain the economic and power replacement implications to both ratepayers and end-users. A SONGS case study analysis will review the economic, operational and political challenges that SCE faced leading to the retirement decision of SONGS. As preface to the case study, replacement steam generators (RSGs) were installed in Unit 2 in 2009 and in Unit 3 in 2010. In January 2012, while Unit 2 was down for routine maintenance, a small leak was discovered inside a steam generator in Unit 3. Because of the situation, both units remained shut down to evaluate the cause of the leakage and to make repairs. SCE submitted plans to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to re-start Unit 2 at reduced power. However, concerns over the length of the review process and the high costs associated with steam generator repairs led SCE to retire both reactors (SCE SONGS Fact Sheets, 2012-2013). Finally, collaborative resource power replacement planning is needed more than ever as nuclear facilities in the United States are now being retired for economic related reasons (Crooks, 2014). This collaborative power replacement process and implementation must encompass all relevant stakeholders including state grid operators, ratepayers, shareholders and the electric utility company.

Understanding Processes and Timelines for Distributed Photovoltaic

Science.gov Websites

data from more than 30,000 PV systems across 87 utilities in 16 states to better understand how solar photovoltaic (PV) interconnection process time frames in the United States. This study includes an analysis of Analysis Metrics" that shows the four steps involved in the utility interconnection process for solar

75 FR 60093 - Record of Decision for the United States Marine Corps Basewide Utilities Infrastructure Project...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-29

... construction, operation, and maintenance of utility infrastructure upgrades, expansions, and improvements... and wastewater facilities and road improvements to Range 130. All practical means to avoid or minimize...

Health-related quality of life of cataract patients: cross-cultural comparisons of utility and psychometric measures.

PubMed

Lee, Jae Eun; Fos, Peter J; Zuniga, Miguel A; Kastl, Peter R; Sung, Jung Hye

2003-07-01

This study was conducted to assess the presence and/or absence of cross-cultural differences or similarities between Korean and United States cataract patients. A systematic assessment was performed using utility and psychometric measures in the study population. A cross-sectional study design was used to examine the comparison of preoperative outcomes measures in cataract patients in Korea and the United States. Study subjects were selected using non-probabilistic methods and included 132 patients scheduled for cataract surgery in one eye. Subjects were adult cataract patients at Samsung and Kunyang General Hospital in Seoul, Korea, and Tulane University Hospital and Clinics in New Orleans, Louisiana. Preoperative utility was assessed using the verbal rating scale and standard reference gamble techniques. Current preoperative health status was assessed using the SF-36 and VF-14 surveys. Current preoperative Snellen visual acuity was used as a clinical measure of vision status. Korean patients were more likely to be younger (p = 0.001), less educated (p = 0.001), and to have worse Snellen visual acuity (p = 0.002) than United States patients. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) revealed that in contrast to Korean patients, United States patients were assessed to have higher scoring in general health, vitality, VF-14, and verbal rating for visual health. This higher scoring trend persisted after controlling for age, gender, education and Snellen visual acuity. The difference in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between the two countries was quite clear, especially in the older age and highly educated group. Subjects in Korea and the United States were significantly different in quality of life, functional status and clinical outcomes. Subjects in the United States had more favorable health outcomes than those in Korea. These differences may be caused by multiple factors, including country-specific differences in economic status, health care system, cultural value system, and health policy. Cross-cultural differences should be considered when making international comparisons of quality of life.

Cataract surgery cost utility revisited in 2012: a new economic paradigm.

PubMed

Brown, Gary C; Brown, Melissa M; Menezes, Alicia; Busbee, Brandon G; Lieske, Heidi B; Lieske, Philip A

2013-12-01

To assess the 2012 cost utility of cataract surgery in the United States and to compare 2012 cost-utility data with those from 2000. Value-Based Medicine (Flourtown, PA), patient preference-based, comparative effectiveness analysis and cost-utility analysis using 2012 real United States dollars. Previously published Patient Outcomes Research Team Study data and time tradeoff utilities obtained from patients with vision loss. Visual acuity measurements from patients wtih untreated cataract were used as controls. Thirteen-year, average, first-eye and second-eye cataract surgery cost-utility analysis using the societal and third-party insurer cost perspectives. Patient value gain in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and percent gain in quality of life as well as the cost-utility ratio using the dollars expended per QALY gained. Patient and financial value outcomes were discounted at 3% annually with net present value analysis. First-eye cataract surgery conferred 1.6212 QALYs over the 13-year model, a 20.8% quality-of-life gain. Bilateral cataract surgery conferred 2.8152 QALYs over 13 years, a 36.2% improvement in quality of life. The direct ophthalmic medical cost for unilateral cataract surgery in 2012 United States nominal dollars was $2653, an inflation-adjusted 34.2% less than in 2000 and 85% less than in 1985. The 2012 inflation-adjusted physician fee was 10.1% of that in 1985. The 13-year societal cost perspective, financial return on investment (ROI) for first-eye cataract surgery was $121,198, a 4567% gain. The third-party insurer cost perspective average cost-utility ratio was $2653/1.6212 = $1636/QALY for unilateral cataract surgery, whereas the societal cost perspective average cost-utility ratio was -$121,198/1.6212 = -$74,759/QALY. The net 13-year $123.4-billion financial ROI from a 1-year cohort of cataract surgery patients was accrued: Medicare, $36.4 billion; Medicaid, $3.3 billion; other insurers, $9.6 billion; patients, $48.6 billion; and increased United States national productivity, $25.4 billion. Cataract surgery in 2012 greatly improved quality of life and was highly cost effective. It was 34.4% less expensive than in 2000 and 85% less expensive than in 1985. Initial cataract surgery yielded an extraordinary 4567% financial ROI to society over the 13-year model. Copyright © 2013 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Contextualizing immigrants' lived experience: story of Taiwanese immigrants in the United States.

PubMed

Tsai, Jenny Hsin-Chun

2003-01-01

Immigration involves extensive changes in living environments. Nonetheless, the predominant approach in the health science literature has been to utilize individual characteristics (including ethnic background) to explain and predict immigrants' lived experiences and health outcomes. Contexts, particularly the larger societal contexts by which immigrants are constituted, are generally ignored. Data from a critical ethnography regarding immigrants' experiences with language, occupation, and economic survival in the United States are utilized to illustrate that immigrants' lives are inseparable from the larger societal contexts, such as immigration policy, Western imperialism, and structural discrimination. The implications for practice, education, and research are discussed.

Case Studies of Water Utility Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment [External Review Draft Report

EPA Science Inventory

This report presents a series of case studies describing the approaches taken by four water utilities in the United States to assess their vulnerability to climate change. The report is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of assessment approaches or utilities conducting v...

Self-esteem and academic achievement: a comparative study of adolescent students in England and the United States

PubMed Central

Booth, Margaret Zoller; Gerard, Jean M.

2012-01-01

Utilizing mixed methodology, this paper investigates the relationship between self-esteem and academic achievement for young adolescents within two Western cultural contexts: the United States and England. Quantitative and qualitative data from 86 North American and 86 British adolescents were utilized to examine the links between self-esteem and academic achievement from the beginning to the end of their academic year during their 11th–12th year of age. For both samples, quantitative results demonstrated that fall self-esteem was related to multiple indicators of later year academic achievement. While country differences emerge by the end of the year, math appears to have a consistent relationship with self-esteem in both country contexts. Qualitative analyses found some support for British students’ self-perceptions as more accurately reflecting their academic experience than the students from the United States. PMID:24068853

A Transformation Approach to Optimal Control Problems with Bounded State Variables

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hanafy, Lawrence Hanafy

1971-01-01

A technique is described and utilized in the study of the solutions to various general problems in optimal control theory, which are converted in to Lagrange problems in the calculus of variations. This is accomplished by mapping certain properties in Euclidean space onto closed control and state regions. Nonlinear control problems with a unit m cube as control region and unit n cube as state region are considered.

The Impact of Migration on Poverty Concentrations in the United States, 1995-2000

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Foulkes, Matt; Schafft, Kai A.

2010-01-01

Poverty is frequently conceptualized as an attribute of either people or places. Yet residential movement of poor people can redistribute poverty across places, affecting and reshaping the spatial concentration of economic disadvantage. In this article, we utilize 1995 to 2000 county-to-county migration data from the 2000 United States decennial…

Carbon Dioxide Emissions from the Generation of Electric Power in the United States 1998

EIA Publications

1999-01-01

The President issued a directive on April 15, 1999, requiring an annual report summarizing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions produced by electricity generation in the United States, including both utilities and nonutilities. In response, this report is jointly submitted by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Food Insecurity: Its Relationship to Dietary Intake and Body Weight among Somali Refugee Women in the United States

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dharod, Jigna M.; Croom, Jamar E.; Sady, Christine G.

2013-01-01

Objective: To examine the association between food insecurity, dietary intake, and body mass index among Somali refugee women living in the United States. Methods: Cross-sectional study utilizing the snowball sampling method. Results: Most (67%) participants experienced some level of food insecurity, which was common among recent arrivals and…

Status and trends : profile of structural panels in the United States and Canada

Treesearch

Henry Spelter; David McKeever; Matthew Alderman

2006-01-01

This paper provides an overview of the North American (United States and Canada) structural panel industry, which consists of softwood plywood and oriented strandboard (OSB). The paper describes the evolution of overall capacities, effective capacity utilization, and manufacturing costs. As part of that, it describes changes in industry operating parameters such as...

A Survey of Speech Education in United States Two-Year Colleges.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Planck, Carolyn Roberts

The status of speech education in all United States two-year colleges is discussed. Both public and private schools are examined. Two separate studies were conducted, each utilizing the same procedure. The specific aspects with which the research was concerned were: (1) availability of speech courses, (2) departmentalization of speech courses, (3)…

Resolution of the Korean War biological warfare allegations.

PubMed

Leitenberg, M

1998-01-01

Recently acquired documents from the former Soviet Union prove that the accusations of United States use of biological weapons during the Korean conflict were fraudulent. The article discusses the history of the allegations of biological weapons use by the United States during the Korean conflict. It also considers the basis for making false allegations of biological weapons utilization.

76 FR 12365 - Vendor Outreach Workshop for Small IT Businesses in the National Capitol Region of the United States

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-07

... Businesses in the National Capitol Region of the United States AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization of the Department of the Interior is hosting a Vendor Outreach Workshop for small IT businesses in the National Capitol...

Lived Experiences of Diversity Visa Lottery Immigrants in the United States

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hailu, Tekleab Elos; Mendoza, Bernadette M.; Lahman, Maria K. E.; Richard, Veronica M.

2012-01-01

Every year approximately 50,000 people immigrate to the United States through the avenue referred to as the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery. In this article, the authors present a literature review of immigration to the U.S. through the DV Lottery, reflect on their own immigration histories, and utilize phenomenology to investigate and describe…

The impact of chronic hepatitis B on quality of life: a multinational study of utilities from infected and uninfected persons.

PubMed

Levy, Adrian R; Kowdley, Kris V; Iloeje, Uchenna; Tafesse, Eskinder; Mukherjee, Jayanti; Gish, Robert; Bzowej, Natalie; Briggs, Andrew H

2008-01-01

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a condition that results in substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide because of progressive liver damage. Investigators undertaking economic evaluations of new therapeutic agents require estimates of health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Recently, evidence has begun to accumulate that differences in cultural backgrounds have a quantifiable impact on perceptions of health. The objective was to elicit utilities for six health states that occur after infection with the hepatitis B virus from infected and uninfected respondents living in jurisdictions with low and with high CHB endemicity. Standard gamble utilities were elicited from hepatitis patients and uninfected respondents using an interviewer-administered survey in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Spain, Hong Kong, and mainland China. Generalized linear models were used to the effect on utilities of current health, age and sex, jurisdiction and, for infected respondents, current disease state. The sample included 534 CHB-infected patients and 600 uninfected respondents. CHB and compensated cirrhosis had a moderate impact on HRQOL with utilities ranging from 0.68 to 0.80. Decompensated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma had a stronger impact with utilities ranging from 0.35 to 0.41. Significant variation was observed between countries, with both types of respondents in mainland China and Hong Kong reporting systematically lower utilities. Health states related to CHB infection have substantial reductions in HRQOL and the utilities reported in this study provide valuable information for comparing new treatment options. The observed intercountry differences suggest that economic evaluations may benefit from country-specific utility estimates. The extent that systematic intercountry differences in utilities hold true for other infectious and chronic diseases remains an open question and has considerable implications for the proper conduct and interpretation of economic evaluations.

Impact of Expanded North Slope of Alaska Crude Oil Production on Crude Oil Flows in the Contiguous United States

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

DeRosa, Sean E.; Flanagan, Tatiana Paz

The National Transportation Fuels Model was used to simulate a hypothetical increase in North Slope of Alaska crude oil production. The results show that the magnitude of production utilized depends in part on the ability of crude oil and refined products infrastructure in the contiguous United States to absorb and adjust to the additional supply. Decisions about expanding North Slope production can use the National Transportation Fuels Model take into account the effects on crude oil flows in the contiguous United States.

Design Considerations for a Water Treatment System Utilizing Ultra-Violet Light Emitting Diodes

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-03-27

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR A WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM UTILIZING ULTRA-VIOLET LIGHT EMITTING DIODES...the United States. ii AFIT-ENV-14-M-58 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR A WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM UTILIZING ULTRA-VIOLET LIGHT EMITTING DIODES...DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED. iii AFIT-ENV-14-M-58 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR A WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM UTILIZING ULTRA-VIOLET LIGHT EMITTING

Public Health Practice of Population-Based Birth Defects Surveillance Programs in the United States.

PubMed

Mai, Cara T; Kirby, Russell S; Correa, Adolfo; Rosenberg, Deborah; Petros, Michael; Fagen, Michael C

2016-01-01

Birth defects remain a leading cause of infant mortality in the United States and contribute substantially to health care costs and lifelong disabilities. State population-based surveillance systems have been established to monitor birth defects, yet no recent systematic examination of their efforts in the United States has been conducted. To understand the current population-based birth defects surveillance practices in the United States. The National Birth Defects Prevention Network conducted a survey of US population-based birth defects activities that included questions about operational status, case ascertainment methodology, program infrastructure, data collection and utilization, as well as priorities and challenges for surveillance programs. Birth defects contacts in the United States, including District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, received the survey via e-mail; follow-up reminders via e-mails and telephone were used to ensure a 100% response rate. Forty-three states perform population-based surveillance for birth defects, covering approximately 80% of the live births in the United States. Seventeen primarily use an active case-finding approach and 26 use a passive case-finding approach. These programs all monitor major structural malformations; however, passive case-finding programs more often monitor a broader list of conditions, including developmental conditions and newborn screening conditions. Active case-finding programs more often use clinical reviewers, cover broader pregnancy outcomes, and collect more extensive information, such as family history. More than half of the programs (24 of 43) reported an ability to conduct follow-up studies of children with birth defects. The breadth and depth of information collected at a population level by birth defects surveillance programs in the United States serve as an important data source to guide public health action. Collaborative efforts at the state and national levels can help harmonize data collection and increase utility of birth defects programs.

Analytical Utility of Campylobacter Methodologies

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF, or the Committee) was asked to address the analytical utility of Campylobacter methodologies in preparation for an upcoming United States Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) baseline study to enumerate Campylobacter...

Michigan | Midmarket Solar Policies in the United States | Solar Research |

Science.gov Websites

program were retained. System size limit: 150 kW Aggregate cap: 0.75% of utility's peak load of the are currently no community solar policies in Michigan. Utilities and third-party developers offer

48 CFR 52.219-8 - Utilization of small business concerns.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... business concerns. 52.219-8 Section 52.219-8 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION... Clauses 52.219-8 Utilization of small business concerns. As prescribed in 19.708(a), insert the following clause: Utilization of Small Business Concerns (MAY 2004) (a) It is the policy of the United States that...

Calculating utilization rates for rubber tired grapple skidders in the Southern United States

Treesearch

Jason D. Thompson

2001-01-01

Utilization rate is an important factor in calculating machine rates for forest harvesting machines. Machine rates allow an evaluation of harvesting system costs and facilitate comparisons between different systems and machines. There are many factors that affect utilization rate. These include mechanical delays, non-mechanical delays, operational lost time, and...

Comparison of Site of Death, Health Care Utilization, and Hospital Expenditures for Patients Dying With Cancer in 7 Developed Countries.

PubMed

Bekelman, Justin E; Halpern, Scott D; Blankart, Carl Rudolf; Bynum, Julie P; Cohen, Joachim; Fowler, Robert; Kaasa, Stein; Kwietniewski, Lukas; Melberg, Hans Olav; Onwuteaka-Philipsen, Bregje; Oosterveld-Vlug, Mariska; Pring, Andrew; Schreyögg, Jonas; Ulrich, Connie M; Verne, Julia; Wunsch, Hannah; Emanuel, Ezekiel J

2016-01-19

Differences in utilization and costs of end-of-life care among developed countries are of considerable policy interest. To compare site of death, health care utilization, and hospital expenditures in 7 countries: Belgium, Canada, England, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United States. Retrospective cohort study using administrative and registry data from 2010. Participants were decedents older than 65 years who died with cancer. Secondary analyses included decedents of any age, decedents older than 65 years with lung cancer, and decedents older than 65 years in the United States and Germany from 2012. Deaths in acute care hospitals, 3 inpatient measures (hospitalizations in acute care hospitals, admissions to intensive care units, and emergency department visits), 1 outpatient measure (chemotherapy episodes), and hospital expenditures paid by insurers (commercial or governmental) during the 180-day and 30-day periods before death. Expenditures were derived from country-specific methods for costing inpatient services. The United States (cohort of decedents aged >65 years, N = 211,816) and the Netherlands (N = 7216) had the lowest proportion of decedents die in acute care hospitals (22.2.% and 29.4%, respectively). A higher proportion of decedents died in acute care hospitals in Belgium (N = 21,054; 51.2%), Canada (N = 20,818; 52.1%), England (N = 97,099; 41.7%), Germany (N = 24,434; 38.3%), and Norway (N = 6636; 44.7%). In the last 180 days of life, 40.3% of US decedents had an intensive care unit admission compared with less than 18% in other reporting nations. In the last 180 days of life, mean per capita hospital expenditures were higher in Canada (US $21,840), Norway (US $19,783), and the United States (US $18,500), intermediate in Germany (US $16,221) and Belgium (US $15,699), and lower in the Netherlands (US $10,936) and England (US $9342). Secondary analyses showed similar results. Among patients older than 65 years who died with cancer in 7 developed countries in 2010, end-of-life care was more hospital-centric in Belgium, Canada, England, Germany, and Norway than in the Netherlands or the United States. Hospital expenditures near the end of life were higher in the United States, Norway, and Canada, intermediate in Germany and Belgium, and lower in the Netherlands and England. However, intensive care unit admissions were more than twice as common in the United States as in other countries.

Effect of Solid-State Power-Converter Harmonics on Electric-Power-Supply Systems

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1973-03-01

The United States utility industry has not set suitable standards, other than TIF (Telephone Interference Factor), for controlling the design of solid-state wayside and on-board power-conversion equipment, to limit the harmonic currents and voltages ...

State energy data report: Statistical tables and technical documentation 1960 through 1979

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1981-09-01

All the data of the State Energy Data System (SEDS) is given. The data is used to estimate annual energy consumption by principal energy sources (coal, natural gas, petroleum, electricity), by major end-use sectors (residential, commercial, industrial, transportation, and electric utilities), and by state (50 states, the District of Columbia, and the United States). Data is organized alphabetically by energy source (fuel), by end-use sector or energy activity, by type of data and by state. Twenty data values are associated with each fuel-sector-type state grouping representing positionally the years 1960 through 1979. Data values in the file are expressed either as physical units, British thermal units, physical to Btu conversion factors or share factors.

Net change in forest density, 1873-2001. Using historical maps to monitor long-term forest trends.

Treesearch

Greg C. Liknes; Mark D. Nelson; Daniel J. Kaisershot

2013-01-01

European settlement of the United States and utilization of forests are inextricably linked. Forest products fueled development, providing the building blocks for railroads, bridges, ships, and homes. Perhaps because of the importance of its forests, the United States has a rich cartographic history documenting its resources. Long-term, broad-scale monitoring efforts...

A Case Study Analysis of Factors that Influence Attrition Rates in Voluntary Online Training Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Long, Lori; Dubois, Cathy; Faley, Robert

2009-01-01

This article examines utilization of online training courses in a Midwest-based landscaping company in the United States. The company had implemented online training to facilitate employee development for their 5,000 employees who were in locations throughout the United States. The courses had been in place for about a decade before the…

Acculturation Strategy, Integration Paradoxes and Educational Adaptation--A Case Study of Chinese Visiting Scholar's Family in the United States

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weidong, Li; Chen, Sisi

2017-01-01

In this case study, we developed a theoretical framework for examining the relationship between acculturation strategy and educational adaptation. By interviews and observations of one Chinese visiting scholar's family in the United States, we found that the family utilized "integration" as the acculturation strategy to adapt to the US…

Predicting the Quality of Elementary Mathematics Teachers Utilizing Pre-Graduation Data Collected from Teacher Preparation Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Robertson, Mary Amos

2016-01-01

In order to change the direction of mathematics education, the training of elementary teachers in the United States needs to be of equal or higher quality than top preforming countries. However, pre-service elementary teachers in the United States fall behind their peers in other countries in mathematical content knowledge and mathematical…

75 FR 51483 - Notice of Lodging of Consent Decree Under the Clean Air Act

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-20

... given that on August 9, 2010, a proposed Consent Decree in United States v. Middlesex County Utilities... Air Pollution Control Act, N.J.S.A. 26:2C-1 et seq., at the Middlesex County landfill in East... to the United States and New Jersey, and shall upgrade the Middlesex County Landfill Gas Collection...

75 FR 5290 - Notice of the Record of Decision for the United States Marine Corps Grow the Force at Marine...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-02

...) of 1969, 42 United States Code (U.S.C.) Section 4332(2)(c), the regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 Code of Federal Regulations... infrastructure construction (e.g. buildings, roads, utility lines); (2) demolition and/or upgrades to existing...

Engineering Education and Practice in the United States: Foundations of Our Techno-Economic Future.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Academy of Sciences - National Research Council, Washington, DC.

The National Research Council's Committee on the Education and Utilization of the Engineer conducted a study aimed at achieving a comprehensive understanding of engineering in the United States and an assessment of its capacity to meet present and future needs. This document reports on the findings of the committee's work over a 2-year period. The…

Studying Cross-Cultural Differences in the Development of Infant Temperament: People's Republic of China, the United States of America, and Spain

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gartstein, Maria A.; Gonzalez, Carmen; Carranza, Jose A.; Ahadi, Stephan A.; Ye, Renmin; Rothbart, Mary K.; Yang, Suh Wen

2006-01-01

Investigated early development of temperament across three cultures: People's Republic of China (PRC), United States of America (US), and Spain, utilizing a longitudinal design (assessments at 3, 6, and 9 months of age). Selection of these countries presented an opportunity to conduct Eastern-Western/Individualistic-Collectivistic comparisons. The…

The economic impact of assisted reproductive technology: a review of selected developed countries.

PubMed

Chambers, Georgina M; Sullivan, Elizabeth A; Ishihara, Osamu; Chapman, Michael G; Adamson, G David

2009-06-01

To compare regulatory and economic aspects of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in developed countries. Comparative policy and economic analysis. Couples undergoing ART treatment in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Japan, and Australia. Description of regulatory and financing arrangements, cycle costs, cost-effectiveness ratios, total expenditure, utilization, and price elasticity. Regulation and financing of ART share few general characteristics in developed countries. The cost of treatment reflects the costliness of the underlying healthcare system rather than the regulatory or funding environment. The cost (in 2006 United States dollars) of a standard IVF cycle ranged from $12,513 in the United States to $3,956 in Japan. The cost per live birth was highest in the United States and United Kingdom ($41,132 and $40,364, respectively) and lowest in Scandinavia and Japan ($24,485 and $24,329, respectively). The cost of an IVF cycle after government subsidization ranged from 50% of annual disposable income in the United States to 6% in Australia. The cost of ART treatment did not exceed 0.25% of total healthcare expenditure in any country. Australia and Scandinavia were the only country/region to reach levels of utilization approximating demand, with North America meeting only 24% of estimated demand. Demand displayed variable price elasticity. Assisted reproductive technology is expensive from a patient perspective but not from a societal perspective. Only countries with funding arrangements that minimize out-of-pocket expenses met expected demand. Funding mechanisms should maximize efficiency and equity of access while minimizing the potential harm from multiple births.

The effects of electric power industry restructuring on the safety of nuclear power plants in the United States

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Butler, Thomas S.

Throughout the United States the electric utility industry is restructuring in response to federal legislation mandating deregulation. The electric utility industry has embarked upon an extraordinary experiment by restructuring in response to deregulation that has been advocated on the premise of improving economic efficiency by encouraging competition in as many sectors of the industry as possible. However, unlike the telephone, trucking, and airline industries, the potential effects of electric deregulation reach far beyond simple energy economics. This dissertation presents the potential safety risks involved with the deregulation of the electric power industry in the United States and abroad. The pressures of a competitive environment on utilities with nuclear power plants in their portfolio to lower operation and maintenance costs could squeeze them to resort to some risky cost-cutting measures. These include deferring maintenance, reducing training, downsizing staff, excessive reductions in refueling down time, and increasing the use of on-line maintenance. The results of this study indicate statistically significant differences at the .01 level between the safety of pressurized water reactor nuclear power plants and boiling water reactor nuclear power plants. Boiling water reactors exhibited significantly more problems than did pressurized water reactors.

Utilization of neoadjuvant intensity-modulated radiation therapy and proton beam therapy for esophageal cancer in the United States

PubMed Central

Haque, Waqar; Verma, Vivek; Butler, E. Brian

2018-01-01

Background Randomized esophageal cancer (EC) trials have utilized two- or three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT). Advanced radiotherapy (RT) techniques [(ARTs): intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and proton beam therapy (PBT)] may have benefits, but are relatively unproven. This is the first study to date evaluating utilization of ARTs versus 3DCRT in the trimodality setting in the United States. Methods The National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) was queried (2004–2013) for newly-diagnosed cT1b-T4bN0/N+M0 EC receiving neoadjuvant CRT followed by esophagectomy. The primary objective was to assess temporal trends, with multivariable logistic regression analysis assessing factors predictive of receiving ARTs. Secondarily, Kaplan-Meier analysis evaluated overall survival (OS), Cox proportional hazards modeling determined variables associated with OS, and postoperative complications were compared between cohorts. Results Altogether, 3,138 patients met criteria; 1,398 (45%) received 3DCRT, and 1,740 (55%) received ARTs (99% IMRT, 1% PBT). Temporally, utilization of ARTs is steadily rising in the United States, from 20% in 2004 to 69% in 2013, corresponding with a progressive decrease in utilization of 3DCRT. ARTs were more often delivered with advancing age, squamous cell histology, N2+ disease, and at academic centers (P<0.05 for all). Centers in the Southwest were more likely to use ARTs, and those in the Midwest least likely (P<0.05 for both). As expected, there were no OS differences (P=0.8477); there were also no differences in postoperative events (P>0.05 for all). Treatment at an academic center independently correlated with improved OS (P<0.001). Conclusions Utilization of ARTs (IMRT in the vast majority) is steadily rising in the United States; 3DCRT is now used in a minority of patients. This has implications for payers and insurance coverage. ART use is impacted by not only age and disease factors, but also regional and facility differences. Treatment at an academic facility independently correlated with higher survival, which has implications for patient counseling. PMID:29755767

Utilization of neoadjuvant intensity-modulated radiation therapy and proton beam therapy for esophageal cancer in the United States.

PubMed

Haque, Waqar; Verma, Vivek; Butler, E Brian; Teh, Bin S

2018-04-01

Randomized esophageal cancer (EC) trials have utilized two- or three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT). Advanced radiotherapy (RT) techniques [(ARTs): intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and proton beam therapy (PBT)] may have benefits, but are relatively unproven. This is the first study to date evaluating utilization of ARTs versus 3DCRT in the trimodality setting in the United States. The National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) was queried (2004-2013) for newly-diagnosed cT1b-T4bN0/N+M0 EC receiving neoadjuvant CRT followed by esophagectomy. The primary objective was to assess temporal trends, with multivariable logistic regression analysis assessing factors predictive of receiving ARTs. Secondarily, Kaplan-Meier analysis evaluated overall survival (OS), Cox proportional hazards modeling determined variables associated with OS, and postoperative complications were compared between cohorts. Altogether, 3,138 patients met criteria; 1,398 (45%) received 3DCRT, and 1,740 (55%) received ARTs (99% IMRT, 1% PBT). Temporally, utilization of ARTs is steadily rising in the United States, from 20% in 2004 to 69% in 2013, corresponding with a progressive decrease in utilization of 3DCRT. ARTs were more often delivered with advancing age, squamous cell histology, N2+ disease, and at academic centers (P<0.05 for all). Centers in the Southwest were more likely to use ARTs, and those in the Midwest least likely (P<0.05 for both). As expected, there were no OS differences (P=0.8477); there were also no differences in postoperative events (P>0.05 for all). Treatment at an academic center independently correlated with improved OS (P<0.001). Utilization of ARTs (IMRT in the vast majority) is steadily rising in the United States; 3DCRT is now used in a minority of patients. This has implications for payers and insurance coverage. ART use is impacted by not only age and disease factors, but also regional and facility differences. Treatment at an academic facility independently correlated with higher survival, which has implications for patient counseling.

32 CFR 552.31 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

..., industrial facilities, cemeteries, etc., generally will be designated as an installation where located... than for the production of materiel, munitions, or supplies. (f) Industrial installation. Any unit of... leased to the United States, substantially equipped with production utilities and maintenance machinery...

State Variability in Supply of Office-based Primary Care Providers: United States, 2012

MedlinePlus

... on Vital and Health Statistics Annual Reports Health Survey Research Methods Conference Reports from the National Medical Care Utilization and Expenditure Survey Clearinghouse on Health Indexes Statistical Notes for Health ...

A Dental Hygiene Professional Practice Index (DHPPI) and access to oral health status and service use in the United States.

PubMed

Wing, Paul; Langelier, Margaret H; Continelli, Tracey A; Battrell, Ann

2005-01-01

The purpose of this article is to summarize a larger study that developed a statistical index that defines the professional practice environment of dental hygienists (DHs) in the United States, and to determine the extent to which the index scores are related to the number of DHs and dentists, the utilization of dental services, and selected oral health outcomes across the 50 states. A Dental Hygiene Professional Practice Index (DHPPI) defines the professional status, supervision requirements, tasks permitted, and reimbursement options for DHs in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, as of December 31, 2001. Spearman rank order correlations between the DHPPI and numbers of oral health professionals, utilization of oral health services, and oral health outcomes in the 50 states are also presented. The analyses revealed that: There are significant differences in the legal practice environments (as reflected in the DHPPI) across the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Between 1990 and 2001, the number of DHs per capita increased by 46% in the United States, while the number of dentists per 100,000 population increased by only 10%. The DHPPI was not significantly correlated with the number of DHs or dentists in the 50 states in 2001. The DHPPI was significantly positively correlated with the salaries of DHs in 2001. The DHPPI was also significantly and positively correlated with a number of indicators of utilization of oral health services and oral health outcomes. Both access to oral health services and oral health outcomes are positively correlated with the DHPPI. This suggests that states with low DHPPI scores would be logical candidates for revised DH practice statutes and regulations to accomplish these objectives.

Identification of a Fourth Haplotype of Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Triozidae) in the United States

PubMed Central

Swisher, Kylie D.; Henne, Donald C.; Crosslin, James M.

2014-01-01

Abstract The potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc) (Hemiptera: Triozidae), is a pest of potato and other solanaceous crops in North and Central America and New Zealand. Previous genotyping studies have demonstrated the presence of three different haplotypes of B. cockerelli in the United States corresponding to three geographical regions: Central, Western, and Northwestern. These studies utilized psyllids collected in the western and central United States between 1998 and 2011. In an effort to further genotype potato psyllids collected in the 2012 growing season, a fourth B. cockerelli haplotype was discovered corresponding to the Southwestern United States geographical region. High-resolution melting analyses identified this new haplotype using an amplicon generated from a portion of the B. cockerelli mitochondrial cytochrome coxidase subunit I gene. Sequencing of this gene, as well as use of a restriction enzyme assay, confirmed the identification of the novel B. cockerelli haplotype in the United States. PMID:25368079

[Geographical coverage of the Mexican Healthcare System and a spatial analysis of utilization of its General Hospitals in 1998].

PubMed

Hernández-Avila, Juan E; Rodríguez, Mario H; Rodríguez, Norma E; Santos, René; Morales, Evangelina; Cruz, Carlos; Sepúlveda-Amor, Jaime

2002-01-01

To describe the geographical coverage of the Mexican Healthcare System (MHS) services and to assess the utilization of its General Hospitals. A Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to include sociodemographic data by locality, the geographical location of all MHS healthcare services, and data on hospital discharge records. A maximum likelihood estimation model was developed to assess the utilization levels of 217 MHS General Hospitals. The model included data on human resources, additional infrastructure, and the population within a 25 km radius. In 1998, 10,806 localities with 72 million inhabitants had at least one public healthcare unit, and 97.2% of the population lived within 50 km of a healthcare unit; however, over 18 million people lived in rural localities without a healthcare unit. The mean annual hospital occupation rate was 48.5 +/- 28.5 per 100 bed/years, with high variability within and between states. Hospital occupation was significantly associated with the number of physicians in the unit, and in the Mexican Institute of Social Security units utilization was associated with additional health infrastructure, and with the population's poverty index. GIS analysis allows improved estimation of the coverage and utilization of MHS hospitals.

1992 Census of transportation, communications, and utilities : 1993 commodity flow survey : United States

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1996-10-01

The 1992 Economic Census covers more of the economy : than any previous census. New for 1992 are data on : communications, utilities, financial, insurance, and real : estate, as well as coverage of more transportation industries. : The economic, agri...

A Study of Aerospace Education Workshops Which Utilize NASA Materials and Resource Personnel

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Helton, Robert Dale

1974-01-01

Reports findings from two questionnaires administered to participants of aerospace workshops which utilized the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) materials and resource personnel. The findings gave a broad picture of aerospace workshops across the United States. (BR)

HOMOGENEOUS AIR OXIDATION OF HYDROCARBONS UTILIZING MN AND CO CATALYSTS

EPA Science Inventory

Homogeneous Air Oxidation of Hydrocarbons Utilizing Mn and Co Catalysts

Thomas M. Becker and Michael A. Gonzalez*, Sustainable Technology Division, Office of Research and Development; United States Environmental Protection Agency, 26 West Martin Luther King Drive, Mail Sto...

South Asian women's coping strategies in the face of domestic violence in the United States.

PubMed

Bhandari, Shreya

2018-02-01

We conducted in-depth telephone interviews with a convenience sample of 20 South Asian women experiencing domestic violence in the United States. Utilizing the emotion-focused and problem-focused coping framework, the researchers analyzed the narratives of abused South Asian women. Emotion-focused coping strategies include (a) spirituality and/or religion and (b) the role of children. Problem-focused coping strategies include (c) informal and formal support and (d) strategies of resisting, pacifying, safety planning. Implications for practice and future research in the United States and internationally are discussed.

