Sample records for year contract period

  1. 48 CFR 252.247-7011 - Period of contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ...) for 180 days past the expiration date. (End of clause) [56 FR 36479, July 31, 1991, as amended at 66 FR 49861, Oct. 1, 2001] [56 FR 36479, July 31, 1991, as amended at 75 FR 51418, Aug. 20, 2010] ... clause: Period of Contract (OCT 2001) (a) This contract begins January 1, __, and ends December 31...

  2. 48 CFR 252.247-7011 - Period of contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ...) for 180 days past the expiration date. (End of clause) [56 FR 36479, July 31, 1991, as amended at 66 FR 49861, Oct. 1, 2001] [56 FR 36479, July 31, 1991, as amended at 75 FR 51418, Aug. 20, 2010] ... clause: Period of Contract (OCT 2001) (a) This contract begins January 1, __, and ends December 31...

  3. Metabolic adaptations to repeated periods of contraction with reduced blood flow in canine skeletal muscle

    PubMed Central

    MacInnes, Alan; Timmons, James A

    2005-01-01

    Background Patients suffering from Intermittent Claudication (IC) experience repeated periods of muscle contraction with low blood flow, throughout the day and this may contribute to the hypothesised skeletal muscle abnormalities. However, no study has evaluated the consequences of intermittent contraction with low blood flow on skeletal muscle tissue. Our aim was to generate this basic physiological data, determining the 'normal' response of healthy skeletal muscle tissue. We specifically proposed that the metabolic responses to contraction would be modified under such circumstances, revealing endogenous strategies engaged to protect the muscle adenine nucleotide pool. Utilizing a canine gracilis model (n = 9), the muscle was stimulated to contract (5 Hz) for three 10 min periods (separated by 10 min rest) under low blood flow conditions (80% reduced), followed by 1 hr recovery and then a fourth period of 10 min stimulation. Muscle biopsies were obtained prior to and following the first and fourth contraction periods. Direct arterio-venous sampling allowed for the calculation of muscle metabolite efflux and oxygen consumption. Results During the first period of contraction, [ATP] was reduced by ~30%. During this period there was also a 10 fold increase in muscle lactate concentration and a substantial increase in muscle lactate and ammonia efflux. Subsequently, lactate efflux was similar during the first three periods, while ammonia efflux was reduced by the third period. Following 1 hr recovery, muscle lactate and phosphocreatine concentrations had returned to resting values, while muscle [ATP] remained 20% lower. During the fourth contraction period no ammonia efflux or change in muscle ATP content occured. Despite such contrasting metabolic responses, muscle tension and oxygen consumption were identical during all contraction periods from 3 to 10 min. Conclusion repeated periods of muscle contraction, with low blood flow, results in cessation of muscle ammonia

  4. 48 CFR 632.703-3 - Contracts crossing fiscal years.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Contracts crossing fiscal years. 632.703-3 Section 632.703-3 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF STATE GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT FINANCING Contract Funding 632.703-3 Contracts crossing fiscal years. (b...

  5. Periodic Contractions among the Elements. Or, on Being the Right Size.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Mason, Joan

    1988-01-01

    Discusses the significance of periodicity and covalent atomic radius among the elements. Describes contraction across the row, expansion down the group, irregularities in the buildup of the periodic table and periodicities of physiochemical properties. (CW)

  6. Bioengineered intestinal muscularis complexes with long-term spontaneous and periodic contractions

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Qianqian; Wang, Ke; Solorzano-Vargas, R. Sergio; Lin, Po-Yu; Walthers, Christopher M.; Thomas, Anne-Laure; Martín, Martín G.

    2018-01-01

    Although critical for studies of gut motility and intestinal regeneration, the in vitro culture of intestinal muscularis with peristaltic function remains a significant challenge. Periodic contractions of intestinal muscularis result from the coordinated activity of smooth muscle cells (SMC), the enteric nervous system (ENS), and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). Reproducing this activity requires the preservation of all these cells in one system. Here we report the first serum-free culture methodology that consistently maintains spontaneous and periodic contractions of murine and human intestinal muscularis cells for months. In this system, SMC expressed the mature marker myosin heavy chain, and multipolar/dipolar ICC, uniaxonal/multipolar neurons and glial cells were present. Furthermore, drugs affecting neural signals, ICC or SMC altered the contractions. Combining this method with scaffolds, contracting cell sheets were formed with organized architecture. With the addition of intestinal epithelial cells, this platform enabled up to 11 types of cells from mucosa, muscularis and serosa to coexist and epithelial cells were stretched by the contracting muscularis cells. The method constitutes a powerful tool for mechanistic studies of gut motility disorders and the functional regeneration of the engineered intestine. PMID:29718926

  7. Procurement contracting in the affected counties of the Northwest Forest Plan: 12 years of change.

    Treesearch

    Cassandra Moseley

    2006-01-01

    As part of the 10-year socioeconomic monitoring of the Northwest Forest Plan, this report evaluates changes in Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) procurement contracting between 1990 and 2002 by asking, (1) How much and what kind of work did the Forest Service and BLM contract during this period, and (2) who received economic benefits from this...

  8. 48 CFR 432.703-3 - Contracts crossing fiscal years.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Contracts crossing fiscal years. 432.703-3 Section 432.703-3 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT FINANCING Contract Funding 432.703-3 Contracts crossing fiscal...

  9. [Impact of 3 years of contract implementation on the quality of cataract surgery].

    PubMed

    Begiristain, J; Elizalde, B; Ibarluzea, J; Mendicute, J; Sola, C

    1999-01-01

    To assess the adequacy to clinical practice of cataract procedures contracted in the Gipuzkoa Health Area (in public as well as concerted hospitals) from 1995. A second aim is to identify the achievements obtained three years after its implementation comparing the data with those of 1994, a year before. Before its implementation a multidisciplinar team established the number of surgical procedures to be contracted each year by age and sex, as well as the technical and quality conditions (out-patient surgery, loco-regional anaesthetic, facoemulsification, etc.). Data used for the assessment: Cataracts Registry of the Ophthalmologic Unit, Patient Management Categories and surgical waiting lists. During the period studied, 8,073 cataract operations were performed, 9% higher than expected. The distribution by age and sex was as estimated. Technical and quality standards were fulfilled, except for the surgical waiting list, in at least 75% of the procedures. The surgical technique mainly used was facoenmulsification, increasing from 15% in 1994 to 76.5% in 1997. The contracting of cataract surgery has allowed the assessment, reordering, and establishment of standards of care for all the professionals involved in the process. There were improvements in clinical practice during the period studied. This has given raise to the homogenisation of care in all the units following technical and quality standards, meaning better equity for the patients in need of the procedure.

  10. 78 FR 7858 - Publication of Fiscal Year 2012 Service Contract Inventory

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-02-04

    ... DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Publication of Fiscal Year 2012 Service Contract Inventory AGENCY: Departmental Offices, Treasury. ACTION: Notice of publication of Fiscal Year 2012 Service Contract Inventory... Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 Service Contract Inventory. The Inventory lists all service contract actions over...

  11. 48 CFR 2432.703-3 - Contracts crossing fiscal years.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

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

  12. Pain and uterine contractions during breast feeding in the immediate post-partum period increase with parity.

    PubMed

    Holdcroft, Anita; Snidvongs, Saowarat; Cason, Angie; Doré, Caroline J; Berkley, Karen J

    2003-08-01

    Previous research has shown that post-partum abdominal pain is greater in multiparous than primiparous women (Murray and Holdcroft, 1989). Although breast feeding in the immediate post-partum period induces uterine contractions and abdominal pain, it is unknown how parity influences the contractions. Here, a structured questionnaire that included the McGill Pain Questionnaire (total pain intensity index, TPI) and visual analog scales (VAS) was used to evaluate the intensity, location, referred tenderness (hyperalgesia), descriptor, and temporal characteristics of pain during breast feeding up to three days after uncomplicated vaginal delivery. Three groups of women were studied: primiparous (n=25); low parity (1-2 prior births; n=14); high parity (3-5 prior births; n=11). Uterine contractions during breast feeding were recorded using tocodynamometry in some women from each group (n=17, 6, 7, respectively). For comparison, an identical questionnaire was used to evaluate pains the women remembered experiencing during menstruation in the year immediately preceding the current pregnancy. During breast feeding, nearly all women (96%) reported deep pain primarily at three sites: lower abdomen, low back, and breast, with associated referred hyperalgesia in 62% of them. The intensity of these pains increased significantly with parity (P<0.001), along with an increase in the number of pain sites (P=0.03), mainly in lower abdomen and back, but not breast. Similarly, both the mean duration and number of uterine contractions increased significantly with parity (P<0.001). Furthermore, the mean duration of contractions correlated significantly with the pain scores (P=0.03 [VAS] and P=0.006 [TPI]). In contrast with pain during breast feeding, the intensity of pain during menstruation did not change with parity. These results demonstrate that pain, referred pain, and uterine contractions during breast feeding in the immediate post-partum period increase with parity, suggesting

  13. 78 FR 18966 - Publication of Fiscal Year 2012 Service Contract Inventory

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-03-28

    ... Year 2012 Service Contract Inventory AGENCY: Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia. ACTION: Notice of Public Availability of FY 2012 Service Contract Inventory. SUMMARY... 2012 Service Contract Inventory. This inventory provides information on service contract actions over...

  14. Duration of general practitioner contracts.

    PubMed

    Abelsen, Birgit; Gaski, Margrete; Brandstorp, Helen

    2015-12-01

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

  15. 77 FR 23293 - Service Contract Inventory for Fiscal Year (FY) 2011

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-04-18

    ... OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL Service Contract Inventory for Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 AGENCY: Office of Special Counsel. ACTION: Notice of availability--FY 2011 Service Contract Inventory. SUMMARY: Through this... contract inventory on its Web site, at http://www.osc.gov/RR_OSCReportsAndInformation.htm . A service...

  16. 42 CFR 414.422 - Terms of contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ...) MEDICARE PROGRAM PAYMENT FOR PART B MEDICAL AND OTHER HEALTH SERVICES Competitive Bidding for Certain... exercised by CMS, for the full duration of the contract period. (b) Recompeting competitive bidding contracts. CMS recompetes competitive bidding contracts at least once every 3 years. (c) Nondiscrimination...

  17. 42 CFR 414.422 - Terms of contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ...) MEDICARE PROGRAM PAYMENT FOR PART B MEDICAL AND OTHER HEALTH SERVICES Competitive Bidding for Certain... exercised by CMS, for the full duration of the contract period. (b) Recompeting competitive bidding contracts. CMS recompetes competitive bidding contracts at least once every 3 years. (c) Nondiscrimination...

  18. Defense Contracting in Iraq: Issues and Options for Congress

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2008-01-29

    contract will have a minimum value of $613,677 with a contract period of one base year followed by up to four one- year CRS-4 12 U.S. Army Sustainment...AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM(S) 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORT NUMBER(S) 12 . DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Approved for...Congress) to ensure proper accountability and oversight in federal contracting, particularly for DOD contracts in Iraq. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Defense

  19. How to Negotiate (Successfully) a Multi-Year Contract.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Brown, John A.

    Multi-year employee contracts can substantially reduce the time and energy that goes into negotiations. In this transcript, panelists from the Strongsville (Ohio) city schools discuss their recent 5-year settlement with their non-teaching (classified) employees. Each panelist is introduced, and then the first, James Marietta, provides an overview…

  20. 78 FR 21919 - Public Availability of Fiscal Year 2012 Service Contract Inventory

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-04-12

    ... Inventory AGENCY: Commodity Futures Trading Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Commodity Futures... Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 Service Contract Inventory. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding the Service Contract Inventory should be directed to Sonda R. Owens, Contracting Officer, in the...

  1. 7 CFR 625.12 - 30-year contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 6 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false 30-year contracts. 625.12 Section 625.12 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF..., maintenance, and management of habitat and forest ecosystem functions and values. (b) For the duration of its...

  2. 7 CFR 625.12 - 30-year contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 6 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false 30-year contracts. 625.12 Section 625.12 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF..., maintenance, and management of habitat and forest ecosystem functions and values. (b) For the duration of its...

  3. 7 CFR 625.12 - 30-year contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 6 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false 30-year contracts. 625.12 Section 625.12 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF..., maintenance, and management of habitat and forest ecosystem functions and values. (b) For the duration of its...

  4. 7 CFR 625.12 - 30-year contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 6 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false 30-year contracts. 625.12 Section 625.12 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF..., maintenance, and management of habitat and forest ecosystem functions and values. (b) For the duration of its...

  5. NASA's university program: Active grants and research contracts, fiscal year 1974

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1974-01-01

    Each entry includes institution and location, brief description of project, period of performance, principal investigator at institution, NASA technical officer (monitor), sponsoring NASA installation, interagency field of science or engineering classification C.A.S.E. category, grant or contract number, FY 74 obligations, cumulative obligations, and most recent RTOP coding. Entries are arranged alphabetically within state or country. Four cross indices are presented: (1) grant or contract number; (2) C.A.S.E. field or science or engineering; (3) NASA technical officer location; and (4) RTOP code.

  6. Policy Design of Multi-Year Crop Insurance Contracts with Partial Payments

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Ying-Erh; Goodwin, Barry K.

    2015-01-01

    Current crop insurance is designed to mitigate monetary fluctuations resulting from yield losses for a specific year. However, yield realization tendency can vary from year to year and may depend on the correlation of yield realizations across years. When the current single-year Yield Protection (YP) and Area Risk Protection Insurance (ARPI) contracts are extended to multiple periods, actuarially fair premium rate is expected to decrease as poor yield realizations in a year can be offset by another year’s better yield realizations. In this study, we first use simulations to demonstrate how significant premium savings are possible when coverage is based on the sum of yields across years rather than on a year-by-year basis. We then describe the design of a multi-year framework of crop insurance and model the insurance using a copula approach. Insurance terms are extended to more than a year and the premium, liability, and indemnity are determined by a multi-year term. Moreover, partial payment is provided at the end of each term to offset the possibility of significant loss in a single term. County-level data obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture are used to demonstrate the implementations of the proposed multi-year crop insurance. The proposed multi-year plan would benefit farmers by offering insurance guarantees across years for significantly lower costs. PMID:26695074

  7. Extended Year, Extended Contracts: Increasing Teacher Salary Options.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Gandara, Patricia

    1992-01-01

    Reports on an attempt to raise teacher salaries through an extended contract made possible through year-round school schedules. Teacher satisfaction with the 1987 experiment in three California schools (the Orchard Plan) has been high. Elements that have contributed to job satisfaction are discussed. (SLD)

  8. 48 CFR 232.703-3 - Contracts crossing fiscal years.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... exercised, or order placed does not exceed 1 year (10 U.S.C. 2410a). [64 FR 28110, May 25, 1999] ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 3 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Contracts crossing fiscal years. 232.703-3 Section 232.703-3 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEFENSE ACQUISITION...

  9. 48 CFR 232.703-3 - Contracts crossing fiscal years.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... exercised, or order placed does not exceed 1 year (10 U.S.C. 2410a). [64 FR 28110, May 25, 1999] ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Contracts crossing fiscal years. 232.703-3 Section 232.703-3 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEFENSE ACQUISITION...

  10. 77 FR 58104 - Availability of the Fiscal Year 2011 Inventory of Contracts for Services

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-09-19

    ... Director, Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy, Contract Policy and International Contracting (DPAP... Contracts for Services AGENCY: Department of Defense (DoD). ACTION: Notice of availability. SUMMARY: DoD announces the availability of the Inventory of Contracts for Services for Fiscal Year 2011 pursuant to...

  11. 48 CFR 217.173 - Multiyear contracts for military family housing.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... each year from annual appropriations for that year (10 U.S.C. 2829). [76 FR 58154, Sept. 20, 2011] ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 3 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Multiyear contracts for... enter into multiyear contracts for periods up to 4 years for supplies and services required for...

  12. 48 CFR 32.703-3 - Contracts crossing fiscal years.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... order placed does not exceed one year (10 U.S.C. 2410a and 41 U.S.C. 253l). Funds made available for a... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Contracts crossing fiscal years. 32.703-3 Section 32.703-3 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION...

  13. 48 CFR 32.703-3 - Contracts crossing fiscal years.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... order placed does not exceed one year (10 U.S.C. 2410a and 41 U.S.C. 253l). Funds made available for a... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Contracts crossing fiscal years. 32.703-3 Section 32.703-3 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION...

  14. Generation of poleward moving auroral forms (PMAFs) during periods of dayside auroral oval expansions/contractions and periods when the dayside auroral oval is expanded and stable

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fasel, G. J.; Flicker, J.; Sibeck, D. G.; Alyami, M.; Angelo, A.; Aylward, R. J.; Bender, S.; Christensen, M.; Kim, J.; Kristensen, H.; Orellana, Y.; Sahin, O.; Yoon, J.; Green, D.; Sigernes, F.; Lorentzen, D. A.

    2013-12-01

    The latitude of the equatorial edge of the dayside auroral oval has been shown to vary with the direction of the IMF Bz-component. The equatorward/poleward edge of the dayside auroral oval shifts equatorward/poleward when the IMF Bz-component is negative/positive [Burch, 1973; Akasofu, 1977; Horwitz and Akasofu, 1977; Sandholt et al., 1986, 1988]. Past studies have shown that poleward-moving auroral forms (PMAFs) are a common feature during equatorward expansions of the dayside auroral oval. Horwitz and Akasofu [1977] noted a one-to-one correspondence of luminous PMAFs associated with an equatorward expansion of the dayside auroral oval. During the southward turning of the IMF Bz-component the merging rate on the dayside increases [Newell and Meng, 1987] leading to the erosion of the dayside magnetopause. The field line merging process is thought to be most efficient when the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) Bz-component turns southward. Both Vorobjev et al. [1975] and Horwitz and Akasofu [1977] attributed these PMAFs to magnetic flux being eroded away from the dayside magnetopause and transported antisunward. Dayside poleward-moving auroral forms are also observed during periods of an expanded and stable dayside auroral oval for both northern and southern hemisphere observations [Sandholt et al., 1986, 1989, 1990; Rairden and Mende, 1989; Mende et al., 1990]. Poleward-moving auroral forms have also been observed during some dayside oval contractions but have not been discussed much in the literature. This study examines the dayside auroral oval during periods of expansion, contraction, and during periods of an expanded and stable dayside auroral oval. This statistical study will provide the following results: number of poleward-moving auroral forms that are generated during dayside auroral oval expansions/contractions and during periods of a stable and expanded dayside auroral oval, the average initial and final elevation angle of the dayside auroral oval, time

  15. Infertility and surrogacy first mentioned on a 4000-year-old Assyrian clay tablet of marriage contract in Turkey.

    PubMed

    Turp, Ahmet Berkiz; Guler, Ismail; Bozkurt, Nuray; Uysal, Aysel; Yilmaz, Bulent; Demir, Mustafa; Karabacak, Onur

    2018-01-01

    Mankind has been expressing the breeding topic for thousands of years. Reproduction is the primary instinct of human beings and it is a social, cultural, medical issue. Demographic infertility is one of them, which is defined infertility as the inability to become pregnant with a live birth, within five years of regular sexual contact based upon a consistent union status in marriage maintaining a desire for a child with the lack of contraceptive use and non-lactating. A first mentions about infertility and surrogacy is discovered on a 4000-year-old clay tablet of marriage contract belonging to the Assyrian period exhibited at Istanbul Archeology Museum in Turkey. In conclusion, there are many different ways to solve infertility problems like surrogacy as mentioned even 4000 years ago in this Assyrian clay tablet of marriage contract as the first time in the literature. Medical treatments in relation to human infertility will continue to be the focus of social and cultural debates. Hence, more legislation and regulation will come in many countries to control the unauthorized exploitation of the patient.

  16. Process Improvement for Interinstitutional Research Contracting.

    PubMed

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

    2015-08-01

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

  17. 9 CFR 201.217 - Reasonable period of time to remedy a breach of contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 9 Animals and Animal Products 2 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Reasonable period of time to remedy a breach of contract. 201.217 Section 201.217 Animals and Animal Products GRAIN INSPECTION, PACKERS AND... termination. These criteria do not limit a packer, swine contractor or live poultry dealer's rights under a...

  18. 9 CFR 201.217 - Reasonable period of time to remedy a breach of contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 9 Animals and Animal Products 2 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Reasonable period of time to remedy a breach of contract. 201.217 Section 201.217 Animals and Animal Products GRAIN INSPECTION, PACKERS AND... termination. These criteria do not limit a packer, swine contractor or live poultry dealer's rights under a...

  19. 9 CFR 201.217 - Reasonable period of time to remedy a breach of contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 9 Animals and Animal Products 2 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Reasonable period of time to remedy a breach of contract. 201.217 Section 201.217 Animals and Animal Products GRAIN INSPECTION, PACKERS AND... termination. These criteria do not limit a packer, swine contractor or live poultry dealer's rights under a...

  20. 48 CFR 52.222-43 - Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Act-Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... and Service Contract Act-Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts). 52.222-43 Section 52... Standards Act and Service Contract Act—Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts). As prescribed...—Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (SEP 2009) (a) This clause applies to both...

  1. 12 CFR 1.7 - Securities held in satisfaction of debts previously contracted; holding period; disposal...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 12 Banks and Banking 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Securities held in satisfaction of debts... § 1.7 Securities held in satisfaction of debts previously contracted; holding period; disposal; accounting treatment; non-speculative purpose. (a) Securities held in satisfaction of debts previously...

  2. Optimal Lease Contract for Remanufactured Equipment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Iskandar, B. P.; Wangsaputra, R.; Pasaribu, U. S.; Husniah, H.

    2018-03-01

    In the last two decades, the business of lease products (or equipment) has grown significantly, and many companies acquire equipment through leasing. In this paper, we propose a new lease contract under which a product (or equipment) is leased for a period of time with maximum usage per period (e.g. 1 year). This lease contract has only a time limit but no usage limit. If the total usage per period exceeds the maximum usage allowed in the contract, then the customer (as a lessee) will be charged an additional cost. In general, the lessor (OEM) provides a full coverage of maintenance, which includes PM and CM under the lease contract. It is considered that the lessor offers the lease contract for a remanufactured product. We presume that the price of the lease contract for the remanufactured product is much lower than that of a new one, and hence it would be a more attractive option to the customer. The decision problem for the lessee is to select the best option offered that fits to its requirement, and the decision problem for the lessor is find the optimal maintenance efforts for a given price of the lease option offered. We first find the optimal decisions independently for each party, and then the joint optimal decisions for both parties.

  3. Some Contracting Controls at Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Fort Polk, Louisiana, Need Improvement

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-02-12

    erosion control. Work that did not meet PWS requirements included laying pavement stones for a monument walkway and installing a glossy marble -like... property structures, roads, training areas, training facilities, and utility infrastructure. The contract period of performance consisted of a base year

  4. NASA Extends Chandra Science and Operations Support Contract

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    2010-01-01

    NASA has extended a contract with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Mass., to provide science and operational support for the Chandra X-ray Observatory, a powerful tool used to better understand the structure and evolution of the universe. The contract extension with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory provides continued science and operations support to Chandra. This approximately 172 million modification brings the total value of the contract to approximately 545 million for the base effort. The base effort period of performance will continue through Sept. 30, 2013, except for the work associated with the administration of scientific research grants, which will extend through Feb. 28, 2016. The contract type is cost reimbursement with no fee. In addition to the base effort, the contract includes two options for three years each to extend the period of performance for an additional six years. Option 1 is priced at approximately 177 million and Option 2 at approximately 191 million, for a total possible contract value of about $913 million. The contract covers mission operations and data analysis, which includes observatory operations, science data processing and astronomer support. The operations tasks include monitoring the health and status of the observatory and developing and uplinking the observation sequences during Chandra's communication coverage periods. The science data processing tasks include the competitive selection, planning and coordination of science observations and processing and delivery of the resulting scientific data. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala, manages the Chandra program for the agency's Science Mission Directorate in Washington. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory controls Chandra's science and flight operations. For more information about the Chandra X-ray Observatory visit: http://chandra.nasa.gov

  5. 77 FR 71827 - Notice of Extension of Concession Contracts

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-12-04

    ... concession contracts for a period of up to 1 (one) year, or until such time as a new contract is executed, whichever occurs sooner. DATES: Effective Date: January 1, 2013. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jo A.... Canyon National Parks. BRCA001-03 Bryce Canyon Natural Bryce Canyon History Association. National Park...

  6. [Excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle: questions remaining after 50 years of research].

    PubMed

    Calderón-Vélez, Juan Camilo; Figueroa-Gordon, Lourdes Carolina

    2009-03-01

    The excitation-contraction coupling mechanism was defined as the entire sequence of reactions linking excitation of plasma membrane to activation of contraction in skeletal muscle. By using different techniques, their regulation and interactions have been studied during the last 50 years, defining until now the importance and origin of the calcium ion as a contractile activator and the main proteins involved in the whole mechanism. Furthermore, the study of the ultrastructural basis and pharmacological regulation of the excitation-contraction coupling phenomenon has begun. The excitation-contraction coupling is thought to be altered in situations as ageing, muscle fatigue and some muscle diseases. However, many questions remain to be answered. For example, (1) How excitation-contraction coupling develops and ages? (2) What role does it play in muscle fatigue and other diseases? (3) What is the nature of the interaction between the proteins believed to be involved? The present review describes excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle and techniques used to better understand it as an introduction for discussing unanswered questions regarding excitation-contraction coupling.

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

    USGS Publications Warehouse

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

    2018-01-01

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

  8. Social Contracts for Writing: Negotiating Shared Understandings about Text in the Preschool Years

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Rowe, Deborah Wells

    2008-01-01

    This article describes some of the foundational social contracts about written texts that two-year-olds and their teachers were negotiating in a U.S. preschool writing center. Social contracts are shared cultural knowledge that individuals draw on to produce and use written texts in culturally appropriate ways. Participants in this study were 18…

  9. 75 FR 34942 - Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Multiyear Contract Authority for Electricity...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-06-21

    ...-AG48 Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Multiyear Contract Authority for Electricity... years for the purchase of electricity from sources of renewable energy. DATES: Effective Date: June 21... contract for a period not to exceed 10 years for the purchase of electricity from sources of renewable...

  10. NASA's university program: Active grants and research contracts, fiscal year 1975

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1975-01-01

    Active university research projects for Fiscal Year 1975 are reported by state, and foreign country. Cross indexes by: (1) grant/contract number; (2) field of science and engineering; (3) technical officer location; and (4) RTOP are included.

  11. Solar buildings program contract summary, calendar year 1999

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

    NONE

    2000-06-07

    The mission of the US Department of Energy's Solar Buildings Program is to advance the development and widespread deployment of competitive solar thermal technologies for use in buildings. The long-term goal of the Program is to combine solar energy technologies with energy-efficient construction techniques and create cost-effective buildings that have a zero net need for fossil fuel energy on an annual basis. The Solar Buildings Program conducts research and development on solar technologies that can deliver heat, light, and hot water to residential and commercial buildings. By working closely with manufacturers in both the buildings and solar energy industries andmore » by supporting research at universities and national laboratories, the Solar Buildings Program brings together the diverse players developing reliable and affordable solar technologies for building applications. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado, and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, jointly participate in the Solar Buildings Program. These two national laboratories work closely with industry researching new concepts, developing technology improvements, reducing manufacturing costs, monitoring system performance, promoting quality assurance, and identifying potential new markets. In calendar year 1999, the Solar Buildings Program focused primarily on solar hot water system research and development (R and D), US industry manufacturing assistance, and US market assistance. The Program also completed a number of other projects that were begun in earlier years. This Contract Summary describes the Program's contracted activities that were active during 1999.« less

  12. 77 FR 3836 - Public Availability of Social Security Administration Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 Service Contract...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-01-25

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION [Docket No. SSA-2011-0105] Public Availability of Social Security Administration Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 Service Contract Inventory AGENCY: Social Security Administration. ACTION: Notice of Public Availability of FY 2011 Service Contract Inventories. SUMMARY: In accordance with...

  13. 78 FR 6168 - Public Availability of Social Security Administration Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 Service Contract...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-01-29

    ... SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION [Docket No. SSA-2013-0001] Public Availability of Social Security Administration Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 Service Contract Inventory AGENCY: Social Security Administration. ACTION: Notice of Public Availability of FY 2012 Service Contract Inventories. SUMMARY: In accordance with...

  14. Polar cap contraction and expansion during a period of substorms

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aikio, Anita; Pitkänen, Timo; Honkonen, Ilja; Palmroth, Minna; Amm, Olaf

    We have studied the variations in the polar cap area and related parameters during a period of four substorms on February 18, 2004, following an extended quiet period. The measurements were obtained by the EISCAT incoherent scatter radars, MIRACLE magnetometers, Geotail and solar wind satellites. In addition, the event is modeled by the GUMICS-4 MHD simulation. By using the measured and modeled data, the dayside and nightside reconnection voltages are calculated. The results show a good general agreement in the polar cap boundary (PCB) location as estimated by the EISCAT radars and the GUMICS simulation. Deviations are found, too, like shorter durations of expansion phases in the simulation. Geotail measurements of the inclination angle of the magnetic field in the tail (Xgsm= -22 Re) agree with the PCB latitude variations measured by EISCAT at a different MLT. We conclude that a large polar cap corresponds to a stretched tail configuration in the near-Earth tail and a small polar cap to a more dipolar configuration. The substorm onsets took place during southward IMF. A specific feature is that the substorm expansion phases were not associated with significant contractions of the polar cap. Even though nightside reconnection voltages started to increase during expansion phases, maximum closure of open flux took place in the recovery phases. We shortly discuss implications of the observation to the definition of the recovery phase.

  15. 76 FR 5567 - Service Contract Inventory for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-02-01

    ... DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Service Contract Inventory for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 AGENCY: Office of the Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Education. ACTION: Notice of availability--FY 2010 Service.... Skelly, Chief Financial Officer. [FR Doc. 2011-2236 Filed 1-28-11; 11:15 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P ...

  16. 78 FR 10611 - Service Contract Inventory for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-02-14

    ... DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Service Contract Inventory for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 AGENCY: Office of the Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Education. ACTION: Notice of availability--FY 2012 service... Deputy Chief Financial Officer. [FR Doc. 2013-03441 Filed 2-13-13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P ...

  17. 48 CFR 2919.812 - Contract administration.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... conduct periodic evaluations of the performance of an 8(a) contract at various stages of the contract period of performance. Any problems encountered during the performance evaluation, which cannot be...

  18. 48 CFR 217.204 - Contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ...)(i) Notwithstanding FAR 17.204(e), the ordering period of a task order or delivery order contract...) of this section does not apply to the following: (A) Contracts, including task or delivery order contracts, awarded under other statutory authority. (B) Advisory and assistance service task order contracts...

  19. Activities of the Oil Implementation Task Force, reporting period March--August 1991; Contracts for field projects and supporting research on enhanced oil recovery, reporting period October--December 1990

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

    Not Available

    Activities of DOE's Oil Implementation Task Force for the period March--August 1991 are reviewed. Contracts for fields projects and supporting research on enhanced oil recovery are discussed, with a list of related publications given. Enhanced recovery processes covered include chemical flooding, gas displacement, thermal recovery, and microbial recovery.

  20. Age-associated changes in muscle activity during isometric contraction.

    PubMed

    Arjunan, Sridhar P; Kumar, Dinesh K

    2013-04-01

    We investigated the effect of age on the complexity of muscle activity and the variance in the force of isometric contraction. Surface electromyography (sEMG) from biceps brachii muscle and force of contraction were recorded from 96 subjects (20-70 years of age) during isometric contractions. There was a reduction in the complexity of sEMG associated with aging. The relationship of age and complexity was approximated using a bilinear fit, with the average knee point at 45 years. There was an age-associated increase in the coefficient of variation (CoV) of the force of muscle contraction, and this increase was correlated with the decrease in complexity of sEMG (r(2) = 0.76). There was an age-associated increase in CoV and also a reduction in the complexity of sEMG. The correlation between these 2 factors can be explained based on the age-associated increase in motor unit density. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  1. Long-Term Opioid Contract Use for Chronic Pain Management in Primary Care Practice. A Five Year Experience

    PubMed Central

    Lamb, Geoffrey C.; Neuner, Joan M.

    2007-01-01

    Background The use of opioid medications to manage chronic pain is complex and challenging, especially in primary care settings. Medication contracts are increasingly being used to monitor patient adherence, but little is known about the long-term outcomes of such contracts. Objective To describe the long-term outcomes of a medication contract agreement for patients receiving opioid medications in a primary care setting. Design Retrospective cohort study. Subjects All patients placed on a contract for opioid medication between 1998 and 2003 in an academic General Internal Medicine teaching clinic. Measurements Demographics, diagnoses, opiates prescribed, urine drug screens, and reasons for contract cancellation were recorded. The association of physician contract cancellation with patient factors and medication types were examined using the Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression. Results A total of 330 patients constituting 4% of the clinic population were placed on contracts during the study period. Seventy percent were on indigent care programs. The majority had low back pain (38%) or fibromyalgia (23%). Contracts were discontinued in 37%. Only 17% were cancelled for substance abuse and noncompliance. Twenty percent discontinued contract voluntarily. Urine toxicology screens were obtained in 42% of patients of whom 38% were positive for illicit substances. Conclusions Over 60% of patients adhered to the contract agreement for opioids with a median follow-up of 22.5 months. Our experience provides insight into establishing a systematic approach to opioid administration and monitoring in primary care practices. A more structured drug testing strategy is needed to identify nonadherent patients. PMID:17372797

  2. Managing TIAA-CREF Contracts

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bastable, C. W.; Brady, Gerald P.