Report to the President on the Use of Technology To Strengthen K-12 Education in the United States.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

President's Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology, Washington, DC. Panel on Educational Technology.

While a number of different approaches have been suggested for the improvement of K-12 education in the United States, one common element of many plans is the more extensive and more effective utilization of computer, networking, and other technologies in support of a broad program of systemic and curricular reform. The Panel on Educational…

Afro-Caribbean and African American Students, Family Factors, and the Influence on Science Performance in the United States: The Untold Story

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pinder, Patrice Juliet

2012-01-01

The primary objectives of this research were to explore achievement pattern differences and the influence of family factors on the achievement patterns of Afro-Caribbean and African American students within the United States (U.S.). The study utilized two research designs; a causal-comparative and a correlational design. A student family…

A comparative life-cycle assessment of briquetting logging residues and lumber manufacturing coproducts in western United States

Treesearch

Sevda Alanya-Rosenbaum; Richard D. Bergman; Indroneil Ganguly; Francesca Pierobon

2018-01-01

Timber harvest activities in the western United States have resulted in large volumes of low- to no-value logging (forest) residues. Alternatives to pile-and-burning are needed to best utilize this material and to mitigate the resultant environmental impacts. Briquetting (densifying) forest residues near-woods is one such option and is the focus of this study. This...

Merger of three modeling approaches to assess potential effects of climate change on trees in the eastern United States

Treesearch

Louis R. Iverson; Anantha M. Prasad; Stephen N. Matthews; Matthew P. Peters

2010-01-01

Climate change will likely cause impacts that are species specific and significant; modeling is critical to better understand potential changes in suitable habitat. We use empirical, abundance-based habitat models utilizing decision tree-based ensemble methods to explore potential changes of 134 tree species habitats in the eastern United States (http://www.nrs.fs.fed....

The development of landscape-scale ecological units and their application to the greater Huachuca Mountains fire planning process

Treesearch

Larry E. Laing; David Gori; James T. Jones

2005-01-01

The multi-partner Greater Huachuca Mountains fire planning effort involves over 500,000 acres of public and private lands. This large area supports distinct landscapes that have evolved with fire. Utilizing GIS as a tool, the United States Forest Service (USFS), General Ecosystem Survey (GES), and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Soil Geographic...

Is nut cold tolerance a limitation to the restoration of American chestnut in the northeastern United States?

Treesearch

Paul G. Schaberg; Kendra M. Gurney; Benjamin R. Janes; Joshua M. Halman; Gary J. Hawley

2009-01-01

American chestnut (Castanea dentata) was once a dominant hardwood species in the eastern United States, growing from Maine to Georgia and west to the Ohio Valley (Harlow et al. 1979). Arguably, American chestnut may have been the most important hardwood species in North America, renowned for its quick growth, massive size, and great utility (Harlow...

Global Climate Change: Three Policy Perspectives

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-11-26

example, the EPA spent approximately $2 billion supporting development of a feasible flue gas desulfurization (FGD) device for electric utility use to...Framework Convention on Climate Change, the United States committed to the objective of achieving “stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in...the United States would convene a meeting of the world’s “major economies” that are responsible for most greenhouse gas emissions. Held in September

Harvesting choices and timber supply among landowners in the southern United States

Treesearch

Daowei Zhang; Xing Sun; Brett J. Butler; Jeffrey P. Prestemon

2015-01-01

The recent rise of institutional timberland ownership has led to a significant change in the structure and conduct of the timber industry in the United States. In this study,we apply a two-period harvest model to assess the timber harvesting behavior of various landowners at the stand level by utilizing USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis data for nine...

Putting the Critical Back in Critical Infrastructure

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-12-01

site assessments) with private sector partners and local utilities and associations such as the AWRA and AWWA. Oil  and  Gas  Industry—regulatory...Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • United States Virgin Islands • Utah • Vermont • Virginia...United States Virgin Islands 0 Utah 0 Vermont 0 Virginia 2 Washington 8 West Virginia 0 Wisconsin 1 Wyoming 0

Technology-based innovation for independent living: policy and innovation in the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, and the United States.

PubMed

Berridge, Clara; Furseth, Peder Inge; Cuthbertson, Richard; Demello, Steven

2014-01-01

Interest in utilizing technology to help older adults remain living at home is growing; however, uptake remains low. We present a conceptual framework for understanding independent living technology innovation within health and social services. Public policy and innovation in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Scandinavia are profiled as case studies. In all profiled countries, independent living technology is more rapidly advancing than associated state policy, regulation, and payment systems. The findings from this comparative analysis reveal areas for further exploration, including policy subsystem environments in which technologies and services are regulated, as well as trends and desires of older adults and their caregivers within particular cultural contexts.

U.S. Photovoltaic Prices and Cost Breakdowns. Q1 2015 Benchmarks for Residential, Commercial, and Utility-Scale Systems

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

Chung, Donald; Davidson, Carolyn; Fu, Ran

The price of photovoltaic (PV) systems in the United States (i.e., the cost to the system owner) has continued to decline across all major market sectors. This report provides a Q1 2015 update regarding the prices of residential, commercial, and utility scale PV systems, based on an objective methodology that closely approximates the book value of a PV system. Several cases are benchmarked to represent common variations in business models, labor rates, and system architecture choice. We estimate a weighted-average cash purchase price of $3.09/W for residential scale rooftop systems, $2.15/W for commercial scale rooftop systems, $1.77/W for utility scalemore » systems with fixed mounting structures, and $1.91/W for utility scale systems using single-axis trackers. All systems are modeled assuming standard-efficiency, polycrystalline-silicon PV modules, and further assume installation within the United States.« less

United States History in the Secondary Schools. Business.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Point Pleasant Beach Board of Education, NJ.

This is one unit of the series described in SO 000 378. One of the most important developments in the recent interpretations of American economic history has been the emphasis placed on business. The specific objectives of this unit are enumerated: 1) to realize that all resources are limited and the utilization of these resources is determined by…

Environmental Impact of Asbestos Cement Pipe Renewal Technologies (WaterRF Report 4465)

EPA Science Inventory

This report summarizes asbestos regulations within the United States and presents current utility practices for a select number of utilities in North America and Australia. In addition, two real-world renewal demonstrations are presented as case studies examining the impact of pi...

Educating Tomorrow’s Leaders Today: A Comparison of the Officer Development Programs of the United States Naval Academy and the United States Air Force Academy

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-06-01

advocated that to obtain greater good for an individual and one’s companions , “the key to happiness, self respect, and survival, lies in submerging your...characters. Henry V is utilized during Plebe year. The basis is the Shakespeare play, Henry V, and supplemented by the movie of the same name. This study...

Turbulent Structure Under Short Fetch Wind Waves

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-12-01

1970) developed the LFT utilizing the concurrent measurement of sea surface elevation (η) and the near surface velocities to isolate the wave...Layers and Air-Sea Transfer program by making very high spatial resolution profile measurements of the 3-D velocity field into the crest-trough...distribution is unlimited TURBULENT STRUCTURE UNDER SHORT FETCH WIND WAVES Michael J. Papa Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy B.S., United States Naval

The Role of the United States Book Exchange in the Nationwide Library and Information Services Network. National Program for Libraries and Information Services Related Paper No. 27.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ball, Alice Dulany

The National Commission on Libraries and Information Science's (NCLIS) nationwide information program is based in part on the sharing of resources. The United States Book Exchange (USBE) and its existing services may have a role in this program, since the USBE's major function is the preservation and maximum utilization of publications through…

'Renewables-Friendly' Grid Development Strategies: Experience in the United States, Potential Lessons for China (Chinese Translation) (in Chinese)

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

Hurlbut, David; Zhou, Ella; Porter, Kevin

2015-10-03

This is a Chinese translation of NREL/TP-6A20-64940. This report aims to help China's reform effort by providing a concise summary of experience in the United States with 'renewables-friendly' grid management, focusing on experiences that might be applicable to China. It focuses on utility-scale renewables and sets aside issues related to distributed generation.

Understanding health-care access and utilization disparities among Latino children in the United States.

PubMed

Langellier, Brent A; Chen, Jie; Vargas-Bustamante, Arturo; Inkelas, Moira; Ortega, Alexander N

2016-06-01

It is important to understand the source of health-care disparities between Latinos and other children in the United States. We examine parent-reported health-care access and utilization among Latino, White, and Black children (≤17 years old) in the United States in the 2006-2011 National Health Interview Survey. Using Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition, we portion health-care disparities into two parts (1) those attributable to differences in the levels of sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., income) and (2) those attributable to differences in group-specific regression coefficients that measure the health-care 'return' Latino, White, and Black children receive on these characteristics. In the United States, Latino children are less likely than Whites to have a usual source of care, receive at least one preventive care visit, and visit a doctor, and are more likely to have delayed care. The return on sociodemographic characteristics explains 20-30% of the disparity between Latino and White children in the usual source of care, delayed care, and doctor visits and 40-50% of the disparity between Latinos and Blacks in emergency department use and preventive care. Much of the health-care disadvantage experienced by Latino children would persist if Latinos had the sociodemographic characteristics as Whites and Blacks. © The Author(s) 2014.

SEE Action Guide for States: Evaluation, Measurement, and Verification Frameworks$-$Guidance for Energy Efficiency Portfolios Funded by Utility Customers

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

Li, Michael; Dietsch, Niko

2018-01-01

This guide describes frameworks for evaluation, measurement, and verification (EM&V) of utility customer–funded energy efficiency programs. The authors reviewed multiple frameworks across the United States and gathered input from experts to prepare this guide. This guide provides the reader with both the contents of an EM&V framework, along with the processes used to develop and update these frameworks.

The United States Culture Collection Network (USCCN): Enhancing Microbial Genomics Research through Living Microbe Culture Collections

DOE PAGES

Boundy-Mills, Kyria; Hess, Matthias; Bennett, A. Rick; ...

2015-06-19

The mission of the United States Culture Collection Network (USCCN;http://usccn.org) is “to facilitate the safe and responsible utilization of microbial resources for research, education, industry, medicine, and agriculture for the betterment of human kind.” Microbial culture collections are a key component of life science research, biotechnology, and emerging global biobased economies. Here, representatives and users of several microbial culture collections from the United States and Europe gathered at the University of California, Davis, to discuss how collections of microorganisms can better serve users and stakeholders and to showcase existing resources available in public culture collections.

The United States Culture Collection Network (USCCN): Enhancing Microbial Genomics Research through Living Microbe Culture Collections

PubMed Central

Boundy-Mills, Kyria; Hess, Matthias; Bennett, A. Rick; Ryan, Matthew; Kang, Seogchan; Nobles, David; Eisen, Jonathan A.; Inderbitzin, Patrik; Sitepu, Irnayuli R.; Torok, Tamas; Brown, Daniel R.; Cho, Juliana; Wertz, John E.; Mukherjee, Supratim; Cady, Sherry L.

2015-01-01

The mission of the United States Culture Collection Network (USCCN; http://usccn.org) is “to facilitate the safe and responsible utilization of microbial resources for research, education, industry, medicine, and agriculture for the betterment of human kind.” Microbial culture collections are a key component of life science research, biotechnology, and emerging global biobased economies. Representatives and users of several microbial culture collections from the United States and Europe gathered at the University of California, Davis, to discuss how collections of microorganisms can better serve users and stakeholders and to showcase existing resources available in public culture collections. PMID:26092453

The United States Culture Collection Network (USCCN): Enhancing Microbial Genomics Research through Living Microbe Culture Collections

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

Boundy-Mills, Kyria; Hess, Matthias; Bennett, A. Rick

The mission of the United States Culture Collection Network (USCCN;http://usccn.org) is “to facilitate the safe and responsible utilization of microbial resources for research, education, industry, medicine, and agriculture for the betterment of human kind.” Microbial culture collections are a key component of life science research, biotechnology, and emerging global biobased economies. Here, representatives and users of several microbial culture collections from the United States and Europe gathered at the University of California, Davis, to discuss how collections of microorganisms can better serve users and stakeholders and to showcase existing resources available in public culture collections.

The United States Culture Collection Network (USCCN): Enhancing Microbial Genomics Research through Living Microbe Culture Collections

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

Boundy-Mills, K.; Hess, Matthias; Bennett, A. R.

The mission of the United States Culture Collection Network (USCCN; http://usccn.org) is "to facilitate the safe and responsible utilization of microbial resources for research, education, industry, medicine, and agriculture for the betterment of human kind." Microbial culture collections are a key component of life science research, biotechnology, and emerging global biobased economies. Representatives and users of several microbial culture collections from the United States and Europe gathered at the University of California, Davis, to discuss how collections of microorganisms can better serve users and stakeholders and to showcase existing resources available in public culture collections.

Regional Variation in Utilization, In-hospital Mortality, and Health-Care Resource Use of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in the United States.

PubMed

Gupta, Tanush; Kalra, Ankur; Kolte, Dhaval; Khera, Sahil; Villablanca, Pedro A; Goel, Kashish; Bortnick, Anna E; Aronow, Wilbert S; Panza, Julio A; Kleiman, Neal S; Abbott, J Dawn; Slovut, David P; Taub, Cynthia C; Fonarow, Gregg C; Reardon, Michael J; Rihal, Charanjit S; Garcia, Mario J; Bhatt, Deepak L

2017-11-15

We queried the National Inpatient Sample database from 2012 to 2014 to identify all patients aged ≥18 years undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in the United States. Regional differences in TAVI utilization, in-hospital mortality, and health-care resource use were analyzed. Of 41,025 TAVI procedures in the United States between 2012 and 2014, 10,390 were performed in the Northeast, 9,090 in the Midwest, 14,095 in the South, and 7,450 in the West. Overall, the number of TAVI implants per million adults increased from 24.8 in 2012 to 63.2 in 2014. The utilization of TAVI increased during the study period in all 4 geographic regions, with the number of implants per million adults being highest in the Northeast, followed by the Midwest, South, and West, respectively. Overall in-hospital mortality was 4.2%. Compared with the Northeast, risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality was higher in the Midwest (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.26 [1.07 to 1.48]) and the South (aOR 1.61 [1.40 to 1.85]) and similar in the West (aOR 1.00 [0.84 to 1.18]). Average length of stay was shorter in all other regions compared with the Northeast. Among patients surviving to discharge, disposition to a skilled nursing facility or home health care was most common in the Northeast, whereas home discharge was most common in the West. Average hospital costs were highest in the West. In conclusion, we observed significant regional differences in TAVI utilization, in-hospital mortality, and health-care resource use in the United States. The findings of our study may have important policy implications and should provide an impetus to understand the source of this regional variation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Trends Analysis of rhBMP2 Utilization in Single-Level Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion in the United States

PubMed Central

Lao, Lifeng; Cohen, Jeremiah R.; Buser, Zorica; Brodke, Darrel S.; Yoon, S. Tim; Youssef, Jim A.; Park, Jong-Beom; Meisel, Hans-Joerg; Wang, Jeffrey C.

2017-01-01

Study Design: Retrospective case study. Objective: To evaluate the trends and demographics of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP2) utilization in single-level anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) in the United States. Methods: Patients who underwent single-level ALIF from 2005 to 2011 were identified by searching ICD-9 diagnosis and procedure codes in the PearlDiver Patient Records Database (PearlDiver Technologies, Fort Wayne, IN), a national database of orthopedic insurance records. The year of procedure, age, gender, and region of the United States were analyzed for each patient. Results: A total of 921 patients were identified who underwent a single-level ALIF in this study. The average rate of single-level ALIF with rhBMP2 utilization increased (35%-48%) from 2005 to 2009, but sharply decreased to 16.7% in 2010 and 15.0% in 2011. The overall incidence of single-level ALIF without rhBMP2 (0.20 cases per 100 000 patients) was more than twice of the incidence of single-level ALIF with rhBMP2 (0.09 cases per 100 000 patients). The average rate of single-level ALIF with rhBMP2 utilization is highest in West (41.4%), followed by Midwest (33.3%), South (26.5%) and Northeast (22.2%). The highest incidence of single-level ALIF with rhBMP2 was observed in the group aged less than 65 years (compared with any other age groups, P < .001), with an incidence of 0.21 per 100 000 patients. Conclusions: The incidence of rhBMP2 utilization in single-level ALIF increased from 2006 to 2009, but decreased in 2010 and 2011. The Northeast region had the lowest incidence of rhBMP2 utilization. The group aged less than 65 years trended to have the higher incidence of single-level ALIF with rhBMP2 utilization. PMID:29662743

Trends Analysis of rhBMP2 Utilization in Single-Level Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion in the United States.

PubMed

Lao, Lifeng; Cohen, Jeremiah R; Buser, Zorica; Brodke, Darrel S; Yoon, S Tim; Youssef, Jim A; Park, Jong-Beom; Meisel, Hans-Joerg; Wang, Jeffrey C

2018-04-01

Retrospective case study. To evaluate the trends and demographics of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP2) utilization in single-level anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) in the United States. Patients who underwent single-level ALIF from 2005 to 2011 were identified by searching ICD-9 diagnosis and procedure codes in the PearlDiver Patient Records Database (PearlDiver Technologies, Fort Wayne, IN), a national database of orthopedic insurance records. The year of procedure, age, gender, and region of the United States were analyzed for each patient. A total of 921 patients were identified who underwent a single-level ALIF in this study. The average rate of single-level ALIF with rhBMP2 utilization increased (35%-48%) from 2005 to 2009, but sharply decreased to 16.7% in 2010 and 15.0% in 2011. The overall incidence of single-level ALIF without rhBMP2 (0.20 cases per 100 000 patients) was more than twice of the incidence of single-level ALIF with rhBMP2 (0.09 cases per 100 000 patients). The average rate of single-level ALIF with rhBMP2 utilization is highest in West (41.4%), followed by Midwest (33.3%), South (26.5%) and Northeast (22.2%). The highest incidence of single-level ALIF with rhBMP2 was observed in the group aged less than 65 years (compared with any other age groups, P < .001), with an incidence of 0.21 per 100 000 patients. The incidence of rhBMP2 utilization in single-level ALIF increased from 2006 to 2009, but decreased in 2010 and 2011. The Northeast region had the lowest incidence of rhBMP2 utilization. The group aged less than 65 years trended to have the higher incidence of single-level ALIF with rhBMP2 utilization.

Projections in donor organs available for liver transplantation in the United States: 2014-2025.

PubMed

Parikh, Neehar D; Hutton, David; Marrero, Wesley; Sanghani, Kunal; Xu, Yongcai; Lavieri, Mariel

2015-06-01

With the aging US population, demographic shifts, and obesity epidemic, there is potential for further exacerbation of the current liver donor shortage. We aimed to project the availability of liver grafts in the United States. We performed a secondary analysis of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database of all adult donors from 2000 to 2012 and calculated the total number of donors available and transplanted donor livers stratified by age, race, and body mass index (BMI) group per year. We used National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention historical data to stratify the general population by age, sex, race, and BMI. We then used US population age and race projections provided by the US Census Bureau and the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service and made national and regional projections of available donors and donor liver utilization from 2014 to 2025. We performed sensitivity analyses and varied the rate of the rise in obesity, proportion of Hispanics, population growth, liver utilization rate, and donation after cardiac death (DCD) utilization. The projected adult population growth in the United States from 2014 to 2025 will be 7.1%. However, we project that there will be a 6.1% increase in the number of used liver grafts. There is marked regional heterogeneity in liver donor growth. Projections were significantly affected by changes in BMI, DCD utilization, and liver utilization rates but not by changes in the Hispanic proportion of the US population or changes in the overall population growth. Overall population growth will outpace the growth of available donor organs and thus potentially exacerbate the existing liver graft shortage. The projected growth in organs is highly heterogeneous across different United Network for Organ Sharing regions. Focused strategies to increase the liver donor pool are warranted. © 2015 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

Utility residential new construction programs: Going beyond the code. A report from the Database on Energy Efficiency Programs (DEEP) Project

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

Vine, E.

Based on an evaluation of 10 residential new construction programs, primarily sponsored by investor-owned utilities in the United States, we find that many of these programs are in dire straits and are in danger of being discontinued because current inclusion of only direct program effects leads to the conclusion that they are not cost-effective. We believe that the cost-effectiveness of residential new construction programs can be improved by: (1) promoting technologies and advanced building design practices that significantly exceed state and federal standards; (2) reducing program marketing costs and developing more effective marketing strategies; (3) recognizing the role of thesemore » programs in increasing compliance with existing state building codes; and (4) allowing utilities to obtain an ``energy-savings credit`` from utility regulators for program spillover (market transformation) impacts. Utilities can also leverage their resources in seizing these opportunities by forming strong and trusting partnerships with the building community and with local and state government.« less

North Carolina | Midmarket Solar Policies in the United States | Solar

Science.gov Websites

impose standby charges consistent with approved standby rates applicable to other customer-owned utilities without customer compensation. RECs: Utilities owns renewable energy certificates (RECs), unless customer chooses to net meter under a time of use tariff with demand charges. Meter aggregation: Not

New Hampshire | Midmarket Solar Policies in the United States | Solar

Science.gov Websites

implemented. New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission's (NHPUC) administers a rebate program for commercial Administrator Incentive Commercial & Industrial Solar Incentive Program New Hampshire Public Utilities $0.25/W rebate for residential systems $0.25/W rebate for commercial/government systems Capped at $1,375

75 FR 27556 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Final Collection; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-17

... utilization and management prospective insurance liability relative to risk premiums received. DATES: Comments... utilization and management prospective insurance liability relative to risk premiums received. Affected Public... 92-30). SUMMARY: The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank), as a part of its...

Research Methods to Develop Measures of Effectiveness of the United States Coast Guard’s Vessel Inspection and Boarding Program. Decision Support for Utilizing Measures of Effectiveness - Volume III

DTIC Science & Technology

1995-05-01

Eubank S.E. Albuquerque, NM 87123 Christopher Rodriguez Kevin Downer U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center 1082 Shennecossett Road Groton...standard, specifica )e n. ’OVVELOPj4 Commanding Officer United States Coast Guard Research & Development Center 1082 Shennecossett Road SGroton, CT...Work Unit No. (TRAIS) U.S. Coast Guard Sandia National Laboratories Research and Development Center 11. Contract or Grant No. 1515 Eubank SE 1082

77 FR 5751 - Marine Recreational Fisheries of the United States; National Saltwater Angler Registry and State...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-06

... in carrying out surveys, it may be appropriate to utilize survey designs in USVI that are different... State under the qualifying regional survey option of the rule; and clarify and update various provisions... be designated as an Exempted State under the qualifying regional survey option of the rule; and (4...

24 CFR 982.605 - SRO: Housing quality standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... an SRO unit without passing through any other unit. (4) Sprinkler system. A sprinkler system that protects all major spaces, hard wired smoke detectors, and such other fire and safety improvements as State... utilize an approvable public or private disposal system. (E) Sanitary facilities must be reasonably...

24 CFR 982.605 - SRO: Housing quality standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... an SRO unit without passing through any other unit. (4) Sprinkler system. A sprinkler system that protects all major spaces, hard wired smoke detectors, and such other fire and safety improvements as State... utilize an approvable public or private disposal system. (E) Sanitary facilities must be reasonably...

24 CFR 982.605 - SRO: Housing quality standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... an SRO unit without passing through any other unit. (4) Sprinkler system. A sprinkler system that protects all major spaces, hard wired smoke detectors, and such other fire and safety improvements as State... utilize an approvable public or private disposal system. (E) Sanitary facilities must be reasonably...

24 CFR 982.605 - SRO: Housing quality standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... an SRO unit without passing through any other unit. (4) Sprinkler system. A sprinkler system that protects all major spaces, hard wired smoke detectors, and such other fire and safety improvements as State... utilize an approvable public or private disposal system. (E) Sanitary facilities must be reasonably...

Conceptual and empirical themes regarding the design of technology transfer programs : a review of wood utilization research in the United States

Treesearch

Paul V. Ellefson; Michael A. Kilgore; Kenneth E. Skog; Christopher D. Risbrudt

2011-01-01

Transfer of technologies produced by research is critical to innovation within all organizations. The intent of this paper is to take stock of the conceptual underpinnings of technology transfer processes as they relate to wood utilization research and to identify conditions that promote the successful transfer of research results. Conceptually, research utilization...

40 CFR Appendix A to Part 76 - Phase I Affected Coal-Fired Utility Units With Group 1 or Cell Burner Boilers

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... Units With Group 1 or Cell Burner Boilers A Appendix A to Part 76 Protection of Environment... 1 or Cell Burner Boilers Table 1—Phase I Tangentially Fired Units State Plant Unit Operator ALABAMA... TOWER 9 CEN ILLINOIS PUB SER. INDIANA CULLEY 2 STHERN IND GAS & EL. INDIANA CULLEY 3 STHERN IND GAS & EL...

Electric power supply and demand for the contiguous United States, 1981 - 1990

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1981-07-01

The outlook for electric power supply and demand in the United States decade 1981 to 1990 is reviewed from the perspective of reliability and adequacy of service. Electric power supply adequacy as projected for the nine Regional Reliability Council areas of the contiguous United States is reported as well as interruptible load data reported by the Councils. cogeneration is discussed. Each of the 27 electric regions (sub-areas of the nine Council areas) in the contiguous US are studied. A glossary of terms is given. Appendices describe the Council structure, and include a copy of the ERA-411 Manual, which contains all the items to which the Councils were asked to respond. The utilities with included data, the Staff Report, Estimated Electric Demand and Supply for Summer 1981, Contiguous United States dated May 1981 are included.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT DOCUMENT: NATIONAL-SCALE MERCURY RISK ASSESSMENT SUPPORTING THE APPROPRIATE AND NECESSARY FINDING FOR COAL- AND OIL-FIRED ELECTRIC GENERATING UNITS

EPA Science Inventory

The EPA has completed a national-scale risk assessment for mercury to inform the appropriate and necessary determination for electric utility steam generating unites in the United States (U.S. EGU's), persuant to Section 112(n)(1)(A) of the Clean Air Act. This document describes...

Utilizing Culture to Improve Communication and School Involvement with Parents from Diverse Backgrounds as a Means to Improve Student Achievement Levels in the United States: A National Focus

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jacobs, Karen Dupre; Kritsonis, William Allan

2007-01-01

School leadership in communicating to parents and students from diverse backgrounds is a problem in education that must be addressed. As the population of the United States is becoming more and more diverse, school administrators must develop new ways to reach their stakeholders. All families must be involved in their children's academic progress…

The Influence of Financial, Cultural and Social Capital on the Likelihood of Success of Community College Students: A Quantitative Study Utilizing the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002-2012

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Iffland, Aaron R.

2016-01-01

Community colleges are an integral part of the postsecondary education system in the United States. Unfortunately, college completion rates continue to decline. Additionally, median income in the United States is also declining. The idea that each successive generation of students will do better than the previous one is quickly becoming a fantasy.…

The Future of Contrast-Enhanced Mammography.

PubMed

Covington, Matthew F; Pizzitola, Victor J; Lorans, Roxanne; Pockaj, Barbara A; Northfelt, Donald W; Appleton, Catherine M; Patel, Bhavika K

2018-02-01

The purpose of this article is to discuss facilitators of and barriers to future implementation of contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) in the United States. CEM provides low-energy 2D mammographic images analogous to digital mammography and contrast-enhanced recombined images that allow assessment of neovascularity similar to that offered by MRI. The utilization of CEM in the United States is currently low but could increase rapidly given the many potential indications for its clinical use.

Investigating the Academic Motivations and Social Experiences of Students from the People's Republic of China Pursuing Graduate Degrees in the United States of America: A Participatory Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Washington, Brad Demetrius

2010-01-01

There is limited research addressing how graduate students from the People's Republic of China (PRC) are supported academically or socially while studying in the United States of America (U.S.). The purpose of this study was to address this gap in the literature by utilizing a participatory action research model in order to collaborate with…

Ecoregions of the conterminous United States: evolution of a hierarchical spatial framework

USGS Publications Warehouse

Omernik, James M.; Griffith, Glenn E.

2014-01-01

A map of ecological regions of the conterminous United States, first published in 1987, has been greatly refined and expanded into a hierarchical spatial framework in response to user needs, particularly by state resource management agencies. In collaboration with scientists and resource managers from numerous agencies and institutions in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the framework has been expanded to cover North America, and the original ecoregions (now termed Level III) have been refined, subdivided, and aggregated to identify coarser as well as more detailed spatial units. The most generalized units (Level I) define 10 ecoregions in the conterminous U.S., while the finest-scale units (Level IV) identify 967 ecoregions. In this paper, we explain the logic underpinning the approach, discuss the evolution of the regional mapping process, and provide examples of how the ecoregions were distinguished at each hierarchical level. The variety of applications of the ecoregion framework illustrates its utility in resource assessment and management.

Ecoregions of the Conterminous United States: Evolution of a Hierarchical Spatial Framework

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Omernik, James M.; Griffith, Glenn E.

2014-12-01

A map of ecological regions of the conterminous United States, first published in 1987, has been greatly refined and expanded into a hierarchical spatial framework in response to user needs, particularly by state resource management agencies. In collaboration with scientists and resource managers from numerous agencies and institutions in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the framework has been expanded to cover North America, and the original ecoregions (now termed Level III) have been refined, subdivided, and aggregated to identify coarser as well as more detailed spatial units. The most generalized units (Level I) define 10 ecoregions in the conterminous U.S., while the finest-scale units (Level IV) identify 967 ecoregions. In this paper, we explain the logic underpinning the approach, discuss the evolution of the regional mapping process, and provide examples of how the ecoregions were distinguished at each hierarchical level. The variety of applications of the ecoregion framework illustrates its utility in resource assessment and management.

Integration and Utilization of Distinctive Faith Group Chaplains within the United States Air Force Chaplaincy.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-05-01

17 Seventh - day Adventist .... ............. 18 Unitarians ....... ................... 19 V FUTURE UTILIZATION AND INTEGRATION OF DISTINCTIVE FAITH... Seventh - day Adventists , said: "I feel I have had tle opportunity to be fully integrated into the work of the chaplaincy." 4 Indicating the need to be...highlight this point. Chaplain, Captain Randon N. Hesgard, Seventh - day Adventists , states: "The concepts I had to sort out were the use of robes, the

7 CFR 1900.1 - General.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... utilization projects; the Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Commission and successor agencies in connection with Puerto Rico Hurricane relief loans to individuals; State Rural Rehabilitation Corporations, the United...

7 CFR 1900.1 - General.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... utilization projects; the Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Commission and successor agencies in connection with Puerto Rico Hurricane relief loans to individuals; State Rural Rehabilitation Corporations, the United...

7 CFR 1900.1 - General.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... utilization projects; the Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Commission and successor agencies in connection with Puerto Rico Hurricane relief loans to individuals; State Rural Rehabilitation Corporations, the United...

7 CFR 1900.1 - General.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... utilization projects; the Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Commission and successor agencies in connection with Puerto Rico Hurricane relief loans to individuals; State Rural Rehabilitation Corporations, the United...

Prototype data terminal: Multiplexer/demultiplexer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leck, D. E.; Goodwin, J. E.

1972-01-01

The design and operation of a quad redundant data terminal and a multiplexer/demultiplexer (MDU) design are described. The most unique feature is the design of the quad redundant data terminal. This is one of the few designs where the unit is fail/op, fail/op, fail/safe. Laboratory tests confirm that the unit will operate satisfactorily with the failure of three out of four channels. Although the design utilizes state-of-the-art technology. The waveform error checks, the voting techniques, and the parity bit checks are believed to be used in unique configurations. Correct word selection routines are also novel, if not unique. The MDU design, while not redundant, utilizes, the latest state-of-the-art advantages of light couplers and integrated circuit amplifiers.

Statewide LANDSAT inventory of California forests

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Likens, W.; Peterson, D. (Principal Investigator)

1981-01-01

Six forest cover categories were mapped, along with 10 general land cover classes. To map the state's 100 million acres, 1.6 acre mapping units were utilized. Map products were created. Standing forest acreage for the state was computed to be 26.8 million acres.

Summary and status of concession agreements (CDA/DB) in Texas : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-06-01

Concession agreements have been utilized across the United States as a way for state departments of transportation and local governments to deliver roadway projects in a fiscal and budgetary environment that has seen less public investment in infrast...

The industrial utility of public water supplies in the United States, 1952; Part 2: States west of the Mississippi River

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lohr, E.W.; Love, S.K.

1954-01-01

Public water supplies are utilized extensively by industries for processing, cooling, and steam generation. The requirements as to quality of water for each industry are specific, therefore information on the quality or chemical character of the water supply is essential not only in the location of industrial plants but also is an aid in the manufacture and distribution of products.Data are given in this report on the water supplies for 1,315 of the larger cities (or places) throughout the United States. The population of these cities represents 58.3 percent of the total population (1950 census), and more than 90 percent of the total urban population, of the United States. Part 1 of the report contains data for 819 cities east of the Mississippi River, and part 2 includes data for 416 cities west of the river. All cities of 15,000 or more population and many cities of smaller population are included.The information given for each place includes, in most instances, population of the place; ownership, source, and treatment of supply; storage facilities for both raw and finished water; and chemical analyses of the supplies.

Career Orientation Curriculum Supplement for Grades 7-8.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ohio State Dept. of Education, Columbus. Div. of Vocational Education.

The supplement to the Career Orientation Curriculum Guide: 7-8 provides actual units of instruction which have been utilized in career orientation programs throughout the State of Ohio. In general, the units contain teacher and student objectives, student activities, teaching procedures, information on career opportunities in specific fields, and…

42 CFR 1001.2006 - Notice to others regarding exclusion.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

...) State Medicaid Fraud Control Units; (3) Utilization and Quality Control Quality Improvement Organizations; (4) Hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies and health maintenance...

48 CFR 225.7202 - Exception.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... United States 225.7202 Exception. This subpart does not apply to contracts for commercial items, construction, ores, natural gas, utilities, petroleum products and crudes, timber (logs), or subsistence. ...

Subcutaneous Penile Insertion of Domino Fragments by Incarcerated Males in Southwest United States Prisons: A Report of Three Cases

PubMed Central

Hudak, Steven J.; McGeady, James; Shindel, Alan W.; Breyer, Benjamin N.

2013-01-01

Introduction Self-insertion of penile foreign bodies is performed worldwide, largely due to a perception that it will enhance sexual performance and virility. There are relatively few cases reported in the United States. Aim We report three cases of Hispanic men incarcerated in separate southwest United States prisons who utilized a similar technique to insert foreign bodies fabricated out of dominos into the subcutaneous tissues of the penis. Methods Details of the three cases were retrospectively reviewed. Main Outcome Measure Resolution of the case. Results In each case, an incarcerated Hispanic male or fellow inmate filed a domino into a unique shape for placement under the penile skin. Utilizing the tip of a ballpoint pen or a sharpened shard of plastic to create a puncture wound, each man inserted the domino fragment into the subcutaneous tissue of the penis. All three men presented with infection requiring operative removal. Conclusions Incarcerated males put themselves at risk for injury and infection when attempting penile enhancement with improvised equipment. PMID:22081893

Subcutaneous penile insertion of domino fragments by incarcerated males in southwest United States prisons: a report of three cases.