    1976-01-01

    Complexities in managing TIAA-CREF contracts are reviewed. Attention is directed toward participation, period considerations, selection of retirement age, retirement income transition, estate considerations and beneficiaries, voluntary additional contributions, and supplemental retirement annuity contracts. (LBH)

  3. 48 CFR 2404.805 - Storage, handling and disposal of contract files.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... the contracting activity for a period of two months following the contract award as reference material for debriefings. Upon expiration of the two month period, the contracting office shall either: (1... period of two months following the contract award. Upon expiration of the two month period, the program...

  4. 48 CFR 2404.805 - Storage, handling and disposal of contract files.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... the contracting activity for a period of two months following the contract award as reference material for debriefings. Upon expiration of the two month period, the contracting office shall either: (1... period of two months following the contract award. Upon expiration of the two month period, the program...

  5. 48 CFR 2404.805 - Storage, handling and disposal of contract files.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... the contracting activity for a period of two months following the contract award as reference material for debriefings. Upon expiration of the two month period, the contracting office shall either: (1... period of two months following the contract award. Upon expiration of the two month period, the program...

  6. 48 CFR 2404.805 - Storage, handling and disposal of contract files.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... the contracting activity for a period of two months following the contract award as reference material for debriefings. Upon expiration of the two month period, the contracting office shall either: (1... period of two months following the contract award. Upon expiration of the two month period, the program...

  7. 48 CFR 2404.805 - Storage, handling and disposal of contract files.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... the contracting activity for a period of two months following the contract award as reference material for debriefings. Upon expiration of the two month period, the contracting office shall either: (1... period of two months following the contract award. Upon expiration of the two month period, the program...

  8. Insurance Contract Analysis for Company Decision Support in Acquisition Management

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chernovita, H. P.; Manongga, D.; Iriani, A.

    2017-01-01

    One of company activities to retain their business is marketing the products which include in acquisition management to get new customers. Insurance contract analysis using ID3 to produce decision tree and rules to be decision support for the insurance company. The decision tree shows 13 rules that lead to contract termination claim. This could be a guide for the insurance company in acquisition management to prevent contract binding with these contract condition because it has a big chance for the customer to terminate their insurance contract before its expired date. As the result, there are several strong points that could be the determinant of contract termination such as: 1) customer age whether too young or too old, 2) long insurance period (above 10 years), 3) big insurance amount, 4) big amount of premium charges, and 5) payment method.

  9. 78 FR 45515 - Availability of the Fiscal Year 2012 Inventory of Contracts for Services

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-07-29

    ... DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary Availability of the Fiscal Year 2012 Inventory of... announces the availability of the Inventory of Contracts for Services for Fiscal Year 2012 pursuant to section 2330a of title 10, United States Code. Inventory is available to the public. DATES: Comments...

  10. Forest contraction in north equatorial Southeast Asia during the Last Glacial Period

    PubMed Central

    Wurster, Christopher M.; Bird, Michael I.; Bull, Ian D.; Creed, Frances; Bryant, Charlotte; Dungait, Jennifer A. J.; Paz, Victor

    2010-01-01

    Today, insular Southeast Asia is important for both its remarkably rich biodiversity and globally significant roles in atmospheric and oceanic circulation. Despite the fundamental importance of environmental history for diversity and conservation, there is little primary evidence concerning the nature of vegetation in north equatorial Southeast Asia during the Last Glacial Period (LGP). As a result, even the general distribution of vegetation during the Last Glacial Maximum is debated. Here we show, using the stable carbon isotope composition of ancient cave guano profiles, that there was a substantial forest contraction during the LGP on both peninsular Malaysia and Palawan, while rainforest was maintained in northern Borneo. These results directly support rainforest “refugia” hypotheses and provide evidence that environmental barriers likely reduced genetic mixing between Borneo and Sumatra flora and fauna. Moreover, it sheds light on possible early human dispersal events. PMID:20660748

  11. EMG parameters and EEG α Index change at fatigue period during different types of muscle contraction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Li; Zhou, Bin; Song, Gaoqing

    2010-10-01

    The purpose of this study is to measure and analyze the characteristics in change of EMG and EEG parameters at muscle fatigue period in participants with different exercise capacity. Twenty participants took part in the tests. They were divided into two groups, Group A (constant exerciser) and Group B (seldom-exerciser). MVC dynamic and 1/3 isometric exercises were performed; EMG and EEG signals were recorded synchronously during different type of muscle contraction. Results indicated that values of MVC, RMS and IEMG in Group A were greater than Group B, but isometric exercise time was shorter than the time of dynamic exercise although its intensity was light. Turning point of IEMG and α Index occurred synchronously during constant muscle contraction of isometric or dynamic exercise. It is concluded that IEMG turning point may be an indication to justify muscle fatigue. Synchronization of EEG and EMG reflects its common characteristics on its bio-electric change.

  12. EMG parameters and EEG α Index change at fatigue period during different types of muscle contraction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Li; Zhou, Bin; Song, Gaoqing

    2011-03-01

    The purpose of this study is to measure and analyze the characteristics in change of EMG and EEG parameters at muscle fatigue period in participants with different exercise capacity. Twenty participants took part in the tests. They were divided into two groups, Group A (constant exerciser) and Group B (seldom-exerciser). MVC dynamic and 1/3 isometric exercises were performed; EMG and EEG signals were recorded synchronously during different type of muscle contraction. Results indicated that values of MVC, RMS and IEMG in Group A were greater than Group B, but isometric exercise time was shorter than the time of dynamic exercise although its intensity was light. Turning point of IEMG and α Index occurred synchronously during constant muscle contraction of isometric or dynamic exercise. It is concluded that IEMG turning point may be an indication to justify muscle fatigue. Synchronization of EEG and EMG reflects its common characteristics on its bio-electric change.

  13. State Funding of Contract Courses at Community Colleges: The First Year. Analysis Paper No. 824.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    State Univ. of New York, Albany. Office for Community Colleges.

    Focusing on the period from September 1981 to September 1982, this report describes issues and activities related to New York State's funding of contract courses at the community colleges of the State University of New York (SUNY). Introductory material notes that since the passage of authorizing legislation, about 45,000 employees of more than…

  14. 48 CFR 237.106 - Funding and term of service contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... period of the contract awarded, option exercised, or order placed does not exceed 1 year (10 U.S.C. 2410a... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 3 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Funding and term of... or consultant services shall not exceed 1 year. The nature of the duties must be— (i) Temporary (not...

  15. 48 CFR 237.106 - Funding and term of service contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... period of the contract awarded, option exercised, or order placed does not exceed 1 year (10 U.S.C. 2410a... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Funding and term of... or consultant services shall not exceed 1 year. The nature of the duties must be— (i) Temporary (not...

  16. 7 CFR 631.10 - Contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... for the life of the proposed contract. (b) Contracts may be entered into not later than September 30... the conservation plan and must extend at least 3 years but not more than 10 years. (c) Contracts may...

  17. 7 CFR 631.10 - Contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... for the life of the proposed contract. (b) Contracts may be entered into not later than September 30... the conservation plan and must extend at least 3 years but not more than 10 years. (c) Contracts may...

  18. 41 CFR 302-2.10 - Does the 2-year time period in § 302-2.8 include time that I cannot travel and/or transport my...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 4 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Does the 2-year time period in § 302-2.8 include time that I cannot travel and/or transport my household effects due to... time that I cannot travel and/or transport my household effects due to shipping restrictions to or from...

  19. 41 CFR 302-2.10 - Does the 1-year time period in § 302-2.8 include time that I cannot travel and/or transport my...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 4 2013-07-01 2012-07-01 true Does the 1-year time period in § 302-2.8 include time that I cannot travel and/or transport my household effects due to... time that I cannot travel and/or transport my household effects due to shipping restrictions to or from...

  20. 41 CFR 302-2.10 - Does the 2-year time period in § 302-2.8 include time that I cannot travel and/or transport my...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 4 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Does the 2-year time period in § 302-2.8 include time that I cannot travel and/or transport my household effects due to... time that I cannot travel and/or transport my household effects due to shipping restrictions to or from...

  1. 41 CFR 302-2.10 - Does the 1-year time period in § 302-2.8 include time that I cannot travel and/or transport my...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 4 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Does the 1-year time period in § 302-2.8 include time that I cannot travel and/or transport my household effects due to... time that I cannot travel and/or transport my household effects due to shipping restrictions to or from...

  2. 41 CFR 302-2.10 - Does the 1-year time period in § 302-2.8 include time that I cannot travel and/or transport my...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 4 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Does the 1-year time period in § 302-2.8 include time that I cannot travel and/or transport my household effects due to... time that I cannot travel and/or transport my household effects due to shipping restrictions to or from...

  3. Defense Contracting in Iraq: Issues and Options for Congress

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2007-11-15

    minimum value of $613,677 with a contract period of one base year followed by up to four one- year options with CRS-4 12 U.S. Army Sustainment Command...ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM(S) 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORT NUMBER(S) 12 . DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Approved for public release...Iraq. The proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Defense Authorization bill, H.R. 1585, contains provisions which, as an example, would broaden legal

  4. 48 CFR 432.007 - Contract financing payments.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Contract financing... CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT FINANCING 432.007 Contract financing payments. The HCA may prescribe, on a case-by-case basis, a shorter period for financing payments. [61 FR 53646, Oct. 15, 1996. Redesignated...

  5. Selected Collective Bargaining Agreements of Ohio Two-Year Colleges.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    National Education Association, Washington, DC.

    This collection of collective bargaining agreements contains contracts for two Ohio two-year colleges. The first agreement, between Edison State Community College and the Edison State Education Association, covers the contract period from 1989 to 1992. The 21 articles in the contract set forth provisions related to union recognition, management…

  6. 78 FR 48728 - International Mail Contract

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-08-09

    ... POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. CP2013-39; Order No. 1798] International Mail Contract... provide its contracting partner, on a periodic basis, with a list of countries to which Commercial ePacket... an Additional Global Plus 1C Contract, January 11, 2013. IV. Ordering Paragraphs It is ordered: 1...

  7. QUASI-PERIODICITIES AT YEAR-LIKE TIMESCALES IN BLAZARS

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

    Sandrinelli, A.; Treves, A.; Covino, S.

    2016-03-15

    We searched for quasi-periodicities on year-like timescales in the light curves of six blazars in the optical—near-infrared bands and we made a comparison with the high energy emission. We obtained optical/NIR light curves from Rapid Eye Mounting photometry plus archival Small and Moderate Aperture Research Telescope System data and we accessed the Fermi light curves for the γ-ray data. The periodograms often show strong peaks in the optical and γ-ray bands, which in some cases may be inter-related. The significance of the revealed peaks is then discussed, taking into account that the noise is frequency dependent. Quasi-periodicities on a year-likemore » timescale appear to occur often in blazars. No straightforward model describing these possible periodicities is yet available, but some plausible interpretations for the physical mechanisms causing periodic variabilities of these sources are examined.« less

  8. Effect of paraelectrode processes on contraction of space charge in periodic-pulse lasers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Arytyunyan, R. V.; Baranov, V. Yu.; Borisov, V. M.; Vinokhodov, A. Yu.; Kiryukhin, Yu. B.

    1986-05-01

    A characteristic feature of periodic-pulse electric-discharge CO2-lasers and excimer lasers is contraction of the space charge as the pulse repetition rate increases. The emission energy per pulse decreases as a consequence, with the average laser power first ceasing to increase linearly beyond a certain corner repetition rate and then decreasing beyond a certain critical repetition rate. A study of this phenomenon was made, for the purpose of separating the effect of paracathode processes from the effect of gas dynamics and then evaluating the effect of the former alone. Paraelectrode perturbations were simulated by focusing the radiation from the an XeCl-laser on the cathode surface in an atmosphere of nonabsorbing gases. Laser pulses of up to approximately 0.5 J energy and of approximately 50 ns duration were focused within a spot of 1 mm(2) area on a cathode inside a discharge chamber, with the power density of incident radiation regulated by means of an attenuator. A space charge within a volume of 2.5x4.5x9 cm(3) was generated between this specially shaped cathode and a mesh anode with an approximately 50% optical transmission coefficient. The space charge in helium and in neon was photographed, and the time lag of a discharge pulse behind a contracting laser pulse was measured as a function of the laser pulse energy for these two gases, as well as for a He+C12 gas mixture. The general trend was found to be the same in each case, the time lag increasing with increasing energy first at a slower rate up to a critical energy level and then faster. It has been established that plasma does not build up on the cathode before the laser pulse energy reaches 30 mJ (for a 3 mm(2) surface area), while plasma glow begins as the laser pulse energy reaches 150 mJ. A contracted channel begins to form within the laser-cathode interaction space, with an attendant fast increase of the time lag owing to evaporation of the cathode metal.

  9. 25 CFR 39.1201 - Establishment of an interim fiscal year 1980 operation and maintenance fund for contract schools.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 25 Indians 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Establishment of an interim fiscal year 1980 operation and maintenance fund for contract schools. 39.1201 Section 39.1201 Indians BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR EDUCATION THE INDIAN SCHOOL EQUALIZATION PROGRAM Contract School Operation and Maintenance Fund § 39.1201 Establishment of...

  10. 25 CFR 39.1201 - Establishment of an interim fiscal year 1980 operation and maintenance fund for contract schools.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 25 Indians 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Establishment of an interim fiscal year 1980 operation and maintenance fund for contract schools. 39.1201 Section 39.1201 Indians BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR EDUCATION THE INDIAN SCHOOL EQUALIZATION PROGRAM Contract School Operation and Maintenance Fund § 39.1201 Establishment of...

  11. 25 CFR 39.1201 - Establishment of an interim fiscal year 1980 operation and maintenance fund for contract schools.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 25 Indians 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Establishment of an interim fiscal year 1980 operation and maintenance fund for contract schools. 39.1201 Section 39.1201 Indians BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR EDUCATION THE INDIAN SCHOOL EQUALIZATION PROGRAM Contract School Operation and Maintenance Fund § 39.1201 Establishment of...

  12. 48 CFR 32.007 - Contract financing payments.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... extent of contract financing arrangements are integrated with agency contract pricing policies. (4... otherwise prescribed in agency policies and procedures or otherwise specified in paragraph (b) of this... due date. (3) Agency heads may prescribe shorter periods for payment based on contract pricing or...

  13. NASA Awards Chandra X-Ray Observatory Follow-On Contract

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    2003-08-01

    NASA has awarded a contract to the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Mass., to provide science and operational support for the Chandra X-ray Observatory, one of the world's most powerful tools to better understand the structure and evolution of the universe. The contract will have a period of performance from August 31, 2003, through July 31, 2010, with an estimated value of 373 million. It is a follow-on contract to the existing contract with Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory that has provided science and operations support to the Observatory since its launch in July 1999. At launch the intended mission life was five years. As a result of Chandra's success, NASA extended the mission from five to 10 years. The value of the original contract was 289 million. The follow-on contract with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory will continue through the 10-year mission. The contract type is cost reimbursement with no fee. The contract covers mission operations and data analysis, which includes the observatory operations, science data processing and the general and guaranteed time observer (astronomer) support. The observatory operations tasks include monitoring the health and status of the observatory and developing and up linking the observation sequences during Chandra's communication coverage periods. The science data processing tasks include the competitive selection, planning, and coordination of science observations with the general observers and processing and delivery of the resulting scientific data. There are approximately 200 to 250 observing proposals selected annually out of about 800 submitted, with a total amount of observing time of about 20 million seconds. Chandra has exceeded expectations of scientists, giving them unique insight into phenomena light years away, such as exotic celestial objects, matter falling into black holes, and stellar explosions. X-ray astronomy can only be performed from space because Earth's atmosphere

  14. Lomb-Scargle periodogram analysis of the periods around 5.5 year and 11 year in the international sunspot numbers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhu, F. R.; Jia, H. Y.

    2018-07-01

    The New International Sunspot Numbers (NISNs) have been successfully compiled and can be downloaded from the World Data Center-Sunspot index and Long-term Solar Observations, Royal Observatory of Belgium, Brussels. The periods in these NISNs have been studied by using the Lomb-Scargle periodogram. The results show that the international sunspot numbers have a lot of periods. Of the various periods, the most outstanding period around 11 year is 10.108 year after removing the 10.862 year signal from the time series of sunspot numbers, while the periods of 11.988 year, 7.990 year, 9.612 year, 5.445 year, 8.915 year, 5.792 year are also found with the period of 5.445 year being stronger than those of 5.792 year and 8.915 year. However, the period of 5.445 year is still much weaker than the period of 10.862 year. It is evident that the periods around 11 year and 5.5 year in the revised international sunspot numbers obtained by using the Lomb-Scargle periodogram method is somewhat different from the ones in previous studies.

  15. 25 CFR 39.1201 - Establishment of an interim fiscal year 1980 operation and maintenance fund for contract schools.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 25 Indians 1 2012-04-01 2011-04-01 true Establishment of an interim fiscal year 1980 operation and maintenance fund for contract schools. 39.1201 Section 39.1201 Indians BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR EDUCATION THE INDIAN SCHOOL EQUALIZATION PROGRAM Contract School Operation and Maintenance Fund § 39.1201 Establishment of a...

  16. 48 CFR 1646.201 - Contract Quality Policy.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... ensure that services acquired under the FEHB contract conform to the contract's quality and audit requirements. (b) OPM will periodically evaluate the contractor's system of internal controls under the quality... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 true Contract Quality Policy...

  17. Strategies and Lessons-Learned for the Successful Alignment of Contract Cost with the Contract Budget Base (CBB) within the First Year of Contract Award - 13154

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

    Mullis, Jay; Rueter, Ken

    2013-07-01

    In order to provide a sound basis and foundation for integrated Project and Contract change management, it is imperative to ensure the alignment of the Negotiated Contract Costs (NCC) with the Contract Budget Base (CBB), where CBB is defined as the Performance Measurement Baseline (PMB) plus Management Reserve (MR). The achievement of this alignment assures customer and contractor agreement on scope, requirements, quantities, schedule and cost, which facilitates the identification of change conditions and ultimate agreement on the value of changes to the NCC and the CBB. Delays in contract/CBB true up/reconciliation can negatively effect measurement of project progress, limitingmore » owner understanding of liability, and may result in increased contract disagreements and potential claims. The Department of Energy Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OR-EM) and URS - CH2M Oak Ridge LLC (UCOR) achieved alignment of the NCC with the CBB within 10 months of UCOR taking over work on the East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP) cleanup contract by: 1. Managing as a discrete project; 2. Establishing expectations and setting tone of interactions; 3. Using personnel experienced with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR); 4. Partnering; 5. Establishing ombudsmen. (authors)« less

  18. 47 CFR 22.947 - Five year build-out period.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... MOBILE SERVICES Cellular Radiotelephone Service § 22.947 Five year build-out period. Except for systems...-out period, the licensee of the first cellular system on each channel block in each market may enter...-out period begins on the date the initial authorization for the first cellular system is granted, and...

  19. Biomechanical characteristics of skeletal muscles and associations between running speed and contraction time in 8- to 13-year-old children.

    PubMed

    Završnik, Jernej; Pišot, Rado; Šimunič, Boštjan; Kokol, Peter; Blažun Vošner, Helena

    2017-02-01

    Objective To investigate associations between running speeds and contraction times in 8- to 13-year-old children. Method This longitudinal study analyzed tensiomyographic measurements of vastus lateralis and biceps femoris muscles' contraction times and maximum running speeds in 107 children (53 boys, 54 girls). Data were evaluated using multiple correspondence analysis. Results A gender difference existed between the vastus lateralis contraction times and running speeds. The running speed was less dependent on vastus lateralis contraction times in boys than in girls. Analysis of biceps femoris contraction times and running speeds revealed that running speeds of boys were much more structurally associated with contraction times than those of girls, for whom the association seemed chaotic. Conclusion Joint category plots showed that contraction times of biceps femoris were associated much more closely with running speed than those of the vastus lateralis muscle. These results provide insight into a new dimension of children's development.

  20. Medicare program; revisions to the Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug contract determinations, appeals, and intermediate sanctions processes. Final rule with comment period.

    PubMed

    2007-12-05

    This rule with comment period finalizes the Medicare program provisions relating to contract determinations involving Medicare Advantage (MA) organizations and Medicare Part D prescription drug plan sponsors, including eliminating the reconsideration process for review of contract determinations, revising the provisions related to appeals of contract determinations, and clarifying the process for MA organizations and Part D plan sponsors to complete corrective action plans. In this final rule with comment period, we also clarify the intermediate sanction and civil money penalty (CMP) provisions that apply to MA organizations and Medicare Part D prescription drug plan sponsors, modify elements of their compliance plans, retain voluntary self-reporting for Part D sponsors and implement a voluntary self-reporting recommendation for MA organizations, and revise provisions to ensure HHS has access to the books and records of MA organizations and Part D plan sponsors' first tier, downstream, and related entities. Although we have decided not to finalize the mandatory self-reporting provisions that we proposed, CMS remains committed to adopting a mandatory self-reporting requirement. To that end, we are requesting comments that will assist CMS in crafting a future proposed regulation for a mandatory self-reporting requirement.

  1. The advantages of cost plus award fee contracts

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Keathley, William C.

    1994-01-01

    A Cost Plus Award Fee contract is the best procurement vehicle for the high-tech, one-of-a-kind, development projects that constitute most of NASA'S projects. The use of this type of contract requires more government and contractor effort than any other forms of contracts. An award fee contract is described as an arrangement whereby the government periodically awards a fee consistent with the cost, schedule and technical performance that is achieved by a contractor during a preset period with preset award fee pools. It's the only contracting method where both the government and contractor goals are closely linked. It also has a built-in mechanism to conveniently alter and emphasize program events in order to current external and internal situations. The award fee process also demands good communication between government and contractor participants.

  2. 48 CFR 36.515 - Schedules for construction contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... contemplated, the contract amount is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, and the period of... covering other management approaches for ensuring that a contractor makes adequate progress. [48 FR 42356... Schedules for construction contracts. The contracting officer may insert the clause at 52.236-15, Schedules...

  3. Searching for Contracting Patterns over Time: Do Prime Contractor and Subcontractor Relations Follow Similar Patterns for Professional Services Provision?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ponomariov, Branco; Kingsley, Gordon; Boardman, Craig

    2011-01-01

    This paper compares over a 12-year period (1) patterns of contracting between a state transportation agency and its prime contractors providing engineering design services with (2) patterns between these prime contractors and their subcontractors. We find evidence of different contracting patterns at each level that emerge over time and coexist in…

  4. 17 CFR 151.3 - Spot months for Referenced Contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... Referenced Futures Contract for the ICE Futures U.S. Sugar No. 11 (SB) Referenced Contract; (3) At the close... delivery period in the underlying Core Referenced Futures Contract for the ICE Futures U.S. Sugar No. 16... Exchange Light Sweet Crude Oil (CL) contract; (2) New York Mercantile Exchange New York Harbor No. 2...

  5. 48 CFR 48.104-1 - Determining sharing period.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

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

  6. Period, Place and Mental Space: Using Historical Scholarship to Develop Year 7 Pupils' Sense of Period

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Smith, Dan

    2014-01-01

    What is a sense of period? And how can pupils' sense of period be developed? Questions such as these have troubled history teachers for many years, often revolving around debates over the role played by empathy and imagination in coming to know a period on its own terms. Rather than adopt a comparative approach, Dan Smiths decided in his teaching…

  7. The Psychological Contract and Individual Differences: The Role of Exchange and Creditor Ideologies

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Coyle-Shapiro, Jacqueline A-M.; Neuman, Joel H.

    2004-01-01

    The present study examines exchange and creditor ideologies (two dispositional characteristics that are strongly related to exchange relationships) and their moderating effects on the psychological contract. Five hundred public-sector employees were studied over a 3-year period. Respondents' were surveyed as to their perceptions of what they…

  8. 78 FR 6827 - Public Availability of DHS Fiscal Year 2012 Service Contract Inventory

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-01-31

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

  9. 77 FR 4821 - Public Availability of DHS Fiscal Year 2011 Service Contract Inventory

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-01-31

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

  10. 76 FR 57026 - Availability of the Fiscal Year 2010 Inventory of Contracts for Services

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-09-15

    ... Policy, Contract Policy and International Contracting (DPAP/CPIC) will make available to the public the annual inventory of contracts for services. The inventory will be posted to the Defense Procurement and... Contracts for Services AGENCY: Department of Defense (DoD). ACTION: Notice of availability. DATES: Inventory...

  11. 29 CFR 4.145 - Extended term contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 29 Labor 1 2014-07-01 2013-07-01 true Extended term contracts. 4.145 Section 4.145 Labor Office of...'Hara Service Contract Act Changes in Contract Coverage § 4.145 Extended term contracts. (a) Sometimes service contracts are entered into for an extended term exceeding one year; however, their continuation in...

  12. 29 CFR 4.145 - Extended term contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 29 Labor 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Extended term contracts. 4.145 Section 4.145 Labor Office...'Hara Service Contract Act Changes in Contract Coverage § 4.145 Extended term contracts. (a) Sometimes service contracts are entered into for an extended term exceeding one year; however, their continuation in...

  13. 29 CFR 4.145 - Extended term contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 29 Labor 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Extended term contracts. 4.145 Section 4.145 Labor Office...'Hara Service Contract Act Changes in Contract Coverage § 4.145 Extended term contracts. (a) Sometimes service contracts are entered into for an extended term exceeding one year; however, their continuation in...

  14. 29 CFR 4.145 - Extended term contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 29 Labor 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Extended term contracts. 4.145 Section 4.145 Labor Office...'Hara Service Contract Act Changes in Contract Coverage § 4.145 Extended term contracts. (a) Sometimes service contracts are entered into for an extended term exceeding one year; however, their continuation in...

  15. 29 CFR 4.145 - Extended term contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 29 Labor 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 true Extended term contracts. 4.145 Section 4.145 Labor Office of...'Hara Service Contract Act Changes in Contract Coverage § 4.145 Extended term contracts. (a) Sometimes service contracts are entered into for an extended term exceeding one year; however, their continuation in...

  16. NASA Extends Chandra X-ray Observatory Contract with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    2002-07-01

    NASA NASA has extended its contract with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Mass. to August 2003 to provide science and operational support for the Chandra X- ray Observatory, one of the world's most powerful tools to better understand the structure and evolution of the universe. The contract is an 11-month period of performance extension to the Chandra X-ray Center contract, with an estimated value of 50.75 million. Total contract value is now 298.2 million. The contract extension resulted from the delay of the launch of the Chandra X-ray Observatory from August 1998 to July 1999. The revised period of performance will continue the contract through Aug. 31, 2003, which is 48 months beyond operational checkout of the observatory. The contract type is cost reimbursement with no fee. The contract covers mission operations and data analysis, which includes both the observatory operations and the science data processing and general observer (astronomer) support. The observatory operations tasks include monitoring the health and status of the observatory and developing and distributing by satellite the observation sequences during Chandra's communication coverage periods. The science data processing tasks include the competitive selection, planning, and coordination of science observations with the general observers and the processing and delivery of the resulting scientific data. Each year, there are on the order of 200 to 250 observing proposals selected out of about 800 submitted, with a total amount of observing time about 20 million seconds. X-ray astronomy can only be performed from space because Earth's atmosphere blocks X-rays from reaching the surface. The Chandra Observatory travels one-third of the way to the Moon during its orbit around the Earth every 64 hours. At its highest point, Chandra's highly elliptical, or egg-shaped, orbit is 200 times higher than that of its visible-light- gathering sister, the Hubble Space Telescope. NASA

  17. 75 FR 20578 - Availability of the Fiscal Year 2008 Defense Threat Reduction Agency Services Contracts Inventory

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-04-20

    ... amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (NDAA 08) section 807, the Director of DTRA and the Office of the Director, Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy, Office of... pursuant to contracts for services. The inventory will be published to the DTRA Web site at the following...

  18. Navigating the Legal and Ethical World of Overseas Contracts.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Skinner, Karla Jo

    1998-01-01

    Referring to Iowa contract law, reviews ethical and legal aspects of overseas employment contracts signed by educators at recruitment fairs. Iowa Department of Education guidelines state the following aspects of a good contract: it is in writing; it states the salary, pay periods, benefits, and dates of employment; it lists special conditions and…

  19. The Association of Early Substance Use with Lifetime/Past Year Contraction of Sexually Transmitted Diseases: A National Study

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Merianos, Ashley L.; Rosen, Brittany L.; King, Keith A.; Vidourek, Rebecca A.; Fehr, Sara K.

    2015-01-01

    The study purpose is to examine the impact of early substance use on lifetime and past year contraction of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, and syphilis. A secondary analysis of the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (N = 52,529) was conducted to determine if lifetime or past year STD…

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

    PubMed Central

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

    2010-01-01

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

  1. Service contract with periodic preventive maintenance for a dump truck sold with a two-dimensional warranty

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nasrum, A.; Pasaribu, U. S.; Husniah, H.

    2016-02-01

    This paper deals with maintenance service contract for a dump truck sold with a two-dimensional warranties. We consider a situation where an agent offers two maintenance contract options and the owner of the equipment has to select the optimal option either the OEM carried out all repairs and preventive maintenance activities (option one) or the OEM only carries out failure while the costumer undertakes preventive maintenance action in-house (option two). As the number of preventive maintenance and corrective maintenance that occurs in the area of servicing contracts is very influential in determining the value of the contract, we have to determine the optimal time between preventive maintenance that can minimize the cost of repair in the contract area. Moreover, we also study the maintenance service contract considering reduction of the intensity function after preventive maintenance from both the owner and OEM point of views. In this paper, we use a Weibull intensity function to consider a product with increasing failure intensity. We use a non-cooperative game formulation to determine the optimal price structure (i.e., the contract price and repair cost) for the OEM and the owner. A numerical example derived from the model has shown that if the owner choose option one then the owner obtain a higher profit compared with the profit resulted from option two. The result agree with earlier work which uses the accelerated failure time (AFT) for the failure modeling, while here we model the failure of the dump truck without the use of the AFT.

  2. 7 CFR 634.26 - Contract modifications.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ...-quality programs. (b) Requirements of active contracts may be waived or modified by the administering... water-quality plan. A contract may be modified only if it is determined that such modifications are... when items of work are accomplished prior to scheduled completion or within 1 year following the year...

  3. Optimizing multiple reliable forward contracts for reservoir allocation using multitime scale streamflow forecasts

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lu, Mengqian; Lall, Upmanu; Robertson, Andrew W.; Cook, Edward

    2017-03-01

    Streamflow forecasts at multiple time scales provide a new opportunity for reservoir management to address competing objectives. Market instruments such as forward contracts with specified reliability are considered as a tool that may help address the perceived risk associated with the use of such forecasts in lieu of traditional operation and allocation strategies. A water allocation process that enables multiple contracts for water supply and hydropower production with different durations, while maintaining a prescribed level of flood risk reduction, is presented. The allocation process is supported by an optimization model that considers multitime scale ensemble forecasts of monthly streamflow and flood volume over the upcoming season and year, the desired reliability and pricing of proposed contracts for hydropower and water supply. It solves for the size of contracts at each reliability level that can be allocated for each future period, while meeting target end of period reservoir storage with a prescribed reliability. The contracts may be insurable, given that their reliability is verified through retrospective modeling. The process can allow reservoir operators to overcome their concerns as to the appropriate skill of probabilistic forecasts, while providing water users with short-term and long-term guarantees as to how much water or energy they may be allocated. An application of the optimization model to the Bhakra Dam, India, provides an illustration of the process. The issues of forecast skill and contract performance are examined. A field engagement of the idea is useful to develop a real-world perspective and needs a suitable institutional environment.