PubMed

Hudak, Steven J; McGeady, James; Shindel, Alan W; Breyer, Benjamin N

2012-02-01

Self-insertion of penile foreign bodies is performed worldwide, largely due to a perception that it will enhance sexual performance and virility. There are relatively few cases reported in the United States. We report three cases of Hispanic men incarcerated in separate southwest United States prisons who utilized a similar technique to insert foreign bodies fabricated out of dominos into the subcutaneous tissues of the penis. Details of the three cases were retrospectively reviewed. Resolution of the case. In each case, an incarcerated Hispanic male or fellow inmate filed a domino into a unique shape for placement under the penile skin. Utilizing the tip of a ballpoint pen or a sharpened shard of plastic to create a puncture wound, each man inserted the domino fragment into the subcutaneous tissue of the penis. All three men presented with infection requiring operative removal. Incarcerated males put themselves at risk for injury and infection when attempting penile enhancement with improvised equipment. © 2011 International Society for Sexual Medicine.

Loneliness as a public health issue: the impact of loneliness on health care utilization among older adults.

PubMed

Gerst-Emerson, Kerstin; Jayawardhana, Jayani

2015-05-01

We aimed to determine whether loneliness is associated with higher health care utilization among older adults in the United States. We used panel data from the Health and Retirement Study (2008 and 2012) to examine the long-term impact of loneliness on health care use. The sample was limited to community-dwelling persons in the United States aged 60 years and older. We used negative binomial regression models to determine the impact of loneliness on physician visits and hospitalizations. Under 2 definitions of loneliness, we found that a sizable proportion of those aged 60 years and older in the United States reported loneliness. Regression results showed that chronic loneliness (those lonely both in 2008 and 4 years later) was significantly and positively associated with physician visits (β = 0.075, SE = 0.034). Loneliness was not significantly associated with hospitalizations. Loneliness is a significant public health concern among elders. In addition to easing a potential source of suffering, the identification and targeting of interventions for lonely elders may significantly decrease physician visits and health care costs.

[Transnational health service utilization by Mexican immigrants in the United States].

PubMed

González-Vázquez, Tonatiuh Tomás; Torres-Robles, Cristian Armando; Pelcastre-Villafuerte, Blanca Estela

2013-01-01

Document the transnational utilization of health resources and services by Mexican immigrants in the United States. Between December 2009-February 2011, Interviews and focus groups were conducted in California and four states of México. Data were collected from 135 individuals, including return migrants, allopathic physicians and traditional healers. Faced with obstacles to accessing US health care and some health services within the Mexican system, many immigrants within the US make use of Mexican health resources and services, either from a distance or during visits to Mexico. These resources and services include allopathic medicine, traditional medicine, and home remedies and medicines. The legal status of immigrants and their access to health insurance in the US are related to whether their transnational use of Mexican health resources and services is formal or informal; immigrants who are undocumented and without health insurance are the most vulnerable.

EPA Form 5700‑52A: United States Environmental Protection Agency Minority Business Enterprise/Woman Business Enterprise Utilization under Federal Grants and Cooperative Agreements

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

MBE/WBE utilization is based on 40 CFR Part 33. EPA Form 5700-52A must be completed by recipients of Federal grants, cooperative agreements, or other Federal financial assistance which involve procurement of supplies, equipment, construction, etc.

7 CFR 51.303 - U.S. Utility.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

..., CERTIFICATION, AND STANDARDS) United States Standards for Grades of Apples Grades § 51.303 U.S. Utility. “U.S. Utility” consists of apples of one variety (except when more than one variety is printed on the container..., internal breakdown, soft scald, and freezing injury. The apples are also free from serious damage caused by...

7 CFR 51.303 - U.S. Utility.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

..., CERTIFICATION, AND STANDARDS) United States Standards for Grades of Apples Grades § 51.303 U.S. Utility. “U.S. Utility” consists of apples of one variety (except when more than one variety is printed on the container..., internal breakdown, soft scald, and freezing injury. The apples are also free from serious damage caused by...

Selection, management and utilization of biosphere reserves.

Treesearch

Jerry F. Franklin; Stanley L. Krugman

1979-01-01

This publication is directed to the analysis of the selection, management, and utilization of Biosphere Reserves as viewed by scientists from the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Soviet papers focus on types of research and monitoring programs that should be developed on Biosphere Reserves, with emphasis on their use in pollutant monitoring....

Effect of vertical integration on the utilization of hardwood resources

Treesearch

Jan Wiedenbeck

2002-01-01

The effectiveness of vertical integration in promoting the efficient utilization of the hardwood resource in the eastern United States was assessed during a series of interviews with vertically integrated hardwood manufacturers in the Appalachian region. Data from 19 companies that responded to the 1996 phone survey indicate that: 1) vertically integrated hardwood...

MONOCHLORAMINE MICROELECTRODE FOR IN SITU APPLICATION WITHIN THE BIOFILM OF CHLORAMINATED DRINKING WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS- Abstract

EPA Science Inventory

Many utilities in the United States are using monochloramine as a secondary disinfectant as a result of the implementation of the Stage 1 and Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproduct Rules. A recent survey suggests that an additional 12% of drinking water utilities are c...

Geographical Study of American Blues Culture

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Strait, John B.

2010-01-01

Music is not often utilized in teaching geography, despite the fact that many scholars orient their research around analyzing both the historical and spatial dimensions of musical expression. This article reports on the use of a teaching module that utilizes blues culture as a lens to understand the geographical history of the United States. The…

Racial/ethnic disparities in the utilization of high-technology hospitals.

PubMed

Kim, Tae Hyun; Samson, Linda F; Lu, Ning

2010-09-01

Hospitals with high-technology services may have better outcomes. However, access to high-technology hospitals might not be uniform across racial/ethnic groups. This study examined if racial/ethnic minorities, compared to whites, are less likely to utilize hospitals that have the availability of technology services and infrastructure items such as computed tomography, positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, diagnostics radiation facility, and a level 1 trauma unit. Data were obtained from the 2003 Healthcare Cost & Utilization Project's Nationwide Inpatient Sample and the 2003 American Hospital Association's annual survey data. The sample consisted of 3381 324 patients admitted to and discharged from 368 hospitals in 18 states in the United States. Logistic regression results suggest that Hispanic patients are less likely than whites to utilize high-technology hospitals when controlling for other factors (odds ratio[OR], 0.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.28-0.79). Our study adds empirical evidence that significant gaps persist in access to care between minorities and whites. Particularly, access to high-technology hospitals for Hispanics appears to be a major problem.

Alaska forest products: using resources well.

Treesearch

Valerie Rapp

2003-01-01

Despite abundant forest resources in the state, the Alaska forest products industry declined throughout the 1990s and early 21st century. In a state with lots of trees, mills are going out of business and most finished lumber used in the state is imported from the lower 48 United States and Canada. The Alaska Wood Utilization Research and Development Center (Wood...

The emergence of pioneering public health education programs in the United States.

PubMed Central

Viseltear, A. J.

1988-01-01

This paper considers the social forces leading to the establishment of pioneering public health education programs in the United States. Schools of Public Health emerged in the United States as the result of a confluence of factors, including the changing nature of higher education, the development of commerce and industry, the rise to prominence of the science of bacteriology, and the urbanization of the nation, all coupled with a pervasive spirit of utility and a desire to be, in a word, useful. Each line leading to the establishment of five public health institutions at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard-M.I.T., Yale, Michigan, and Pennsylvania is explored. PMID:3071923

The United States Culture Collection Network (USCCN): Enhancing Microbial Genomics Research through Living Microbe Culture Collections.

PubMed

Boundy-Mills, Kyria; Hess, Matthias; Bennett, A Rick; Ryan, Matthew; Kang, Seogchan; Nobles, David; Eisen, Jonathan A; Inderbitzin, Patrik; Sitepu, Irnayuli R; Torok, Tamas; Brown, Daniel R; Cho, Juliana; Wertz, John E; Mukherjee, Supratim; Cady, Sherry L; McCluskey, Kevin

2015-09-01

The mission of the United States Culture Collection Network (USCCN; http://usccn.org) is "to facilitate the safe and responsible utilization of microbial resources for research, education, industry, medicine, and agriculture for the betterment of human kind." Microbial culture collections are a key component of life science research, biotechnology, and emerging global biobased economies. Representatives and users of several microbial culture collections from the United States and Europe gathered at the University of California, Davis, to discuss how collections of microorganisms can better serve users and stakeholders and to showcase existing resources available in public culture collections. Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Green Power Marketing in the United States: A Status Report (Tenth Edition)

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

Bird, L.; Dagher, L.; Swezey, B.

This report documents green power marketing activities and trends in the United States, focusing on consumer decisions to purchase electricity supplied from renewable energy sources and how this choice represents a powerful market support mechanism for renewable energy development. The report presents aggregate green power sales data for all voluntary purchase markets across the United States. It also provides summary data on utility green pricing programs offered in regulated electricity markets, on green power marketing activity in competitive electricity markets, and green power sold to voluntary purchasers in the form of renewable energy certificates. It also includes a discussion ofmore » key market trends and issues.« less

Green Power Marketing in the United States. A Status Report (Tenth Edition)

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

Bird, Lori; Dagher, Leila; Swezey, Blair

This report documents green power marketing activities and trends in the United States, focusing on consumer decisions to purchase electricity supplied from renewable energy sources and how this choice represents a powerful market support mechanism for renewable energy development. The report presents aggregate green power sales data for all voluntary purchase markets across the United States. It also provides summary data on utility green pricing programs offered in regulated electricity markets, on green power marketing activity in competitive electricity markets, and green power sold to voluntary purchasers in the form of renewable energy certificates. It also includes a discussion ofmore » key market trends and issues.« less

Electric sales and revenue 1992, April 1994

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

Not Available

The Electric Sales and Revenue is prepared by the Survey Management Division, Office of Coal, Nuclear, Electric and Alternate Fuels; Energy Information Administration (EIA); US Department of Energy. This publication provides information about sales of electricity, its associated revenue, and the average revenue per kilowatthour sold to residential, commercial, industrial, and other consumers throughout the United States. The sales, revenue, and average revenue per kilowatthour provided in the Electric Sales and Revenue are based on annual data reported by electric utilities for the calendar year ending December 31, 1992. The electric revenue reported by each electric utility includes the applicablemore » revenue from kilowatthours sold; revenue from income; unemployment and other State and local taxes; energy, demand, and consumer service charges; environmental surcharges; franchise fees; fuel adjustments; and other miscellaneous charges. The revenue does not include taxes, such as sales and excise taxes, that are assessed on the consumer and collected through the utility. Average revenue per kilowatthour is defined as the cost per unit of electricity sold and is calculated by dividing retail sales into the associated electric revenue. The sales of electricity, associated revenue, and average revenue per kilowatthour provided in this report are presented at the national, Census division, State, and electric utility levels.« less

Fresh-Frozen Plasma: Ordering Patterns and Utilization in the Operating Rooms of a Tertiary Referral Hospital.

PubMed

Meyer, Matthew J; Dzik, Walter H; Levine, Wilton C

2017-02-01

Blood product transfusion is the most commonly performed hospital procedure. Intraoperative blood product utilization varies between institutions and anesthesiologists. In the United States in 2011, nearly 4 million plasma units were transfused. A retrospective analysis of intraoperative plasma ordering patterns and utilization (thawing and transfusing) was performed at a tertiary, academic hospital between January 2015 and March 2016. Over 15 months, 46,002 operative procedures were performed. In 1540 of them, plasma was thawed or transfused: 8297 plasma units were thawed and 3306 of those units were transfused. These 3306 plasma units were transfused in 749 cases with a median of 2 plasma units (interquartile range, 2-4) transfused. The percentage of average monthly procedures with plasma thawed and none transfused was 51.3% (confidence interval, 49.0%-53.6%). The cardiac surgery service requested the greatest number of plasma units to be thawed (2143) but only transfused 712 (33.2%) of them. Of all plasma units not transfused, 45% were generated by procedures with 1 to 4 units of plasma thawed; 95.7% of these units were thawed as even integers (ie, 2, 4). For operative procedures, far more plasma was thawed than was transfused and this practice occurred across surgical specialties and anesthesiologists. Considering the plasma that was not transfused, 45% occurred in procedures with 4 or fewer units of plasma requested suggesting these low-volume requests were a primary source of potential waste. Further studies are needed to examine associations between plasma utilization and clinical outcomes.

An Economic Analysis of United States Assistance to Selected Less Developed Countries.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-07-01

and peoples, upon request, assistance of such nature and in such amounts as the United States deems advisable and as may be effectively used by free...country has the capability to absorb and utilize the arms effectively . (11) What other military interests--for example, overflight rights or access to...expenditures has created the opposite effect . Internal stability has been sacrificed as a result of a defense build up. As an exampl,- -f lthrs phnnomnenon

State Derivation of a 12-Axis Gyroscope-Free Inertial Measurement Unit

PubMed Central

Lu, Jau-Ching; Lin, Pei-Chun

2011-01-01

The derivation of linear acceleration, angular acceleration, and angular velocity states from a 12-axis gyroscope-free inertial measurement unit that utilizes four 3-axis accelerometer measurements at four distinct locations is reported. Particularly, a new algorithm which derives the angular velocity from its quadratic form and derivative form based on the context-based interacting multiple model is demonstrated. The performance of the system was evaluated under arbitrary 3-dimensional motion. PMID:22163791

The energy crisis and energy from the sun; Proceedings of the Symposium on Solar Energy Utilization, Washington, D.C., April 30, 1974

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thekaekara, M. P.

1974-01-01

Papers on the state of the art and future prospects of solar energy utilization in the United States are included. Research and technologies for heating and cooling of buildings, solar thermal energy conversion, photovoltaic conversion, biomass production and conversion, wind energy conversion and ocean thermal energy conversion are covered. The increasing funding of the National Solar Energy Program is noted. Individual items are announced in this issue.

Status of Microsurgical Simulation Training in Plastic Surgery: A Survey of United States Program Directors.

PubMed

Al-Bustani, Saif; Halvorson, Eric G

2016-06-01

Various simulation models for microsurgery have been developed to overcome the limitations of Halstedian training on real patients. We wanted to assess the status of microsurgery simulation in plastic surgery residency programs in the United States. Data were analyzed from responses to a survey sent to all plastic surgery program directors in the United States, asking for type of simulation, quality of facilities, utilization by trainees, evaluation of trainee sessions, and perception of the relevance of simulation. The survey response rate was 50%. Of all programs, 69% provide microsurgical simulation and 75% of these have a laboratory with microscope and 52% provide live animal models. Half share facilities with other departments. The quality of facilities is rated as good or great in 89%. Trainee utilization is once every 3 to 6 months in 82% of programs. Only in 11% is utilization monthly. Formal evaluation of simulation sessions is provided by 41% of programs. All program directors agree simulation is relevant to competence in microsurgery, 60% agree simulation should be mandatory, and 43% require trainees to complete a formal microsurgery course prior to live surgery. There seems to be consensus that microsurgical simulation improves competence, and the majority of program directors agree it should be mandatory. Developing and implementing standardized simulation modules and assessment tools for trainees across the nation as part of a comprehensive competency-based training program for microsurgery is an important patient safety initiative that should be considered. Organizing with other departments to share facilities may improve their quality and hence utilization.

The rise of biosimilars: How they got here and where they are going.

PubMed

Patel, Dhiren; Gillis, Colin; Naggar, Joseph; Mistry, Amee; Mantzoros, Christos S

2017-10-01

Biosimilars have become a subject of great interest in the past few years. The European Union and the United States are seeing an increasing number of biosimilar applications and approvals. The development of a biosimilar is significantly more complex and costly than a small molecule generic product. In the European Union, there has been a wider use of these medications compared to the United States. More biosimilars are gaining approval in the United States, and these products will likely alter the healthcare system in highly impactful ways. Understanding the regulatory process, the risks, and benefits will enable clinicians to be prepared and maximize the utility of these medications when they enter the market. This article introduces the concept of a biosimilar, discusses the regulatory process in the United States, and reviews the risks and benefits of these products. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Looking at patients' choices through the lens of expected utility: a critique and research agenda.

PubMed

Russell, Louise B; Schwartz, Alan

2012-01-01

The expected utility framework underlies much research in medical decision making. Because the framework requires decisions to be decomposed into probabilities of states and the values of those states, researchers have investigated the two components separately from each other and from patients' actual decisions. The authors propose that it would be productive to focus more research on the relationships among risk perceptions, outcome valuations, and choices in the same decision makers. They outline exploratory analyses based on two existing national surveys, the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey and the Joint Canada/United States Survey of Health.

Health care access and utilization among children of single working and nonworking mothers in the United States.

PubMed

Clarke, Tainya C; Arheart, Kristopher L; Muennig, Peter; Fleming, Lora E; Caban-Martinez, Alberto J; Dietz, Noella; Lee, David J

2011-01-01

To examine indicators of health care access and utilization among children of working and nonworking single mothers in the United States, the authors used data on unmarried women participating in the 1997-2008 National Health Interview Survey who financially supported children under 18 years of age (n = 21,842). Stratified by maternal employment, the analyses assessed health care access and utilization for all children. Outcome variables included delayed care, unmet care, lack of prescription medication, no usual place of care, no well-child visit, and no doctor's visit. The analyses reveal that maternal employment status was not associated with health care access and utilization. The strongest predictors of low access/utilization included no health insurance and intermittent health insurance in the previous 12 months, relative to those with continuous private health insurance coverage (odds ratio ranges 3.2-13.5 and 1.3-10.3, respectively). Children with continuous public health insurance compared favorably with those having continuous private health insurance on three of six access/utilization indicators (odds ratio range 0.63-0.85). As these results show, health care access and utilization for the children of single mothers are not optimal. Passage of the U.S. Healthcare Reform Bill (HR 3590) will probably increase the number of children with health insurance and improve these indicators.

The changing pattern of prenatal care utilization in the United States, 1981-1995, using different prenatal care indices.

PubMed

Kogan, M D; Martin, J A; Alexander, G R; Kotelchuck, M; Ventura, S J; Frigoletto, F D

1998-05-27

Two measures traditionally used to examine adequacy of prenatal care indicate that prenatal care utilization remained unchanged through the 1980s and only began to rise slightly in the 1990s. In recent years, new measures have been developed that include a category for women who receive more than the recommended amount of care (intensive utilization). To compare the older and newer indices in the monitoring of prenatal care trends in the United States from 1981 to 1995, for the overall population and for selected subpopulations. Second, to examine factors associated with receiving intensive utilization. Cross-sectional and trend analysis of national birth records. The United States. All live births between 1981 and 1995 (N=54 million). Trends in prenatal care utilization, according to 4 indices (the older indices: the Institute of Medicine Index and the trimester that care began, and the newer indices: the R-GINDEX and the Adequacy of Prenatal Care Utilization Index). Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the risk of intensive prenatal care use in 1981 and 1995. The newer indices showed a steadily increasing trend toward more prenatal care use throughout the study period (R-GINDEX, intensive or adequate use, 32.7% in 1981 to 47.1 % in 1995; the Adequacy of Prenatal Care Utilization Index, intensive use, 18.4% in 1981 to 28.8% in 1995), especially for intensive utilization. Women having a multiple birth were much more likely to have had intensive utilization in 1995 compared with 1981 (R-GINDEX, 22.8% vs 8.5%). Teenagers were more likely to begin care later than adults, but similar proportions of teens and adults had intensive utilization. Intensive use among low-risk women also increased steadily each year. Factors associated with a greater likelihood of receiving intensive use in 1981 and 1995 were having a multiple birth, primiparity, being married, and maternal age of 35 years or older. The proportion of women who began care early and received at least the recommended number of visits increased between 1981 and 1995. This change was undetected by more traditional prenatal care indices. These increases have cost and practice implications and suggest a paradox since previous studies have shown that rates of preterm delivery and low birth weight did not improve during this time.

A comparison of United States and United Kingdom EQ-5D health states valuations using a nonparametric Bayesian method.

PubMed

Kharroubi, Samer A; O'Hagan, Anthony; Brazier, John E

2010-07-10

Cost-effectiveness analysis of alternative medical treatments relies on having a measure of effectiveness, and many regard the quality adjusted life year (QALY) to be the current 'gold standard.' In order to compute QALYs, we require a suitable system for describing a person's health state, and a utility measure to value the quality of life associated with each possible state. There are a number of different health state descriptive systems, and we focus here on one known as the EQ-5D. Data for estimating utilities for different health states have a number of features that mean care is necessary in statistical modelling.There is interest in the extent to which valuations of health may differ between different countries and cultures, but few studies have compared preference values of health states obtained from different countries. This article applies a nonparametric model to estimate and compare EQ-5D health state valuation data obtained from two countries using Bayesian methods. The data set is the US and UK EQ-5D valuation studies where a sample of 42 states defined by the EQ-5D was valued by representative samples of the general population from each country using the time trade-off technique. We estimate a utility function across both countries which explicitly accounts for the differences between them, and is estimated using the data from both countries. The article discusses the implications of these results for future applications of the EQ-5D and for further work in this field. Copyright 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Death in the United States, 2011

MedlinePlus

... on Vital and Health Statistics Annual Reports Health Survey Research Methods Conference Reports from the National Medical Care Utilization and Expenditure Survey Clearinghouse on Health Indexes Statistical Notes for Health ...

8 CFR 244.9 - Evidence.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... company. (ii) Rent receipts, utility bills (gas, electric, telephone, etc.), receipts, or letters from... United States showing name of school and period(s) of school attendance; (iv) Hospital or medical records...

8 CFR 244.9 - Evidence.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... company. (ii) Rent receipts, utility bills (gas, electric, telephone, etc.), receipts, or letters from... United States showing name of school and period(s) of school attendance; (iv) Hospital or medical records...

8 CFR 244.9 - Evidence.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... company. (ii) Rent receipts, utility bills (gas, electric, telephone, etc.), receipts, or letters from... United States showing name of school and period(s) of school attendance; (iv) Hospital or medical records...

8 CFR 244.9 - Evidence.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... company. (ii) Rent receipts, utility bills (gas, electric, telephone, etc.), receipts, or letters from... United States showing name of school and period(s) of school attendance; (iv) Hospital or medical records...

Green Care: A Review of the Benefits and Potential of Animal-Assisted Care Farming Globally and in Rural America

PubMed Central

Artz, Brianna; Bitler Davis, Doris

2017-01-01

Simple Summary The term Green Care encompasses a number of therapeutic strategies that can include farm-animal-assisted therapy, horticultural therapy, and general, farm-based therapy. This review article provides an overview of how Green Care has been used as part of the therapeutic plan for a variety of psychological disorders and related physical disabilities in children, adolescents and adults. While many countries have embraced Green Care, and research-based evidence supports its efficacy in a variety of therapeutic models, it has not yet gained widespread popularity in the United States. We suggest that Green Care could prove to be an effective approach to providing mental health care in the U.S., particularly in rural areas that are typically underserved by more traditional mental health facilities, but have an abundance of farms, livestock, and green spaces where care might be effectively provided. Abstract The term Green Care includes therapeutic, social or educational interventions involving farming; farm animals; gardening or general contact with nature. Although Green Care can occur in any setting in which there is interaction with plants or animals, this review focuses on therapeutic practices occurring on farms. The efficacy of care farming is discussed and the broad utilization of care farming and farm care communities in Europe is reviewed. Though evidence from care farms in the United States is included in this review, the empirical evidence which could determine its efficacy is lacking. For example, the empirical evidence supporting or refuting the efficacy of therapeutic horseback riding in adults is minimal, while there is little non-equine care farming literature with children. The health care systems in Europe are also much different than those in the United States. In order for insurance companies to cover Green Care techniques in the United States, extensive research is necessary. This paper proposes community-based ways that Green Care methods can be utilized without insurance in the United States. Though Green Care can certainly be provided in urban areas, this paper focuses on ways rural areas can utilize existing farms to benefit the mental and physical health of their communities. PMID:28406428

The feasibility of replacing or upgrading utility distribution transformers during routine maintenance

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

Barnes, P.R.; Van Dyke, J.W.; McConnell, B.W.

It is estimated that electric utilities use about 40 million distribution transformers in supplying electricity to customers in the United States. Although utility distribution transformers collectively have a high average efficiency, they account for approximately 61 billion kWh of the 229 billion kWh of energy lost annually in the delivery of electricity. Distribution transformers are being replaced over time by new, more efficient, lower-loss units during routine utility maintenance of power distribution systems. Maintenance is typically not performed on units in service. However, units removed from service with appreciable remaining life are often refurbished and returned to stock. Distribution transformersmore » may be removed from service for many reasons, including failure, over- or underloading, or line upgrades such as voltage changes or rerouting. When distribution transformers are removed from service, a decision must be made whether to dispose of the transformer and purchase a lower-loss replacement or to refurbish the transformer and return it to stock for future use. This report contains findings and recommendations on replacing utility distribution transformers during routine maintenance, which is required by section 124(c) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992. The objectives of the study are to evaluate the practicability, cost-effectiveness, and potential energy savings of replacing or upgrading existing transformers during routine utility maintenance and to develop recommendations on was to achieve the potential energy savings.« less

Measuring Sexual Violence on Campus: Climate Surveys and Vulnerable Groups

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

de Heer, Brooke; Jones, Lynn

2017-01-01

Since the 2014 "Not Alone" report on campus sexual assault, the use of climate surveys to measure sexual violence on campuses across the United States has increased considerably. The current study utilizes a quasi meta-analysis approach to examine the utility of general campus climate surveys, which include a measure of sexual violence,…

Identifying wood utilization options for ecosystem management : summary of a national research project

Treesearch

K. E. Skog; R. J. Barbour; J. E. Baumgras; A. Clark

1997-01-01

Using an ecosystem approach to forest management will change silvicultural practices, thus requiring utilization options to provide revenue and to help offset the costs of the silviculture treatments. The Forest Service, university cooperators, and several industry mills in the southern, western, and northeastern United States have been involved in a national...

ERDA's central receiver solar thermal power system studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lippy, L. J.; Heaton, T. R.

1977-01-01

The utilization of solar energy for electrical power production was studied. Efforts underway on the central receiver solar thermal power system are presented. Preliminary designs are included of pilot plant utilizing large numbers of heliostats in a collector field. Safety hazards are also discussed, as well as the most beneficial location of such a plant within the United States.

10 CFR 50.13 - Attacks and destructive acts by enemies of the United States; and defense activities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... LICENSING OF PRODUCTION AND UTILIZATION FACILITIES Requirement of License, Exceptions § 50.13 Attacks and... construct and operate a production or utilization facility, or for an amendment to such license, is not required to provide for design features or other measures for the specific purpose of protection against...

The Selection of Bridge Materials Utilizing the Analytical Hierarchy Process

Treesearch

Robert L. Smith; Robert J. Bush; Daniel L. Schmoldt

1997-01-01

Effective decisions on the use of natural resources often require the input of many individuals. Determining how specific criteria affect the selection of materials can lead to better utilization of raw materials. Concrete, steel, and timber represent over 98% of the materials used for bridge construction in the United States. Highway officials must often consider...

Mapping between 6 Multiattribute Utility Instruments.

PubMed

Chen, Gang; Khan, Munir A; Iezzi, Angelo; Ratcliffe, Julie; Richardson, Jeff

2016-02-01

Cost-utility analyses commonly employ a multiattribute utility (MAU) instrument to estimate the health state utilities, which are needed to calculate quality-adjusted life years. Different MAU instruments predict significantly different utilities, which makes comparison of results from different evaluation studies problematical. This article presents mapping functions ("crosswalks") from 6 MAU instruments (EQ-5D-5L, SF-6D, Health Utilities Index 3 [HUI 3], 15D, Quality of Well-Being [QWB], and Assessment of Quality of Life 8D [AQoL-8D]) to each of the other 5 instruments in the study: a total of 30 mapping functions. Data were obtained from a multi-instrument comparison survey of the public and patients in 7 disease areas conducted in 6 countries (Australia, Canada, Germany, Norway, United Kingdom, and United States). The 8022 respondents were administered each of the 6 study instruments. Mapping equations between each instrument pair were estimated using 4 econometric techniques: ordinary least squares, generalized linear model, censored least absolute deviations, and, for the first time, a robust MM-estimator. Goodness-of-fit indicators for each of the results are within the range of published studies. Transformations reduced discrepancies between predicted utilities. Incremental utilities, which determine the value of quality-related health benefits, are almost perfectly aligned at the sample means. Transformations presented here align the measurement scales of MAU instruments. Their use will increase confidence in the comparability of evaluation studies, which have employed different MAU instruments. © The Author(s) 2015.

Getting to Zero Yield: The Evolution of the U.S. Position on the CTBT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zimmerman, Peter D.

1998-03-01

In 1994 the United States favored a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) which permitted tiny "hydronuclear" experiments with a nuclear energy release of four pounds or less. Other nuclear powers supported yield limits as high as large fractions of a kiloton, while most non-nuclear nations participating in the discussions at the United Nations Conference on Disarmament wanted to prohibit all nuclear explosions -- some even favoring an end to computer simulations. On the other hand, China wished an exception to permit high yield "peaceful" nuclear explosions. For the United States to adopt a new position favoring a "true zero" several pieces had to fall into place: 1) The President had to be assured that the U.S. could preserve the safety and reliability of the enduring stockpile without yield testing; 2) the U.S. needed to be sure that the marginal utility of zero-yield experiments was at least as great for this country as for any other; 3) that tests with any nuclear yield might have more marginal utility for nuclear proliferators than for the United States, thus marginally eroding this country's position; 4) the United States required a treaty which would permit maintenance of the capacity to return to testing should a national emergency requiring a nuclear test arise; and 5) all of the five nuclear weapons states had to realize that only a true-zero CTBT would have the desired political effects. This paper will outline the physics near zero yield and show why President Clinton was persuaded by arguments from many viewpoints to endorse a true test ban in August, 1996 and to sign the CTBT in September, 1997.

Effect of Direct-to-Consumer Advertising on Statin Use in the United States.

PubMed

Chang, Hsien-Yen; Murimi, Irene; Daubresse, Matthew; Qato, Dima M; Emery, Sherry L; Alexander, G Caleb

2017-08-01

The value of direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) of prescription drugs is widely debated, as is the effect of DTCA on prescription sales and health care utilization. We examined the association between DTCA intensity for statin medications and prescription sales and cholesterol-related health care utilization. We conducted an ecological study for 75 designated market areas from 2005 to 2009 in the United States using linked data regarding televised DTCA volume, non-DTCA marketing and promotion, retail, mail order and long-term care prescription drug sales, prescription drug and ambulatory care health care utilization, and contextual factors such as health care density and socioeconomic status. Main outcomes and measures were volume of sales, number of dispensed prescriptions, and high cholesterol-related outpatient visits. Analyses were conducted in 2016. The intensity of rosuvastatin and atorvastatin ad exposures per household varied substantially across designated market areas. After adjustment for socioeconomic, demographic, and clinical characteristics, each 100-unit increase in advertisement viewership was associated with a 2.22% [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.30%-4.19%] increase in statin sales. Similar patterns were observed between DTCA and statin dispensing among the commercially insured. DTCA was associated with increases in high cholesterol-related outpatient visits among adults 18-45 years of age (3.15% increase in visits per 100-unit increase in viewership, 95% CI, 0.98%-5.37%) but not among those 46-65 years of age (0.51%, 95% CI, -1.49% to 2.55%). DTCA for statins is associated with increases in statin utilization and hyperlipidemia-related outpatient visits, especially for young adults.

Shapefile for Coastal Zone Management Program counties of the United States and its territories, 2009 (CZMP_counties_2009.shp)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hartwell, Stephen R.; Wingfield, Dana K.; Allwardt, Alan O.; Wong, Florence L.; Lightsom, Frances L.

2013-01-01

A shapefile of 492 Coastal Zone Management Program counties of the United States and its territories, current for the ground condition in 2009, has been extracted from the U.S. Census Bureau MAF/TIGER database. Geospatial information systems with the capability to search user-defined, polygonal geographic areas will be able to utilize this shapefile or secondary products derived from it, such as well-known text representations of the individual polygons within the shapefile.

Eight-Year Review of Bordetella pertussis Testing Reveals Seasonal Pattern in the United States.

PubMed

Bhatti, Micah M; Rucinski, Stefanea L; Schwab, Jeramy J; Cole, Nicolynn C; Gebrehiwot, Senait A; Patel, Robin

2017-03-01

Review of Bordetella pertussis polymerase chain reaction testing from 2007 through 2014 revealed a yearly spike in positivity rates during the summer throughout the United States. Paradoxically, the highest test volumes occurred outside of this time frame, which provides an opportunity for improved test utilization. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Plan, formulate, discuss and correlate a NASTRAN finite element vibrations model of the Boeing Model 360 helicopter airframe

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gabel, R.; Lang, P. F.; Smith, L. A.; Reed, D. A.

1989-01-01

Boeing Helicopter, together with other United States helicopter manufacturers, participated in a finite element applications program to emplace in the United States a superior capability to utilize finite element analysis models in support of helicopter airframe design. The activities relating to planning and creating a finite element vibrations model of the Boeing Model 36-0 composite airframe are summarized, along with the subsequent analytical correlation with ground shake test data.

Suicide in the United States Air Force: Relationship Among Marital Status and Life Stressors, Communication of Distress, and Helping Services Utilization

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-09-01

included factors such as age at the time of death, sex , race, and religion. Military specific information consisted of factors such as rank, job 21...alcohol problems were included (e.g., missing work due to drinking, excessive drinking known to others, underage drinking, public intoxication, or...Health and Human Services [DHHS]. (2007). Table 46. Death rates for 54 suicide, by sex , race, Hispanic origin, and age: United States, selected

The potential for industrial cogeneration development by 1990

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1981-07-01

The cogeneration study focused on five industries that constitute three quarters of industrial steam demand: pulp and paper, chemicals, petroleum refining, steel, and food processing. These industries use almost one fifth of the total energy consumed in the United States. The analysis reflected the investment and regulatory concerns in the United States. The analysis reflected the investment used by industrial and utility managers. Phone discussions were held with approximately 70 companies to verify and augment the process and energy use data for the five industries.

Sterilization in the United States

PubMed Central

Bartz, Deborah; Greenberg, James A

2008-01-01

Unintended pregnancies are expensive for patients and for society in terms of medical costs, the cost of caring for more children, and the cost to personal and professional goals. Sterilization is the most common contraceptive method utilized by couples in the United States. Given technological advances over the past few decades, male and female surgical sterilization has become a safe, convenient, easy, and highly effective birth control method for the long term. This article reviews current male and female sterilization options. PMID:18701927

8 CFR 1244.9 - Evidence.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

...) Duties with the company. (ii) Rent receipts, utility bills (gas, electric, telephone, etc.), receipts, or... the United States showing name of school and period(s) of school attendance; (iv) Hospital or medical...

8 CFR 1244.9 - Evidence.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

...) Duties with the company. (ii) Rent receipts, utility bills (gas, electric, telephone, etc.), receipts, or... the United States showing name of school and period(s) of school attendance; (iv) Hospital or medical...