  4. Epidemiology of Achilles tendon ruptures: increasing incidence over a 33-year period.

    PubMed

    Lantto, I; Heikkinen, J; Flinkkilä, T; Ohtonen, P; Leppilahti, J

    2015-02-01

    We investigated the epidemiology of total Achilles tendon ruptures and complication rates after operative and nonoperative treatments over a 33-year period in Oulu, Finland. Patients with Achilles tendon ruptures from 1979 to 2011 in Oulu were identified from hospital patient records. Demographic data, treatment method, and complications were collected retrospectively from medical records. Overall and sex- and age-specific incidence rates were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The overall incidence per 100,000 person-years increased from 2.1 (95% CI 0.3-7.7) in 1979 to 21.5 (95% CI 14.6-30.6) in 2011. The incidence increased in all age groups. The mean annual increase in incidence was 2.4% (95% CI 1.3-4.7) higher for non-sports-related ruptures than for sports-related ruptures (P = 0.036). The incidence of sports-related ruptures increased during the second 11-year period whereas the incidence of non-sports-related ruptures increased steadily over the entire study period. Infection was four times more common after operative treatment compared with nonoperative treatment, re-rupture rates were similar. The incidence of Achilles tendon ruptures increased in all age groups over a 33-year period. Increases were mainly due to sports-related injuries in the second 11-year period and non-sports-related injuries in the last 11-year period. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  5. Optimal strategies for electric energy contract decision making

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Song, Haili

    2000-10-01

    The power industry restructuring in various countries in recent years has created an environment where trading of electric energy is conducted in a market environment. In such an environment, electric power companies compete for the market share through spot and bilateral markets. Being profit driven, electric power companies need to make decisions on spot market bidding, contract evaluation, and risk management. New methods and software tools are required to meet these upcoming needs. In this research, bidding strategy and contract pricing are studied from a market participant's viewpoint; new methods are developed to guide a market participant in spot and bilateral market operation. A supplier's spot market bidding decision is studied. Stochastic optimization is formulated to calculate a supplier's optimal bids in a single time period. This decision making problem is also formulated as a Markov Decision Process. All the competitors are represented by their bidding parameters with corresponding probabilities. A systematic method is developed to calculate transition probabilities and rewards. The optimal strategy is calculated to maximize the expected reward over a planning horizon. Besides the spot market, a power producer can also trade in the bilateral markets. Bidding strategies in a bilateral market are studied with game theory techniques. Necessary and sufficient conditions of Nash Equilibrium (NE) bidding strategy are derived based on the generators' cost and the loads' willingness to pay. The study shows that in any NE, market efficiency is achieved. Furthermore, all Nash equilibria are revenue equivalent for the generators. The pricing of "Flexible" contracts, which allow delivery flexibility over a period of time with a fixed total amount of electricity to be delivered, is analyzed based on the no-arbitrage pricing principle. The proposed algorithm calculates the price based on the optimality condition of the stochastic optimization formulation

  6. Solar wind oscillations with a 1.3 year period

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Richardson, John D.; Paularena, Karolen I.; Belcher, John W.; Lazarus, Alan J.

    1994-01-01

    The Interplanetary Monitoring Platform 8 (IMP-8) and Voyager 2 spacecraft have recently detected a very strong modulation in the solar wind speed with an approximately 1.3 year period. Combined with evidence from long-term auroral and magnetometer studies, this suggests that fundamental changes in the Sun occur on a roughly 1.3 year time scale.

  7. 46 CFR 356.43 - Long-term or exclusive sales contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... DOCUMENTATION Charters, Management Agreements and Exclusive or Long-Term Contracts § 356.43 Long-term or exclusive sales contracts. (a) An owner or bareboat charterer of a Fishing Industry Vessel may enter into an... a specified period of time. Such contracts or agreements will not require our prior approval...

  8. Process Improvement for Interinstitutional Research Contracting

    PubMed Central

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

    2015-01-01

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

  9. Evapotranspiration response to multi-year dry periods in the semi-arid western United States

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rungee, J. P., II; Bales, R. C.

    2017-12-01

    Analysis of measured evapotranspiration shows multi-year regolith water storage can support evapotranspiration for years into a multi-year dry period. Measurements at 25 flux-tower sites in the semi-arid western United States, distributed across five primary land-cover types, show both resilience and vulnerability to multi-year dry periods. Average evapotranspiration ranged from about 700+200 mm per water year (October-September) in evergreen needleleaf forests to 350+150 mm per water year in grasslands and open shrublands. On average, in California's Mediterranean climate almost half of the water-year evapotranspiration is supported by seasonal and/or multi-year regolith water storage, compared to a characteristic 20 to 30 percent value of energy-limited and inland sites. Below 35oN latitude, water-year evapotranspiration exceeded estimated precipitation in over half of the years on record. For non-energy-limited sites, water-year evapotranspiration increased with precipitation up to a maximum water-year evapotranspiration value of about 900, 750, 600, 425 and 300 mm per water year for evergreen needleleaf forests, mixed forests, woody savannas, grasslands and open shrublands, respectively. There were 15 multi-year dry periods on record that exhibited either an attenuation in evapotranspiration, defined as an annual value below 80% of the wet-year average, or withdrawal from multi-year storage. A multi-year dry period was defined as three or more consecutive water years in which all water-year precipitation values and the mean period value were in the lower 50 and 35 percent of the historical record, respectively. For sites exhibiting evapotranspiration attenuation, resistance to multi-year dry periods ranged from 9 to 49 months, drafting as much as 444 mm of regolith storage. At some mountain sites regolith storage provided up to 678 mm, almost the equivalent of the average water-year evapotranspiration for these sites, over the extent of the multi-year dry

  10. 48 CFR 16.104 - Factors in selecting contract types.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... provide the bases for negotiating contract pricing arrangements. It is essential that the uncertainties... performance or length of production run. In times of economic uncertainty, contracts extending over a relatively long period may require economic price adjustment terms. (g) Contractor's technical capability and...

  11. 2001 contract management survey.

    PubMed

    2001-10-01

    For the second year running, hospitals are spending more on clinical outsourcing than on business services. The Eleventh Annual Contract Services Survey shows that, in clinical areas, executives use outsourcing to acquire specialized expertise with cost savings secondary. Reducing costs and FTEs are the primary reasons for outsourcing business operations. Business service contracts are more likely to meet expectations for cost savings. Overall, satisfaction levels are up, but in some areas there's still a lot of room for improvement. This report examines current trends in outsourcing, strategies for the future, satisfaction levels, the decisionmaking process, contract features, and costs.

  12. Annual incidences of visual impairment during 10-year period in Mie prefecture, Japan.

    PubMed

    Ikesugi, Kengo; Ichio, Takako; Tsukitome, Hideyuki; Kondo, Mineo

    2017-07-01

    To determine the annual incidence of visual impairment in a Japanese population during a 10-year period. We examined the physical disability certificates issued yearly between 2004 and 2013 in Mie prefecture, Japan. During this period 2468 visually impaired people were registered under the newly defined Act on Welfare of the Physically Disabled Persons' criteria. The age, sex distribution, and causes of visual impairment were determined from the certificates. The major causes of visual impairment during the ten-year period were glaucoma (23.3%), diabetic retinopathy (17.3%), retinitis pigmentosa (12.2%), macular degeneration (9.0%), chorioretinal degeneration or high myopia (7.4%), optic atrophy (5.8%), stroke or brain tumor (5.4%) and cataracts (3.7%). The incidence of glaucoma was significantly higher throughout the period (2004-2013), and that of diabetic retinopathy was lower between 2007 and 2013. The incidence of retinitis pigmentosa did not change significantly during the 10-year period. The incidence of macular degeneration tended to increase between 2004 and 2007, but it decreased significantly between 2007 and 2013. The results indicate that in Japan, the rates of the major causes of visual impairment altered in the most recent 10-year period reflecting the recent changes in the social background and advances in ocular and systemic treatment.

  13. 24 CFR 203.268 - Pro rata payment of periodic MIP.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT MORTGAGE AND LOAN INSURANCE PROGRAMS UNDER NATIONAL HOUSING ACT AND OTHER AUTHORITIES SINGLE FAMILY MORTGAGE INSURANCE Contract Rights and Obligations Mortgage Insurance Premiums-Periodic Payment § 203.268 Pro rata payment of periodic MIP. (a) If the insurance contract is terminated...

  14. 24 CFR 203.268 - Pro rata payment of periodic MIP.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT MORTGAGE AND LOAN INSURANCE PROGRAMS UNDER NATIONAL HOUSING ACT AND OTHER AUTHORITIES SINGLE FAMILY MORTGAGE INSURANCE Contract Rights and Obligations Mortgage Insurance Premiums-Periodic Payment § 203.268 Pro rata payment of periodic MIP. (a) If the insurance contract is terminated...

  15. Painful periods (dysmenorrhea) (image)

    MedlinePlus

    Primary dysmenorrhea is a normal cramping of the lower abdomen caused by hormone-induced uterine contractions before the period. Secondary dysmenorrhea may be caused by abnormal conditions such as ...

  16. Contract Audit Followup: Its Impact on Defense Contracting.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1983-12-01

    NOTES Contract Auditor Disposition of Contract Audit Reports Contracting Officer Independent Role of Contracting Officer Contract Audit Report Overaged...fundamental shift in the relationship between the contracting officer and contract auditor , strengthening the auditor’s role while eroding the...the indepen- .1 ident role of the contracting officer; (2) attracts unneces- sary attention to the contracting officer/ auditor relationship; (3) imposes

  17. Final Technical Report for contract number DE-FG02-05ER15670

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

    Glazebrook, Jane

    This is the final technical report for contract number DE-FG02-05ER15670. The project is now complete, and results of the project have been published. Two papers were published based on work done in the last three-year funding period. The DOIs of these papers are included below. The abstracts of the papers, providing summaries of the work, are included in the body of the report.

  18. 24 CFR 891.565 - Term of HAP contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

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

  19. Two-Year Impact of the Alternative Quality Contract on Pediatric Health Care Quality and Spending

    PubMed Central

    Song, Zirui; Chernew, Michael E.; Landon, Bruce E.; McNeil, Barbara J.; Safran, Dana G.; Schuster, Mark A.

    2014-01-01

    OBJECTIVE: To examine the 2-year effect of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts’ global budget arrangement, the Alternative Quality Contract (AQC), on pediatric quality and spending for children with special health care needs (CSHCN) and non-CSHCN. METHODS: Using a difference-in-differences approach, we compared quality and spending trends for 126 975 unique 0- to 21-year-olds receiving care from AQC groups with 415 331 propensity-matched patients receiving care from non-AQC groups; 23% of enrollees were CSHCN. We compared quality and spending pre (2006–2008) and post (2009–2010) AQC implementation, adjusting analyses for age, gender, health risk score, and secular trends. Pediatric outcome measures included 4 preventive and 2 acute care measures tied to pay-for-performance (P4P), 3 asthma and 2 attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder quality measures not tied to P4P, and average total annual medical spending. RESULTS: During the first 2 years of the AQC, pediatric care quality tied to P4P increased by +1.8% for CSHCN (P < .001) and +1.2% for non-CSHCN (P < .001) for AQC versus non-AQC groups; quality measures not tied to P4P showed no significant changes. Average total annual medical spending was ∼5 times greater for CSHCN than non-CSHCN; there was no significant impact of the AQC on spending trends for children. CONCLUSIONS: During the first 2 years of the contract, the AQC had a small but significant positive effect on pediatric preventive care quality tied to P4P; this effect was greater for CSHCN than non-CSHCN. However, it did not significantly influence (positively or negatively) CSHCN measures not tied to P4P or affect per capita spending for either group. PMID:24366988

  20. Two-year impact of the alternative quality contract on pediatric health care quality and spending.

    PubMed

    Chien, Alyna T; Song, Zirui; Chernew, Michael E; Landon, Bruce E; McNeil, Barbara J; Safran, Dana G; Schuster, Mark A

    2014-01-01

    To examine the 2-year effect of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts' global budget arrangement, the Alternative Quality Contract (AQC), on pediatric quality and spending for children with special health care needs (CSHCN) and non-CSHCN. Using a difference-in-differences approach, we compared quality and spending trends for 126,975 unique 0- to 21-year-olds receiving care from AQC groups with 415,331 propensity-matched patients receiving care from non-AQC groups; 23% of enrollees were CSHCN. We compared quality and spending pre (2006-2008) and post (2009-2010) AQC implementation, adjusting analyses for age, gender, health risk score, and secular trends. Pediatric outcome measures included 4 preventive and 2 acute care measures tied to pay-for-performance (P4P), 3 asthma and 2 attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder quality measures not tied to P4P, and average total annual medical spending. During the first 2 years of the AQC, pediatric care quality tied to P4P increased by +1.8% for CSHCN (P < .001) and +1.2% for non-CSHCN (P < .001) for AQC versus non-AQC groups; quality measures not tied to P4P showed no significant changes. Average total annual medical spending was ~5 times greater for CSHCN than non-CSHCN; there was no significant impact of the AQC on spending trends for children. During the first 2 years of the contract, the AQC had a small but significant positive effect on pediatric preventive care quality tied to P4P; this effect was greater for CSHCN than non-CSHCN. However, it did not significantly influence (positively or negatively) CSHCN measures not tied to P4P or affect per capita spending for either group.

  1. Acquisition: Direct Care Medical Services Contracts

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2004-06-24

    System FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation FBA Franchise Business Activity FICA Federal Insurance Contributions Act FISC Fleet Industrial Supply Center...regarding the use of Franchise Business Activity contracts to forward fund appropriations from one fiscal year for work performed in the next fiscal year...2002 to 63 in FY 2003. 3 As discussed in Inspector General of the Department of Defense Report No. D-2003-113, “ Franchise Business Activity Contracts

  2. 7 CFR 1210.310 - Fiscal period and marketing year.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 10 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Fiscal period and marketing year. 1210.310 Section 1210.310 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; MISCELLANEOUS COMMODITIES), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE WATERMELON RESEARCH AND PROMOTION PLAN Watermelon...

  3. 7 CFR 1219.10 - Fiscal period or marketing year.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 10 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Fiscal period or marketing year. 1219.10 Section 1219.10 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; MISCELLANEOUS COMMODITIES), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HASS AVOCADO PROMOTION, RESEARCH, AND INFORMATION Hass...

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

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

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

    1985-01-01

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

  5. 24 CFR 880.502 - Term of contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... Contract § 880.502 Term of contract. (a) Term (except for Manufactured Home Parks). The term of the contract will be as follows: (1) For assisted units in a project financed with the aid of a loan insured or... Federal government, the term will be 20 years. (2) For assisted units in a project financed other than as...

  6. 24 CFR 880.502 - Term of contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... Contract § 880.502 Term of contract. (a) Term (except for Manufactured Home Parks). The term of the contract will be as follows: (1) For assisted units in a project financed with the aid of a loan insured or... Federal government, the term will be 20 years. (2) For assisted units in a project financed other than as...

  7. 24 CFR 880.502 - Term of contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... Contract § 880.502 Term of contract. (a) Term (except for Manufactured Home Parks). The term of the contract will be as follows: (1) For assisted units in a project financed with the aid of a loan insured or... Federal government, the term will be 20 years. (2) For assisted units in a project financed other than as...

  8. 24 CFR 880.502 - Term of contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... Contract § 880.502 Term of contract. (a) Term (except for Manufactured Home Parks). The term of the contract will be as follows: (1) For assisted units in a project financed with the aid of a loan insured or... Federal government, the term will be 20 years. (2) For assisted units in a project financed other than as...

  9. 24 CFR 880.502 - Term of contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... Contract § 880.502 Term of contract. (a) Term (except for Manufactured Home Parks). The term of the contract will be as follows: (1) For assisted units in a project financed with the aid of a loan insured or... Federal government, the term will be 20 years. (2) For assisted units in a project financed other than as...

  10. 48 CFR 32.103 - Progress payments under construction contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... contractor during any period for which a progress payment is to be made, a percentage of the progress payment may be retained. Retainage should not be used as a substitute for good contract management, and the contracting officer should not withhold funds without cause. Determinations to retain and the specific amount...

  11. Collagen telopeptides (cross-linking sites) play a role in collagen gel lattice contraction

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Woodley, D. T.; Yamauchi, M.; Wynn, K. C.; Mechanic, G.; Briggaman, R. A.

    1991-01-01

    Solubilized interstitial collagens will form a fibrillar, gel-like lattice when brought to physiologic conditions. In the presence of human dermal fibroblasts the collagen lattice will contract. The rate of contraction can be determined by computer-assisted planemetry. The mechanisms involved in contraction are as yet unknown. Using this system it was found that the rate of contraction was markedly decreased when collagen lacking telopeptides was substituted for native collagen. Histidinohydroxylysinonorleucine (HHL) is a major stable trifunctional collagen cross-link in mature skin that involves a carboxyl terminal, telopeptide site 16c, the sixteenth amino acid residue from the carboxy terminal of the telopeptide region of alpha 1 (I) in type I collagen. Little, if any, HHL was present in native, purified, reconstituted, soluble collagen fibrils from 1% acetic acid-extracted 2-year-old bovine skin. In contrast, HHL cross-links were present (0.22 moles of cross-link per mole of collagen) in lattices of the same collagen contracted by fibroblasts. However, rat tail tendon does not contain HHL cross-links, and collagen lattices made of rat tail tendon collagen are capable of contraction. This suggests that telopeptide sites, and not mature HHL cross-links per se, are essential for fibroblasts to contract collagen lattices. Beta-aminopropionitrile fumarate (BAPN), a potent lathyrogen that perturbs collagen cross-linking by inhibition of lysyl oxidase, also inhibited the rate of lattice cell contraction in lattices composed of native collagen. However, the concentrations of BAPN that were necessary to inhibit the contraction of collagen lattices also inhibited fibroblast growth suggestive of cellular toxicity. In accordance with other studies, we found no inhibition of the rate of lattice contraction when fibronectin-depleted serum was used. Electron microscopy of contracted gels revealed typical collagen fibers with a characteristic axial periodicity. The data

  12. 26 CFR 1.817-5 - Diversification requirements for variable annuity, endowment, and life insurance contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... insurance contract for any calendar quarter period for which the investments of any such account are not... subsequent period even if the investments are adequately diversified for such subsequent period. If a... foreign) law is not treated as a life insurance or endowment contract under section 7702(a), the income on...