8 CFR 1244.9 - Evidence.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

...) Duties with the company. (ii) Rent receipts, utility bills (gas, electric, telephone, etc.), receipts, or... the United States showing name of school and period(s) of school attendance; (iv) Hospital or medical...

8 CFR 1244.9 - Evidence.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

...) Duties with the company. (ii) Rent receipts, utility bills (gas, electric, telephone, etc.), receipts, or... the United States showing name of school and period(s) of school attendance; (iv) Hospital or medical...

75 FR 53939 - Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-02

... increase interactions with protected species. However, if additional nets result in greater efficiency... throughout the year, thus potentially reducing interactions with protected species. Sector vessels utilizing... Port Clyde Community Groundfish Sector, the GB Cod Fixed Gear Sector and the Tri-State Sector. 2...

76 FR 55364 - Rules for Patent Maintenance Fees

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-07

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE United States Patent and Trademark Office Rules for Patent Maintenance Fees... States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) charges fees for maintaining in force all utility patents based on applications filed on or after December 12, 1980. Payment of these maintenance fees is due at 3...

Revisions to the 1995 map of ecological subregions that affect users of the southern variant of the Forest Vegetation Simulator

Treesearch

W. Henry McNab; Chad E. Keyser

2011-01-01

The Southern Variant of the Forest Vegetation Simulator utilizes ecological units mapped in 1995 by the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, to refine tree growth models for the Southern United States. The 2007 revision of the 1995 map resulted in changes of identification and boundary delineation for some ecoregion units. In this report, we summarize the...

Internet-based wide area measurement applications in deregulated power systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khatib, Abdel-Rahman Amin

Since the deregulation of power systems was started in 1989 in the UK, many countries have been motivated to undergo deregulation. The United State started deregulation in the energy sector in California back in 1996. Since that time many other states have also started the deregulation procedures in different utilities. Most of the deregulation market in the United States now is in the wholesale market area, however, the retail market is still undergoing changes. Deregulation has many impacts on power system network operation and control. The number of power transactions among the utilities has increased and many Independent Power Producers (IPPs) now have a rich market for competition especially in the green power market. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) called upon utilities to develop the Regional Transmission Organization (RTO). The RTO is a step toward the national transmission grid. RTO is an independent entity that will operate the transmission system in a large region. The main goal of forming RTOs is to increase the operation efficiency of the power network under the impact of the deregulated market. The objective of this work is to study Internet based Wide Area Information Sharing (WAIS) applications in the deregulated power system. The study is the first step toward building a national transmission grid picture using information sharing among utilities. Two main topics are covered as applications for the WAIS in the deregulated power system, state estimation and Total Transfer Capability (TTC) calculations. As a first step for building this national transmission grid picture, WAIS and the level of information sharing of the state estimation calculations have been discussed. WAIS impacts to the TTC calculations are also covered. A new technique to update the TTC using on line measurements based on WAIS created by sharing state estimation is presented.

SunShot 2030 for Photovoltaics (PV): Envisioning a Low-cost PV Future

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

Cole, Wesley J.; Frew, Bethany A.; Gagnon, Pieter J.

In this report we summarize the implications, impacts, and deployment potential of reaching the SunShot 2030 targets for the electricity system in the contiguous United States. We model 25 scenarios of the U.S. power sector using the Regional Energy Deployment Systems (ReEDS) and Distributed Generation (dGen) capacity expansion models. The scenarios cover a wide range of sensitivities to capture future uncertainties relating to fuel prices, retirements, renewable energy capital costs, and load growth. We give special attention to the potential for storage costs to also rapidly decline due to its large synergies with low-cost solar. The ReEDS and dGen modelsmore » project utility- and distributed-scale power sector evolution, respectively, for the United States. Both models have been designed with special emphasis on capturing the unique traits of renewable energy, including variability and grid integration requirements. Across the suite of scenarios modeled, we find that reaching the SunShot 2030 target has the potential to lead to significant capacity additions of PV in the United States. By 2050, PV penetration levels are projected to reach 28-46 percent of total generation. If storage also sees significant reductions in cost, then the 2050 solar penetration levels could reach 41-64 percent. PV deployment is projected to occur in all of the lower 48 states, though the specific deployment level is scenario dependent. The growth in PV is projected to be dominated by utility-scale systems, but the actual mix between utility and distributed systems could ultimately vary depending on how policies, system costs, and rate structures evolve.« less

Grid impacts of wind power: a summary of recent studies in the United States

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parsons, Brian; Milligan, Michael; Zavadil, Bob; Brooks, Daniel; Kirby, Brendan; Dragoon, Ken; Caldwell, Jim

2004-04-01

Several detailed technical investigations of grid ancillary service impacts of wind power plants in the United States have recently been performed. These studies were applied to Xcel Energy (in Minnesota) and PacifiCorp and the Bonneville Power Administration (both in the northwestern United States). Although the approaches vary, three utility time frames appear to be most at issue: regulation, load following and unit commitment. This article describes and compares the analytic frameworks from recent analysis and discusses the implications and cost estimates of wind integration. The findings of these studies indicate that relatively large-scale wind generation will have an impact on power system operation and costs, but these impacts and costs are relatively low at penetration rates that are expected over the next several years. Published in 2004 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Bayesian nonparametric estimation of EQ-5D utilities for United States using the existing United Kingdom data.

PubMed

Kharroubi, Samer A

2017-10-06

Valuations of health state descriptors such as EQ-5D or SF6D have been conducted in different countries. There is a scope to make use of the results in one country as informative priors to help with the analysis of a study in another, for this to enable better estimation to be obtained in the new country than analyzing its data separately. Data from 2 EQ-5D valuation studies were analyzed using the time trade-off technique, where values for 42 health states were devised from representative samples of the UK and US populations. A Bayesian non-parametric approach has been applied to predict the health utilities of the US population, where the UK results were used as informative priors in the model to improve their estimation. The findings showed that employing additional information from the UK data helped in the production of US utility estimates much more precisely than would have been possible using the US study data alone. It is very plausible that this method would serve useful in countries where the conduction of large evaluation studies is not very feasible.

49 CFR 533.4 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... by a manufacturer whose principal place of business is in the United States. 4-wheel drive, general utility vehicle means a 4-wheel drive, general purpose automobile capable of off-highway operation that...

A High Resolution Tropical Cyclone Power Outage Forecasting Model for the Continental United States

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pino, J. V.; Quiring, S. M.; Guikema, S.; Shashaani, S.; Linger, S.; Backhaus, S.

2017-12-01

Tropical cyclones cause extensive damage to the power infrastructure system throughout the United States. This damage can leave millions without power for extended periods of time, as most recently seen with Hurricane Matthew (2016). Accurate and timely prediction of power outages are essential for utility companies, emergency management agencies, and governmental organizations. Here we present a high-resolution (250 m x 250 m) hurricane power outage model for the United States. The model uses only publicly-available data to make predictions. It uses forecasts of storm variables such as maximum 3-second wind gust, duration of strong winds > 20 m s-2, soil moisture, and precipitation. It also incorporates static environmental variables such as elevation characteristics, land cover type, population density, tree species data, and root zone depth. A web tool was established for use by the Department of Energy (DOE) so that the model can be used for real-time outage forecasting or for synthetic tropical cyclones as an exercise in emergency management. This web tool provides DOE decision-makers with high impact analytic results and products that can be disseminated to federal, local, and state agencies. The results then aid utility companies in their pre- and post-storm activities, thus decreasing restoration times and lowering costs.

75 FR 42134 - United States v. Keyspan Corporation; Public Comments and Response on Proposed Final Judgment

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-20

.... The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PaPUC) The PaPUC stated it was deeply concerned with the... F.2d 1086, 1096 (2d Cir. 1987) (``Whether or not [any victims] may be entitled to money damages is...'') states that ``an official or agent of the Government receiving money for the Government from any source...

Interpersonal discrimination and health-related quality of life among black and white men and women in the United States.

PubMed

Sellers, Sherrill; Cherepanav, Dasha; Hanmer, Janel; Fryback, Dennis G; Palta, Mari

2013-08-01

We assessed associations between discrimination and health-related quality of life among black and white men and women in the United States. We examined data from the National Health Measurement Study, a nationally representative sample of 3,648 adults aged 35-89 in the non-institutionalized US population. These data include self-reported lifetime and everyday discrimination as well as several health utility indexes (EQ-5D, HUI3, and SF-6D). Multiple regression was used to compute mean health utility scores adjusted for age, income, education, and chronic diseases for each race-by-gender subgroup. Black men and women reported more discrimination compared to white men and women. Health utility tended to be worse as reported discrimination increased. With a few exceptions, differences between mean health utility scores in the lowest and highest discrimination groups exceeded the 0.03 difference generally considered to be a clinically significant difference. Persons who experienced discrimination tended to score lower on health utility measures. The study also revealed a complex relationship between experiences of discrimination and race and gender. Because of these differential social and demographic relationships caution is urged when interpreting self-rated health measures in research, clinical, and policy settings.

Erratum to: Interpersonal discrimination and health-related quality of life among black and white men and women in the United States.

PubMed

Sellers, Sherrill L; Cherepanov, Dasha; Hanmer, Janel; Fryback, Dennis G; Palta, Mari

2013-08-01

We assessed associations between discrimination and health-related quality of life among black and white men and women in the United States. We examined data from the National Health Measurement Study, a nationally representative sample of 3,648 adults aged 35-89 in the non-institutionalized US population. These data include self-reported lifetime and everyday discrimination as well as several health utility indexes (EQ-5D, HUI3, and SF-6D). Multiple regression was used to compute mean health utility scores adjusted for age, income, education, and chronic diseases for each race-by-gender subgroup. Black men and women reported more discrimination than white men and women. Health utility tended to be worse as reported discrimination increased. With a few exceptions, differences between mean health utility scores in the lowest and highest discrimination groups exceeded the 0.03 difference generally considered to be a clinically significant difference. Persons who experienced discrimination tended to score lower on health utility measures. The study also revealed a complex relationship between experiences of discrimination and race and gender. Because of these differential social and demographic relationships caution is urged when interpreting self-rated health measures in research, clinical, and policy settings.

The Value of Risk Pooling for Mitigating Water Utility Financial Risks Arising From Water Scarcity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baum, R.; Characklis, G. W.; Hughes, J.; Eskaf, S.

2015-12-01

Water utilities across the United States face growing supply risks as demand growth and extreme weather events make water scarcity more common. As it has become more difficult and expensive to build new supply capacity to accommodate these events, many utility managers respond by either imposing conservation measures, which reduces revenues, or acquiring additional water from other sources, which increases costs. These actions lead to changing financial trends that are difficult to predict and that utilities are currently ill-equipped to manage. As a result, adaptation strategies and tools are being developed to reduce utility vulnerabilities, ensuring both financial stability and continued access to low cost financing, a critical consideration for a capital intensive industry. Previous work in this area has involved the development of utility specific financial hedging tools. However, the time and informational requirements associated with developing these individualized strategies may be a limiting factor for widespread implementation. The objective of this research is to develop more generalized hedging instruments that can be applied simultaneously to multiple utilities across the United States, thereby increasing the potential for widespread implementation. This work first analyzes the financial risks of water scarcity for a large set of water utilities across the country and then proposes a financial hedging solution to mitigate these risks through hydrologic index-based financial insurance. Results provide insights into the most effective indices, the potential for risk pooling to reduce insurance costs, and the performance of these contracts in managing utility financial risk arising from drought.

Public Library Service to Children in Oklahoma.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wentroth, Mary Ann

Because of the low density of its population and subsequent low property tax support, library service in Oklahoma is based on the multicounty library operating as a single unit. With the help of federal funds, such units now cover one-third of the state and 60 percent of its population utilizing branch libraries and bookmobile service. Service to…

The Affective Reactivity Index: A Concise Irritability Scale for Clinical and Research Settings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stringaris, Argyris; Goodman, Robert; Ferdinando, Sumudu; Razdan, Varun; Muhrer, Eli; Leibenluft, Ellen; Brotman, Melissa A.

2012-01-01

Background: Irritable mood has recently become a matter of intense scientific interest. Here, we present data from two samples, one from the United States and the other from the United Kingdom, demonstrating the clinical and research utility of the parent- and self-report forms of the Affective Reactivity Index (ARI), a concise dimensional measure…

Loneliness as a Public Health Issue: The Impact of Loneliness on Health Care Utilization Among Older Adults

PubMed Central

Jayawardhana, Jayani

2015-01-01

Objectives. We aimed to determine whether loneliness is associated with higher health care utilization among older adults in the United States. Methods. We used panel data from the Health and Retirement Study (2008 and 2012) to examine the long-term impact of loneliness on health care use. The sample was limited to community-dwelling persons in the United States aged 60 years and older. We used negative binomial regression models to determine the impact of loneliness on physician visits and hospitalizations. Results. Under 2 definitions of loneliness, we found that a sizable proportion of those aged 60 years and older in the United States reported loneliness. Regression results showed that chronic loneliness (those lonely both in 2008 and 4 years later) was significantly and positively associated with physician visits (β = 0.075, SE = 0.034). Loneliness was not significantly associated with hospitalizations. Conclusions. Loneliness is a significant public health concern among elders. In addition to easing a potential source of suffering, the identification and targeting of interventions for lonely elders may significantly decrease physician visits and health care costs. PMID:25790413

The Changing Landscape of Home Dialysis in the United States

PubMed Central

Rivara, Matthew B.; Mehrotra, Rajnish

2015-01-01

Purpose of review To discuss the changing landscape of home dialysis in the United States over the past decade, including recent research on clinical outcomes in patient undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) and home hemodialysis (HHD), and to describe the impact of recent payment reforms for patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). Recent findings Accumulating evidence supports that clinical outcomes for patients treated with PD or HHD are as good as or better than for patients treated with conventional in-center hemodialysis (ICHD). The recent implementation of the Medicare expanded prospective payment system (PPS) for the care of ESRD patients has resulted in substantial growth in the utilization of PD in the United States. Utilization of HHD has also grown, but the contribution of the expanded PPS to this growth is less certain. Summary Home dialysis, including PD and HHD represent important alternatives to ICHD that are effective and patient-centered. Over the coming decade, growth in the number of ESRD patient treated with home dialysis modalities should prompt further comparative and cost effectiveness research, increased attention to racial and ethnic disparities, and investments in home dialysis education for both patients and providers. PMID:25197946

The Ethics of Rationing of Critical Care Services: Should Technology Assessment Play a Role?

PubMed Central

Bloomfield, Eric L.

2009-01-01

The costs of health care continue to increase rapidly and steeply in the United States. One area of great expense is that of intensive care units (ICUs). The causes of inflation have not been addressed effectively. ICU resources could become stretched such that they may no longer be available. This paper discusses some of the ethics and concerns behind decision making when providing ICU services in the United States. In particular, the use of electronic records with decision making tools, risk-analysis methods, and documentation of patient wishes for extraordinary care may help with better utilization of resources in the future. PMID:20798878

A synthesis of biomass utilization for bioenergy production in the Western United States.

Treesearch

David L. Nicholls; Robert A. Monserud; Dennis P. Dykstra

2008-01-01

We examine the use of woody residues, primarily from forest harvesting or wood products manufacturing operations (and to a limited degree from urban wood wastes), as a feedstock for direct-combustion bioenergy systems for electrical or thermal power applications. We examine opportunities for utilizing biomass for energy at several scales, with an emphasis on larger...

Midmarket Solar Policies in the United States | Solar Research | NREL

Science.gov Websites

non-residential and non-utility segments. To help prospective solar customers understand and use the installations by sector for three sectors: residential, non-residential, and utility. The non-residential curve year on the chart, the non-residential curve shows the lowest annual rate of PV installations. U.S

Mississippi | Midmarket Solar Policies in the United States | Solar

Science.gov Websites

DG adder of $0.025/kWh (total estimated 7 to 7.5 cents per kWh) RECs: The customer retains ownership of RECs. If the customer receives benefits from the DG adder while selling electricity to the utility , then the RECs are transferred from the customer to the utility. Meter aggregation: Not specified

Who's Minding Preschool Children? Trends in the Utilization of Child Care

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Neugebauer, Roger

2012-01-01

Center-based child care and family child care are now part of the fabric of life in the United States. This trend report will review the available demographic information on the types of child care arrangements that parents are utilizing, the expenses related to these forms of care, and the structural characteristics of center-based care. Most of…

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…

The Threat of Convergence of Terror Groups with Transnational Criminal Organizations in Order to Utilize Existing Smuggling Routes and Techniques to Aid in the Covert Entry of Operatives into the United States

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-06-12

money laundering operations that support criminal and terrorist organizations. Transnational organizations transcend the borders and operate globally...Modlin Thesis Title: The Threat of Convergence of Terror Groups with Transnational Criminal Organizations in Order to Utilize Existing Smuggling

Religiosity and Utilization of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Foreign-Born Hispanics in the United States

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heathcote, John D.; West, Joshua H.; Hall, P. Cougar; Trinidad, Dennis R.

2011-01-01

The purpose of this study was to test the association between religiosity and utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in a sample of foreign-born Hispanic adults, even when excluding prayer as a form of CAM. Data were collected using a self-report Spanish-language survey. Study participants consisted of 306 respondents between…

The Science Race: Training and Utilization of Scientists and Engineers, US and USSR.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ailes, Catherine P.; Rushing, Francis W.

This book represents a comparison of the systems of training and utilization of scientists/engineers in the United States and Soviet Union. Chapter 1 provides a general description of the economic structure and organization in which the training of scientists/engineers is conducted and in which such trained personnel are employed. In chapters 2-5,…

Disability, Health Insurance Coverage, and Utilization of Acute Health Services in the United States. Disability Statistics Report 4.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

LaPlante, Mitchell P.

This report uses data from the 1989 National Health Interview Survey to estimate health insurance coverage of children and nonelderly adults with disabilities and their utilization of physician and hospital care as a function of health insurance status. In part 1, national statistics on disability and insurance status are provided for different…

Utilizing Google Earth to Teach Students about Global Oil Spill Disasters

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guertin, Laura; Neville, Sara

2011-01-01

The United States is currently experiencing its worst man-made environmental disaster, the BP Deepwater Horizon oil leak. The Gulf of Mexico oil spill is severe in its impact, but it is only one of several global oil spill disasters in history. Students can utilize the technology of Google Earth to explore the spatial and temporal distribution of…

Oral health care utilization by US rural residents, National Health Interview Survey 1999.

PubMed

Vargas, Clemencia M; Dye, Bruce A; Hayes, Kathy

2003-01-01

To compare the dental care utilization practices of rural and urban residents in the United States. Data on dental care utilization from the 1999 National Health Interview Survey for persons 2 years of age and older (n=42, 139) were analyzed by rural/urban status. Percentages and 95 percent confidence intervals were calculated to produce national estimates for having had a visit in the past year, the number of visits, reasons given for last dental visit and for not visiting a dentist, unmet dental needs, and private dental insurance. Rural residents were more likely to report that their last dental visit was because something was "bothering or hurting" (23.3% vs 17.6%) and that they had unmet dental needs (10.1% vs 7.5%). Urban residents were more likely to report having a dental visit in the past year (57.7% vs 66.5%) and having private dental insurance (32.7% vs 37.2%), compared to rural residents. There were no significant differences in most reasons given for not visiting the dentist between rural and urban respondents. Dental care utilization characteristics differ between rural and urban residents in the United States, with rural residents tending to underutilize dental care.

Financial impacts of net-metered PV on utilities and ratepayers: A scoping study of two prototypical U.S. utilities

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

Satchwell, Andrew; Mills, Andrew; Barbose, Galen

2014-09-19

Deployment of customer-sited photovoltaics (PV) in the United States has expanded rapidly in recent years, driven in part by public policies premised on a range of societal benefits that PV may provide. With the success of these efforts, heated debates have surfaced in a number of U.S. states about the impacts of customer-sited PV on utility shareholders and ratepayers, and such debates will likely become only more pronounced and widespread as solar costs continue to decline and deployment accelerates. To inform these discussions, we performed a scoping analysis to quantify the financial impacts of customer-sited PV on utility shareholders andmore » ratepayers and to assess the potential efficacy of various options for mitigating those impacts.« less

Bringing China In: International Order and the Role of the Great Powers

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-06-01

France , Russia, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy, the United States, and Japan.1 Following WWI, those great powers who were victors called for the...Nationalist China, and France emerged from WWII as the great powers and sought international order in part through establishing the United Nations (UN...Europe, under the authority of the United Kingdom, Austria, Prussia, Russia, and later, France , utilized joint governance in the period between the

46 CFR 272.32 - Mitigation of penalty.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... of penalty shall be based on a determination that special circumstances existed at the time of repair... on vessel utilization if the vessel had returned to the United States for repairs; (c) The additional...

75 Years of Mortality in the United States, 1935-2010

MedlinePlus

... on Vital and Health Statistics Annual Reports Health Survey Research Methods Conference Reports from the National Medical Care Utilization and Expenditure Survey Clearinghouse on Health Indexes Statistical Notes for Health ...

Caloric Intake from Fast Food among Adults: United States, 2007-2010

MedlinePlus

... on Vital and Health Statistics Annual Reports Health Survey Research Methods Conference Reports from the National Medical Care Utilization and Expenditure Survey Clearinghouse on Health Indexes Statistical Notes for Health ...

Planning for Space Station Freedom laboratory payload integration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Willenberg, Harvey J.; Torre, Larry P.

1989-01-01

Space Station Freedom is being developed to support extensive missions involving microgravity research and applications. Requirements for on-orbit payload integration and the simultaneous payload integration of multiple mission increments will provide the stimulus to develop new streamlined integration procedures in order to take advantage of the increased capabilities offered by Freedom. The United States Laboratory and its user accommodations are described. The process of integrating users' experiments and equipment into the United States Laboratory and the Pressurized Logistics Modules is described. This process includes the strategic and tactical phases of Space Station utilization planning. The support that the Work Package 01 Utilization office will provide to the users and hardware developers, in the form of Experiment Integration Engineers, early accommodation assessments, and physical integration of experiment equipment, is described. Plans for integrated payload analytical integration are also described.

Land-Use Requirements for Solar Power Plants in the United States

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

Ong, S.; Campbell, C.; Denholm, P.

2013-06-01

This report provides data and analysis of the land use associated with utility-scale ground-mounted solar facilities, defined as installations greater than 1 MW. We begin by discussing standard land-use metrics as established in the life-cycle assessment literature and then discuss their applicability to solar power plants. We present total and direct land-use results for various solar technologies and system configurations, on both a capacity and an electricity-generation basis. The total area corresponds to all land enclosed by the site boundary. The direct area comprises land directly occupied by solar arrays, access roads, substations, service buildings, and other infrastructure. As ofmore » the third quarter of 2012, the solar projects we analyze represent 72% of installed and under-construction utility-scale PV and CSP capacity in the United States.« less

Temporal trends in early clinical outcomes and health care resource utilization for liver transplantation in the United States.

PubMed

Scarborough, John E; Pietrobon, Ricardo; Marroquin, Carlos E; Tuttle-Newhall, Janet E; Kuo, Paul C; Collins, Bradley H; Desai, Dev M; Pappas, Theodore N

2007-01-01

Procedures such as liver transplantation, which entail large costs while benefiting only a small percentage of the population, are being increasingly scrutinized by third-party payors. The purpose of our study was to conduct a longitudinal analysis of the early clinical outcomes and health care resource utilization for liver transplantation in the United States. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was used to conduct a longitudinal analysis of the clinical outcome and resource utilization data for liver transplantation procedures in adult recipients performed in the United States over three time periods (Period I: 1988-1993; Period II: 1994-1998: Period III: 1999-2003). Compared to Period I, adult liver transplant recipients were more likely to be male, older, and non-White in Period III. Recipients were more likely to have at least one major comorbidity preoperatively than in Period I. The in-hospital mortality rate after liver transplantation decreased significantly from Period I to Period III, but the major intraoperative and postoperative complication rates increased over the same time period. Mean length of hospital stay decreased over the 15-year period, but the percentage of patients with a non-routine discharge status increased. Our findings indicate that the rate of postoperative complications and non-routine discharges after liver transplantation is increasing. However, these negative changes in the cost-outcomes relationship for liver transplantation are balanced by improving postoperative survival rates and reductions in the length of hospital stay.

Evidence-based practice and research utilization activities among rural nurses.

PubMed

Olade, Rosaline A

2004-01-01

To identify the extent to which rural nurses utilize evidence-based practice guidelines from scientific research in their practice; to describe both previous and current research utilization activities in which they have participated, and to identify the specific barriers they face in their practice settings. Data for this descriptive study were collected through questionnaires with open-ended questions focused on (a) current utilization of nursing research findings, (b) previous involvement in nursing research activities, and (c) participation in medical research activities. The participants were 106 nurses from various practice areas in six rural counties of a southwestern state in the United States. Results revealed that only 20.8% of the participants stated they were currently involved in research utilization, and they were mostly nurses with bachelor's degrees. The two most common areas of current research utilization were pain management and pressure ulcer prevention and management. Barriers to research utilization, such as rural isolation and lack of nursing research consultants, were identified. The types of research utilization activities identified by these nurses indicate how much the facilities in which these nurses work in the rural areas are striving with the utilization of available scientific evidence. Rural nurses face unique barriers related to situational and geographic factors, with implications for nursing administrators, researchers, and educators.

Online System Adoption and K-12 Academic Outcomes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kimmons, R.

2015-01-01

This study seeks to understand the relationship between K-12 online system adoption (e.g., Blackboard, Edmodo, WordPress) and school-level academic achievement ratings. Utilizing a novel approach to data collection via website data extraction and indexing of all school websites in a target state in the United States (n?=?732) and merging these…

Development of LRFD procedures for bridge pile foundations in Iowa - volume III : recommended resistance factors with consideration of construction control and setup.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-02-01

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) mandated utilizing the Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) approach for all new bridges initiated in the United States after October 1, 2007. As a result, there has been a progressive move among state De...

76 FR 45847 - Vendor Outreach Workshop for Small Businesses in New Mexico of the United States

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-01

... DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Office of the Secretary Vendor Outreach Workshop for Small Businesses...: The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization of the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture are hosting a Vendor Outreach Workshop for small businesses in the State of New...

Understanding Customer Product Choices: A Case Study Using the Analytical Hierarchy Process

Treesearch

Robert L. Smith; Robert J. Bush; Daniel L. Schmoldt

1996-01-01

The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to characterize the bridge material selection decisions of highway officials across the United States. Understanding product choices by utilizing the AHP allowed us to develop strategies for increasing the use of timber in bridge construction. State Department of Transportation engineers, private consulting engineers, and...

Parties, Unions, Policies and Occupational Sex Segregation in the United States

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moller, Stephanie; Li, Huiping

2009-01-01

We utilize the 2000 Equal Employment Opportunity file of the U.S. Census and various secondary resources to determine if party control, union density and states' anti-discrimination and family leave policy legacies affect levels of occupational sex segregation across large counties. Our findings offer a puzzle to political sociologists because two…

Anomalous dismeter distribution shifts estimated from FIA inventories through time

Treesearch

Francis A. Roesch; Paul C. Van Deusen

2010-01-01

In the past decade, the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service’s Forest Inventory and Analysis Program (FIA) has replaced regionally autonomous, periodic, state-wide forest inventories using various probability proportional to tree size sampling designs with a nationally consistent annual forest inventory design utilizing systematically spaced clusters...

The Determinants of Interdistrict Open Enrollment Flows: Evidence from Two States

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carlson, Deven; Lavery, Lesley; Witte, John F.

2011-01-01

Interdistrict open enrollment is the most widely used form of school choice in the United States. Through the theoretical lens of a utility maximization framework, this article analyzes the determinants of interdistrict open enrollment flows in Minnesota and Colorado. The authors' empirical analysis employs an original data set that details open…

Alabama | Midmarket Solar Policies in the United States | Solar Research |

Science.gov Websites

statewide community solar policies or programs. State Incentive Programs Program Administrator Incentive solar systems. Eligible public entities may borrow up to $350,000 per project. Utility Incentive incentives. Program Incentive Limitations TVA: Green Power Providers program First 10 years: 0.02/kWh above

Managing medical technology: lessons for the United States from Quebec and France.

PubMed

Rosenau, P V

2000-01-01

Important modifications to technology assessment, diffusion, adoption, and utilization must take place if the United States is to better employ medical technology and save resources so as to assure access for the uninsured and underinsured. The United States can learn from other health systems that are more successful in achieving these goals. The author selects for comparison the health systems of France and Quebec. The discussion focuses on the differences between the three systems in the management of medical technology on a range of policy-relevant dimensions, including health system structure, attitudes about planning versus market competition, government regulation, the balance between decentralization and centralization, the needs of the individual and those of the society, linkages between technology assessment and policy-making, and the importance of medical technology assessment for medical practice. Seven specific recommendations are made for better managing medical technology in the United States, drawing on what can be observed from the experiences of Quebec and France.

Educational Funding and Student Outcomes: The Relationship as Evidenced by State-Level Data. Research Reports

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carter, Ted

2014-01-01

This report shows the impact of various school funding measures on student outcomes measured by NAEP, ACT, and SAT scores, the four-year cohort graduation rate, and percent of the population ages 18-24 with at least a high school diploma. State-level data for the United States from 2005 through 2014 as available is utilized to establish the nature…

The State of the Logging Workforce in the Southern United States

Treesearch

D. Mitchell; E. Huffaker

2013-01-01

There is a need to understand the current state of the logging industry. Many U.S. woods sector full-time jobs have been lost in recent years. When the forest products industry rebounds from the current market slump, will the logging workforce be ready and able to respond? This paper utilizes publicly available data to examine variables important to understanding the...

Using aerial infrared thermography to detect utility theft of service

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stockton, Gregory R.; Lucas, R. Gillem

2012-06-01

Natural gas and electric utility companies, public utility commissions, consumer advocacy groups, city governments, state governments and the federal government United States continue to turn a blind eye towards utility energy theft of service which we conservatively estimate is in excess of 10 billion a year. Why? Many in the United States have exhausted their unemployment benefits. The amounts for federal funding for low income heating assistance programs (LIHEAP) funds were cut by nearly 40% for 2012 to 3.02 billion. "At peak funding ($5.1 billion in 2009), the program was national in scale but still only had enough resources to support roughly 1/4 of the eligible households.i" Contributions to charities are down and the number of families below the poverty line who are unable to pay to heat their houses continues to rise. Many of the less fortunate in our society now consider theft and fraud to be an attractive option for their supply of natural gas and/or electricity. A record high mild winter in 2011-2012 coupled with 10-year low natural gas prices temporarily obscured the need for low income heating assistance programs (LIHEAPs) from the news and federal budgets, but cold winters will return. The proliferation of smart meters and automated meter infrastructures across our nation can do little to detect energy theft because the thieves can simply by-pass the meters, jumper around the meters and/or steal meters from abandoned houses and use them. Many utility systems were never set-up to stop these types of theft. Even with low-cost per identified thief method using aerial infrared thermography, utilities continue to ignore theft detection.

Decomposition of the drivers of the U.S. hospital spending growth, 2001–2009

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background United States health care spending rose rapidly in the 2000s, after a period of temporary slowdown in the 1990s. However, the description of the overall trend and the understanding of the underlying drivers of this trend are very limited. This study investigates how well historical hospital cost/revenue drivers explain the recent hospital spending trend in the 2000s, and how important each of these drivers is. Methods We used aggregated time series data to describe the trend in total hospital spending, price, and quantity between 2001 and 2009. We used the Oaxaca-Blinder method to investigate the relative importance of major hospital cost/spending drivers (derived from the literature) in explaining the change in hospital spending patterns between 2001 and 2007. We assembled data from Medicare Cost Reports, American Hospital Association annual surveys, Prospective Payment System (PPS) Impact Files, Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR) Medicare claims data, InterStudy reports, National Health Expenditure data, and Area Resource Files. Results Aggregated time series trends show that high hospital spending between 2001 and 2009 appears to be driven by higher payment per unit of hospital output, not by increased utilization. Results using the Oaxaca-Blinder regression decomposition method indicate that changes in historically important spending drivers explain a limited 30% of unit-payment growth, but a higher 60% of utilization growth. Hospital staffing and labor-related costs, casemix, and demographics are the most important drivers of higher hospital revenue, utilization, and unit-payment. Technology is associated with lower utilization, higher unit payment, and limited increases in total revenue. Market competition, primarily because of increased managed care concentration, moderates total revenue growth by driving lower unit payment. Conclusions Much of the rapidly rising hospital spending growth in the 2000s in the United States is driven by factors not commonly known or well measured. Future studies need to explore new factors and dynamics that drive longer-term hospital spending growth in recent years, particularly through the channel of higher prices. PMID:24886580

A Survey of K-12 Teachers' Utilization of Social Networks as a Professional Resource

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hunter, Leah J.; Hall, Cristin M.

2018-01-01

Teachers are increasingly using social networks, including social media and other Internet applications, to look for educational resources. This study shares results from a survey examining patterns of social network application use among K-12 teachers in the United States. A sample of 154 teachers (18 males, 136 females) in the United States…

Third United States Microgravity Payload: One Year Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Currieri, P. A. (Compiler); McCauley, D. (Compiler); Walker, C. (Compiler)

1998-01-01

This document reports the one year science results for the Third United States Microgravity Payload (USMP-3). The USMP-3 major experiments were on a support structure in the Space Shuttle's payload bay and operated almost completely by the Principal Investigators through telescience. The mission included a Glovebox where the crew performed additional experiments for the investigators. Together about seven major scientific experiments were performed, advancing the state of knowledge in fields such as low temperature physics, solidification, and combustion. The results demonstrate the range of quality science that can be conducted utilizing orbital laboratories in microgravity and provide a look forward to a highly productive space station era.

Fourth United States Microgravity Payload: One Year Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ethridge, Edwin C. (Compiler); Curreri, Peter A. (Compiler); McCauley, D. E. (Compiler)

1999-01-01

This document reports the one year science results for the Fourth United States Microgravity Payload (USMP-4). The USMP-4 major experiments were on a support structure in the Space Shuttle's payload bay and operated almost completely by the Principal Investigators through telescience. The mission included a Glovebox where the crew performed additional experiments for the investigators. Together about eight major scientific experiments were performed, advancing the state of knowledge in fields such as low temperature physics, solidification, and combustion. The results demonstrate the range of quality science that can be conducted utilizing orbital laboratories in microgravity and provide a look forward to a highly productive Space Station era.

Trends in Out-of-Hospital Births in the United States, 1990-2012

MedlinePlus

... on Vital and Health Statistics Annual Reports Health Survey Research Methods Conference Reports from the National Medical Care Utilization and Expenditure Survey Clearinghouse on Health Indexes Statistical Notes for Health ...

Emergency Department Visits by Persons Aged 65 and Over: United States, 2009-2010

MedlinePlus

... on Vital and Health Statistics Annual Reports Health Survey Research Methods Conference Reports from the National Medical Care Utilization and Expenditure Survey Clearinghouse on Health Indexes Statistical Notes for Health ...

Central-Monitor Software Module

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bachelder, Aaron; Foster, Conrad

2005-01-01

One of the software modules of the emergency-vehicle traffic-light-preemption system of the two preceding articles performs numerous functions for the central monitoring subsystem. This module monitors the states of all units (vehicle transponders and intersection controllers): It provides real-time access to the phases of traffic and pedestrian lights, and maps the positions and states of all emergency vehicles. Most of this module is used for installation and configuration of units as they are added to the system. The module logs all activity in the system, thereby providing information that can be analyzed to minimize response times and optimize response strategies. The module can be used from any location within communication range of the system; with proper configuration, it can also be used via the Internet. It can be integrated into call-response centers, where it can be used for alerting emergency vehicles and managing their responses to specific incidents. A variety of utility subprograms provide access to any or all units for purposes of monitoring, testing, and modification. Included are "sniffer" utility subprograms that monitor incoming and outgoing data for accuracy and timeliness, and that quickly and autonomously shut off malfunctioning vehicle or intersection units.

Regulatory environment and its impact on the market value of investor-owned electric utilities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vishwanathan, Raman

While other regulated industries have one by one been exposed to competitive reform, electric power, for over eighty years, has remained a great monopoly. For all those years, the vertically integrated suppliers of electricity in the United States have been assigned exclusive territorial (consumer) franchises and have been closely regulated. This environment is in the process change because the electric power industry is currently undergoing some dramatic adjustments. Since 1992, a number of states have initiated regulatory reform and are moving to allow retail customers to choose their energy supplier. There has also been a considerable federal government role in encouraging competition in the generation and transmission of electricity. The objective of this research is to investigate the reaction of investors to the prevailing regulatory environment in the electric utility industry by analyzing the market-to-book value for investor-owned electric utilities in the United States as a gauge of investor concern or support for change. In this study, the variable of interest is the market valuation of utilities, as it captures investor confidence to changes in the regulatory environment. Initially a classic regression model is analyzed on the full sample (of the 96 investor-owned utilities for the years 1992 through 1996), providing a total number of 480 (96 firms over 5 years) observations. Later fixed- and random-effects models are analyzed for the same full-sample model specified in the previous analysis. Also, the analysis is carried forward to examine the impact of the size of the utility and its degree of reliability on nuclear power generation on market values. In the period of this study, 1992--1996, the financial security markets downgraded utilities that were still operating in a regulated environment or had a substantial percentage of their power generation from nuclear power plants. It was also found that the financial market was sensitive to the size of the electric utility. The negative impact of the regulatory environment declined with the increase in the size of the utility, indicating favorable treatment for larger utilities by financial markets. Similarly, for the electric utility industry as a whole, financial markets reacted negatively to nuclear power generation.

Effects of enhanced pacing modalities on health care resource utilization and costs in bradycardia patients: An analysis of the randomized MINERVA trial.

PubMed

Boriani, Giuseppe; Manolis, Antonis S; Tukkie, Raymond; Mont, Lluis; Pürerfellner, Helmut; Santini, Massimo; Inama, Giuseppe; Serra, Paolo; Gulizia, Michele; Samoilenko, Igor Vasilyevich; Wolff, Claudia; Holbrook, Reece; Gavazza, Federica; Padeletti, Luigi

2015-06-01

Many patients who suffer from bradycardia and need cardiac pacing also have atrial fibrillation (AF). New pacemaker algorithms, such as atrial preventive pacing and atrial antitachycardia pacing (DDDRP) and managed ventricular pacing (MVP), have been specifically designed to reduce AF occurrence and duration and to minimize the detrimental effects of right ventricular pacing. The randomized MINimizE Right Ventricular pacing to prevent Atrial fibrillation and heart failure trial established that DDDRP + MVP pacing modality reduced permanent AF in bradycardia patients as compared with standard dual-chamber pacing (DDDR). The aim of this study was to estimate the cost savings due to lower AF-related health care utilization events based on health care costs from the United States and the European Union. Dual-chamber pacemaker patients with a history of paroxysmal or persistent AF were randomly assigned to receive DDDR (n = 385) or the advanced features (DDDRP + MVP; n = 383). We used published health care costs from the United States and the European Union (Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom) to estimate the costs associated with AF-related hospitalizations and emergency visits. The rate of AF-related hospitalizations was significantly lower in the DDDRP + MVP group than in the conventional pacemaker group (DDDR group; 42% reduction; incidence rate ratio 0.58). Similarly, a significant reduction of 68% was observed for AF-related emergency department visits (incidence rate ratio 0.32; P < .001). As a consequence, DDDRP + MVP could potentially reduce health care costs by 40%-44%. Over a ten-year period, the cost savings per 100 patients ranged from $35,702 in the United Kingdom to $121,831 in the United States. New pacing algorithms such as DDDRP + MVP used in the MINimizE Right Ventricular pacing to prevent Atrial fibrillation and heart failure trial successfully reduced AF-related health care utilization, resulting in significant cost savings to payers. Copyright © 2015 Heart Rhythm Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The feasibility of replacing or upgrading utility distribution transformers during routine maintenance

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

Barnes, P.R.; Van Dyke, J.W; McConnell, B.W.

It is estimated that electric utilities use about 40 million distribution transformers in supplying electricity to customers in the United States. Although utility distribution transformers collectively have a high average efficiency, they account for approximately 61 billion kWh of the 229 billion kWh of energy lost annually in the delivery of electricity. Distribution transformers are being replaced over time by new, more efficient, lower-loss units during routine utility maintenance of power distribution systems. Maintenance is typically not performed on units in service. However, units removed from service with appreciable remaining life are often refurbished and returned to stock. Distribution transformersmore » may be removed from service for many reasons, including failure, over- or underloading, or line upgrades such as voltage changes or rerouting. When distribution transformers are removed from service, a decision must be made whether to dispose of the transformer and purchase a lower-loss replacement or to refurbish the transformer and return it to stock for future use. This report contains findings and recommendations on replacing utility distribution transformers during routine maintenance, which is required by section 124 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992. The objectives of the study are to evaluate the practicability, cost-effectiveness, and potential energy savings of replacing or upgrading existing transformers during routine utility maintenance and to develop recommendations on ways to achieve the potential energy savings. Using survey data obtained from utilities and analyses of the economics of refurbishment versus replacement of distribution transformers that are removed from service, it is found that on average utilities are implementing reasonable decisions on refurbishment versus replacement.« less

Considering the Creation of a Domestic Intelligence Agency in the United States: Lessons from the Experiences of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-01-01

Police AG Attorney-General AIC Australian intelligence community ANAO Australian National Audit Office AQMI Al-Qaida pour le Maghreb Islamique [al...Democratic Republic GIA Groupe Islamique Armé [Armed Islamic Group] xviii Considering the Creation of a Domestic Intelligence Agency in the United...health, energy, utilities, transport, manufacturing, communications, banking and finance , government services and icons, and public gatherings. 17

Oregon | Midmarket Solar Policies in the United States | Solar Research |

Science.gov Websites

Utilities Commission. System size limit: PGE and PacifiCorp customers: 2 MW for non-residential, 25 kW for residential; municipal, electric cooperative, and public utility district customers: 25 kW for non-residential , >25 kW and ≤2MW, non-exporting systems ≤10 MW, and all systems. System size limit: 10 MW

On-line Versus Face-to-Face Education: Utilizing Technology to Increase Effectiveness

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-05-17

Dewey and Jean Piaget , “propose that cognitive capacities become more complex in response to individual’s...delivery. Therefore at the heart of the issue are the adult education theories used for program development and faculty development to utilize...FUNDING NUMBERS 6. AUTHOR( S ) Major Jimmy C. Salazar, United States Army 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME( S ) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING

Trajectories of Self-Perceived Math Ability, Utility Value and Interest across Middle School as Predictors of High School Math Performance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Petersen, Jennifer Lee; Hyde, Janet Shibley

2017-01-01

Although many studies have documented developmental change in mathematics motivation, little is known about how these trends predict math performance. A sample of 288 participants from the United States reported their perceived math ability, math utility value and math interest in 5th, 7th and 9th grades. Latent growth curve models estimated…

Applying Resource Utilization Groups (RUG-III) in Hong Kong Nursing Homes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chou, Kee-Lee; Chi, Iris; Leung, Joe C. B.

2008-01-01

Resource Utilization Groups III (RUG-III) is a case-mix system developed in the United States for categorization of nursing home residents and the financing of residential care services. In Hong Kong, RUG-III is based on several board groups of residents. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the RUG-III in Hong Kong…

Human Capital in the United States from 1975 to 2000: Patterns of Growth and Utilization.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haveman, Robert H.; Bershadker, Andrew; Schwabish, Jonathan A.

This book provides an introduction to earnings capacity (EC), a measurement of human capital, and its application to a research study of potential earned annual income over a 25-year period. Focus is on qualitative aspects of EC such as race, age, gender and education and its utilization. Chapter 1 is an introduction. Chapter 2 reviews existing…

Distance Education in Georgia's Public School Districts: Baseline Data on Utilization and the Perceived Barriers to Implementation and Expansion

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tankersley, William J.; Burnham, James F.

2007-01-01

Interest in distance education, particularly online education, is increasing in public school districts throughout the United States. In an effort to aid those who are involved in the planning and administration of K-12 distance education programs in Georgia, the authors sought to gather and report baseline data on the current utilization of…

Survey of spatial data needs and land use forecasting methods in the electric utility industry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1981-01-01

A representative sample of the electric utility industry in the United States was surveyed to determine industry need for spatial data (specifically LANDSAT and other remotely sensed data) and the methods used by the industry to forecast land use changes and future energy demand. Information was acquired through interviews, written questionnaires, and reports (both published and internal).

New Jersey | Midmarket Solar Policies in the United States | Solar Research

Science.gov Websites

| NRELA> Jersey New Jersey An arrow graphic shows that New Jersey's renewable portfolio standard property by a renewable system is exempt from property tax. Utility Incentive Programs The Board of Public incentive programs. Renewable Portfolio Standard New Jersey Board of Public Utilities: RPS Background New

The Non-innocent Phenalenyl Unit: An Electronic Nest to Modulate the Catalytic Activity in Hydroamination Reaction

PubMed Central

Mukherjee, Arup; Sen, Tamal K.; Ghorai, Pradip Kr; Mandal, Swadhin K.

2013-01-01

The phenalenyl unit has played intriguing role in different fields of research spanning from chemistry, material chemistry to device physics acting as key electronic reservoir which has not only led to the best organic single component conductor but also created the spin memory device of next generation. Now we show the non-innocent behaviour of phenalenyl unit in modulating the catalytic behaviour in a homogeneous organic transformation. The present study establishes that the cationic state of phenalenyl unit can act as an organic Lewis acceptor unit to influence the catalytic outcome of intermolecular hydroamination reaction of carbodiimides. For the present study, we utilized organoaluminum complexes of phenalenyl ligands in which the phenalenyl unit maintains the closed shell electronic state. The DFT calculation reveals that the energy of LUMO of the catalyst is mainly controlled by phenalenyl ligands which in turn determines the outcome of the catalysis. PMID:24084653

Health Care Costs, Utilization and Patterns of Care following Lyme Disease

PubMed Central

Adrion, Emily R.; Aucott, John; Lemke, Klaus W.; Weiner, Jonathan P.

2015-01-01

Background Lyme disease is the most frequently reported vector borne infection in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control have estimated that approximately 10% to 20% of individuals may experience Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome – a set of symptoms including fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, and neurocognitive complaints that persist after initial antibiotic treatment of Lyme disease. Little is known about the impact of Lyme disease or post-treatment Lyme disease symptoms (PTLDS) on health care costs and utilization in the United States. Objectives 1) to examine the impact of Lyme disease on health care costs and utilization, 2) to understand the relationship between Lyme disease and the probability of developing PTLDS, 3) to understand how PTLDS may impact health care costs and utilization. Methods This study utilizes retrospective data on medical claims and member enrollment for persons aged 0-64 years who were enrolled in commercial health insurance plans in the United States between 2006-2010. 52,795 individuals treated for Lyme disease were compared to 263,975 matched controls with no evidence of Lyme disease exposure. Results Lyme disease is associated with $2,968 higher total health care costs (95% CI: 2,807-3,128, p<.001) and 87% more outpatient visits (95% CI: 86%-89%, p<.001) over a 12-month period, and is associated with 4.77 times greater odds of having any PTLDS-related diagnosis, as compared to controls (95% CI: 4.67-4.87, p<.001). Among those with Lyme disease, having one or more PTLDS-related diagnosis is associated with $3,798 higher total health care costs (95% CI: 3,542-4,055, p<.001) and 66% more outpatient visits (95% CI: 64%-69%, p<.001) over a 12-month period, relative to those with no PTLDS-related diagnoses. Conclusions Lyme disease is associated with increased costs above what would be expected for an easy to treat infection. The presence of PTLDS-related diagnoses after treatment is associated with significant health care costs and utilization. PMID:25650808

Sexual Orientation and Substance Abuse Treatment Utilization in the United States: Results from a National Survey

PubMed Central

McCabe, Sean Esteban; West, Brady T.; Hughes, Tonda L.; Boyd, Carol J.

2012-01-01

This study examined substance abuse treatment utilization across three dimensions of sexual orientation (identity, attraction, behavior) in a large national sample of adults in the United States. Prevalence estimates were based on data collected from the 2004–2005 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. The sample consisted of 34,653 adults aged 20 years and older: 52% women, 71% White, 12% Hispanic, 11% African American, 4% Asian, and 2% other race/ethnicities. Approximately 2% of the sample self-identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual; 4% reported same-sex sexual behavior, and 6% reported same-sex sexual attraction. Sexual minorities, especially women, had a greater likelihood of lifetime substance use disorders and earlier age of drinking onset. The majority of respondents with substance use disorders were untreated and lifetime substance abuse treatment utilization differed based on sexual orientation. Sexual minorities were found to have more extensive family history of substance abuse problems. The findings indicate the underutilization of substance abuse treatment among all adults, and highlight some important factors to consider when working with sexual minorities. PMID:22444421

Pharmaceutical cost containment and innovation in the United States.

PubMed

Kane, N M

1997-09-01

In the United States, government has played a limited role in containing the costs of pharmaceuticals. There are no price controls, no national drug formularies, no universal cost-sharing policies, and perhaps most important, no national coverage of prescription drugs. Rather, pharmaceutical cost containment was historically left to private insurers and managed care companies, while consumers paid out of pocket for close to 62% of all drug expenditures. US utilization has historically been relatively low and prices by far the highest of the four industrialized countries. The major change in pharmaceutical cost containment in the 1990s has been the consolidation of purchaser power at the level of the insurer and managed care companies. These 'whole sale' purchasers now represent 70% of direct manufacturer sales, and they are demanding and receiving deeper price discounts. Meanwhile these same players are implementing formulary policies, utilization controls, and disease management programs, the outcomes of which have not yet been systematically evaluated. Failure to pass on savings to consumers, cost shifting by manufacturers to vulnerable consumer groups, and potential under-utilization of cost-effective drugs remain of concern.

Ecological Settings and State Economies as Factor Inputs in the Provision of Outdoor Recreation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siderelis, Christos; Smith, Jordan W.

2013-09-01

State parks play a substantial role in the provision of outdoor recreation opportunities within the United States. Park operators must make crucial decisions in how they allocate capital expenditures, labor, and parkland to maintain recreation opportunities. Their decisions are influenced, in part, by the ecological characteristics of their state's park system as well as the vitality of their state's economy. In this research, we incorporate the characteristics of states' ecosystems and their local economies into a formal production analysis of the states' park systems from the years 1986 to 2011. Our analysis revealed all three factors of production were positive and inelastic. Expenditures on labor had the largest effect on both park utilization and operational expenditures. Our analysis also found a large degree of variability in the effects of ecological characteristics on both utilization and operating expenditures. Parkland utilization and operational expenditures were more elastic in areas such as Oceania and Mediterranean California relative to other ecological regions. These findings lead us to conclude that state park operators will experience variable levels of difficulty in both accommodating increasing demands for recreation from state parks and maintaining the existing quality of outdoor recreation provided within their system.

DAILY SIMULATIONS OF OZONE AND FINE PARTICULATES OVER THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES: MODEL PERFORMANCE, SEASONAL DIFFERENCES, AND THE EFFECT OF MODEL UPDATES

EPA Science Inventory

This poster presents analysis of near-realtime air quality simulations over New York State for two summer and one winter season. Simulations were performed as a pilot study between the NOAA, EPA, and NYSDEC, utilizing resources from the national operational NOAA/EPA air quality f...

Evaluating College Readiness: Are Federal and State Policies Helping or Hindering the Effort?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kramer, Steven L.; Osgood, Jeffery; Bernotsky, Lorraine; Wolff, Edward; Merlino, F. Joseph; Garcia, Tanya I.; Kramer, Helen M.

2016-01-01

This article investigates the utility and availability of college data to evaluate the impact of high school interventions. It reports results of a pilot study that collected information about the college experiences of graduates from four high schools in the northeast United States. Using these results as a lens, the article examines what…

Characterizing meadow vegetation with multitemporal Landsat thematic mapper remote sensing.

Treesearch

Alan A. Ager; Karen E. Owens

2004-01-01

Wet meadows are important biological components in the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon. Many meadows in the Blue Mountains and elsewhere in the Western United States are in a state of change owing to grazing, mining, logging, road development, and other factors. This project evaluated the utility of remotely sensed data to characterize and monitor meadow vegetation...

The Value of Wilderness Orientation Programs at Colleges and Universities in the United States.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gass, Michael A.

A 1983 mail survey identified 34 universities and colleges utilizing the wilderness environment as a means to indoctrinate students into a school setting and resulted in: (1) the creation of a networking system of these institutions; (2) the identification of the University of Missouri at Columbia, Cornell University, Towson State University,…

Assessing the efficiency of mass transit systems in the United States.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-04-01

Frustrated with increased parking problems, unstable gasoline prices, and stifling traffic congestion, a growing number of : metropolitan city dwellers consider utilizing the mass transit system. Reflecting this sentiment, a ridership of the mass tra...

Electric Utility Generating Units: Repealing the Clean Power Plan

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The Clean Power Plan established emission guidelines for states to follow in limiting carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from existing power plants. EPA is proposing to repeal the CPP and rescind the accompanying legal memorandum.

ToxCast: Developing Predictive Signatures of Chemically Induced Toxicity (S)

EPA Science Inventory

ToxCast, the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s chemical prioritization research program, is developing methods for utilizing computational chemistry, bioactivity profiling and toxicogenomic data to predict potential for toxicity and prioritize limited testing resour...

Pilot tests of automated speed enforcement devices and procedures

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1984-02-01

This report concerns the identification of technologies applicable to speed enforcement and an assessment of their potential utility in the United States. The study emphasizes technologies in common use in Europe and elsewhere, but relatively unknown...

Use and Characteristics of Electronic Health Record Systems among Office-Based Physician Practices: United States, ...

MedlinePlus

... on Vital and Health Statistics Annual Reports Health Survey Research Methods Conference Reports from the National Medical Care Utilization and Expenditure Survey Clearinghouse on Health Indexes Statistical Notes for Health ...

THE TOXCAST PROGRAM FOR PRIORITIZING TOXICITY TESTING OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICALS

EPA Science Inventory

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is developing methods for utilizing computational chemistry, high-throughput screening (HTS) and various toxicogenomic technologies to predict potential for toxicity and prioritize limited testing resources towards chemicals...

USDA Flax fiber utilization research

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The United States is pursuing natural fibers as sustainable, environmentally friendly sources for a variety of industrial applications. Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) fiber offers many possibilities towards this goal. Research on flax fiber production, processing, and standards development is urgen...

Preference of Formosan subterranean termites for blue-stained southern yellow pine sapwood.

PubMed

Little, N S; Blount, N A; Londo, A J; Kitchens, S C; Schultz, T P; McConnell, T E; Riggins, J J

2012-10-01

Little research has been conducted to investigate interactions between the invasive Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, and pine bark beetles native to the southeastern United States. Facilitative interactions between these organisms could alter stand dynamics and impact wood utilization strategies. American Wood Protection Association Standard E1-09 choice tests were carried out to determine the feeding preference of Formosan subterranean termites for blue-stained versus unstained southern yellow pine sapwood. Three separate colonies of Formosan subterranean termites consumed on average twice as much air-dried blue-stained southern yellow pine sapwood over unstained air-dried controls. Additionally, Formosan subterranean termites consumed over five-times more kiln-dried blue-stained sapwood than unstained kiln-dried control wafers. The implications of these results are particularly relevant to pine forest ecology, nutrient cycling, and the utilization of blue-stained southern pine building products in the southeastern United States, where Formosan subterranean termites have become established.

Safeguards Workforce Repatriation, Retention and Utilization

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

Gallucci, Nicholas; Poe, Sarah

Brookhaven National Laboratory was tasked by NA-241 to assess the transition of former IAEA employees back to the United States, investigating the rate of retention and overall smoothness of the repatriation process among returning safeguards professionals. Upon conducting several phone interviews, study authors found that the repatriation process went smoothly for the vast majority and that workforce retention was high. However, several respondents expressed irritation over the minimal extent to which their safeguards expertise had been leveraged in their current positions. This sentiment was pervasive enough to prompt a follow-on study focusing on questions relating to the utilization rather thanmore » the retention of safeguards professionals. A second, web-based survey was conducted, soliciting responses from a larger sample pool. Results suggest that the safeguards workforce may be oversaturated, and that young professionals returning to the United States from Agency positions may soon encounter difficulties finding jobs in the field.« less

Patient Smartphone Ownership and Interest in Mobile Apps to Monitor Symptoms of Mental Health Conditions: A Survey in Four Geographically Distinct Psychiatric Clinics.

PubMed

Torous, John; Chan, Steven Richard; Yee-Marie Tan, Shih; Behrens, Jacob; Mathew, Ian; Conrad, Erich J; Hinton, Ladson; Yellowlees, Peter; Keshavan, Matcheri

2014-01-01

Despite growing interest in mobile mental health and utilization of smartphone technology to monitor psychiatric symptoms, there remains a lack of knowledge both regarding patient ownership of smartphones and their interest in using such to monitor their mental health. To provide data on psychiatric outpatients' prevalence of smartphone ownership and interest in using their smartphones to run applications to monitor their mental health. We surveyed 320 psychiatric outpatients from four clinics around the United States in order to capture a geographically and socioeconomically diverse patient population. These comprised a state clinic in Massachusetts (n=108), a county clinic in California (n=56), a hybrid public and private clinic in Louisiana (n=50), and a private/university clinic in Wisconsin (n=106). Smartphone ownership and interest in utilizing such to monitor mental health varied by both clinic type and age with overall ownership of 62.5% (200/320), which is slightly higher than the average United States' rate of ownership of 58% in January 2014. Overall patient interest in utilizing smartphones to monitor symptoms was 70.6% (226/320). These results suggest that psychiatric outpatients are interested in using their smartphones to monitor their mental health and own the smartphones capable of running mental healthcare related mobile applications.

Assessment of the biophysical impacts of utility-scale photovoltaics through observations and modelling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Broadbent, A. M.; Georgescu, M.; Krayenhoff, E. S.; Sailor, D.

2017-12-01

Utility-scale solar power plants are a rapidly growing component of the solar energy sector. Utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) solar power generation in the United States has increased by 867% since 2012 (EIA, 2016). This expansion is likely to continue as the cost PV technologies decrease. While most agree that solar power can decrease greenhouse gas emissions, the biophysical effects of PV systems on surface energy balance (SEB), and implications for surface climate, are not well understood. To our knowledge, there has never been a detailed observational study of SEB at a utility-scale solar array. This study presents data from an eddy covariance observational tower, temporarily placed above a utility-scale PV array in Southern Arizona. Comparison of PV SEB with a reference (unmodified) site, shows that solar panels can alter the SEB and near surface climate. SEB observations are used to develop and validate a new and more complete SEB PV model. In addition, the PV model is compared to simpler PV modelling methods. The simpler PV models produce differing results to our newly developed model and cannot capture the more complex processes that influence PV SEB. Finally, hypothetical scenarios of PV expansion across the continental United States (CONUS) were developed using various spatial mapping criteria. CONUS simulations of PV expansion reveal regional variability in biophysical effects of PV expansion. The study presents the first rigorous and validated simulations of the biophysical effects of utility-scale PV arrays.

Thoracoscopic Vs open resection of congenital cystic lung disease- utilization and outcomes in 1120 children in the United States.

PubMed

Polites, Stephanie F; Habermann, Elizabeth B; Zarroug, Abdalla E; Thomsen, Kristine M; Potter, Donald D

2016-07-01

To determine if utilization of thoracoscopic resection of congenital cystic lung disease (CLD) is increasing and if this approach is associated with improved outcomes using a large national sample. Children ≤20years old who underwent resection of a congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation, bronchopulmonary sequestration, or bronchogenic cyst were identified from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database (2009, 2012) and Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2008, 2010-2011). Patient characteristics and outcomes were compared between thoracoscopic and open approaches using univariate and multivariable analyses stratified by magnitude of resection. Thoracoscopic resection was used in 39.4% of 1120 children who underwent resection of CLD. Utilization of the thoracoscopic approach increased from 32.2% in 2008 to 48.2% in 2012. Use of thoracoscopy was lower in lobectomy than segmental resection (32.5 vs 48.4%, p<.001). Newborns, those with comorbid congenital conditions, and those with respiratory infections also had lower rates of thoracoscopy. After stratifying by magnitude of resection and adjusting for patient complexity, complication rates and postoperative length of stay were similar between thoracoscopic and open approaches. Utilization of thoracoscopic resection for CLD in the United States is increasing with time. After adjusting for patient complexity, there is no difference in postoperative length of stay or complications between thoracoscopic and open lobectomy and sub-lobar resection. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Utilization of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for testicular cancer in the United States: Results from the National Cancer Database (1998-2011).

PubMed

Hugen, Cory M; Hu, Brian; Jeldres, Claudio; Burton, Claire; Nichols, Craig R; Porter, Christopher R; Daneshmand, Siamak

2016-11-01

Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) for the treatment of testicular cancer is a relatively rare and complex operation that may contribute to differences in utilization. We sought to characterize the use of RPLND between different categories of cancer center facilities in the United States. The National Cancer Database was queried for patients with germ cell tumors treated at different types of cancer centers between 1998 and 2011. The proportion of patients who underwent RPLND was stratified by stage and histology and then compared between treatment facilities. RPLND utilization was then compared between facility types as a function of time. A total of 59,652 patients met inclusion criteria and 5,475 (9.2%) underwent RPLND. The proportion of patients treated with RPLND for non-seminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT) was significantly different between cancer center types for all stages (P<0.001) and used most often in academic comprehensive cancer centers. There was no difference in the proportion of RPLND utilization for stage II and III seminoma stratified by treatment facility. There was a significantly decreased trend in the utilization of RPLND for stage I (P = 0.032) NSGCT whereas utilization was increased for stage III NSGCT (P≤0.001) over the study period. The proportion of patients undergoing RPLND for NSGCT varies significantly by the type of cancer center and is used most often in academic cancer centers. Utilization of RPLND decreased for stage I NSGCT and increased for stage III NSGCTs during the study period. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Trends in Gender-affirming Surgery in Insured Patients in the United States

PubMed Central

Ives, Graham C.; Sluiter, Emily C.; Waljee, Jennifer F.; Yao, Tsung-Hung; Hu, Hsou Mei

2018-01-01

Background: An estimated 0.6% of the U.S. population identifies as transgender and an increasing number of patients are presenting for gender-related medical and surgical services. Utilization of health care services, especially surgical services, by transgender patients is poorly understood beyond survey-based studies. In this article, our aim is 2-fold; first, we intend to demonstrate the utilization of datasets generated by insurance claims data as a means of analyzing gender-related health services, and second, we use this modality to provide basic demographic, utilization, and outcomes data about the insured transgender population. Methods: The Truven MarketScan Database, containing data from 2009 to 2015, was utilized, and a sample set was created using the Gender Identity Disorder diagnosis code. Basic demographic information and utilization of gender-affirming procedures was tabulated. Results: We identified 7,905 transgender patients, 1,047 of which underwent surgical procedures from 2009 to 2015. Our demographic results were consistent with previous survey-based studies, suggesting transgender patients are on average young adults (average age = 29.8), and geographically diverse. The most common procedure from 2009 to 2015 was mastectomy. Complications of all gender-affirming procedures was 5.8%, with the highest rate of complications occurring with phalloplasty. There was a marked year-by-year increase in utilization of surgical services. Conclusion: Transgender care and gender confirming surgery are an increasing component of health care in the United States. The data contained in existing databases can provide demographic, utilization, and outcomes data relevant to providers caring for the transgender patient population. PMID:29876180

Dedos de Luna. Children's Literature in Spanish: Bilingual Edition. Guia para maestros en espanol e ingles. Elementary Literature Series, Part II.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walker, Dana; Huerta, Mario

This curriculum unit is designed to give primary school students foreign language experiences and also to support the cultural literacy strand of the California State History-Social Science Framework. The unit is part of an elementary literature series which utilizes quality primary source literature from various world regions and countries and…

Perspectives on Embedded Media

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-01-01

Executive Office of the President, and the heads of executive departments and agencies on utilization of the most effective means for the United...agencies in developing a strategy for disseminating truthful, accurate, and effective messages about the United States, its Government and policies, and...During the Civil War, censorship was the rule of the day, and reporters were subject to courts martial if they disclosed sensitive information; yet

The United Kingdom SATMaP program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Towshend, J. R.; Cushnie, J.; Atkinson, P.; Hardy, J. R.; Wilson, A.; Harrison, A.; Baker, J. R.; Jackson, M.

1983-01-01

Data from test tapes from the United States (specifically the August Arkansas scene) and the first tape of the UK test site which came from ESRIN are analyzed. Methods for estimating spatial resolution are discussed and some preliminary results are included. The characteristics of the ESRIN data are examined and the utility of the various spectral bands of the thematic mapper for land cover mapping are outlined.

International HIV and AIDS prevention: Japan/United States collaboration.

PubMed

Umenai, T; Narula, M; Onuki, D; Yamamoto, T; Igari, T

1997-01-01

As the epicenter of the HIV/AIDS pandemic shifts from Africa to Asia, Japan is becoming ever more aware of the importance of containing and preventing spread of the virus. International collaboration, particularly with the United States, is a logical approach because it allows utilization of expertise from countries in other stages of the pandemic, can prevent duplication of efforts, and complements efforts of the other countries. Further, both Japan and the United States can use their combined influence and prestige to encourage cooperation among all nations. In 1994, Japan established the Global Issues Initiative to extend cooperation to developing countries in the areas of population and AIDS control. It has disbursed more than $460 million (U.S.$) to promote active cooperation and stimulate international attention to the importance of addressing these health issues. Japan has established four main programs for international collaboration for control of HIV and AIDS, three operated by ministries and one by a Japanese nongovernmental organization. Japanese/United States collaboration is developing through the United States/Japan Cooperative Medical Sciences Program, the Common Agenda for Cooperation in Global Perspective, the Paris Summit, and the United Nations Joint Programme on AIDS. It is critical that Japan and the United States, as the two largest donors to international development, demonstrate, through their collaboration, ways to maximize the use of limited resources, reduce duplication, and promote sustainable development programs in which HIV prevention and AIDS care programs are systemically integrated.

Analysis of Fractured Teeth Utilizing Digital Microscopy: A Pilot Study

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-01

ANALYSIS OF FRACTURED TEETH UTILIZING DIGITAL MICROSCOPY: A PILOT STUDY by Thomas Gene Cooper, D.M.D., M.P.H. Lieutenant Commander, Dental Corps...United States Navy A thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Endodontic Graduate Program Naval Postgraduate Dental School Uniformed Services...Postgraduate Dental School Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Bethesda, Maryland CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL MASTER’S THESIS This is to

Profiles of the Most Preferred and the Most Effective Music Therapy Approaches Being Utilized with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders According to the Opinions of Music Therapists in the U.S.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eren, Bilgehan

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to identify and analyze opinions of music therapists practicing in the United States, regarding various music therapy approaches currently being utilized with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Music therapy approaches were analyzed for possible correlations between music therapists' preferences, and…

Assessing the influence of forest ownership type and location on roundwood utilization at the stump and top in a region with small-diameter markets

Treesearch

Matthew Bumgardner; Scott Bowe; Janice Wiedenbeck

2013-01-01

Research conducted in a variety of hardwood regions across the United States has indicated that utilization of small-diameter roundwood is hindered by a lack of markets. Efficient removal of such material could enable silvicultural practices to improve stand conditions and economic return for landowners. However, evidence from other studies has suggested that markets...

Assessment of potential future hydrogen markets in the U.S.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kashani, A. K.

1980-01-01

Potential future hydrogen markets in the United States are assessed. Future hydrogen markets for various use sectors are projected, the probable range of hydrogen production costs from various alternatives is estimated, stimuli and barriers to the development of hydrogen markets are discussed, an overview of the status of technologies for the production and utilization of hydrogen is presented, and, finally, societal aspects of hydrogen production and utilization are discussed.

Empowered: Renewable energy, western states and the Bureau of Land Management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buthman, James Douglas

Renewable Energy (RE) increasingly influences electrical markets throughout the United States. The public lands, those lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), are being used for the placement of utility-scale (20+ Megawatts) RE facilities, particularly solar, wind, and geothermal power plants. This dissertation uses Kingdon's (1984) multiple streams theory (MS) as a framework to examine state influence on the implementation phase of the federal policy process. This is a comparative case study of four western states (Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah). Three theories guide the examination of the three streams of governmental action: problems = new institutionalism; policies = cooperative federalism; and politics = networks. The research question asks: How do state governments affect the implementation phase of the federal policy process concerning the use of the public lands for utility-scale RE?

Essays in renewable energy and emissions trading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kneifel, Joshua D.

Environmental issues have become a key political issue over the past forty years and has resulted in the enactment of many different environmental policies. The three essays in this dissertation add to the literature of renewable energy policies and sulfur dioxide emissions trading. The first essay ascertains which state policies are accelerating deployment of non-hydropower renewable electricity generation capacity into a states electric power industry. As would be expected, policies that lead to significant increases in actual renewable capacity in that state either set a Renewables Portfolio Standard with a certain level of required renewable capacity or use Clean Energy Funds to directly fund utility-scale renewable capacity construction. A surprising result is that Required Green Power Options, a policy that merely requires all utilities in a state to offer the option for consumers to purchase renewable energy at a premium rate, has a sizable impact on non-hydro renewable capacity in that state. The second essay studies the theoretical impacts fuel contract constraints have on an electricity generating unit's compliance costs of meeting the emissions compliance restrictions set by Phase I of the Title IV SO2 Emissions Trading Program. Fuel contract constraints restrict a utility's degrees of freedom in coal purchasing options, which can lead to the use of a more expensive compliance option and higher compliance costs. The third essay analytically and empirically shows how fuel contract constraints impact the emissions allowance market and total electric power industry compliance costs. This paper uses generating unit-level simulations to replicate results from previous studies and show that fuel contracts appear to explain a large portion (65%) of the previously unexplained compliance cost simulations. Also, my study considers a more appropriate plant-level decisions for compliance choices by analytically analyzing the plant level decision-making process to show how cost-minimization at the more complex plant level may deviate from cost-minimization at the generating unit level.

Large wind turbines: A utility option for the generation of electricity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Robbins, W. H.; Thomas, R. L.; Baldwin, D. H.