  13. Medicare program; contracts with health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and competitive medical plans (CMPs)--HCFA. Final rule with comment period.

    PubMed

    1995-09-01

    This rule clarifies and updates portions of the HCFA regulations that pertain to the following: The conditions that an HMO or CMP must meet to qualify for a Medicare contract (Subpart J). The contract requirements (Subpart L). The rules for enrollment, entitlement, and disenrollment of Medicare beneficiaries in a contracting HMO or CMP (Subpart K). How a Medicare contract is affected when there is change of ownership or leasing of facilities of a contracting HMO or CMP (Subpart M). These are technical and editorial changes that do not affect the substance of the regulations. They are intended to make it easier to find particular provisions, to provide overviews of the different program aspects, and to better ensure uniform understanding of the rules.

  14. Game-Theoretic Models for Usage-based Maintenance Contract

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Husniah, H.; Wangsaputra, R.; Cakravastia, A.; Iskandar, B. P.

    2018-03-01

    A usage-based maintenance contracts with coordination and non coordination between two parties is studied in this paper. The contract is applied to a dump truck operated in a mining industry. The situation under study is that an agent offers service contract to the owner of the truck after warranty ends. This contract has only a time limit but no usage limit. If the total usage per period exceeds the maximum usage allowed in the contract, then the owner will be charged an additional cost. In general, the agent (Original Equipment Manufacturer/OEM) provides a full coverage of maintenance, which includes PM and CM under the lease contract. The decision problem for the owner is to select the best option offered that fits to its requirement, and the decision problem for the agent is to find the optimal maintenance efforts for a given price of the service option offered. We first find the optimal decisions using coordination scheme and then with non coordination scheme for both parties.

  15. Social contract and social integration in adolescent development.

    PubMed

    Hilles, W S; Kahle, L R

    1985-10-01

    Eighty-nine subjects from two high schools were tested during the spring of their sophomore and senior years, when their mean ages were 16 years, 1 month, and 18 years, 1 month, respectively. Composites measured social contract with: (a) independence, (b) implicit social contract, societal norms and expectations, and (c) explicit social contracts, rules. Composites and single items measured social integration with: (d) role commitment, (e) social-American Dream, accepting the belief in the American Dream that hard work would lead to social success, (f) self-American Dream, belief that hard work will produce personal satisfaction and success, (g) raw deal, perceptions of being treated unfairly, (h) self-blame, and (i) feelings of hopelessness. The results of the cross-lagged panel correlations generally support the hypothesis that students respond to implicit social contracts through role commitment, which is further expressed by a belief in the American Dream for social fulfillment, while responding to the perception of explicit social contracts by not believing in the benefits of the American Dream for personal fulfillment. These results were interpreted as supporting Dienstbier's theory of moral development.

  16. Defense Contracting in Iraq: Issues and Options for Congress

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2008-05-06

    ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM(S) 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORT NUMBER(S) 12 . DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Approved for public...contract calls for the three companies to compete for task orders; each company may be awarded up to $5 billion for troop support services per year , the...contracting. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 110-181) contains provisions that address contract waste, fraud, abuse, and

  17. One hundred years of return period: Strengths and limitations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Volpi, E.; Fiori, A.; Grimaldi, S.; Lombardo, F.; Koutsoyiannis, D.

    2015-10-01

    One hundred years from its original definition by Fuller, the probabilistic concept of return period is widely used in hydrology as well as in other disciplines of geosciences to give an indication on critical event rareness. This concept gains its popularity, especially in engineering practice for design and risk assessment, due to its ease of use and understanding; however, return period relies on some basic assumptions that should be satisfied for a correct application of this statistical tool. Indeed, conventional frequency analysis in hydrology is performed by assuming as necessary conditions that extreme events arise from a stationary distribution and are independent of one another. The main objective of this paper is to investigate the properties of return period when the independence condition is omitted; hence, we explore how the different definitions of return period available in literature affect results of frequency analysis for processes correlated in time. We demonstrate that, for stationary processes, the independence condition is not necessary in order to apply the classical equation of return period (i.e., the inverse of exceedance probability). On the other hand, we show that the time-correlation structure of hydrological processes modifies the shape of the distribution function of which the return period represents the first moment. This implies that, in the context of time-dependent processes, the return period might not represent an exhaustive measure of the probability of failure, and that its blind application could lead to misleading results. To overcome this problem, we introduce the concept of Equivalent Return Period, which controls the probability of failure still preserving the virtue of effectively communicating the event rareness.

  18. 24 CFR 891.590 - Notice upon HAP contract expiration.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

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

  19. Anisotropic contraction of hydrogel reinforced by aligned fibers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Olvera de La Cruz, Monica; Liu, Shuangping

    Hydrogel reinforced by aligned fibers can have strong anisotropic contraction or swelling behavior triggered by external stimuli, which has been largely employed in realizing soft actuators for artificial muscles as well as many biological systems. In this work, we investigate how this anisotropic behavior is controlled by the dimension of the embedded fibers and their reinforcement to the surrounding hydrogel. We describe the anisotropic contraction of hydrogels with rigid fibers using the Flory-Rehner thermodynamic model under periodic boundary conditions. It is found that a hydrogel reinforced by aligned fibers exhibits larger anisotropy when it is pre-stretched before contraction. Using finite element method, we further observe that the anisotropic contraction is dampened by reducing the fiber-fiber distance due to the finite size of the fibers.

  20. 48 CFR 926.7104 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Contract clause. 926.7104 Section 926.7104 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS OTHER SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS Implementation of Section 3161 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993. 926.7104 Contract clause....

  1. 48 CFR 926.7104 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Contract clause. 926.7104 Section 926.7104 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS OTHER SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS Implementation of Section 3161 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993. 926.7104 Contract clause....

  2. 48 CFR 926.7104 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Contract clause. 926.7104 Section 926.7104 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS OTHER SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS Implementation of Section 3161 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993. 926.7104 Contract clause....

  3. 48 CFR 926.7104 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Contract clause. 926.7104 Section 926.7104 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS OTHER SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS Implementation of Section 3161 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993. 926.7104 Contract clause....

  4. 48 CFR 926.7104 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Contract clause. 926.7104 Section 926.7104 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS OTHER SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS Implementation of Section 3161 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993. 926.7104 Contract clause....

  5. Mucous Membrane Grafting Augmented with Topical Mitomycin C Application in Contracted Socket Repair Surgeries.

    PubMed

    Mandour, Sameh S; Elmazar, Hesham M; Marey, Hatem M; Rahman, Ahmed K Abdel; Sakr, Rokia A

    2016-12-01

    To evaluate the use of intraoperative topical application of mitomycin C (MMC) for managing cases of recurrent socket contraction. A prospective comparative randomized study was carried out on 40 patients suffering from contracted sockets. They were randomly enrolled into 2 groups. Group A included 20 patients who had a surgery to treat contracted socket without augmentation with MMC. Group B patients had an MMC-augmented repair for the contracted socket. Patients were followed up over a period of 12 months for changes in inferior fornix (IF) depth and ability to retain the ocular prosthesis. At the end of the follow-up period, postoperative IF depth was significantly deeper in group B (with MMC) than in group A (without MMC). As well, 75% of the patients in group B could maintain the prosthetic eye shell, whereas only 35% of group A could maintain the prosthesis. This study shows that using intraoperative MMC (0.2 mg/mL) in contracted socket reconstruction plays a significant role in maintaining prosthetic eye. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to use MMC on a relatively large scale of patients with contracted socket. However, the follow-up period was relatively short and further work is required to verify the effect of MMC on a longer follow-up period.

  6. 24 CFR 203.267 - Duration of periodic MIP.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... URBAN DEVELOPMENT MORTGAGE AND LOAN INSURANCE PROGRAMS UNDER NATIONAL HOUSING ACT AND OTHER AUTHORITIES SINGLE FAMILY MORTGAGE INSURANCE Contract Rights and Obligations Mortgage Insurance Premiums-Periodic... deed to the Commissioner is filed for record or the contract of insurance is terminated. [48 FR 28805...

  7. 24 CFR 203.267 - Duration of periodic MIP.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... URBAN DEVELOPMENT MORTGAGE AND LOAN INSURANCE PROGRAMS UNDER NATIONAL HOUSING ACT AND OTHER AUTHORITIES SINGLE FAMILY MORTGAGE INSURANCE Contract Rights and Obligations Mortgage Insurance Premiums-Periodic... deed to the Commissioner is filed for record or the contract of insurance is terminated. [48 FR 28805...

  8. Solar wind variations in the 60-100 year period range: A review

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Feynman, J.

    1983-01-01

    The evidence for and against the reality of a solar wind variation in the period range of 60-100 years is reexamined. Six data sets are reviewed; sunspot numbers, geomagnetic variations, two auroral data sets and two (14)C data sets. These data are proxies for several different aspects of the solar wind and the presence or absence of 60-100 year cyclic behavior in a particular data set does not necessarily imply the presence or absence of this variation in other sets. It was concluded that two different analyses of proxy data for a particular characteristic of the heliospheric solar wind yielded conflicting results. This conflict can be resolved only by future research. It is also definitely confirmed that proxy data for the solar wind in the ecliptic at 1 A.U. undergo a periodic variation with a period of approximately 87 years. The average amplitude and phase of this variation as seen in eleven cycles of proxy data are presented.

  9. 75 FR 72830 - Medicare Program; Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Contracts: Solicitation of Proposals...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-11-26

    ... information relating to the RFP. ADDRESSES: Proposals for the contracts must be submitted to the Centers for...] Medicare Program; Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Contracts: Solicitation of Proposals From In-State... QIOs' contracts. It also specifies the period of time in which in-State QIOs may submit a proposal for...

  10. Radiology practices and their contracts with hospitals, 1989-1990: a representative sample survey.

    PubMed

    Sunshine, J; Chan, W C; Kassing, P J

    1991-12-01

    Because of concern about pressures from hospitals for changes in their contracts with radiology practices, the American College of Radiology undertook a stratified sample survey of radiology practices and their contracts with hospitals in late 1989 and early 1990. After three remailings, the survey obtained 904 valid responses for a 64% response rate. It found (weighting data to represent all radiology practices in the nation) that 91% of radiology practices provide services in hospitals. There are contracts at 57% of these hospital sites, and hospitals use tax-exempt bond financing in 54% of the sites with contracts. One year is the most common duration of contracts, and 90 days is the most common cancellation period (89% of contracts can be canceled during the contract's term). Eighty-six percent of contracts are exclusive; 73% are automatically renewable ("evergreen"). Separate billing exists in well over 90% of hospitals with contracts. Two percent of contracts require radiologists to provide equipment; 4% require them to provide support staff. There are fixed-fee arrangements in 9% of contracts and percent compensation arrangements in 3%. Hospitals share in radiologists' fees as a charge for contractual privileges in 5% of contracts. Twenty-seven percent of contracts require hospital approval for radiologists' fee increases; 19% require radiologists to participate with Blue Shield or Medicare. If a contract characteristic is predominant nationally, it is predominant in every region, for solo, small, medium, and large practices, and whether or not hospitals use tax-exempt bond financing. There is, however, some modest variation in frequency of contract provisions. Multivariate analysis shows that most such variation reflects true effects of region and other variables, not statistical artifacts. Region was a statistically significant determinant of 11 of 17 contract characteristics studied. Practice size was a statistically significant determinant of only about

  11. Length Contraction Should not be Independent of Time

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Smarandache, Florentin

    2013-10-01

    In Special Theory of Relativity it looks that the length contraction along the direction of the motion is independent of time, i.e. if a rocket flies one second, or the rocket flies one year the rocket's along-the-motion length contraction is the same, since the contraction factor C (v) =√{ 1 -v2/c2 } depends on the rocket's relativistic speed (v) and on the light speed in vacuum (c) only. We find this as unrealistic, incomplete. It is logical that flying more and more it should increase the length contraction. What about the cosmic bodies that continuously travel, do they contract only once or are they continuously contracting?

  12. 48 CFR 48.104-1 - Determining sharing period.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ..., based on planning and programming or production documentation at the time the VECP is accepted. The.... (c) For engineering-development contracts and contracts containing low-rate-initial-production or early production units, the end of the sharing period is based not on a calendar date, but on acceptance...

  13. 48 CFR 48.104-1 - Determining sharing period.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ..., based on planning and programming or production documentation at the time the VECP is accepted. The.... (c) For engineering-development contracts and contracts containing low-rate-initial-production or early production units, the end of the sharing period is based not on a calendar date, but on acceptance...

  14. 48 CFR 48.104-1 - Determining sharing period.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ..., based on planning and programming or production documentation at the time the VECP is accepted. The.... (c) For engineering-development contracts and contracts containing low-rate-initial-production or early production units, the end of the sharing period is based not on a calendar date, but on acceptance...

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

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ..., based on planning and programming or production documentation at the time the VECP is accepted. The.... (c) For engineering-development contracts and contracts containing low-rate-initial-production or early production units, the end of the sharing period is based not on a calendar date, but on acceptance...

  16. Quality assurance tendering and awarding contracts

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    1994-12-01

    Standards relating to quality control can be significantly useful when tendering for and awarding contracts. However, because it is sometimes difficult to express these standards in palpable economic terms, they can (practically) never be applied as criteria for awarding contracts in accordance with U.A.R. (Uniform General Standards) 1986. Therefore it would be advisable in the future to regard the availability of a (certified) system of quality control as being a standard requirement. To this end, a paragraph setting requirements for a quality control plan should be included in the specification. A quality control plan will be required on awarding a contract. This envisaged scenario can best achieved through a transitional phase. During this period there will be opportunity enough for removing any shortcomings in the wording and for considering standards to be required and assessment procedures.

  17. Health care spending and quality in year 1 of the alternative quality contract.

    PubMed

    Song, Zirui; Safran, Dana Gelb; Landon, Bruce E; He, Yulei; Ellis, Randall P; Mechanic, Robert E; Day, Matthew P; Chernew, Michael E

    2011-09-08

    In 2009, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBS) implemented a global payment system called the Alternative Quality Contract (AQC). Provider groups in the AQC system assume accountability for spending, similar to accountable care organizations that bear financial risk. Moreover, groups are eligible to receive bonuses for quality. Seven provider organizations began 5-year contracts as part of the AQC system in 2009. We analyzed 2006-2009 claims for 380,142 enrollees whose primary care physicians (PCPs) were in the AQC system (intervention group) and for 1,351,446 enrollees whose PCPs were not in the system (control group). We used a propensity-weighted difference-in-differences approach, adjusting for age, sex, health status, and secular trends to isolate the treatment effect of the AQC in comparisons of spending and quality between the intervention group and the control group. Average spending increased for enrollees in both the intervention and control groups in 2009, but the increase was smaller for enrollees in the intervention group--$15.51 (1.9%) less per quarter (P=0.007). Savings derived largely from shifts in outpatient care toward facilities with lower fees; from lower expenditures for procedures, imaging, and testing; and from a reduction in spending for enrollees with the highest expected spending. The AQC system was associated with an improvement in performance on measures of the quality of the management of chronic conditions in adults (P<0.001) and of pediatric care (P=0.001), but not of adult preventive care. All AQC groups met 2009 budget targets and earned surpluses. Total BCBS payments to AQC groups, including bonuses for quality, are likely to have exceeded the estimated savings in year 1. The AQC system was associated with a modest slowing of spending growth and improved quality of care in 2009. Savings were achieved through changes in referral patterns rather than through changes in utilization. The long-term effect of the AQC system on

  18. The implementation of a learning contract and the effects on the learning experiences of seventh-grade life science students

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Harmon, Sally Baden

    2001-07-01

    The purposes of this case study were to describe how a learning contract was implemented for a seventh-grade life science class and to discover its effects on the learning experiences of the students. A learning contract was a written agreement between the student and the teacher in which the student agreed to complete a variety of assignments for a particular grade. Learning contracts were issued to the students for three grading periods of six weeks. A total of 137 students participated in the case study, which began in September 1997 and culminated at the end of the third grading period in January 1998. The data were collected from three groups: (a) 137 seventh-grade life science students, (b) 48 parents, and (c) the classroom teacher-researcher. In order to guide the collection and analysis of data, twenty-four questions were developed. These questions were then compiled into two surveys. Responses from the student survey indicated that students: (a) signed up for an A more than any other grade, (b) liked working in teams, (c) found it easy to find assignments, (d) set goals to earn high grades, and (e) felt good about their science grades. For the first grading period, eighty-nine percent of parents surveyed responded that they were aware of their children's learning contract grade, and sixty-two percent of the parents surveyed responded that they were satisfied with their children's academic performance using the learning contract. Taped interviews were conducted with former seventh-grade students and the teacher-researcher. In the taped interviews, students told of their positive learning experiences. The teacher-researcher kept a daily journal and used its contents as data. As a result of this case study, the students and the teacher-researcher supported the continued use of the learning contract for the next school year.

  19. Occupational factors associated with the potential years of working life lost due to a non-work related permanent disability.

    PubMed

    Duran, Xavier; Martínez, José Miguel; Benavides, Fernando G

    2013-01-01

    To analyze the association between occupational factors (number of contracts and occupational category) and potential years of working life lost (PYWLL) due to non-work related permanent disability (PD). The study design was a retrospective cohort of 11,812 workers affiliated with the Social Security System in Spain that began a non-work related PD between 2004 and 2009. The PYWLL was defined as the time in years between the age at which a worker initiates a PD and age 65 or the age of reinstatement to a job. The PYWLL was analyzed by calculating the quartiles and using an approach based on a median regression. The difference in medians of PYWLL between men and women was 2.49 years (95% CI: 2.01-2.97); between skilled non-manual and unskilled manual workers was 1.88 years (95% CI: 1.08-2.69); between workers with three or more contracts and workers with a single contract in the period was 3.78 years (95% CI: 3.28-4.29). Women, non-skilled workers and employees that have had more contracts within the period of study are those with greatest loss of PYWLL. This suggests that individuals with poorer working and employment conditions could have more PYWLL.

  20. Effect of cold pressor stimulation (4 degrees C) on human masseter muscle haemodynamics during and after sustained isometric contraction.

    PubMed

    Maekawa, K; Kuboki, T; Yamashita, A; Clark, G T

    1999-11-01

    The effect of cold pressor (CP) stimulation and sustained isometric contraction on the blood volume of the right masseter muscle was examined in seven healthy males, who performed 1 min of isometric jaw clenching at 50% of their maximum voluntary contraction without, with and again without a 4 degrees C CP stimulation. Total haemoglobin was measured in the masseter before, during and after the contraction task using near-infrared spectroscopy. CP stimulation during the isometric contraction diminished the magnitude of the contraction-induced decrease of blood volume when compared to the trials without CP stimulation. However, in the immediate post-contraction period (while the CP stimulation was still in place), no increase in blood volume above the usual post-contraction hyperaemia was evident. Once the CP stimulation had been removed, there was a clear decrease (faster return to baseline) in the vasodilation occurring in the post-contraction period. This diminished period of vasodilation occurred in spite of the fact that the vascular resistance (blood pressure) and heart rate were still substantially elevated by the CP effect during this same period. These data suggest that the strong CP stimulation produced a biphasic response. First, there was an early-onset strong vasodilation (during CP), which was followed by a period of diminished vasodilation, suggesting that an active, but delayed, vasoconstrictive drive may be induced by the CP stimulus.

  1. Periodic solution of neutral Lotka-Volterra system with periodic delays

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Zhijun; Chen, Lansun

    2006-12-01

    A nonautonomous n-species Lotka-Volterra system with neutral delays is investigated. A set of verifiable sufficient conditions is derived for the existence of at least one strictly positive periodic solution of this Lotka-Volterra system by applying an existence theorem and some analysis techniques, where the assumptions of the existence theorem are different from that of Gaines and Mawhin's continuation theorem [R.E. Gaines, J.L. Mawhin, Coincidence Degree and Nonlinear Differential Equations, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1977] and that of abstract continuation theory for k-set contraction [W. Petryshyn, Z. Yu, Existence theorem for periodic solutions of higher order nonlinear periodic boundary value problems, Nonlinear Anal. 6 (1982) 943-969]. Moreover, a problem proposed by Freedman and Wu [H.I. Freedman, J. Wu, Periodic solution of single species models with periodic delay, SIAM J. Math. Anal. 23 (1992) 689-701] is answered.

  2. 48 CFR 970.2672-3 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... Under Section 3161 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993, in contracts for the management and operation of Department of Energy Defense Nuclear Facilities and, as appropriate, in other contracts that include site management responsibilities at a Department of Energy Defense Nuclear Facility...

  3. 48 CFR 970.2672-3 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... Under Section 3161 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993, in contracts for the management and operation of Department of Energy Defense Nuclear Facilities and, as appropriate, in other contracts that include site management responsibilities at a Department of Energy Defense Nuclear Facility...

  4. 48 CFR 970.2672-3 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... Under Section 3161 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993, in contracts for the management and operation of Department of Energy Defense Nuclear Facilities and, as appropriate, in other contracts that include site management responsibilities at a Department of Energy Defense Nuclear Facility...

  5. 48 CFR 970.2672-3 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... Under Section 3161 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993, in contracts for the management and operation of Department of Energy Defense Nuclear Facilities and, as appropriate, in other contracts that include site management responsibilities at a Department of Energy Defense Nuclear Facility...

  6. 7 CFR 1788.48 - Contract insurance requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ..., DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (CONTINUED) RUS FIDELITY AND INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRIC AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS BORROWERS Insurance for Contractors, Engineers, and Architects, Telecommunications Borrowers..., engineers, and architects shall provide that they take out and maintain throughout the contract period...

  7. 7 CFR 1788.48 - Contract insurance requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ..., DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (CONTINUED) RUS FIDELITY AND INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRIC AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS BORROWERS Insurance for Contractors, Engineers, and Architects, Telecommunications Borrowers..., engineers, and architects shall provide that they take out and maintain throughout the contract period...

  8. 7 CFR 1788.48 - Contract insurance requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ..., DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (CONTINUED) RUS FIDELITY AND INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRIC AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS BORROWERS Insurance for Contractors, Engineers, and Architects, Telecommunications Borrowers..., engineers, and architects shall provide that they take out and maintain throughout the contract period...

  9. 7 CFR 1788.48 - Contract insurance requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ..., DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (CONTINUED) RUS FIDELITY AND INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRIC AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS BORROWERS Insurance for Contractors, Engineers, and Architects, Telecommunications Borrowers..., engineers, and architects shall provide that they take out and maintain throughout the contract period...

  10. 7 CFR 1788.48 - Contract insurance requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ..., DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (CONTINUED) RUS FIDELITY AND INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRIC AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS BORROWERS Insurance for Contractors, Engineers, and Architects, Telecommunications Borrowers..., engineers, and architects shall provide that they take out and maintain throughout the contract period...

  11. Evidence for Periodicity in 43 year-long Monitoring of NGC 5548

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bon, E.; Zucker, S.; Netzer, H.; Marziani, P.; Bon, N.; Jovanović, P.; Shapovalova, A. I.; Komossa, S.; Gaskell, C. M.; Popović, L. Č.; Britzen, S.; Chavushyan, V. H.; Burenkov, A. N.; Sergeev, S.; La Mura, G.; Valdés, J. R.; Stalevski, M.

    2016-08-01

    We present an analysis of 43 years (1972 to 2015) of spectroscopic observations of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 5548. This includes 12 years of new unpublished observations (2003 to 2015). We compiled about 1600 Hβ spectra and analyzed the long-term spectral variations of the 5100 Å continuum and the Hβ line. Our analysis is based on standard procedures, including the Lomb-Scargle method, which is known to be rather limited to such heterogeneous data sets, and a new method developed specifically for this project that is more robust and reveals a ˜5700 day periodicity in the continuum light curve, the Hβ light curve, and the radial velocity curve of the red wing of the Hβ line. The data are consistent with orbital motion inside the broad emission line region of the source. We discuss several possible mechanisms that can explain this periodicity, including orbiting dusty and dust-free clouds, a binary black hole system, tidal disruption events, and the effect of an orbiting star periodically passing through an accretion disk.

  12. Strategic contracting practices to improve procurement of health commodities

    PubMed Central

    Arney, Leslie; Yadav, Prashant; Miller, Roger; Wilkerson, Taylor

    2014-01-01

    ABSTRACT Public-sector entities responsible for procurement of essential medicines and health commodities in developing countries often lack the technical capacity to efficiently ensure supply security. Under strict public scrutiny and pressures to be transparent, many agencies continue to use archaic procurement methods and to depend on inflexible forecasts and cumbersome tendering processes. On the basis of semi-structured literature reviews and interviews, we identified framework agreements as a strategic procurement practice used by the U.S. federal government that may also be suitable for global health supply chains. Framework agreements are long-term contracts that provide the terms and conditions under which smaller repeat purchasing orders may be issued for a defined period of time. Such agreements are common in U.S. and United Nations procurement systems and in other developed countries and multilateral organizations. In contrast, framework agreements appear to be seldom used in procurement of health commodities in countries of sub-Saharan Africa. The current practice of floating tenders multiple times a year contributes to long lead times and stock-outs, and it hampers the manufacturer's or supplier's ability to plan and respond to the government's needs. To date, government's use of strategic contracting practices in public procurement of health commodities has not received much attention in most developing countries. It may present an opportunity for substantial improvements in procurement efficiency and commodity availability. Enabling legislation and strengthened technical capacity to develop and manage long-term contracts could facilitate the use of framework contracts in sub-Saharan Africa, with improved supply security and cost savings likely to result. PMID:25276589

  13. Strategic contracting practices to improve procurement of health commodities.

    PubMed

    Arney, Leslie; Yadav, Prashant; Miller, Roger; Wilkerson, Taylor

    2014-08-01

    Public-sector entities responsible for procurement of essential medicines and health commodities in developing countries often lack the technical capacity to efficiently ensure supply security. Under strict public scrutiny and pressures to be transparent, many agencies continue to use archaic procurement methods and to depend on inflexible forecasts and cumbersome tendering processes. On the basis of semi-structured literature reviews and interviews, we identified framework agreements as a strategic procurement practice used by the U.S. federal government that may also be suitable for global health supply chains. Framework agreements are long-term contracts that provide the terms and conditions under which smaller repeat purchasing orders may be issued for a defined period of time. Such agreements are common in U.S. and United Nations procurement systems and in other developed countries and multilateral organizations. In contrast, framework agreements appear to be seldom used in procurement of health commodities in countries of sub-Saharan Africa. The current practice of floating tenders multiple times a year contributes to long lead times and stock-outs, and it hampers the manufacturer's or supplier's ability to plan and respond to the government's needs. To date, government's use of strategic contracting practices in public procurement of health commodities has not received much attention in most developing countries. It may present an opportunity for substantial improvements in procurement efficiency and commodity availability. Enabling legislation and strengthened technical capacity to develop and manage long-term contracts could facilitate the use of framework contracts in sub-Saharan Africa, with improved supply security and cost savings likely to result.

  14. 7 CFR 1410.7 - Duration of contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... of contracts. (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) or (c) of this section, contracts under this part shall be for a term of 10 years. (b) In the case of land devoted to riparian buffers, filter strips, restoration of wetlands, hardwood trees, shelterbelts, windbreaks, wildlife corridors, or other...

  15. 7 CFR 1410.7 - Duration of contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... of contracts. (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) or (c) of this section, contracts under this part shall be for a term of 10 years. (b) In the case of land devoted to riparian buffers, filter strips, restoration of wetlands, hardwood trees, shelterbelts, windbreaks, wildlife corridors, or other...

  16. 7 CFR 1410.7 - Duration of contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... of contracts. (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) or (c) of this section, contracts under this part shall be for a term of 10 years. (b) In the case of land devoted to riparian buffers, filter strips, restoration of wetlands, hardwood trees, shelterbelts, windbreaks, wildlife corridors, or other...

  17. 7 CFR 1410.7 - Duration of contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... of contracts. (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) or (c) of this section, contracts under this part shall be for a term of 10 years. (b) In the case of land devoted to riparian buffers, filter strips, restoration of wetlands, hardwood trees, shelterbelts, windbreaks, wildlife corridors, or other...

  18. 48 CFR 1335.006 - Contracting methods and contract type.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

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

  19. Service contract of Renault Kerax 440 truck with deductible and policy limit coverage modification

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bustami, Pasaribu, Udjianna. S.; Husniah, Hennie

    2016-02-01

    In this paper we discuss a service contracts with coverage modification that only offer preventive maintenance and corrective maintenance for Renault Kerax 440 Truck by service contract provider. Corrective maintenance costs is modified with deductible and policy limit during the period of the service contract. Demand for a service contract is only influenced by the price of the service contract, deductible, and policy limit offered by producer to consumer. The main problem in this thesis is determining the price of a service contract, deductible, and policy limit to get maximum profit for producer for each of service contract.

  20. Non-Periodic Helix TWT Study.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1980-05-01

    IA-A087 413 LITTON SYSTEMS INC SAN CARLOS CA ELECTRON TUBE DIV F/6 9/1 NON-PERIODIC HELIX TWT STUDY.(U) MAY 80 N00173-76C-014 UNCLASSIFIED ML...IEEEEEEmhEEI U-80 - ’l////////,, 11111 128 25 L1. = *""L 1- 1.8 MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART ’IT-, ( (NO-PERIODIC HELIX WTSTUDY0 I EXTENSION OF CONTRACT... Helix Circuit 4 - 2 Non-Periodic Helix Structure 7 3 Unwound Tape for Non-Periodic Helix 8 4 Typical Helix Assembly 10 5 Typical Ladder Assembly 11 6

  1. Analysis of Army Contracting Command Contract Specialist Vacancy Announcements

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-09-01

    program CPCM Certified Professional Contracts Manager CPM Certified Purchasing Manager CPOL Civilian Personnel Online CPSM Certified...experience, a Bachelor’s degree and the applicant is 28 required to pass three CPSM examinations. (2) The Certified Purchasing Manager Program ( CPM ...is currently being phased out and is available only for recertification. The CPM required five years of full time professional supply management

  2. 49 CFR 30.11 - Use of solicitation provisions and contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... § 30.15, Restrictions on Federal Public Works Projects, in contractions and solicitations, if— (1) The... contract is awarded during fiscal year 1988. (c) Any contract already awarded that should have contained...

  3. 49 CFR 30.11 - Use of solicitation provisions and contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... § 30.15, Restrictions on Federal Public Works Projects, in contractions and solicitations, if— (1) The... contract is awarded during fiscal year 1988. (c) Any contract already awarded that should have contained...

  4. 49 CFR 30.11 - Use of solicitation provisions and contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... § 30.15, Restrictions on Federal Public Works Projects, in contractions and solicitations, if— (1) The... contract is awarded during fiscal year 1988. (c) Any contract already awarded that should have contained...

  5. 49 CFR 30.11 - Use of solicitation provisions and contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... § 30.15, Restrictions on Federal Public Works Projects, in contractions and solicitations, if— (1) The... contract is awarded during fiscal year 1988. (c) Any contract already awarded that should have contained...

  6. 49 CFR 30.11 - Use of solicitation provisions and contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... § 30.15, Restrictions on Federal Public Works Projects, in contractions and solicitations, if— (1) The... contract is awarded during fiscal year 1988. (c) Any contract already awarded that should have contained...

  7. Standby power generation under utility curtailment contract agreements

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

    Nolan, G.J.; Puccio, V.J.; Calhoun, C.W.