1980-01-01

The economic and technical potential of wind energy in the United States is discussed. Particular attention is given to the status of wind turbine operational experience as well as the environmental posture of the technology.

Health State Utilities Associated with Glucose Monitoring Devices.

PubMed

Matza, Louis S; Stewart, Katie D; Davies, Evan W; Hellmund, Richard; Polonsky, William H; Kerr, David

2017-03-01

Glucose monitoring is important for patients with diabetes treated with insulin. Conventional glucose monitoring requires a blood sample, typically obtained by pricking the finger. A new sensor-based system called "flash glucose monitoring" monitors glucose levels with a sensor worn on the arm, without requiring blood samples. To estimate the utility difference between these two glucose monitoring approaches for use in cost-utility models. In time trade-off interviews, general population participants in the United Kingdom (London and Edinburgh) valued health states that were drafted and refined on the basis of literature, clinician input, and a pilot study. The health states had identical descriptions of diabetes and insulin treatment, differing only in glucose monitoring approach. A total of 209 participants completed the interviews (51.7% women; mean age = 42.1 years). Mean utilities were 0.851 ± 0.140 for conventional monitoring and 0.882 ± 0.121 for flash monitoring (significant difference between the mean utilities; t = 8.3; P < 0.0001). Of the 209 participants, 78 (37.3%) had a higher utility for flash monitoring, 2 (1.0%) had a higher utility for conventional monitoring, and 129 (61.7%) had the same utility for both health states. The flash glucose monitoring system was associated with a significantly greater utility than the conventional monitoring system. This difference may be useful in cost-utility models comparing the value of glucose monitoring devices for patients with diabetes. This study adds to the literature on treatment process utilities, suggesting that time trade-off methods may be used to quantify preferences among medical devices. Copyright © 2017 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Management of unstable angina pectoris and non-Q-wave acute myocardial infarction in the United States and Canada (the TIMI III Registry).

PubMed

Anderson, H V; Gibson, R S; Stone, P H; Cannon, C P; Aguirre, F; Thompson, B; Knatterud, G L; Braunwald, E

1997-06-01

Management of Q-wave acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been shown to differ between the United States and Canada, with more catheterization and revascularization procedures performed in the United States, but with little or no apparent difference in clinical outcomes. No previous studies have evaluated management differences for the acute coronary syndromes of unstable angina pectoris and non-Q-wave AMI. We therefore compared treatments and outcomes between 14 United States and 4 Canadian tertiary care centers participating in an observational registry of all consecutive admissions for unstable angina or non-Q-wave AMI between 1990 and 1993. A random, stratified sample was selected for detailed assessment and follow-up. There were 1,733 patients enrolled in United States centers and 642 in Canadian ones. In United States centers patients were less likely to receive intravenous nitroglycerin, heparin, beta blockers, calcium antagonists, or > or = 2 anti-ischemic agents. Coronary arteriography during index hospitalization was equally frequent in both countries (63.4% vs 66.9%, p = 0.781), but at 6 weeks and 1 year coronary arteriography was slightly less frequent in the United States patients. Revascularization by coronary angioplasty or bypass surgery was equivalent at 6 weeks and 1 year; however, there were trends toward less angioplasty and more bypass surgery in the United States than in Canada. Patients at United States centers stayed in the hospital fewer days than patients at Canadian centers (mean 8.2 vs 12.1 days, p <0.001). Death or AMI by 6 weeks was not different (4.8% vs 4.4%, p = 0.633), nor was it different at 1 year (10.0% vs 10.2%, p = 0.836). The combined outcome of death, AMI, or recurrent ischemia was more common in United States than in Canadian patients at 6 weeks (18.4% vs 13.9%, p = 0.004). Our findings indicate that United States physicians and hospitals did not consistently utilize more resources and were not more aggressive than their Canadian counterparts when treating acute coronary syndromes during this period.

Terms, Trends, and Insights: PV Project Finance in the United States, 2017

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

Feldman, David J; Schwabe, Paul D

This brief is a compilation of data points and market insights that reflect the state of the project finance market for solar photovoltaic (PV) assets in the United States as of the third quarter of 2017. This information can generally be used as a simplified benchmark of the costs associated with securing financing for solar PV as well as the cost of the financing itself (i.e., the cost of capital). This work represents the second DOE sponsored effort to benchmark financing costs across the residential, commercial, and utility-scale PV markets, as part of its larger effort to benchmark the componentsmore » of PV system costs.« less

Second United States Microgravity Laboratory: One Year Report. Volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vlasse, M (Editor); McCauley, D. (Editor); Walker, C. (Editor)

1998-01-01

This document reports the one year science results for the important and highly successful Second United States Microgravity Laboratory (USML-2). The USML-2 mission consisted of a pressurized Spacelab module where the crew performed experiments. The mission also included a Glovebox where the crew performed additional experiments for the investigators. Together, about 36 major scientific experiments were performed, advancing the state of knowledge in fields such as fluid physics, solidification of metals, alloys, and semiconductors, combustion, and the growth of protein crystals. The results demonstrate the range of quality science that can be conducted utilizing orbital laboratories in microgravity and provide a look forward to a highly productive Space Station era.

Second United States Microgravity Laboratory: One Year Report. Volume 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vlasse, M. (Editor); McCauley, D. (Editor); Walker, C. (Editor)

1998-01-01

This document reports the one year science results for the important and highly successful Second United States Microgravity Laboratory (USML-2). The USML-2 mission consisted of a pressurized Spacelab module where the crew performed experiments. The mission also included a Glovebox where the crew performed additional experiments for the investigators. Together, about 36 major scientific experiments were performed, advancing the state of knowledge in fields such as fluid physics, solidification of metals, alloys, and semiconductors, combustion, and the growth of protein crystals. The results demonstrate the range of quality science that can be conducted utilizing orbital laboratories in microgravity and provide a look forward to a highly productive Space Station era.

Primary CNS germ cell tumors in Japan and the United States: an analysis of 4 tumor registries

PubMed Central

McCarthy, Bridget J.; Shibui, Soichiro; Kayama, Takamasa; Miyaoka, Etsuo; Narita, Yoshitaka; Murakami, Michiko; Matsuda, Ayako; Matsuda, Tomohiro; Sobue, Tomotaka; Palis, Bryan E.; Dolecek, Therese A.; Kruchko, Carol; Engelhard, Herbert H.; Villano, J. Lee

2012-01-01

Intracranial germ cell tumors (GCTs) are relatively rare. Their incidence has been considered to be higher in East Asia than in the United States. This study estimates the incidence of CNS GCTs in Japan and the United States, investigates gender discrepancies in each country, and describes treatment outcomes. Data on primary CNS GCTs from 4 databases were utilized: population-based malignant incidence data from (1) the Japan Cancer Surveillance Research Group (2004–2006; 14 registries), malignant and nonmalignant incidence data from (2) the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (2004–2008; 17 registries), and hospital-based observed survival data from (3) the Brain Tumor Registry of Japan (1984–2000) and (4) the US National Cancer Data Base (1990–2003). Incidence rates per 100 000 for malignant GCTs were not statistically significantly different between Japan (males = 0.143, females = 0.046) and the United States (males = 0.118, females = 0.030). The malignant incidence-rate ratio was higher for pineal GCTs versus nonpineal (ie, the rest of the brain) GCTs in Japan (11.5:1 vs 1.9:1, respectively) and the United States (16.0:1 vs 1.7:1, respectively). In general, 5-year survival estimates were high: over 75% for all GCTs, and over 81% for germinomas, regardless of the type of treatment in either Japan or the United States. The incidence of primary GCTs is similar between Japan and the United States and has the same gender-based patterns by location. High rates of survival were observed in both countries. PMID:22869621

75 FR 47627 - Notice of Lodging of Proposed Consent Decree With Hoosier Energy Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-06

... Electric Cooperative, Inc. Under The Clean Air Act Pursuant to 28 CFR 50.7, notice is hereby given that on... the federal Clean Air Act (``Act''), the United States and the State of Indiana allege that Hoosier--an electric utility--failed to comply with certain requirements of the Act intended to protect air...

Resources for Shaping Collective Bargaining Laws to Meet the Special Needs of Higher Education. Special Report No. 18.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Academic Collective Bargaining Information Service, Washington, DC.

At least 10 additional states, as of Febraury 1975, and the Congress of the United States are shaping bills that, should they become law, will enable teachers and other professionals employed by public colleges and universities to utilize collective bargaining as an instrument for determining wages, hours, and other conditions of employment. Many…

Developing a methodology to predict oak wilt distribution using classification tree analysis

Treesearch

Marla C. Downing; Vernon L. Thomas; Robin M. Reich

2006-01-01

Oak wilt (Ceratocystis fagacearum), a fungal disease that causes some species of oak trees to wilt and die rapidly, is a threat to oak forested resources in 22 states in the United States. We developed a methodology for predicting the Potential Distribution of Oak Wilt (PDOW) using Anoka County, Minnesota as our study area. The PDOW utilizes GIS; the...

Lessons Learned on Communication and Engagement for Educator Evaluation: Colorado Case Study. Policy-to-Practice Brief

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Behrstock-Sherratt, Ellen; Biggers, Kietha; Fetters, Jenni

2012-01-01

With many efforts underway across the United States, state education agency (SEA) leaders have the opportunity to utilize the expertise of their contacts in other SEAs and regional comprehensive centers (RCCs) in their region and throughout the country to exchange ideas and share the lessons they have learned about involving stakeholders in…

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

Wiser, Ryan; Bolinger, Mark

Wind power capacity in the United States experienced strong growth in 2016. Recent and projected near-term growth is supported by the industry’s primary federal incentive—the production tax credit (PTC)—as well as a myriad of state-level policies. Wind additions have also been driven by improvements in the cost and performance of wind power technologies, yielding low power sales prices for utility, corporate, and other purchasers.

Deregulation of the Electric Industry and Its Potential Benefits for School Districts.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Watkiss, Jeffrey D.

1997-01-01

The electric utility industry is the last bastion of regulated monopolies in the United States. An overview of recent competition in the electric-power industry at both the federal and state levels and how this may affect school districts is offered in this article. The text identifies and evaluates how school districts can obtain cheaper power…

76 FR 63296 - Notice of a Regional Waiver of Section 1605 (Buy American requirement) of the American Recovery...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-12

... goods are not produced in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available quantities and of a satisfactory quality] to the Utility for the purchase of a magnetic flow meter, manufactured in Mexico. This is... waiver based on project specific circumstances. The waiver applicant states that the project requires the...

Problem-Posing in a Primary Grade Classroom: Utilizing Freire's Methods to Break the Culture of Silence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reed, Judith; Saunders, Karen; Pfadenhauer-Simonds, Susan

2015-01-01

Using Paulo Freire's, idea that the aim of education must always be to transform the world so as to liberate oppressed peoples. The authors: Reed, Saunders, and Pfadenhauer-Simonds address this issue by noting that state-backed education systems in the United States, as elsewhere, arguably can be seen as supporting repressive forces that keep…

A Review of Common Tanning Methods

PubMed Central

Garone, Michael; Fabrikant, Jordan

2015-01-01

Tanning in the United States has become an increasingly popular activity in our culture. Tanning methods have evolved through the years to become more readily accessible and easier to use for all consumers, regardless of geographic location. With the rising incidence of skin cancer, the demand for safe and efficient tanning methods remains high. There are currently many different tanning methods being utilized, and still more are being researched. This article serves to summarize some of the most common tarining methods used in the United States today as well as some potential methods currently under study. PMID:25741402

United States National Seismic Hazard Maps

USGS Publications Warehouse

Petersen, M.D.; ,

2008-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey?s maps of earthquake shaking hazards provide information essential to creating and updating the seismic design provisions of building codes and insurance rates used in the United States. Periodic revisions of these maps incorporate the results of new research. Buildings, bridges, highways, and utilities built to meet modern seismic design provisions are better able to withstand earthquakes, not only saving lives but also enabling critical activities to continue with less disruption. These maps can also help people assess the hazard to their homes or places of work and can also inform insurance rates.

Greater Commitment Needed to Solve Continuing Problems at Three Mile Island.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-08-26

respon- sibility for assuring the reliability of electric bulk power supply throughout the United States. The basic authority for Federal regulation of...and support FERC on ratemaking and cost of service matters, (2) intervene in regulatory cases at botn State and Federal levels on national energy policy...of the GPU operating companies. Through the ratemaking process, State regulators may review a utility’s expenses, set the amount of revenues the

Future Foreign Perceptions of Chemical Weapons Utility

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-10-01

Iraq’s and Syria’s nuclear weapons programs, and the specter of such action may have precipitated Libya to abandon its program. North Korea and Iran ...declared as such. Today, only seven states have not acceded to the CWC: Angola, Egypt, Israel, Myanmar , North Korea , Somalia, and Syria.1 Of those...seven, Syria and North Korea most evidently maintain active offensive CW programs. Of CWC state par- ties, the United States has expressed compliance

A Review of Avian Monitoring and Mitigation Information at Existing Utility-Scale Solar Facilities

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

Walston, Leroy J.; Rollins, Katherine E.; Smith, Karen P.

2015-01-01

There are two basic types of solar energy technology: photovoltaic and concentrating solar power. As the number of utility-scale solar energy facilities using these technologies is expected to increase in the United States, so are the potential impacts on wildlife and their habitats. Recent attention is on the risk of fatality to birds. Understanding the current rates of avian mortality and existing monitoring requirements is an important first step in developing science-based mitigation and minimization protocols. The resulting information also allows a comparison of the avian mortality rates of utility-scale solar energy facilities with those from other technologies and sources,more » as well as the identification of data gaps and research needs. This report will present and discuss the current state of knowledge regarding avian issues at utility-scale solar energy facilities.« less

Utilization of information technology in eastern North Carolina physician practices: determining the existence of a digital divide.

PubMed

Rosenthal, David A; Layman, Elizabeth J

2008-02-13

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has emphasized the importance of utilizing health information technologies, thus making the availability of electronic resources critical for physicians across the country. However, few empirical assessments exist regarding the current status of computerization and utilization of electronic resources in physician offices and physicians' perceptions of the advantages and disadvantages of computerization. Through a survey of physicians' utilization and perceptions of health information technology, this study found that a "digital divide" existed for eastern North Carolina physicians in smaller physician practices. The physicians in smaller practices were less likely to utilize or be interested in utilizing electronic health records, word processing applications, and the Internet.

2014 Wind Technologies Market Report

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

Wiser, R.; Bolinger, M.

According to the 2014 Wind Technologies Market Report, total installed wind power capacity in the United States grew at a rate of eight percent in 2014, bringing the United States total installed capacity to nearly 66 gigawatts (GW), which ranks second in the world and meets 4.9 percent of U.S. end-use electricity demand in an average year. In total, 4,854 MW of new wind energy capacity were installed in the United States in 2014. The 2014 Wind Technologies Market Report also finds that wind energy prices are at an all-time low and are competitive with wholesale power prices and traditionalmore » power sources across many areas of the United States. Additionally, a new trend identified by the 2014 Wind Technologies Market Report shows utility-scale turbines with larger rotors designed for lower wind speeds have been increasingly deployed across the country in 2014. The findings also suggest that the success of the U.S. wind industry has had a ripple effect on the American economy, supporting 73,000 jobs related to development, siting, manufacturing, transportation, and other industries.« less

Intimate partner violence, depression, and barriers to service utilization in Arab American women.

PubMed

Kulwicki, Anahid; Ballout, Suha; Kilgore, Colleen; Hammad, Adnan; Dervartanian, Hermine

2015-01-01

How intimate partner violence (IPV), depression, and barriers to services affect Arab American women in the United States is not very well documented. This cross-sectional exploratory descriptive study examines (a) the relationship between depression and IPV and (b) whether living in the United States 10 or more years decreases barriers to reporting intimate partner violence and depression in a sample (N = 312) of Arab American women 19 years and older. Findings demonstrate significant relationships between women who were at risk for IPV and depression scores (r = .44, p < .001), and number of years living in the United States and barriers to service (r = .25, p < .001). There was a significant negative relationship between barriers to service and depression (r = -.30, p < .001), and barriers to service and IPV (r = -.23, p < .001), and number of years living in the United States and depression (r = .25, p < .001). Findings underscore the importance of screening referral and follow-up for Arab American women experiencing IPV and depression. © The Author(s) 2014.

Will they stay or will they go? The role of job embeddedness in predicting turnover in individualistic and collectivistic cultures.

PubMed

Ramesh, Anuradha; Gelfand, Michele J

2010-09-01

Although turnover is an issue of global concern, paradoxically there have been few studies of turnover across cultures. We investigated the cross-cultural generalizability of the job embeddedness model (Mitchell & Lee, 2001) by examining turnover in an individualistic country (United States) and a collectivistic country (India). Using cross-cultural data from call centers (N = 797), we demonstrated that although organization job embeddedness predicted turnover in both countries, different dimensions of job embeddedness predicted turnover in the United States and India. As hypothesized, on the basis of individualism-collectivism theory, person-job fit was a significant predictor of lower turnover in the United States, whereas person-organization fit, organization links, and community links were significant predictors of lower turnover in India. We also explored whether a newly developed construct of embeddedness-family embeddedness-predicts turnover above and beyond job embeddedness and found initial support for its utility in both the United States and India. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. Copyright 2010 APA, all rights reserved

Physical Therapy Utilization in Intensive Care Units: Results from a National Survey

PubMed Central

Hodgin, Katherine E.; Nordon-Craft, Amy; McFann, Kim K.; Mealer, Meredith L.; Moss, Marc

2009-01-01

Objective Patients who survive admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) commonly complain of fatigue, weakness, and poor functional status. This study sought to determine the utilization of inpatient physical therapy for patients recovering from critical illness. Design Surveys were mailed to 984 physical therapists from across the United States. Each survey included questions concerning staffing and availability of physical therapists for ICU patients, and the utilization of physical therapy (PT) for six patient scenarios requiring ICU admission and mechanical ventilation. Main Results Overall 482 physical therapists completed their survey. The majority of hospitals (89%) at which the physical therapists were employed require a physician consultation to initiate PT for ICU patients. Established hospital criteria for the initiation of PT in the ICU were present at only 10% of the hospitals. Community hospitals were more likely to routinely provide PT on weekends compared to academic hospitals (p=0.03). The likelihood of routine PT involvement varied significantly with the clinical scenario (highest 87% status post cerebrovascular accident, lowest 64% chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, p<0.001). The most common types of PT that would be performed on these critically ill patients were functional mobility retraining and therapeutic exercise. The type of PT identified by the physical therapists as having the most positive impact also significantly varied according to the clinical scenario (p<0.001). Conclusions PT is commonly administered to ICU patients during the recovery from critical illness in the United States. However the frequency and type of PT significantly varies based on the type of hospital and the clinical scenario. PMID:19114903

Light-Duty Vehicle CO2 and Fuel Economy Trends

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This report provides data on the fuel economy, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and technology trends of new light-duty vehicles (cars, minivans, sport utility vehicles, and pickup trucks) for model years 1975 to present in the United States.

To amend title 40, United States Code, to provide additional authority and definitions relating to public utility contracts.

THOMAS, 111th Congress

Rep. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA-29

2009-01-06

House - 02/24/2009 Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement. (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status IntroducedHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

Monochloramine Cometabolism by Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria. Report #4341

EPA Science Inventory

Chloramine use is widespread in United States (US) drinking water distribution systems as a secondary disinfectant. In a recent survey of water utilities, 30% of the respondents used chloramines to maintain distribution system residual (AWWA Water Quality and Technology Division...

ToxCast: Using high throughput screening to identify profiles of biological activity

EPA Science Inventory

ToxCast, the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s chemical prioritization research program, is developing methods for utilizing computational chemistry and bioactivity profiling to predict potential for toxicity and prioritize limited testing resources (www.epa.gov/toc...

Applications of high throughput screening to identify profiles of biological activity

EPA Science Inventory

ToxCast, the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s chemical prioritization research program, is developing methods for utilizing computational chemistry and bioactivity profiling to predict potential for toxicity and prioritize limited testing resources (www.epa.gov/toc...

Predictive In Vitro Screening of Environmental Chemicals – The ToxCast Project

EPA Science Inventory

ToxCast, the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s chemical prioritization research program, is developing methods for utilizing computational chemistry and bioactivity profiling to predict potential for toxicity and prioritize limited testing resources (www.epa.gov/toc...

Development of Mobile Measurement Method Series OTM 33

EPA Science Inventory

Starting in 2006, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has explored use of mobile instrumented vehicles for a variety of air quality assessment applications under its Geospatial Measurement of Air Pollution (GMAP) program. GMAP systems utilize next generation, fast-r...

48 CFR 241.201 - Policy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

..., and decisions of independent regulatory bodies. This policy does not extend to nonindependent regulatory bodies. (2) Purchases of utility services outside the United States may use— (i) Formats and technical provisions consistent with local practice; and (ii) Dual language forms and contracts. (3) Rates...

48 CFR 241.201 - Policy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

..., and decisions of independent regulatory bodies. This policy does not extend to nonindependent regulatory bodies. (2) Purchases of utility services outside the United States may use— (i) Formats and technical provisions consistent with local practice; and (ii) Dual language forms and contracts. (3) Rates...

48 CFR 241.201 - Policy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

..., and decisions of independent regulatory bodies. This policy does not extend to nonindependent regulatory bodies. (2) Purchases of utility services outside the United States may use— (i) Formats and technical provisions consistent with local practice; and (ii) Dual language forms and contracts. (3) Rates...

48 CFR 241.201 - Policy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

..., and decisions of independent regulatory bodies. This policy does not extend to nonindependent regulatory bodies. (2) Purchases of utility services outside the United States may use— (i) Formats and technical provisions consistent with local practice; and (ii) Dual language forms and contracts. (3) Rates...

COPPER PITTING AND PINHOLE LEAK RESEARCH STUDY

EPA Science Inventory

Localized copper corrosion or pitting is a significant problem at many water utilities across the United States. Copper pinhole leak problems resulting from extensive pitting are widely under reported. Given the sensitive nature of the problem, extent of damage possible, costs o...

Analysis of spectrum utilization and message length statistics for the railroad land mobile radio service

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1997-11-01

In support of the Federal Railroad Administration of the United States Department of Transportation, the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS) has completed a field spectrum uitilization survey designed to examine individual channel utilizat...

Factors influencing kenaf harvesting and processing in the United States

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The selection of the appropriate kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L., Malvaceae) production and harvest system is dependent on many factors, including location, equipment availability, storage options, processing plants, plant utilization, and economics. Since its first domestication, kenaf has consisten...

Lime utilization in the laboratory, field, and design of pavement layers : [research project capsule].

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-05-01

Nearly two-thirds of highways in the United States are constructed on in-place soils : with poor or undesirable characteristics. These materials demonstrate undesirable : engineering behavior, such as low bearing capacity, high shrink/swell potential...

Washington, D.C. | Midmarket Solar Policies in the United States | Solar

Science.gov Websites

Community Solar in the District of Columbia DC Sun: Community Solar Programs and incentives Department of Choice DC DC Sun: Solar Incentives Other DC Sun District of Columbia Sustainable Energy Utility

Behavioral distinctions : the use of light-duty trucks and passenger cars

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2000-12-01

Pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), and minivans are classified as light duty trucks (LDTs) in the United States, resulting in a variety of regulatory protections. According to production and purchase trends, Americans have shifted toward a...

Synthesis of the project leadership staffing needs for successful development of alternative delivery programs.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-08-01

This research provides a synthesis of practices in organizational structuring and professional staffing of the innovative delivery units in several state DOTs across the nation that are actively utilizing alternative project delivery. Several major c...

Cost and utilisation of hospital based delivery care in Empowered Action Group (EAG) states of India.

PubMed

Mohanty, Sanjay K; Srivastava, Akanksha

2013-10-01

Large scale investment in the National Rural Health Mission is expected to increase the utilization and reduce the cost of maternal care in public health centres in India. The objective of this paper is to examine recent trends in the utilization and cost of hospital based delivery care in the Empowered Action Group (EAG) states of India. The unit data from the District Level Household Survey 3, 2007-2008 is used in the analyses. The coverage and the cost of hospital based delivery at constant price is analyzed for five consecutive years preceding the survey. Descriptive and multivariate analyses are used to understand the socio-economic differentials in cost and utilization of delivery care. During 2004-2008, the utilization of delivery care from public health centres has increased in all the eight EAG states. Adjusting for inflation, the household cost of delivery care has declined for the poor, less educated and in public health centres in the EAG states. The cost of delivery care in private health centres has not shown any significant changes across the states. Results of the multivariate analyses suggest that time, state, place of residence, economic status; educational attainment and delivery characteristics of mother are significant predictors of hospital based delivery care in India. The study demonstrates the utility of public spending on health care and provides a thrust to the ongoing debate on universal health coverage in India.

Charting the Emergence of Corporate Procurement of Utility-Scale PV

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

Heeter, Jenny S.; Cook, Jeffrey J.; Bird, Lori A.

Through July 2017, corporate customers contracted for more than 2,300 MW of utility-scale solar. This paper examines the benefits, challenges, and outlooks for large-scale off-site solar purchasing through four pathways: PPAs, retail choice, utility partnerships (green tariffs and bilateral contracts with utilities), and by becoming a licensed wholesale seller of electricity. Each pathway differs based on where in the United States it is available, the value provided to a corporate off-taker, and the ease of implementation. The paper concludes with a discussion of future pathway comparison, noting that to deploy more corporate off-site solar, new procurement pathways are needed.

Cost calculator methods for estimating casework time in child welfare services: A promising approach for use in implementation of evidence-based practices and other service innovations.

PubMed

Holmes, Lisa; Landsverk, John; Ward, Harriet; Rolls-Reutz, Jennifer; Saldana, Lisa; Wulczyn, Fred; Chamberlain, Patricia

2014-04-01

Estimating costs in child welfare services is critical as new service models are incorporated into routine practice. This paper describes a unit costing estimation system developed in England (cost calculator) together with a pilot test of its utility in the United States where unit costs are routinely available for health services but not for child welfare services. The cost calculator approach uses a unified conceptual model that focuses on eight core child welfare processes. Comparison of these core processes in England and in four counties in the United States suggests that the underlying child welfare processes generated from England were perceived as very similar by child welfare staff in California county systems with some exceptions in the review and legal processes. Overall, the adaptation of the cost calculator for use in the United States child welfare systems appears promising. The paper also compares the cost calculator approach to the workload approach widely used in the United States and concludes that there are distinct differences between the two approaches with some possible advantages to the use of the cost calculator approach, especially in the use of this method for estimating child welfare costs in relation to the incorporation of evidence-based interventions into routine practice.

Approximate Dynamic Programming Algorithms for United States Air Force Officer Sustainment

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-26

level of correction needed. While paying bonuses has an easily calculable cost, RIFs have more subtle costs. Mone (1994) discovered that in a steady...a regression is performed utilizing instrumental variables to minimize Bellman error. This algorithm uses a set of basis functions to approximate the...transitioned to an all-volunteer force. Charnes et al. (1972) utilize a goal programming model for General Schedule civilian manpower management in the

Identification of Components or Fractions Associated with Adverse Changes in Freeze Dried Chicken and Pork during Storage

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-06-01

Products Util- ization and Marketing Research Laboratory, Richard B. Russcll Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States...was to determine the effect of the salt phosphate treatment on rehydration. Dr. Arthur J. Mercuri, Chief, Animal Products Utilization and Marketing ... Research Laboratory served as Project Lj.ader, with Fir. A. A. Klose and Dr. W. E. Townsend, Frincipal investigators, and Ms. Brenda Lyon, Technician

Seeing the forest for the trees: utilizing modified random forests imputation of forest plot data for landscape-level analyses

Treesearch

Karin L. Riley; Isaac C. Grenfell; Mark A. Finney

2015-01-01

Mapping the number, size, and species of trees in forests across the western United States has utility for a number of research endeavors, ranging from estimation of terrestrial carbon resources to tree mortality following wildfires. For landscape fire and forest simulations that use the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS), a tree-level dataset, or “tree list”, is a...

Improved solar heating systems

DOEpatents

Schreyer, J.M.; Dorsey, G.F.

1980-05-16

An improved solar heating system is described in which the incident radiation of the sun is absorbed on collector panels, transferred to a storage unit and then distributed as heat for a building and the like. The improvement is obtained by utilizing a storage unit comprising separate compartments containing an array of materials having different melting points ranging from 75 to 180/sup 0/F. The materials in the storage system are melted in accordance with the amount of heat absorbed from the sun and then transferred to the storage system. An efficient low volume storage system is provided by utilizing the latent heat of fusion of the materials as they change states in storing ad releasing heat for distribution.

Solar heating system

DOEpatents

Schreyer, James M.; Dorsey, George F.

1982-01-01

An improved solar heating system in which the incident radiation of the sun is absorbed on collector panels, transferred to a storage unit and then distributed as heat for a building and the like. The improvement is obtained by utilizing a storage unit comprising separate compartments containing an array of materials having different melting points ranging from 75.degree. to 180.degree. F. The materials in the storage system are melted in accordance with the amount of heat absorbed from the sun and then transferred to the storage system. An efficient low volume storage system is provided by utilizing the latent heat of fusion of the materials as they change states in storing and releasing heat for distribution.

Reason-Giving and Medical Futility: Contrasting Legal and Social Discourse in the United States With the United Kingdom and Ontario, Canada.

PubMed

Bosslet, Gabriel T; Baker, Mary; Pope, Thaddeus M

2016-09-01

Disputes regarding life-prolonging treatments are stressful for all parties involved. These disagreements are appropriately almost always resolved with intensive communication and negotiation. Those rare cases that are not require a resolution process that ensures fairness and due process. We describe three recent cases from different countries (the United States, United Kingdom, and Ontario, Canada) to qualitatively contrast the legal responses to intractable, policy-level disputes regarding end-of-life care in each of these countries. In so doing, we define the continuum of clinical and social utility among different types of dispute resolution processes and emphasize the importance of public reason-giving in the societal discussion regarding policy-level solutions to end-of-life treatment disputes. We argue that precedential, publicly available, written rulings for these decisions most effectively help to move the social debate forward in a way that is beneficial to clinicians, patients, and citizens. This analysis highlights the lack of such rulings within the United States. Copyright © 2016 American College of Chest Physicians. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ethnic Barriers to Utilization of Total Joint Arthroplasty Among Chinese Immigrants in the United States.

PubMed

Alley, Maxwell C; Mason, Andrew S; Tybor, David J; Pevear, Mary E; Baratz, Michael D; Smith, Eric L

2016-09-01

Previous studies have documented disparities in total joint arthroplasty (TJA) utilization among African American and Hispanic patients, but utilization among non-English-speaking Chinese patients in the United States has not been studied. To quantify the utilization rate and detect ethnic factors effecting TJA utilization in non-English-speaking Chinese patients, data were gathered prospectively from the practice of a single fellowship-trained Caucasian surgeon from October 2012 to February 2013. A customized survey was drafted and validated in collaboration with a social scientist. Questions assessed demography, lifestyle factors, socioeconomic status, language skills, cultural beliefs, and prior experience with surgery. Surveys were administered in patients' native language and were collected in a blinded fashion. Overall, 269 patients were surveyed (157 Caucasian and 65 Chinese), 85 of which were recommended surgery (42 Caucasian and 26 Chinese). Seventy-six percent of Caucasian patients elected surgery, compared to 35% of Chinese patients. A multivariate logistic regression showed Chinese ethnicity to be a significant predictor of surgical decision after controlling for age, gender, socioeconomic status, and education. Several questions drafted to detect cultural differences in the aforementioned 6 categories were answered significantly differently (P < .05, chi-square). Language, lack of familiarity with surgery, lack of TJA knowledge, family members' role in decision making, and preference for a doctor of the same race may contribute to decreased utilization of TJA in this population. We believe a better understanding of the cultural beliefs and behaviors of Chinese patients will help physicians provide more optimal care to this patient population. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparison of anthropometry of U.S. electric utility field-workers with North American general populations.

PubMed

Marklin, Richard W; Saginus, Kyle A; Seeley, Patricia; Freier, Stephen H

2010-12-01

The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether conventional anthropometric databases of the U.S. general population are applicable to the population of U.S. electric utility field-workers. On the basis of anecdotal observations, field-workers for electric power utilities were thought to be generally taller and larger than the general population. However, there were no anthropometric data available on this population, and it was not known whether the conventional anthropometric databases could be used to design for this population. For this study, 3 standing and II sitting anthropometric measurements were taken from 187 male field-workers from three electric power utilities located in the upper Midwest of the United States and Southern California. The mean and percentile anthropometric data from field-workers were compared with seven well-known conventional anthropometric databases for North American males (United States, Canada, and Mexico). In general, the male field-workers were taller and heavier than the people in the reference databases for U.S. males. The field-workers were up to 2.3 cm taller and 10 kg to 18 kg heavier than the averages of the reference databases. This study was justified, as it showed that the conventional anthropometric databases of the general population underestimated the size of electric utility field-workers, particularly with respect to weight. When designing vehicles and tools for electric utility field-workers, designers and ergonomists should consider the population being designed for and the data from this study to maximize safety, minimize risk of injuries, and optimize performance.

Maximum demand charge rates for commercial and industrial electricity tariffs in the United States

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

McLaren, Joyce; Gagnon, Pieter; Zimny-Schmitt, Daniel

NREL has assembled a list of U.S. retail electricity tariffs and their associated demand charge rates for the Commercial and Industrial sectors. The data was obtained from the Utility Rate Database. Keep the following information in mind when interpreting the data: (1) These data were interpreted and transcribed manually from utility tariff sheets, which are often complex. It is a certainty that these data contain errors, and therefore should only be used as a reference. Actual utility tariff sheets should be consulted if an action requires this type of data. (2) These data only contains tariffs that were entered intomore » the Utility Rate Database. Since not all tariffs are designed in a format that can be entered into the Database, this list is incomplete - it does not contain all tariffs in the United States. (3) These data may have changed since this list was developed (4) Many of the underlying tariffs have additional restrictions or requirements that are not represented here. For example, they may only be available to the agricultural sector or closed to new customers. (5) If there are multiple demand charge elements in a given tariff, the maximum demand charge is the sum of each of the elements at any point in time. Where tiers were present, the highest rate tier was assumed. The value is a maximum for the year, and may be significantly different from demand charge rates at other times in the year. Utility Rate Database: https://openei.org/wiki/Utility_Rate_Database« less

High Speed Solid State Circuit Breaker

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Podlesak, Thomas F.

1993-01-01

The U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Fort Monmouth, NJ, has developed and is installing two 3.3 MW high speed solid state circuit breakers at the Army's Pulse Power Center. These circuit breakers will interrupt 4160V three phase power mains in no more than 300 microseconds, two orders of magnitude faster than conventional mechanical contact type circuit breakers. These circuit breakers utilize Gate Turnoff Thyristors (GTO's) and are currently utility type devices using air cooling in an air conditioned enclosure. Future refinements include liquid cooling, either water or two phase organic coolant, and more advanced semiconductors. Each of these refinements promises a more compact, more reliable unit.

Status of personal health requirement for graduation at institutions of higher education in the United States.

PubMed

Henry, Dayna S; Aydt Klein, Nicole; Kempland, Monica; Rose Oswalt, Sarah; Rexilius, Molly A

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the proportion of higher education institutions in the United States that require a personal health course (PHC) for graduation and to describe the nature of such requirements. Participants: This study included a random sample of public and private institutions of higher education (IHE) with undergraduate programs within the United States (N = 310). Data were collected between September 2014 and May 2015. University catalogs were accessed from the institutions' public Web sites to determine whether a PHC was offered, and whether it was exclusively or optionally required for graduation. The majority (55.8%) of the sample offered at least 1 PHC, with only 10% exclusively requiring the course and an additional 10% optionally required the course. Although the utility of undergraduate students completing a PHC is clear, the majority of institutions do not require such a course for degree conferral.

Natural mineral water of the United States: Section in Fourteenth Annual Report of the United States Geological Survey to the Secretary of the Interior, 1892-1893: Part 2 - Accompanying papers

USGS Publications Warehouse

Peale, A.C.

1894-01-01

Aside from the geological interest attached to the subject of mineral waters the facts that within the limits of the United States there are between 8,000 and 10,000 mineral springs, and that the waters from nearly 300 are annually placed upon the market to the extent of over 21,000,000 gallons, at a valuation of nearly \\$5,000,000, show plainly that the subject is also one of considerable economic importance. That this importance is an increasing one is evident when a comparison of these figures is made with the figures for 1883, the first year they were compiled. The production then was 7,529,423 gallons, with a valuation of \\$1,119,603, and the total number of springs known to be utilized for commercial purposes was only 189.

Contextualizing the Trauma Experience of Women Immigrants From Central America, South America, and Mexico

PubMed Central

Kaltman, Stacey; de Mendoza, Alejandra Hurtado; Gonzales, Felisa A.; Serrano, Adriana; Guarnaccia, Peter J.

2012-01-01

Trauma has been understudied among Latina immigrants from Central and South America. This study examined the types and context of trauma exposure experienced by immigrant women from Central America, South America, and Mexico living in the United States. Twenty-eight women seeking care in primary care or social service settings completed life history interviews. The majority of the women reported some type of trauma exposure in their countries of origin, during immigration, and/or in the United States. In the interviews, we identified types of trauma important to the experience of these immigrants that are not queried by trauma assessments typically used in the United States. We also identified factors that are likely to amplify the impact of trauma exposure. The study highlights the importance of utilizing a contextualized approach when assessing trauma exposure among immigrant women. PMID:22144133

Post-Wildfire Hydrologic Hazards in the Wildland Urban Interface of Colorado and the Western United States

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stevens, M.R.; Bossong, C.R.; Rupert, M.G.; Ranalli, A.J.; Cassidy, E.W.; Druliner, A.D.

2008-01-01

Following a wildfire, such as the 2002 Missionary Ridge fire, a number of hydrologic hazards may develop that can have an important impact on water resources, businesses, homes, reservoirs, roads, and utilities in the wildland urban interface (areas where homes and commercial developments are interspersed with wildlands) in mountainous areas of the Western United States. This fact sheet describes these hazards and identifies approaches to quantify them, thus enabling land and resource managers to plan for and mitigate the effects of these hazards. The fact sheet has been produced in association with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Fire Science Thrust program and the Colorado Front Range Demonstration Project (CFRDP). The current (2007) focus of the CFRDP is on the Three Lakes watershed in Grand County, Colorado, which has applicability to many similar forested, mountain areas in the Western United States.

Identifying Potential Markets for Behind-the-Meter Battery Energy Storage: A Survey of U.S. Demand Charges

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

McLaren, Joyce A; Gagnon, Pieter J; Mullendore, Seth

This paper presents the first publicly available comprehensive survey of the magnitude of demand charges for commercial customers across the United States -- a key predictor of the financial performance of behind-the-meter battery storage systems. Notably, the analysis estimates that there are nearly 5 million commercial customers in the United States who can subscribe to retail electricity tariffs that have demand charges in excess of $15 per kilowatt (kW), over a quarter of the 18 million commercial customers in total in the United States. While the economic viability of installing battery energy storage must be determined on a case-by-case basis,more » high demand charges are often cited as a critical factor in battery project economics. Increasing use of demand charges in utility tariffs and anticipated future declines in storage costs will only serve to unlock additional markets and strengthen existing ones.« less

National Estimates of Healthcare Utilization by Individuals With Hepatitis C Virus Infection in the United States

PubMed Central

Galbraith, James W.; Donnelly, John P.; Franco, Ricardo A.; Overton, Edgar T.; Rodgers, Joel B.; Wang, Henry E.

2014-01-01

Background. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health problem in the United States. Although prior studies have evaluated the HCV-related healthcare burden, these studies examined a single treatment setting and did not account for the growing “baby boomer” population (individuals born during 1945–1965). Methods. Data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, and the Nationwide Inpatient Sample were analyzed. We sought to characterize healthcare utilization by individuals infected with HCV in the United States, examining adult (≥18 years) outpatient, emergency department (ED), and inpatient visits among individuals with HCV diagnosis for the period 2001–2010. Key subgroups included persons born before 1945 (older), between 1945 and 1965 (baby boomer), and after 1965 (younger). Results. Individuals with HCV infection were responsible for >2.3 million outpatient, 73 000 ED, and 475 000 inpatient visits annually. Persons in the baby boomer cohort accounted for 72.5%, 67.6%, and 70.7% of care episodes in these settings, respectively. Whereas the number of outpatient visits remained stable during the study period, inpatient admissions among HCV-infected baby boomers increased by >60%. Inpatient stays totaled 2.8 million days and cost >$15 billion annually. Nonwhites, uninsured individuals, and individuals receiving publicly funded health insurance were disproportionately affected in all healthcare settings. Conclusions. Individuals with HCV infection are large users of outpatient, ED, and inpatient health services. Resource use is highest and increasing in the baby boomer generation. These observations illuminate the public health burden of HCV infection in the United States. PMID:24917659

National estimates of healthcare utilization by individuals with hepatitis C virus infection in the United States.

PubMed

Galbraith, James W; Donnelly, John P; Franco, Ricardo A; Overton, Edgar T; Rodgers, Joel B; Wang, Henry E

2014-09-15

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health problem in the United States. Although prior studies have evaluated the HCV-related healthcare burden, these studies examined a single treatment setting and did not account for the growing "baby boomer" population (individuals born during 1945-1965). Data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, and the Nationwide Inpatient Sample were analyzed. We sought to characterize healthcare utilization by individuals infected with HCV in the United States, examining adult (≥18 years) outpatient, emergency department (ED), and inpatient visits among individuals with HCV diagnosis for the period 2001-2010. Key subgroups included persons born before 1945 (older), between 1945 and 1965 (baby boomer), and after 1965 (younger). Individuals with HCV infection were responsible for >2.3 million outpatient, 73 000 ED, and 475 000 inpatient visits annually. Persons in the baby boomer cohort accounted for 72.5%, 67.6%, and 70.7% of care episodes in these settings, respectively. Whereas the number of outpatient visits remained stable during the study period, inpatient admissions among HCV-infected baby boomers increased by >60%. Inpatient stays totaled 2.8 million days and cost >$15 billion annually. Nonwhites, uninsured individuals, and individuals receiving publicly funded health insurance were disproportionately affected in all healthcare settings. Individuals with HCV infection are large users of outpatient, ED, and inpatient health services. Resource use is highest and increasing in the baby boomer generation. These observations illuminate the public health burden of HCV infection in the United States. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Pharmacogenomic biomarker information in drug labels approved by the United States food and drug administration: prevalence of related drug use.

PubMed

Frueh, Felix W; Amur, Shashi; Mummaneni, Padmaja; Epstein, Robert S; Aubert, Ronald E; DeLuca, Teresa M; Verbrugge, Robert R; Burckart, Gilbert J; Lesko, Lawrence J

2008-08-01

To review the labels of United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs to identify those that contain pharmacogenomic biomarker information, and to collect prevalence information on the use of those drugs for which pharmacogenomic information is included in the drug labeling. Retrospective analysis. The Physicians' Desk Reference Web site, Drugs@FDA Web site, and manufacturers' Web sites were used to identify drug labels containing pharmacogenomic information, and the prescription claims database of a large pharmacy benefits manager (insuring > 55 million individuals in the United States) was used to obtain drug utilization data. Pharmacogenomic biomarkers were defined, FDA-approved drug labels containing this information were identified, and utilization of these drugs was determined. Of 1200 drug labels reviewed for the years 1945-2005, 121 drug labels contained pharmacogenomic information based on a key word search and follow-up screening. Of those, 69 labels referred to human genomic biomarkers, and 52 referred to microbial genomic biomarkers. Of the labels referring to human biomarkers, 43 (62%) pertained to polymorphisms in cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme metabolism, with CYP2D6 being most common. Of 36.1 million patients whose prescriptions were processed by a large pharmacy benefits manager in 2006, about 8.8 million (24.3%) received one or more drugs with human genomic biomarker information in the drug label. Nearly one fourth of all outpatients received one or more drugs that have pharmacogenomic information in the label for that drug. The incorporation and appropriate use of pharmacogenomic information in drug labels should be tested for its ability to improve drug use and safety in the United States.

Electric plant cost and power production expenses 1989. [Glossary included

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

Not Available

1991-03-29

This publication presents electric utility statistics on power production expenses and construction costs of electric generating plants. Data presented here are intended to provide information to the electric utility industry, educational institutions, federal, state, and local governments, and the general public. This report primarily presents aggregate operation, maintenance, and fuel expense data about all power plants owned and operated by the major investor-owned electric utilities in the United States. The power production expenses for the major investor-owned electric utilities are summarized. Plant-specific data are presented for a selection of both investor-owned and publicly owned plants. Summary statistics for each plantmore » type (prime mover), as reported by the electric utilities, are presented in the separate chapters as follows: Hydroelectric Plants; Fossil-Fueled Steam-Electric Plants; Nuclear Steam-Electric Plants; and Gas Turbine and Small Scale Electric Plants. These chapters contain plant level data for 50 conventional hydroelectric plants and 22 pumped storage hydroelectric plants, 50 fossil-fueled steam-electric plants, 71 nuclear steam-electric plants, and 50 gas turbine electric plants. Among the operating characteristics of each plant are the capacity, capability, generation and demand on the plant. Physical characteristics comprise the number of units in the plant, the average number of employees, and other information relative to the plant's operation. The Glossary section will enable the reader to understand clearly the terms used in this report. 4 figs., 18 tabs.« less

Factors Associated With Utilization of Cardiac Rehabilitation Among Patients With Ischemic Heart Disease in the Veterans Health Administration: A QUALITATIVE STUDY.

PubMed

Schopfer, David W; Priano, Susan; Allsup, Kelly; Helfrich, Christian D; Ho, P Michael; Rumsfeld, John S; Forman, Daniel E; Whooley, Mary A

2016-01-01

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with ischemic heart disease but are vastly underutilized in the United States, including the Veterans Health Administration (VA) Healthcare System. Numerous barriers affecting utilization have been identified in other health care systems, but the specific factors affecting Veterans are unknown. We sought to identify barriers and facilitators associated with utilization of CR in VA facilities. We performed a qualitative study of 56 VA patients, providers, and CR program managers at 30 VA facilities across the United States. We conducted semistructured interviews with key informants to explore their attitudes and knowledge toward CR. Interviews were conducted until thematic saturation occurred. Analyses using grounded theory to identify key themes were conducted using the qualitative data analysis package ATLAS.ti. We identified 6 themes as barriers and 5 as facilitators. The most common barriers to participation in CR were patient transportation issues (68%), lack of patient willingness to participate (41%), and no access to a nearby VA hospital with a CR program (30%). The most common facilitators were involvement of a dedicated provider or "clinical champion" (50%), provider knowledge of or experience with CR (48%), and patient desire for additional medical support (32%). Our findings suggest that addressing access issues and educating and activating providers on CR may increase utilization of CR programs. Targeting these specific factors may improve utilization of CR programs.

Impact of United States Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations on Utilization of Prostate-specific Antigen Screening in Medicare Beneficiaries.

PubMed

Khairnar, Rahul; Mishra, Mark V; Onukwugha, Eberechukwu

2018-02-16

Previous studies assessing the impact of United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on utilization of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening have not investigated longer-term impacts of 2008 recommendations nor have they investigated the impact of 2012 recommendations in the Medicare population. This study aimed to evaluate change in utilization of PSA screening, post-2008 and 2012 USPSTF recommendations, and assessed trends and determinants of receipt of PSA screening in the Medicare population. This retrospective study of male Medicare beneficiaries utilized Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey data and linked administrative claims from 2006 to 2013. Beneficiaries aged ≥65 years, with continuous enrollment in parts A and B for each year they were surveyed were included in the study. Beneficiaries with self-reported/claims-based diagnosis of prostate cancer were excluded. The primary outcome was receipt of PSA screening. Other measures included age groups (65 to 74 and ≥75), time periods (pre-2008/post-2008 and 2012 recommendations), and sociodemographic variables. The study cohort consisted of 11,028 beneficiaries, who were predominantly white (87.56%), married (69.25%), and unemployed (84.4%); 52.21% beneficiaries were aged ≥75. Declining utilization trends for PSA screening were observed in men aged ≥75 after 2008 recommendations and in both age groups after 2012 recommendations. The odds of receiving PSA screening declined by 17% in men aged ≥75 after 2008 recommendations and by 29% in men aged ≥65 after 2012 recommendations. The 2008 and 2012 USPSTF recommendations against PSA screening were associated with declines in utilization of PSA screening during the study period. USPSTF recommendations play a significant role in affecting utilization patterns of health services.

Sexual orientation and substance abuse treatment utilization in the United States: results from a national survey.

PubMed

McCabe, Sean Esteban; West, Brady T; Hughes, Tonda L; Boyd, Carol J

2013-01-01

This study examined substance abuse treatment utilization across three dimensions of sexual orientation (identity, attraction, and behavior) in a large national sample of adults in the United States. Prevalence estimates were based on data collected from the 2004-2005 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. The sample consisted of 34,653 adults 20 years and older, and represented a population that was 52% women, 71% White, 12% Hispanic, 11% African American, 4% Asian, and 2% other race/ethnicities. An estimated 2% of the target population self-identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual; 4% reported same-sex sexual behavior, and 6% reported same-sex sexual attraction. Sexual minorities, especially women, had a greater likelihood of lifetime substance use disorders and earlier age of drinking onset. The majority of respondents with substance use disorders were untreated and lifetime substance abuse treatment utilization differed based on sexual orientation. Sexual minorities were found to have more extensive family histories of substance abuse problems. The findings indicate the underutilization of substance abuse treatment among all adults, and highlight some important factors to consider when working with sexual minorities. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Examining the Role of Structural Diversity in Intercultural Competence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Peifer, Janelle S.; Chambers, Karen L.; Lee, Elaine Meyer

2017-01-01

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across the United States have identified intercultural competence as a priority for students in the modern, globalized economy. Increasingly, institutions utilize an intersectional approach to understand how individuals from different backgrounds engage with global learning and international educational…

7 CFR 51.311 - Marking requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... (INSPECTION, CERTIFICATION, AND STANDARDS) United States Standards for Grades of Apples Marking Requirements...), grade, and the numerical count or minimum diameter of apples packed in a closed container shall be indicated on the container. For apple lots utilizing the combined diameter/weight designations for Red...

7 CFR 51.311 - Marking requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... (INSPECTION, CERTIFICATION, AND STANDARDS) United States Standards for Grades of Apples Marking Requirements...), grade, and the numerical count or minimum diameter of apples packed in a closed container shall be indicated on the container. For apple lots utilizing the combined diameter/weight designations for Red...

Evaluation of Genetic Susceptibility to Childhood Allergy and Asthma in an African American Urban Population

EPA Science Inventory

Background: Asthma and allergy represent complex phenotypes, which disproportionately burden ethnic minorities in the United States. Strong evidence for genomic factors predisposing subjects to asthma/allergy is available. However, methods to utilize this information to identify ...

Applications of high throughput screening to identify profiles of biological activity relevant to carcinogenesis

EPA Science Inventory

ToxCast, the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s chemical prioritization research program, is developing methods for utilizing computational chemistry and bioactivity profiling to predict potential for toxicity and prioritize limited testing resources (www.epa.gov/toc...

Reshoring and its impact on transportation infrastructure & US economy.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-12-01

Reshoring is expected to have a tremendous impact on the United States (US) economy and on the utilization of the existing : transportation infrastructures of the country. It is an immense need to identify the potential companies in the US that will ...

Survey of subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) utilization of temperate forests

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Both native and invasive subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), including the Formosan subterranean termite, are well known pests of urban areas, but little is known about their distribution or impact in forest ecosystems of the southeastern United States. Recently harvested timber stump...

Data sources for environmental assessment: determining availability, quality and utility

EPA Science Inventory

Objectives: An environmental quality index (EQI) for all counties in the United States is being developed to explore the relationship between environmental insults and human health. The EQI will be particularly useful to assess how environmental disamenities contribute to health...

77 FR 805 - Utility Scale Wind Towers From China and Vietnam; Institution of Antidumping and Countervailing...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-06

... establishment of an industry in the United States is materially retarded, by reason of imports from China and... February 13, 2012. The Commission's views are due at Commerce within five business days thereafter, or by...

Epidemiology of Hospitalizations Associated with Invasive Candidiasis, United States, 2002–20121

PubMed Central

Strollo, Sara; Lionakis, Michail S.; Adjemian, Jennifer; Steiner, Claudia A.

2017-01-01

Invasive candidiasis is a major nosocomial fungal disease in the United States associated with high rates of illness and death. We analyzed inpatient hospitalization records from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project to estimate incidence of invasive candidiasis–associated hospitalizations in the United States. We extracted data for 33 states for 2002–2012 by using codes from the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification, for invasive candidiasis; we excluded neonatal cases. The overall age-adjusted average annual rate was 5.3 hospitalizations/100,000 population. Highest risk was for adults >65 years of age, particularly men. Median length of hospitalization was 21 days; 22% of patients died during hospitalization. Median unadjusted associated cost for inpatient care was $46,684. Age-adjusted annual rates decreased during 2005–2012 for men (annual change –3.9%) and women (annual change –4.5%) and across nearly all age groups. We report a high mortality rate and decreasing incidence of hospitalizations for this disease. PMID:27983497

Epidemiology of Hospitalizations Associated with Invasive Candidiasis, United States, 2002-20121.

PubMed

Strollo, Sara; Lionakis, Michail S; Adjemian, Jennifer; Steiner, Claudia A; Prevots, D Rebecca

2016-01-01

Invasive candidiasis is a major nosocomial fungal disease in the United States associated with high rates of illness and death. We analyzed inpatient hospitalization records from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project to estimate incidence of invasive candidiasis-associated hospitalizations in the United States. We extracted data for 33 states for 2002-2012 by using codes from the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification, for invasive candidiasis; we excluded neonatal cases. The overall age-adjusted average annual rate was 5.3 hospitalizations/100,000 population. Highest risk was for adults >65 years of age, particularly men. Median length of hospitalization was 21 days; 22% of patients died during hospitalization. Median unadjusted associated cost for inpatient care was $46,684. Age-adjusted annual rates decreased during 2005-2012 for men (annual change -3.9%) and women (annual change -4.5%) and across nearly all age groups. We report a high mortality rate and decreasing incidence of hospitalizations for this disease.

Pharmaceutical patents and some international trade issues: Canada, the United States, and NAFTA.

PubMed

Tancer, R S

1993-01-01

This paper traces the evolution of a more aggressive US policy for the protection of the intellectual property rights of its citizens, individual and corporate, who do business aborad. It focuses on the pharmaceutical industry and, in particular, the harmonization of conflicting US and Canadian policies. In reconciling these policy differences, the United States unilaterally applied relatively new procedures authorized under section 301 and Special 301 of its trade laws. It also utilized the bilateral dispute mechanism mandating cooperation "in the Uruguay Round ... to improve protection of intellectual property," as provided in the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement. These efforts were successful; Canada amended its patent law in 1993 to conform to current international practices. These changes were incorporated into the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), making it a state-of-the-art example of the protection of intellectual property rights. The intellectual property chapter of NAFTA will serve as the model for US intellectual property rights negotiations for the foreseeable future.

Tracking the Sun IX: The Installed Price of Residential and Non-Residential Photovoltaic Systems in the United States

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

Barbose, Galen; Darghouth, Naïm; Millstein, Dev

Now in its ninth edition, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL)’s Tracking the Sun report series is dedicated to summarizing trends in the installed price of grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in the United States. The present report focuses on residential and non-residential systems installed through year-end 2015, with preliminary trends for the first half of 2016. An accompanying LBNL report, Utility-Scale Solar, addresses trends in the utility-scale sector. This year’s report incorporates a number of important changes and enhancements from prior editions. Among those changes, LBNL has made available a public data file containing all non-confidential project-level data underlying themore » analysis in this report. Installed pricing trends presented within this report derive primarily from project-level data reported to state agencies and utilities that administer PV incentive programs, solar renewable energy credit (SREC) registration systems, or interconnection processes. Refer to the text box to the right for several key notes about these data. In total, data were collected and cleaned for more than 820,000 individual PV systems, representing 85% of U.S. residential and non-residential PV systems installed cumulatively through 2015 and 82% of systems installed in 2015. The analysis in this report is based on a subset of this sample, consisting of roughly 450,000 systems with available installed price data.« less

A Qualitative Study of East Asian Students in American High Schools: Experiences and Perspectives of Cultural Transition, Adjustment, and Personal Growth

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Winton, Sherrie

2013-01-01

A number of schools in the United States currently utilize multiple strategies to attract a large and multicultural high school student population. As in many other states, Maine's high schools have been recruiting international students to add richness and diversity to their educational settings and surrounding communities. Yet there is minimal…

Development of Medical Technology for Contingency Response to Marrow Toxic Agents

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-07-11

the transplant community about the critical importance of establishing a nationwide contingency response plan. 2. Rapid Identification of Matched...to rapidly identify the best available donor or cord blood unit for each patient utilizing its state-of-the-art communication infrastructure, sample...York City (NYC)-NY State Radiological Disaster - tabletop exercise 2. Minneapolis-full scale exercise 3. Dana Farber Cancer Institute – full

An Evaluation of Solar Air Heating at United States Air Force Installations

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-03-01

Collector (UTC) technology, more commonly known as SolarWalls®. This thesis sought to determine if UTC systems are an economically and environmentally...States Green Building Council UTC – Unglazed Transpired Collector xii List of Figures Page Figure 1: Revenue Passenger Kilometers by...95 Table 9: UTC Utilization Rate - Percent of Month Used ............................................. 100 Table 10: Solar Collector Fan Flow

Mechanical properties for a wet-processed fiberboard made from small-diameter lodgepole pine treetop material

Treesearch

John F. Hunt; Karen Supan

2005-01-01

Many federal, state, and private forests, especially in thewestern part of the United States, have an overabundance of fire-prone small-diameter trees, forest thinnings, and residual material. These materials are not being fully utilized as a fiber resource because there are few economical options for their use. This report looks at using treetop material to produce a...

Direct and Indirect Costs of Chronic and Episodic Migraine in the United States: A Web-Based Survey.

PubMed

Messali, Andrew; Sanderson, Joanna C; Blumenfeld, Andrew M; Goadsby, Peter J; Buse, Dawn C; Varon, Sepideh F; Stokes, Michael; Lipton, Richard B

2016-02-01

The objective of this study was to compare the societal direct and indirect costs of chronic and episodic migraine in the United States. Episodic and chronic migraine are distinguished by the frequency of headache-days. Chronic migraine has a greater overall impact on quality of life than does episodic migraine. Individuals with chronic migraine also use more healthcare resources (resulting in higher direct costs) and experience greater decreases in productivity (resulting in higher indirect costs) than those with episodic migraine as shown in the American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention (AMPP) Study. The International Burden of Migraine Study utilized a web-based questionnaire to elicit data on several topics related to the burden of migraine illness, including health resource utilization and productivity losses. Potential survey participants were identified by Synovate Healthcare (Chicago, IL, USA) from a pool of registered panelists from various countries. The panelists were screened online to determine eligibility and to identify individuals with migraine (episodic or chronic), based on reported symptoms. Participants from the United States were divided into episodic and chronic migraine groups, based on reported headache-day per month frequency. Direct and indirect costs were estimated by applying estimated unit costs to reported headache-related productivity losses and resource use. Costs were compared between participants with episodic and chronic migraine. Mean [standard deviation] total annual cost of headache among people with chronic migraine ($8243 [$10,646]) was over three times that of episodic migraine ($2649 [$4634], P < .001). Participants with chronic migraine had significantly greater direct medical costs ($4943 [$6382]) and indirect (lost productivity) costs ($3300 [$6907]) than did participants with episodic migraine (direct, $1705 [$3591]; indirect, $943 [$2084]) (P < .001 for each). Unlike previous findings, direct medical costs constituted the majority of total headache-related costs for both chronic migraine (60.0%, $4943 of $8243) and episodic migraine (64.3%, $1705 of $2649) participants. A large portion of direct medical costs are attributable to pharmaceutical utilization among both chronic migraine (80%, $3925 of 4943) and episodic migraine (70%, $1196 of $1705) participants. The results of this study build on previous results of the AMPP Study, demonstrating that headache-related direct, indirect, and total costs are significantly greater among individuals with chronic migraine than with episodic migraine in the United States. © 2016 American Headache Society.

Trends in the Utilization of Brachytherapy in Cervical Cancer in the United States

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

Han, Kathy, E-mail: Kathy.Han@rmp.uhn.on.ca; Milosevic, Michael; Fyles, Anthony

2013-09-01

Purpose: To determine the trends in brachytherapy use in cervical cancer in the United States and to identify factors and survival benefits associated with brachytherapy treatment. Methods and Materials: Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, we identified 7359 patients with stages IB2-IVA cervical cancer treated with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) between 1988 and 2009. Propensity score matching was used to adjust for differences between patients who received brachytherapy and those who did not from 2000 onward (after the National Cancer Institute alert recommending concurrent chemotherapy). Results: Sixty-three percent of the 7359 women received brachytherapy in combinationmore » with EBRT, and 37% received EBRT alone. The brachytherapy utilization rate has decreased from 83% in 1988 to 58% in 2009 (P<.001), with a sharp decline of 23% in 2003 to 43%. Factors associated with higher odds of brachytherapy use include younger age, married (vs single) patients, earlier years of diagnosis, earlier stage and certain SEER regions. In the propensity score-matched cohort, brachytherapy treatment was associated with higher 4-year cause-specific survival (CSS; 64.3% vs 51.5%, P<.001) and overall survival (OS; 58.2% vs 46.2%, P<.001). Brachytherapy treatment was independently associated with better CSS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.57-0.71), and OS (HR 0.66; 95% CI, 0.60 to 0.74). Conclusions: This population-based analysis reveals a concerning decline in brachytherapy utilization and significant geographic disparities in the delivery of brachytherapy in the United States. Brachytherapy use is independently associated with significantly higher CSS and OS and should be implemented in all feasible cases.« less

Factors associated with variations in hospital expenditures for acute heart failure in the United States.

PubMed

Ziaeian, Boback; Sharma, Puza P; Yu, Tzy-Chyi; Johnson, Katherine Waltman; Fonarow, Gregg C

2015-02-01

Relatively little contemporary data are available that describe differences in acute heart failure (AHF) hospitalization expenditures as a function of patient and hospital characteristics, especially from a population-based investigation. This study aimed to evaluate factors associated with variations in hospital expenditures for AHF in the United States. A cross-sectional analysis using discharge data from the 2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, was conducted. Discharges with primary International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification, diagnosis codes for AHF in adults were included. Costs were estimated by converting Nationwide Inpatient Sample charge data using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Cost-to-Charge Ratio File. Discharges with highest (≥80th percentile) versus lowest (≤20th percentile) costs were compared for patient characteristics, hospital characteristics, utilization of procedures, and outcomes. Of the estimated 1 million AHF hospital discharges, the mean cost estimates were $10,775 per episode. Younger age, higher percentage of obesity, atrial fibrillation, pulmonary disease, fluid/electrolyte disturbances, renal insufficiency, and greater number of cardiac/noncardiac procedures were observed in stays with highest versus lowest costs. Highest-cost discharges were more likely to be observed in urban and teaching hospitals. Highest-cost AHF discharges also had 5 times longer length of stay, were 9 times more costly, and had higher in-hospital mortality (5.6% vs 3.5%) compared with discharges with lowest costs (all P < .001). Acute heart failure hospitalizations are costly. Expenditures vary markedly among AHF hospitalizations in the United States, with substantial differences in patient and hospital characteristics, procedures, and in-hospital outcomes among discharges with highest compared with lowest costs. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Nature and Utilization of Civil Commitment for Substance Abuse in the United States.

PubMed

Christopher, Paul P; Pinals, Debra A; Stayton, Taylor; Sanders, Kellie; Blumberg, Lester

2015-09-01

Substance abuse is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Although civil commitment has been used to address substance abuse for more than a century, little is known today about the nature and use of substance-related commitment laws in the United States. We examined statutes between July 2010 and October 2012 from all 50 states and the District of Columbia for provisions authorizing civil commitment of adults for substance abuse and recorded the criteria and evidentiary standard for commitment and the location and the maximum duration of commitment orders. High-level state representatives evaluated these data and provided information on the use of commitment. Thirty-three states have statutory provisions for the civil commitment of persons because of substance abuse. The application of these statutes ranged from a few commitment cases to thousands annually. Although dangerousness was the most common basis for commitment, many states permitted it in other contexts. The maximum duration of treatment ranged from less than 1 month to more than 1 year for both initial and subsequent civil commitment orders. These findings show wide variability in the nature and application of civil commitment statutes for substance abuse in the United States. Such diversity reflects a lack of consensus on the role that civil commitment should play in managing substance abuse and the problems associated with it. © 2015 American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law.

FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH HEALTHCARE UTILIZATION AMONG ARAB IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Background Arab migrants are exposed to pre- and post migration stressors that increase their risk for health problems. However, little is known regarding healthcare utilization rates or factors associated with healthcare utilization among Arab immigrants and refugees. Methods 590 participants were interviewed 1 year post-migration to the United States Factors associated with healthcare utilization including stress coping mechanisms were examined using binary logistic regressions. Results Compared to national healthcare utilization data, immigrants had significantly lower and refugees had significantly higher rates. Being a refugee, married, and having health insurance were significantly associated with medical service utilization. None of the immigrants in this study had utilized psychological services. Among refugees, the use of medications and having strategies for dealing with stress were inversely associated with utilization of psychological services. Discussion (Conclusion) Healthcare utilization was significantly higher among refugees, who also reported a greater need for services than immigrants. PMID:25331684

Processing and Applications of Depleted Uranium Alloy Products

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-09-01

temperal,,r at the wheel-metal interface, thus tending to produce surface cracks and in some cases to burn the metal. Data on speeds and feeds inr...comprehensive current resource of technical information on the development and utilization of advcnlod metal- or ceramic-base materials. The Center is operated...under the sponsorship of the Department of Defense. Neither the United Staxes Government nor any person acting on be ilf of the United States Government

spa Typing and Multilocus Sequence Typing Show Comparable Performance in a Macroepidemiologic Study of Staphylococcus aureus in the United States

PubMed Central

O'Hara, F. Patrick; Suaya, Jose A.; Ray, G. Thomas; Baxter, Roger; Brown, Megan L.; Mera, Robertino M.; Close, Nicole M.; Thomas, Elizabeth

2016-01-01

A number of molecular typing methods have been developed for characterization of Staphylococcus aureus isolates. The utility of these systems depends on the nature of the investigation for which they are used. We compared two commonly used methods of molecular typing, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) (and its clustering algorithm, Based Upon Related Sequence Type [BURST]) with the staphylococcal protein A (spa) typing (and its clustering algorithm, Based Upon Repeat Pattern [BURP]), to assess the utility of these methods for macroepidemiology and evolutionary studies of S. aureus in the United States. We typed a total of 366 clinical isolates of S. aureus by these methods and evaluated indices of diversity and concordance values. Our results show that, when combined with the BURP clustering algorithm to delineate clonal lineages, spa typing produces results that are highly comparable with those produced by MLST/BURST. Therefore, spa typing is appropriate for use in macroepidemiology and evolutionary studies and, given its lower implementation cost, this method appears to be more efficient. The findings are robust and are consistent across different settings, patient ages, and specimen sources. Our results also support a model in which the methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) population in the United States comprises two major lineages (USA300 and USA100), which each consist of closely related variants. PMID:26669861

spa Typing and Multilocus Sequence Typing Show Comparable Performance in a Macroepidemiologic Study of Staphylococcus aureus in the United States.

PubMed

O'Hara, F Patrick; Suaya, Jose A; Ray, G Thomas; Baxter, Roger; Brown, Megan L; Mera, Robertino M; Close, Nicole M; Thomas, Elizabeth; Amrine-Madsen, Heather

2016-01-01

A number of molecular typing methods have been developed for characterization of Staphylococcus aureus isolates. The utility of these systems depends on the nature of the investigation for which they are used. We compared two commonly used methods of molecular typing, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) (and its clustering algorithm, Based Upon Related Sequence Type [BURST]) with the staphylococcal protein A (spa) typing (and its clustering algorithm, Based Upon Repeat Pattern [BURP]), to assess the utility of these methods for macroepidemiology and evolutionary studies of S. aureus in the United States. We typed a total of 366 clinical isolates of S. aureus by these methods and evaluated indices of diversity and concordance values. Our results show that, when combined with the BURP clustering algorithm to delineate clonal lineages, spa typing produces results that are highly comparable with those produced by MLST/BURST. Therefore, spa typing is appropriate for use in macroepidemiology and evolutionary studies and, given its lower implementation cost, this method appears to be more efficient. The findings are robust and are consistent across different settings, patient ages, and specimen sources. Our results also support a model in which the methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) population in the United States comprises two major lineages (USA300 and USA100), which each consist of closely related variants.

Effects of atmospheric variability on energy utilization and conservation. [Space heating energy demand modeling; Program HEATLOAD

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

Reiter, E.R.; Johnson, G.R.; Somervell, W.L. Jr.

Research conducted between 1 July 1975 and 31 October 1976 is reported. A ''physical-adaptive'' model of the space-conditioning demand for energy and its response to changes in weather regimes was developed. This model includes parameters pertaining to engineering factors of building construction, to weather-related factors, and to socio-economic factors. Preliminary testing of several components of the model on the city of Greeley, Colorado, yielded most encouraging results. Other components, especially those pertaining to socio-economic factors, are still under development. Expansion of model applications to different types of structures and larger regions is presently underway. A CRT-display model for energy demandmore » within the conterminous United States also has passed preliminary tests. A major effort was expended to obtain disaggregated data on energy use from utility companies throughout the United States. The study of atmospheric variability revealed that the 22- to 26-day vacillation in the potential and kinetic energy modes of the Northern Hemisphere is related to the behavior of the planetary long-waves, and that the midwinter dip in zonal available potential energy is reflected in the development of blocking highs. Attempts to classify weather patterns over the eastern and central United States have proceeded satisfactorily to the point where testing of our method for longer time periods appears desirable.« less

Report of the Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Attack: Critical National Infrastructures

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-04-01

consumers and electric utilities in Arizona and Southern California. Twelve people, including five children, died as a result of the explosion. The...Modern electronics, communications, pro- tection, control and computers have allowed the physical system to be utilized fully with ever smaller... margins for error. Therefore, a relatively modest upset to the system can cause functional collapse. As the system grows in complexity and interdependence

Perceived Utility of the RE-AIM Framework for Health Promotion/Disease Prevention Initiatives for Older Adults: A Case Study from the U.S. Evidence-Based Disease Prevention Initiative.

PubMed

Ory, Marcia G; Altpeter, Mary; Belza, Basia; Helduser, Janet; Zhang, Chen; Smith, Matthew Lee

2014-01-01

Dissemination and implementation (D&I) frameworks are increasingly being promoted in public health research. However, less is known about their uptake in the field, especially for diverse sets of programs. Limited questionnaires exist to assess the ways that frameworks can be utilized in program planning and evaluation. We present a case study from the United States that describes the implementation of the RE-AIM framework by state aging services providers and public health partners and a questionnaire that can be used to assess the utility of such frameworks in practice. An online questionnaire was developed to capture community perspectives about the utility of the RE-AIM framework. Distributed to project leads in 27 funded states in an evidence-based disease prevention initiative for older adults, 40 key stakeholders responded representing a 100% state-participation rate among the 27 funded states. Findings suggest that there is perceived utility in using the RE-AIM framework when evaluating grand-scale initiatives for older adults. The RE-AIM framework was seen as useful for planning, implementation, and evaluation with relevance for evaluators, providers, community leaders, and policy makers. Yet, the uptake was not universal, and some respondents reported difficulties in use, especially adopting the framework as a whole. This questionnaire can serve as the basis to assess ways the RE-AIM framework can be utilized by practitioners in state-wide D&I efforts. Maximal benefit can be derived from examining the assessment of RE-AIM-related knowledge and confidence as part of a continual quality assurance process. We recommend such an assessment be performed before the implementation of new funding initiatives and throughout their course to assess RE-AIM uptake and to identify areas for technical assistance.

Social Disparities in Women’s Health Service Utilization in the United States: A Population-Based Analysis

PubMed Central

Johnson, Timothy; Dalton, Vanessa

2013-01-01

Purpose Poor and disparate reproductive health outcomes in the United States may be related to inadequate and differential women’s health care utilization. We investigated trends in and determinants of adult U.S. women’s health service use, 2006–2010. Methods We analyzed population data from 7,897 women aged 25–44yrs in the National Survey of Family Growth from 2006 to 2010 using multivariable logistic regression. Results Women’s health service utilization in the past year was reported by 74% of the sample. Among non-fertile, sexually active women, 47% used contraceptive services; fewer used pregnancy (21%) and STI (14%) services. In multivariable models, the odds of service use were greater among older, poor, unemployed women and women with less educational attainment than younger and socioeconomically advantaged women. Black women had greater odds of using pregnancy, STI and gynecological exam services than White women (ORs 1.4–1.6). Lack of insurance was associated with service use in all models (ORs 0.4–0.8). Conclusion While age-related differences in women’s health service use may reflect fertility transitions, social disparities mirror reproductive inequalities among U.S. women. Research on women’s health service utilization and outcomes across the reproductive life course and forthcoming sociopolitical climates is needed. PMID:24332620

Lung Quality and Utilization in Controlled Donation after Circulatory Determination of Death Donors within the United States

PubMed Central

Mooney, Joshua J; Hedlin, Haley; Mohabir, Paul K; Vazquez, Rodrigo; Nguyen, John; Ha, Richard; Chiu, Peter; Patel, Kapilkumar; Zamora, Martin R.; Weill, David; Nicolls, Mark R; Dhillon, Gundeep S

2016-01-01

While controlled donation after circulatory determination of death (cDCDD) donors could increase the supply of donor lungs within the United States, the yield of lungs from cDCDD donors remain low compared to donation after neurologic determination of death (DNDD) donors. To explore the reason for low lung yield from cDCDD donors, Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipient data were used to assess the impact of donor lung quality on cDCDD lung utilization by fitting a logistic regression model. The relationship between center volume and cDCDD use was assessed and distance between center and donor hospital was calculated by cDCDD status. Recipient survival was compared using a multivariable Cox regression model. Lung utilization was 2.1% for cDCDD donors and 21.4% for DNDD donors. Being a cDCDD donor decreased lung donation (adjusted OR 0.101, CI 0.085–0.120). A minority of centers have performed cDCDD transplant with higher volume centers generally performing more cDCDD transplants. There was no difference in center to donor distance or recipient survival (adjusted HR 1.03, CI 0.78–1.37) between cDCDD and DNDD transplants. cDCDD lungs are underutilized compared to DNDD lungs after adjusting for lung quality. Increasing transplant center expertise and commitment to cDCDD lung procurement is needed to improve utilization. PMID:26844673

Utilization of basic health units of FHS according to private health insurance

PubMed Central

Fontenelle, Leonardo Ferreira; de Camargo, Maria Beatriz Junqueira; Bertoldi, Andréa Dâmaso; Gonçalves, Helen; Maciel, Ethel Leonor Noia; Barros, Aluísio J D

2018-01-01

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To describe the utilization of basic health units according to coverage by discount card or private health insurance. METHODS Household survey in the area covered by Family Health Strategy in Pelotas, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, from December 2007 to February 2008, with persons of all age groups. The frequency of (medical or non-medical) healthcare seeking at the basic health units in the last six months and the prevalence of basic health unit utilization for the last medical consultation (in case it had been performed up to six months before, for a non-routine reason) were analyzed by Poisson regression adjusted for the sampling design. RESULTS Of the 1,423 persons, 75.6% had no discount card or private health insurance. The average frequency of (medical or non-medical) healthcare seeking was 1.6 times in six months (95%CI 1.3-2.0); this frequency was 55.8% lower (p < 0.001) among privately insured persons compared to those with no discount card or private health insurance. Among the last medical consultations, 35.8% (95%CI 25.4-47.7) had been performed at the basic health units; this prevalence was 36.4% lower (p = 0.003) among persons covered by discount card and 87.7% lower (p = 0.007) among privately insured persons compared to those without both coverages. CONCLUSIONS Private health insurance and, to a lesser degree, discount card coverage, are related to lower utilization of basic health units. This can be used to size the population under the accountability of each Family Health Strategy team, to the extent that community health workers are able to differentiate discount card from PHI during family registration. PMID:29791678

4 CFR 4.1 - Training.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 4 Accounts 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Training. 4.1 Section 4.1 Accounts GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE PERSONNEL SYSTEM EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE AND UTILIZATION § 4.1 Training. The provisions of chapter 41, of title 5, United States Code, and Office of Personnel Management implementing regulations...

Eco-efficiency model for evaluating feedlot rations in the Great Plains, United States

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Environmental impacts attributable to beef feedlot production provide an opportunity for economically-linked environmental efficiency optimization. An adaptable eco-efficiency model was developed to assess the impacts of dietary rations. The hybridized model utilized California Net Energy System m...

UTILIZATION OF LANDSCAPE INDICATORS TO MODEL WATER QUALITY

EPA Science Inventory

Many water-bodies within the United States are contaminated by, non-point source (NFS) pollution, which is defined as those materials posing a threat to water quality arising from a number of individual sources and diffused through hydrologic processes. One such NPS pollu...

ToxCast: Developing Predictive Signatures of Chemically Induced Toxicity (Developing Predictive Bioactivity Signatures from ToxCasts HTS Data)

EPA Science Inventory

ToxCast, the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s chemical prioritization research program, is developing methods for utilizing computational chemistry, bioactivity profiling and toxicogenomic data to predict potential for toxicity and prioritize limited testing resour...

Solar Grants Spot Training and Jobs.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Owen, Walter

1979-01-01

Employment and training in solar installation work is provided by fifteen Solar Utilization/Economic Development and Employment (SUEDE) demonstration projects funded by the United States Departments of Labor and Energy and the Community Services Administration. The article describes the projects and the types of work. (MF)

Names and Weapons.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kauffman, Charles

1989-01-01

Traces the theoretical significance of using names as titles for situations, and applies this analysis to the United States' intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) programs. Argues that the names given to ICBMs preserve their utility as weapons by linking them to the myths of the nineteenth-century western frontier. (MM)

20 CFR 361.1 - Purpose.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

...' Benefits RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD INTERNAL ADMINISTRATION, POLICY AND PROCEDURES RECOVERY OF DEBTS OWED TO THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT BY GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES § 361.1 Purpose. These regulations, which implement 5 U.S.C. 5514, provide the standards and procedures which the Board will utilize to collect debts...

CONTROL OF MICROBES AND DBPS IN DRINKING WATER: AN OVERVIEW

EPA Science Inventory

Historically drinking water utilities in the United States (U.S.) have played a major role in protecting public health through the reduction of waterborne disease. These reductions in waterborne disease outbreaks were brought about by the use of sand filtration, disinfection and...

Methamphetamine Use: Hazards and Social Influences.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wermuth, Laurie

2000-01-01

Presents data on methamphetamine use in the United States and the economic and social pressures that may partially explain expanded methamphetamine use. Recommends a policy response that utilizes a public health approach, including prevention campaigns, harm-reduction outreach and treatment approaches, and pharmacologic and abstinence-based drug…

Office of Marine and Aviation Operations |

Science.gov Websites

Administration. United States Department of Commerce Office of Marine & Aviation Operations (OMAO) parent Marine & Aviation Operations (OMAO) Utility Navigation Fleet Documents Careers Primary Navigation Home Learn A NOAA ship Marine Operations About Ships Media Contact Tandem NOAA aircraft in flight

APTAMER CAPTURE AND OPTICAL INTERFEROMETRIC DETECTION OF CYANOBACTERIAL TOXINS

EPA Science Inventory

Cyanobacterial toxins have been identified as a health risk in source and finished waters passing through drinking water utilities in the United States. In this project, a rapid, sensitive and field usable sensor based on an aptamer modified planar waveguide interferometric se...

Development of preliminary load and resistance factor design of drilled shafts in Iowa.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-10-01

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) mandated utilizing the Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) approach for all new : bridges initiated in the United States after October 1, 2007. To achieve part of this goal, a database for Drilled SHAft ...

4 CFR 4.1 - Training.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 4 Accounts 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Training. 4.1 Section 4.1 Accounts GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE PERSONNEL SYSTEM EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE AND UTILIZATION § 4.1 Training. The provisions of chapter 41, of title 5, United States Code, and Office of Personnel Management implementing regulations...

47 CFR 1.928 - Frequency coordination, Canada.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... arrangement with the Canadian Department of Communications for the exchange of frequency assignment... frequency allotment plan along the United States-Canada borders utilized by the Federal Communications...., thence by great circle arc through the southernmost point of Duluth, Minn., thence by great circle arc to...

47 CFR 1.928 - Frequency coordination, Canada.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... arrangement with the Canadian Department of Communications for the exchange of frequency assignment... frequency allotment plan along the United States-Canada borders utilized by the Federal Communications...., thence by great circle arc through the southernmost point of Duluth, Minn., thence by great circle arc to...

COMPARING RBF WITH BENCH-SCALE CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT FOR PRECURSOR REDUCTION

EPA Science Inventory

The reduction of disinfection by-product (DBP) precursors upon riverbank filtration (RBF) at three drinking water utilities in the mid-Western United States was compared with that obtained using a bench-scale conventional treatment train on the corresponding river waters. The riv...

The United States’ Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on Terror: A Military Revolution?

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-05-21

utilizes very technical knowledge and expertise to operate various weapons, communications or transportation systems , the military also invests heavily... metadata ,” vice content, the government claims that these practices show trends between potential terrorists and their communications. Of course

ASSESSMENT OF INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUPERFUND APPLICATIONS - TECHNOLOGY IDENTIFICATION AND SELECTION

EPA Science Inventory

This report summarizes the results of Phase I of a program to identify and assess international technologies that could be utilized for hazardous waste site remediation within the United States. Data was obtained through a comprehensive literature survey and through telephone con...

Places Where Teachers Are Taught. First Edition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goodlad, John I., Ed.; And Others

This book utilizes 29 case histories of geographically and institutionally diverse teacher education programs to provide a comprehensive historical perspective on teacher education in the United States. The volume, organized into four parts, is further divided into nine chapters. "Part One: "Teacher Education: A Contemporary Perspective…

47 CFR 1.1906 - Informal action.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Informal action. 1.1906 Section 1.1906... United States General Provisions § 1.1906 Informal action. Nothing contained in these regulations is intended to preclude utilization of informal administrative actions or remedies which may be available...

47 CFR 1.1906 - Informal action.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Informal action. 1.1906 Section 1.1906... United States General Provisions § 1.1906 Informal action. Nothing contained in these regulations is intended to preclude utilization of informal administrative actions or remedies which may be available...

The Long March to Health.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Silver, George A.

1979-01-01

The comprehensive medical care system being utilized in China is described. Topics discussed include: the availability of medical care, training of physicians, medical care costs, and the political and social implications of the Chinese system. Lessons the United States can learn from the Chinese experience are presented. (BT)

PRNP variants in goats reduce sensitivity of detection of PrPSc by immunoassay

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Immunoassays are extensively utilized in disease diagnostics with monoclonal antibodies serving as critical tools within the assay. Detection of scrapie in sheep and goats relies heavily on immunoassays including immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and ELISA. In the United States, regulatory tes...

Correlates of Cervical Cancer Screening Among Adult Latino Women: A 5-Year Follow-Up.

PubMed

Rojas, Patria; Li, Tan; Ravelo, Gira J; Dawson, Christyl; Sanchez, Mariana; Sneij, Alicia; Wang, Weize; Kanamori, Mariano; Cyrus, Elena; De La Rosa, Mario R

2017-06-01

Latinas have the highest incidence rates of cervical cancer in the United States, and Latinas in the United States are less likely to utilize cervical cancer screening. We used secondary data analysis of a non-clinical convenience sample (n=316 women at baseline; n=285 at five-year follow-up) to examine correlates of cervical cancer screening among adult Latina women. Univariate and multiple logistic regression models using Generalized Estimated Equations (GEE) algorithm were utilized to assess the influence of the independent variables. Women who reported their main healthcare source as community health clinics, women who were sexually active, and women who reported that a healthcare provider discussed HIV prevention with them were more likely to report having a cervical cancer screening (aOR=2.06; CI=1.20, 3.52). The results suggest a need for continued efforts to ensure that medically underserved women (e.g., Latina women) receive counseling and education about the importance of preventive cancer screening.

Utilizing Objective Drought Thresholds to Improve Drought Monitoring with the SPI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leasor, Z. T.; Quiring, S. M.

2017-12-01

Drought is a prominent climatic hazard in the south-central United States. Droughts are frequently monitored using the severity categories determined by the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM). This study uses the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) to conduct a drought frequency analysis across Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas using PRISM precipitation data from 1900-2015. The SPI is shown to be spatiotemporally variant across the south-central United States. In particular, utilizing the default USDM severity thresholds may underestimate drought severity in arid regions. Objective drought thresholds were implemented by fitting a CDF to each location's SPI distribution. This approach results in a more homogeneous distribution of drought frequencies across each severity category. Results also indicate that it may be beneficial to develop objective drought thresholds for each season and SPI timescale. This research serves as a proof-of-concept and demonstrates how drought thresholds should be objectively developed so that they are appropriate for each climatic region.

Enhancing Carbon Reactivity in Mercury Control in Lignite-Fired Systems

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

Chad Wocken; Michael Holmes; John Pavlish

2008-06-30

This project was awarded through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory Program Solicitation DE-PS26-03NT41718-01. The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) led a consortium-based effort to resolve mercury (Hg) control issues facing the lignite industry. The EERC team-the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI); the URS Corporation; the Babcock & Wilcox Company; ADA-ES; Apogee; Basin Electric Power Cooperative; Otter Tail Power Company; Great River Energy; Texas Utilities; Montana-Dakota Utilities Co.; Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc.; BNI Coal Ltd.; Dakota Westmoreland Corporation; the North American Coal Corporation; SaskPower; and the North Dakota Industrial Commission-demonstrated technologies that substantially enhanced themore » effectiveness of carbon sorbents to remove Hg from western fuel combustion gases and achieve a high level ({ge} 55% Hg removal) of cost-effective control. The results of this effort are applicable to virtually all utilities burning lignite and subbituminous coals in the United States and Canada. The enhancement processes were previously proven in pilot-scale and limited full-scale tests. Additional optimization testing continues on these enhancements. These four units included three lignite-fired units: Leland Olds Station Unit 1 (LOS1) and Stanton Station Unit 10 (SS10) near Stanton and Antelope Valley Station Unit 1 (AVS1) near Beulah and a subbituminous Powder River Basin (PRB)-fired unit: Stanton Station Unit 1 (SS1). This project was one of three conducted by the consortium under the DOE mercury program to systematically test Hg control technologies available for utilities burning lignite. The overall objective of the three projects was to field-test and verify options that may be applied cost-effectively by the lignite industry to reduce Hg emissions. The EERC, URS, and other team members tested sorbent injection technologies for plants equipped with electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) and spray dryer absorbers combined with fabric filters (SDAs-FFs). The work focused on technology commercialization by involving industry and emphasizing the communication of results to vendors and utilities throughout the project.« less

The industrial utility of public water supplies in the east south central states, 1952

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lohr, E.W.; Billingsley, G.A.; Geurin, J.W.; Lamar, W.L.

1952-01-01

The location of industrial plants is dependent on an ample water supply of suitable quality. Information relating to the chemical characteristics of the water supplies is not only essential to the location of many plants but also is an aid in the manufacture and distribution of many commodities. Public water supplies are utilized extensively as a source of supply for many industrial plants, used either as delivered for domestic consumption or with further treatment if necessary to meet specific needs of the plant, such as water for processing, cooling, and steam generation. The industrial use of water in the United States in 1950 was estimated to be more than 75 billion gallons per day from private sources. In addition, about 6 billion gallons per day was estimated to be taken from public water supplies. U. S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 658, "The industrial utility of public water supplies in the United States, 1932" contains information pertaining to the public water supplies of 670 of the larger cities throughout the United States. This report, which is still in print and being distributed, has filled an important need in the field of water-supply engineering. The demand for more up-to-date information and more extended coverage has led to studies by the Geological Survey for revision of the information contained in the 1932 report. The revised report, which will include data pertaining to public water supplies of more than 1,200 cities in the United States, will eventually be published as a Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper. However, in order that the information might be available at the earliest possible time, nine preliminary reports are being issued which give data on the larger cities in each state. These nine reports are being released as Geological Survey Circulars, each covering a group of states as delineated by the Bureau of Census in taking the census of the population of the country. (See fig. 1). The reports give descriptive information and analytical data for approximately three-fourths of the cities that will be included in the final report for each of the states. This circular is the first of the series and includes data for the States of Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee. (See fig. 1). The report gives the population (1950) of the city, population supplied, ownership, sources and treatment of supplies, capacity of treatment plants, storage facilities for both raw and finished waters, and chemical analyses of the water, for 19 cities in Alabama, 16 in Kentucky, 17 in Mississippi, and 15 in Tennessee. The data for each city are essentially the same as will appear in the complete report for the whole country.

Laser-direct-drive program: Promise, challenge, and path forward

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

Campbell, E. M.; Goncharov, V. N.; Sangster, T. C.

Along with laser-indirect (x-ray)-drive and magnetic-drive target concepts, laser direct drive is a viable approach to achieving ignition and gain with inertial confinement fusion. In the United States, a national program has been established to demonstrate and understand the physics of laser direct drive. The program utilizes the Omega Laser Facility to conduct implosion and coupling physics at the nominally 30-kJ scale and laser–plasma interaction and coupling physics at the MJ scale at the National Ignition Facility. This paper will discuss the motivation and challenges for laser direct drive and the broad-based program presently underway in the United States.

CTS (Hermes): United States experiments and operations summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Donoughe, P. L.; Hunczak, H. R.

1977-01-01

The Communications Technology Satellite, launched in January 1976 and embodying the highest power transmitter in a communications satellite, was considered. As a joint program between the U.S. and Canada, close coordination of the two countries was necessitated since the management and control of experiments were done in real time. Criteria used by NASA for acceptance of the United States experiments are noted and acceptance procedures are discussed. The category for each accepted experiment is given. The modus operandi employed for the U.S. experiments in the areas of management, coordination, liaison, and real time operation are described. Some of the highlights associated with satellite utilization are given.

A model of airport security work flow based on petri net

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, Xinming

2017-09-01

Extremely long lines at airports in the United States have been sharply criticized. In order to find out the bottleneck in the existing security system and put forward reasonable improvement plans and proposal, the Petri net model and the Markov Chain are introduced in this paper. This paper uses data collected by transportation Security Agency (TSA), assuming the data can represent the average level of all airports in the Unites States, to analysis the performance of security check system. By calculating the busy probabilities and the utilization probabilities, the bottleneck is found. Moreover, recommendation is given based on the parameters’ modification in Petri net model.

Laser-direct-drive program: Promise, challenge, and path forward

DOE PAGES

Campbell, E. M.; Goncharov, V. N.; Sangster, T. C.; ...

2017-03-19

Along with laser-indirect (x-ray)-drive and magnetic-drive target concepts, laser direct drive is a viable approach to achieving ignition and gain with inertial confinement fusion. In the United States, a national program has been established to demonstrate and understand the physics of laser direct drive. The program utilizes the Omega Laser Facility to conduct implosion and coupling physics at the nominally 30-kJ scale and laser–plasma interaction and coupling physics at the MJ scale at the National Ignition Facility. This paper will discuss the motivation and challenges for laser direct drive and the broad-based program presently underway in the United States.

[Utilization and coverage of a Food and Nutritional Surveillance System in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil].

PubMed

Jung, Natália Miranda; Bairros, Fernanda de Souza; Neutzling, Marilda Borges

2014-05-01

This article seeks to describe the utilization and coverage percentage of the Nutritional and Food Surveillance System (SISVAN-Web) in the Regional Health Offices of Rio Grande do Sul in 2010 and to assess its correlation with socio-economic, demographic and health system organization variables at the time. It is an ecological study that used secondary data from the SISVAN-Web, the Department of Primary Health Care, the IT Department of the Unified Health System and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. The evaluation of utilization and coverage data was restricted to nutritional status. The percentage of utilization of SISVAN-Web refers to the number of cities that fed the system. Total coverage was defined as the percentage of individuals in all stages of the life cycle monitored by SISVAN-Web. It was found that 324 cities fed the application, corresponding to a utilization percentage of 65.3%. Greater system coverage was observed in all Regional Health Coordination (RHC) Units for ages 0 to 5 years and 5-10 years. There was a significant association between the percentage of utilization of SISVAN-Web and Family Health Strategy coverage in each RHC Unit. The results of this study indicated low percentages of utilization and coverage of SISVAN-Web in Rio Grande do Sul.

Assessment of institutional barriers to the use of natural gas fuel in automotive vehicle fleets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jablonski, J.; Lent, L.; Lawrence, M.; White, L.

1983-01-01

Institutional barriers to the use of natural gas as a fuel for motor vehicle fleets were identified. Recommendations for barrier removal were developed. Eight types of institutional barriers were assessed: (1) lack of a national standard for the safe design and certification of natural gas vehicles and refueling stations; (2) excessively conservative or misapplied state and local regulations, including bridge and tunnel restrictions, restrictions on types of vehicles that may be fueled by natural gas, zoning regulations that prohibit operation of refueling stations, parking restrictions, application of LPG standards to LNG vehicles, and unintentionally unsafe vehicle or refueling station requirements; (3) need for clarification of EPA's tampering enforcement policy; (4) the U.S. hydrocarbon standard; (5) uncertainty concerning state utility commission jurisdiction; (6) sale for resale prohibitions imposed by natural gas utility companies or state utility commissions; (7) uncertainty of the effects of conversions to natural gas on vehicle manufactures warranties; and (8) need for a natural gas to gasoline equivalent units conversion factor for use in calculation of state road use taxes.

Study of the impacts of regulations affecting the acceptance of Integrated Community Energy Systems: public utility, energy facility siting and municipal franchising regulatory programs in Arizona. Preliminary background report

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

Feurer, D.A.; Weaver, C.L.; Gallagher, K.C.

1980-01-01

This report is one of a series of preliminary reports describing the laws and regulatory programs of the United States and each of the 50 states affecting the siting and operation of energy generating facilities likely to be used in Integrated Community Energy Systems (ICES). Public utility regulatory statutes, energy facility siting programs, and municipal franchising authority are examined to identify how they may impact on the ability of an organization, whether or not it be a regulated utility, to construct and operate an ICES. This report describes laws and regulatory programs in Arizona. The Arizona state constitution establishes themore » Arizona Corporation Commission to regulate public service corporations. Within the area of its jurisdiction, the Commission has exclusive power and may not be interfered with by the legislature except in one narrow instance as described in the case Corporation Commission v. Pacific Greyhound Lines.« less

Mission Networks: An Evolution in Information Sharing

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-20

Publication 6-0 Joint Communications System states that the Global Information Grid ( GIG ) composed of the Defense Information Systems Network (DISN...of the GIG while the other branches of the United States Government (USG) such as the Department of State (DoS) utilize the ’.gov’ sub-network of...the GIG . The result is that unless the DOD has a ’need to know’ it will never have access to the DOS information that resides on the ’.gov’ sub-network

pH-Dependent spin state population and 19F NMR chemical shift via remote ligand protonation in an iron(ii) complex.

PubMed

Gaudette, Alexandra I; Thorarinsdottir, Agnes E; Harris, T David

2017-11-30

An Fe II complex that features a pH-dependent spin state population, by virtue of a variable ligand protonation state, is described. This behavior leads to a highly pH-dependent 19 F NMR chemical shift with a sensitivity of 13.9(5) ppm per pH unit at 37 °C, thereby demonstrating the potential utility of the complex as a 19 F chemical shift-based pH sensor.

Regional health care planning: a methodology to cluster facilities using community utilization patterns.

PubMed

Delamater, Paul L; Shortridge, Ashton M; Messina, Joseph P

2013-08-22

Community-based health care planning and regulation necessitates grouping facilities and areal units into regions of similar health care use. Limited research has explored the methodologies used in creating these regions. We offer a new methodology that clusters facilities based on similarities in patient utilization patterns and geographic location. Our case study focused on Hospital Groups in Michigan, the allocation units used for predicting future inpatient hospital bed demand in the state's Bed Need Methodology. The scientific, practical, and political concerns that were considered throughout the formulation and development of the methodology are detailed. The clustering methodology employs a 2-step K-means + Ward's clustering algorithm to group hospitals. The final number of clusters is selected using a heuristic that integrates both a statistical-based measure of cluster fit and characteristics of the resulting Hospital Groups. Using recent hospital utilization data, the clustering methodology identified 33 Hospital Groups in Michigan. Despite being developed within the politically charged climate of Certificate of Need regulation, we have provided an objective, replicable, and sustainable methodology to create Hospital Groups. Because the methodology is built upon theoretically sound principles of clustering analysis and health care service utilization, it is highly transferable across applications and suitable for grouping facilities or areal units.

The 2014 tanana inventory pilot: A USFS-NASA partnership to leverage advanced remote sensing technologies for forest inventory

Treesearch

Hans-Erik Andersen; Chad Babcock; Robert Pattison; Bruce Cook; Doug Morton; Andrew Finley

2015-01-01

Interior Alaska (approx. 112 million forested acres in size) is the last remaining forested area within the United States where the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program is not currently implemented. A joint NASA-FIA inventory pilot project was carried out in 2014 to increase familiarity with interior Alaska logistics and evaluate the utility of state-of-the-art...

The efficacy and resource utilization of remifentanil and fentanyl in fast-track coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a prospective randomized, double-blinded controlled, multi-center trial.

PubMed

Cheng, D C; Newman, M F; Duke, P; Wong, D T; Finegan, B; Howie, M; Fitch, J; Bowdle, T A; Hogue, C; Hillel, Z; Pierce, E; Bukenya, D

2001-05-01

We compared (a) the perioperative complications; (b) times to eligibility for, and actual time of the following: extubation, less intense monitoring, intensive care unit (ICU), and hospital discharge; and (c) resource utilization of nursing ratio for patients receiving either a typical fentanyl/isoflurane/propofol regimen or a remifentanil/isoflurane/propofol regimen for fast-track cardiac anesthesia in 304 adults by using a prospective randomized, double-blinded, double-dummy trial. There were no differences in demographic data, or perioperative mortality and morbidity between the two study groups. The mini-mental status examination at postoperative Days 1 to 3 were similar between the two groups. The eligible and actual times for extubation, less intense monitoring, ICU discharge, and hospital discharge were not significantly different. Further analyses revealed no differences in times for extubation and resource utilization after stratification by preoperative risk scores, age, and country. The nurse/patient ratio was similar between the remifentanil/isoflurane/propofol and fentanyl/isoflu-rane/propofol groups during the initial ICU phase and less intense monitoring phase. Increasing preoperative risk scores and older age (>70 yr) were associated with longer times until extubation (eligible), ICU discharge (eligible and actual), and hospital discharge (eligible and actual). Times until extubation (eligible and actual) and less intense monitoring (eligible) were significantly shorter in Canadian patients than United States' patients. However, there was no difference in hospital length of stay in Canadian and United States' patients. We conclude that both anesthesia techniques permit early and similar times until tracheal extubation, less intense monitoring, ICU and hospital discharge, and reduced resource utilization after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. An ultra-short opioid technique was compared with a standard fast-track small-dose opioid technique in coronary artery bypass graft patients in a prospective randomized, double-blinded controlled study. The postoperative recovery and resource utilization, including stratification of preoperative risk score, age, and country, were analyzed.

Utilizing by-products in agriculture and reducing metal uptake by crops

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Several million tons of industrial, municipal, and agricultural byproducts are produced annually in the United States (U.S.). Some of the byproducts that are being used in agriculture are coal combustion materials, drinking water treatment residual (DWTR), biosolids, animal manure, steel slag, and ...

Utilities Privatization in the United States Air Force

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-01-01

75 3.2.6. Independent Review............................................................................ 77 3.2.7. Fair Market Value ...101 3.5.15. Fair Market Value ............................................................................. 106 3.5.16. Recommendations by the GAO...Private Competition Decisions for FY 1995-2005... 125 4.3. Fair Market Value and Use of Should Cost .......................................... 125

Workforce Issues.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

1996

This document consists of four papers presented during a symposium on work force issues moderated by Jan DeJong at the 1996 conference of the Academy of Human Resource Development (AHRD). "Rethinking the Ties that Bind: An Exploratory Study of Employee Development in Utilities in Canada and the United States" (Michael Aherne, David…

Trade and transportation : the impact of the 1995 Transborder Air Services Accord

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2001-01-01

For most of the post-war period, Canada and the United States have utilized an open regime to govern trade relations between the two countries. Such has not always been the case for transborder air services, however. In 1966, the two countries signed...

3D Chlorine and Monochloramine Penetration and Nitrifying Biofilm Activity and Viability: Periodic Chlorine Switch Implications

EPA Science Inventory

Biofilm formation in drinking water distribution systems has been associated with water quality degradation and may result in non-compliance with existing regulations. United States water utilities report biofilm survival and regrowth despite disinfectant presence, and systems t...

Health, United States, 1980, With Prevention Profile.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Center for Health Statistics (DHEW/PHS), Hyattsville, MD.

The first part of this report consolidates the most current data on health care trends and presents analytical discussions on four interrelated themes: health status and determinants; utilization of health resources; health care resources; and health care expenditures. Detailed tables present statistics showing comparisons over time for such…

PisCES: Pis(cine) Community Estimation Software

EPA Science Inventory

PisCES predicts a fish community for any NHD-Plus stream reach in the conterminous United States. PisCES utilizes HUC-based distributional information for over 1,000 nature and non-native species obtained from NatureServe, the USGS, and Peterson Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes o...

Hardwood timber supplies in the United States

Treesearch

William A. Bechtold; Raymond M. Sheffield

1991-01-01

Long recognized for their wildlife, watershed, and aesthetic value, hardwoods are becoming increasingly important from the standpoint of timber production. The abundance of hardwood inventory volume, technological advances allowing greater substitution into softwood markets, and relatively low stumpage prices have generated a growing interest in increased utilization...

MODELING THE POTENTIAL SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF BEEF CATTLE GRAZING USING A GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM

EPA Science Inventory

Data regarding grazing utilization in the western United States are typically compiled within administrative boundaries(e.g. allotment,pasture). For large areas, an assumption of uniform distribution is seldom valid. Previous studies show that vegetation type, degree of slope, an...

47 CFR 73.788 - Service; commercial or sponsored programs.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... commodity, utility or service, or attraction advertised. (2) In case of advertising a commodity, the... of advertising an international attraction (such as a world fair, resort, spa, etc.) to prospective tourists or visitors to the United States, the oral continuity concerning such attraction is consistent...

Happy Healers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Winter, Robin O.

2011-01-01

Family Medicine residency programs in the United States are required to promote resident well-being. This article describes how one residency does this by teaching the concepts of Positive Psychology and Authentic Happiness developed by Dr. Martin Seligman utilizing a multi-media curriculum. As part of this curriculum, residents listen to the song…

Neurology Manpower--A Survey. NINCDS Monograph No. 16.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

American Neurological Association, Miami, FL.

The three-year neurology manpower study reported here was directed toward (1) identifying the presently available neurological manpower and the demographic and professional characteristics of neurologists and neurologists-in-training in the United States as of 1971; (2) determining the current and emerging patterns for utilizing neurological…

America's Infant-Mortality Puzzle.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eberstadt, Nicholas

1991-01-01

Conventional explanations attributing the high infant mortality rate in United States to the prevalence of poverty and lack of adequate health care do not tell the whole story. Contributions of parental behavior, lifestyles, and public health care availability versus utilization must be examined in determining public policies to address the…

UTILIZATION OF LANDSCAPE INDICATORS TO MODEL WATERSHED IMPAIRMENT

EPA Science Inventory

Many water-bodies within the United States are contaminated by non-point source (NPS) pollution, which is defined as those materials posing a threat to water quality arising from a number of individual sources and diffused through hydrologic 13romses. One such NPS
pol...

Marking Closely or on the Bench?: An Australian's Benchmark Statement.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, Roy

2000-01-01

Reviews the benchmark statements of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education in the United Kingdom. Examines the various sections within the benchmark. States that in terms of emphasizing the positive attributes of the geography discipline the statements have wide utility and applicability. (CMK)

Race Discourse and the US Confederate Flag

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Holyfield, Lori; Moltz, Matthew Ryan; Bradley, Mindy S.

2009-01-01

Research reveals that racial hierarchies and "color-blind" racism is maintained through discourse. The current study utilizes exploratory data from focus groups in a predominantly white southern university in the United States to examine race talk, the Confederate Flag, and the construction of southern white identity. Drawing from…

Moving Toward an Integrated Transdisciplinary Approach to Solving Environmental Problems

EPA Science Inventory

Since the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) four decades ago, much progress has been made in reducing emissions from the electric utility and mobile source sectors in the United States. These efforts have helped in improving human health and the environme...