    1995-12-31

    Many utilities in the US offer large industrial and commercial customers power sales contracts which have attractive rates under a curtailment requirement. This curtailment requirement allows the utility to require the customer to reduce its power demand to a predetermined level within a specific time period. If the required curtailment is not achieved by the customer within the allocated time period, stiff financial penalties are usually enforced by the utility. The attractiveness of the contract rates usually is proportional to the amount of curtailment required. To take advantage of these attractive rates, a customer must be able to withstand themore » curtailment without supplemental generation or must add standby generation to meet its needs. Obviously, the cost of the curtailments to the customer should not exceed the economic benefits of reduced rates. This paper reviews the alternatives faced by a curtailment contract customer together with potential load shedding and standby generation system designs. An example of implementing a curtailment contract at an existing industrial facility is presented. The example facility, Boeing Helicopters of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania required both load shedding and standby generation. The load shedding scheme is fairly complex and is controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC). The standby generation and load shedding systems for the example facility are examined in detail. Also, lessons learned from implementing the required modifications to the example facility are discussed.« less

  8. Content analysis of 150 years of British periodicals.

    PubMed

    Lansdall-Welfare, Thomas; Sudhahar, Saatviga; Thompson, James; Lewis, Justin; Cristianini, Nello

    2017-01-24

    Previous studies have shown that it is possible to detect macroscopic patterns of cultural change over periods of centuries by analyzing large textual time series, specifically digitized books. This method promises to empower scholars with a quantitative and data-driven tool to study culture and society, but its power has been limited by the use of data from books and simple analytics based essentially on word counts. This study addresses these problems by assembling a vast corpus of regional newspapers from the United Kingdom, incorporating very fine-grained geographical and temporal information that is not available for books. The corpus spans 150 years and is formed by millions of articles, representing 14% of all British regional outlets of the period. Simple content analysis of this corpus allowed us to detect specific events, like wars, epidemics, coronations, or conclaves, with high accuracy, whereas the use of more refined techniques from artificial intelligence enabled us to move beyond counting words by detecting references to named entities. These techniques allowed us to observe both a systematic underrepresentation and a steady increase of women in the news during the 20th century and the change of geographic focus for various concepts. We also estimate the dates when electricity overtook steam and trains overtook horses as a means of transportation, both around the year 1900, along with observing other cultural transitions. We believe that these data-driven approaches can complement the traditional method of close reading in detecting trends of continuity and change in historical corpora.

  9. Content analysis of 150 years of British periodicals

    PubMed Central

    Lansdall-Welfare, Thomas; Sudhahar, Saatviga; Thompson, James; Lewis, Justin; Cristianini, Nello

    2017-01-01

    Previous studies have shown that it is possible to detect macroscopic patterns of cultural change over periods of centuries by analyzing large textual time series, specifically digitized books. This method promises to empower scholars with a quantitative and data-driven tool to study culture and society, but its power has been limited by the use of data from books and simple analytics based essentially on word counts. This study addresses these problems by assembling a vast corpus of regional newspapers from the United Kingdom, incorporating very fine-grained geographical and temporal information that is not available for books. The corpus spans 150 years and is formed by millions of articles, representing 14% of all British regional outlets of the period. Simple content analysis of this corpus allowed us to detect specific events, like wars, epidemics, coronations, or conclaves, with high accuracy, whereas the use of more refined techniques from artificial intelligence enabled us to move beyond counting words by detecting references to named entities. These techniques allowed us to observe both a systematic underrepresentation and a steady increase of women in the news during the 20th century and the change of geographic focus for various concepts. We also estimate the dates when electricity overtook steam and trains overtook horses as a means of transportation, both around the year 1900, along with observing other cultural transitions. We believe that these data-driven approaches can complement the traditional method of close reading in detecting trends of continuity and change in historical corpora. PMID:28069962

  10. 42 CFR 434.6 - General requirements for all contracts and subcontracts. P>(a) Contracts. All contracts under...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 42 Public Health 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false General requirements for all contracts and subcontracts. P>(a) Contracts. All contracts under this part must include all of the following: 434.6 Section... contracts and subcontracts.P>(a) Contracts. All contracts under this part must include all of the following...

  11. 41 CFR 101-6.210-1 - Periodic compliance reviews.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 true Periodic compliance reviews. 101-6.210-1 Section 101-6.210-1 Public Contracts and Property Management Federal Property Management Regulations System FEDERAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS GENERAL 6-MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS 6.2...

  12. Teaching Contracts with Contracts

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Misner, Robert L.

    1977-01-01

    The teaching of contracts law is an area that lends itself easily to introducing students to realistic factual situations. An exercise is described in which students were assigned to separate "firms" with volunteers from the later law school classes as clients. Each firm was responsible for submitting a signed contract and an accompanying paper.…

  13. 23 CFR 635.121 - Contract time and contract time extensions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... TRAFFIC OPERATIONS CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE Contract Procedures § 635.121 Contract time and contract time extensions. (a) The STD should have adequate written procedures for the determination of contract... 23 Highways 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Contract time and contract time extensions. 635.121...

  14. Who contracts for primary care?

    PubMed

    Lewis, R; Gillam, S; Gosden, T; Sheaff, R

    1999-12-01

    The implications of the 1997 NHS (Primary Care) Act have been largely overlooked in the rush to establish Primary Care Groups. Allowing health authorities to develop local contracts for primary care has far-reaching implications and is an important departure from the national system of negotiation that has characterized general practice to date. This paper describes a content analysis of a sample of Personal Medical Services (PMS) pilot contracts. In the first year little attention has been given to achieving cost savings or greater efficiency and few contracts promote clinical guidelines. The difficulties of specifying services sensitive to local health needs are highlighted and the national Statement of Fees and Allowances (the 'Red Book') may not be swiftly supplanted. However, the pilots have introduced innovations such as salaried general practitioners, nurse-led services and NHS trust-managed care. The development of local contracts provides a valuable learning experience for general practitioners and health authorities in advance of the establishment of Primary Care Trusts.

  15. Cruise design for a 5-year period of the 50-year timber sales in Alaska.

    Treesearch

    John W. Hazard

    1985-01-01

    Sampling rules and estimation procedures are described for a new cruise design that was developed for 50-year timber sales in Alaska. An example is given of the rate redetermination cruise and analysis for the 1984-1989 period of the Ketchikan Pulp Company sale. In addition, methodology is presented for an alternative sampling technique of sampling with probability...

  16. Increased human occupation and agricultural development accelerates the population contraction of an estuarine delphinid.

    PubMed

    Lin, Wenzhi; Karczmarski, Leszek; Xia, Jia; Zhang, Xiyang; Yu, Xinjian; Wu, Yuping

    2016-10-19

    Over the past few thousand years, human development and population expansion in southern China have led to local extirpation and population contraction of many terrestrial animals. At what extent this early human-induced environmental change has also affected coastal marine species remains poorly known. We investigated the demographic history of the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) in the Pearl River Delta (PRD); an obligatory inshore species known for its susceptibility to anthropogenic impacts in one of China's most developed coastal regions. Although the deltaic evolution of PRD has been influenced by climate since the Holocene, ~74% reduction of the dolphin's effective population size occurred within the last 2000 years, consistent with ~61% habitat contraction during this period. This considerable and recent population contraction may have been due to land use practices and deforestation in the upper/middle Pearl River region, all leading to increasing sedimentation rate in the estuarine area. As anthropogenic impacts within the drainage of Pearl River affected a vast area, coastal dolphins and large terrestrial mammals in southern China may share a similar demographic history, whilst the demographic and biogeographic history of the PRD humpback dolphins may be symptomatic of similar processes that this species may have undergone elsewhere in the region.

  17. 24 CFR 220.820 - Maximum claim period.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Maximum claim period. 220.820 Section 220.820 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban Development... Contract Rights and Obligations-Projects Insured Project Improvement Loans § 220.820 Maximum claim period...

  18. First-Year Chemistry in the Context of the Periodic Table.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Woodgate, Sheila D.

    1995-01-01

    Describes the methods that have been developed to blend descriptive chemistry and principles in a first-year chemistry course. The key is active teaching of the subject using the periodic table as a template. Inorganic chemistry is taught using a group approach: developing trends that help teaching and learning become obvious if all elements of…

  19. Contracts.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Gellert, Shepard D.; Wilson, Grace

    1977-01-01

    This paper reviews experimental psychology goal research and its implications for the therapist doing contract therapy. Clinical examples of various levels of contracts give illustrations, and a technique, the therapeutic double bind, as a form of contract, is detailed. A case study is presented to illustrate the use of the theory. Three…

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

    PubMed

    Loevinsohn, Benjamin; Harding, April

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

  1. Relational Contract: Applicable to Department of Defense Contracts

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1989-12-01

    examine the evolution of contract law and, in particular, the role of contractual incompleteness in exchange relationships. 2.1.1. The Classical Approach...Classical contract law facilitates exchange by separately detailing all aspects of the contracting process 9 at the outset by prespecification of all...modifications after contractual performance has begun. According to Williamson (1979), classical contract law implements prespecification through legal

  2. Periodic colonic motor activity identified by 24-h pancolonic ambulatory manometry in humans.

    PubMed

    Hagger, R; Kumar, Devinder; Benson, M; Grundy, A

    2002-06-01

    The pattern of colonic motor activity in healthy humans has not been fully elucidated to date. The aim of this study was to evaluate colorectal motor activity employing 24-h ambulant pancolonic manometry. Ten healthy volunteers (6F, 4M), aged 19-31 years were studied. Motor activity was measured using two custom-made silicone coated catheters, each with five solid-state pressure transducers. No bowel preparation or sedation was used. The study period was 24 h. A total of 232 h of recording was obtained. Sixty-three high amplitude propagated contractions were observed, median six per 24-h period. Low-amplitude colonic contractile activity showed regional and diurnal variations. Frequency of contraction was highest in the right colon [median 5.26 cpm (cycles per minute)], and transverse colon and splenic flexure (median 5.15 cpm). The interval between colonic motor complexes was shortest in the transverse colon and splenic flexure. This study introduces a new technique for the evaluation of colorectal motor activity. Subjects were studied in an ambulant setting in their own environment ensuring that this method of study is as physiological as possible. This study demonstrates that colonic motor activity has two main components: high amplitude propagated contractions and low amplitude colonic contractile activity.

  3. 25 CFR 533.3 - Submission of management contract for approval.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ...) For new contracts and new operations, a three (3)-year business plan which sets forth the parties... operations, a three (3)-year business plan which sets forth the parties' goals, objectives, budgets... 25 Indians 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Submission of management contract for approval. 533.3...

  4. Spurious One-Month and One-Year Periods in Visual Observations of Variable Stars

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Percy, J. R.

    2015-12-01

    Visual observations of variable stars, when time-series analyzed with some algorithms such as DC-DFT in vstar, show spurious periods at or close to one synodic month (29.5306 days), and also at about a year, with an amplitude of typically a few hundredths of a magnitude. The one-year periods have been attributed to the Ceraski effect, which was believed to be a physiological effect of the visual observing process. This paper reports on time-series analysis, using DC-DFT in vstar, of visual observations (and in some cases, V observations) of a large number of stars in the AAVSO International Database, initially to investigate the one-month periods. The results suggest that both the one-month and one-year periods are actually due to aliasing of the stars' very low-frequency variations, though they do not rule out very low-amplitude signals (typically 0.01 to 0.02 magnitude) which may be due to a different process, such as a physiological one. Most or all of these aliasing effects may be avoided by using a different algorithm, which takes explicit account of the window function of the data, and/or by being fully aware of the possible presence of and aliasing by very low-frequency variations.

  5. Health Care Spending and Quality in Year 1 of the Alternative Quality Contract

    PubMed Central

    Song, Zirui; Safran, Dana Gelb; Landon, Bruce E.; He, Yulei; Ellis, Randall P.; Mechanic, Robert E.; Day, Matthew P.; Chernew, Michael E.

    2012-01-01

    Background In 2009, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBS) implemented a global payment system called the Alternative Quality Contract (AQC). Provider groups in the AQC system assume accountability for spending, similar to accountable care organizations that bear financial risk. Moreover, groups are eligible to receive bonuses for quality. Methods Seven provider organizations began 5-year contracts as part of the AQC system in 2009. We analyzed 2006–2009 claims for 380,142 enrollees whose primary care physicians (PCPs) were in the AQC system (intervention group) and for 1,351,446 enrollees whose PCPs were not in the system (control group). We used a propensity-weighted difference-in-differences approach, adjusting for age, sex, health status, and secular trends to isolate the treatment effect of the AQC in comparisons of spending and quality between the intervention group and the control group. Results Average spending increased for enrollees in both the intervention and control groups in 2009, but the increase was smaller for enrollees in the intervention group — $15.51 (1.9%) less per quarter (P = 0.007). Savings derived largely from shifts in outpatient care toward facilities with lower fees; from lower expenditures for procedures, imaging, and testing; and from a reduction in spending for enrollees with the highest expected spending. The AQC system was associated with an improvement in performance on measures of the quality of the management of chronic conditions in adults (P<0.001) and of pediatric care (P = 0.001), but not of adult preventive care. All AQC groups met 2009 budget targets and earned surpluses. Total BCBS payments to AQC groups, including bonuses for quality, are likely to have exceeded the estimated savings in year 1. Conclusions The AQC system was associated with a modest slowing of spending growth and improved quality of care in 2009. Savings were achieved through changes in referral patterns rather than through changes in

  6. [TRENDS OF PERMANENT PACEMAKER IMPLANTATION IN A SINGLE CENTER OVER A 20-YEAR PERIOD].

    PubMed

    Antonelli, Dante; Ilan, Limor Bushar; Freedberg, Nahum A; Feldman, Alexander; Turgeman, Yoav

    2015-05-01

    To review the changes in permanent pacemaker implantation indications, pacing modes and patients' demographics over a 20-year period. We retrospectively retrieved data on patients who underwent first implantation of the pacemaker between 1-1-1991 and 31-12-2010. One thousand and nine (1,009) patients underwent a first pacemaker implantation during that period; 535 were men (53%), their mean age was 74.6±19.5 years; the highest rate of implanted pacemaker was in patients ranging in age from 70-79 years, however there was an increasing number of patients aged over 80 years. The median survival time after initial pacemaker implantation was 8 years. Syncope was the most common symptom (62.5%) and atrioventricular block was the most common electrocardiographic indication (56.4%) leading to pacemaker implantation. There was increased utilization of dual chamber and rate responsive pacemakers over the years. There was no difference regarding mode selection between genders. Pacemaker implantation rates have increased over a 20-year period. Dual chamber replaced most of the single ventricular chamber pacemaker and rate responsive pacemakers became the norm. The data of a small volume center are similar to those reported in pacemaker surveys of high volume pacemaker implantation centers. They confirm adherence to the published guidelines for pacing.

  7. 41 CFR 105-8.150-3 - Time period for compliance.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Time period for compliance. 105-8.150-3 Section 105-8.150-3 Public Contracts and Property Management Federal Property Management Regulations System (Continued) GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION 8-ENFORCEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION...

  8. 41 CFR 105-8.150-3 - Time period for compliance.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Time period for compliance. 105-8.150-3 Section 105-8.150-3 Public Contracts and Property Management Federal Property Management Regulations System (Continued) GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION 8-ENFORCEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION...

  9. 24 CFR 235.1234 - Term of assistance payment contract in connection with mortgages insured under section 235(r) of...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    .... (a) Existing contracts with original terms in excess of ten years. In cases where the existing contract has an original term in excess of ten years, the term of the new assistance payments contract in.... (b) Existing ten year contracts. (1) In cases of existing ten year contracts, the term of the new...

  10. Analysis of Army Contracting Officer Representative Role in Contingency Operations

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2011-12-01

    oversight. There may be a shortage of experienced and 12 well-qualified CORs” (Thibault et al., 2011, p. 85). The report also made recommendations to...percent over the same period (Gansler et al., 2007). The shortage of contracting procurement personnel, including CORs, is detrimental to the...According to the Interim Report to Congress in June 2009, There is a critical shortage of qualified contract management personnel in theater and those

  11. Restrictive covenants in physician contracts: an American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons' Survey.

    PubMed

    Cirocco, William C

    2011-04-01

    A restrictive covenant (RC) may be a cause for concern among any physician entering into a contractual agreement. This survey of graduates of colorectal surgery residency training programs aimed to determine whether this was an important issue among the members of this group. An electronic survey generated by the Young Surgeons' Committee of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) regarding employment contracts was sent to all graduates of colorectal surgery residency training programs from the preceding 10-year period. The survey included 5 questions (including an open-ended question for those who experienced an adverse effect when a RC was enforced), followed by queries designed to generate demographic data. This was an anonymous survey with an option to enter the name of the respondent. There were a total of 157 responses to the survey of 630 sent (25%). Of the 132 respondents to the survey who had signed a contract, 67 respondents (53%) had signed a contract that contained a RC, and 24 of these 67 respondents (35%) subsequently changed employment. The RC was enforced for 15 of these 24 respondents (63%) resulting in an adverse effect for 8 of the 15 (53%). The age range of those adversely effected was 32 to 41 years (mean, 36.3 y), all but 1 had been in private practice (86%) from 1 to 6 years (mean, 2.9 y). Most were men (71%) and all were married. The majority of survey respondents signed an employment agreement that contained a RC. Overall, 35% of the respondents subsequently changed employment and the RC was enforced in most cases (63%), often with an adverse effect on career and life (53%). ASCRS members should consider the potentially devastating consequences of signing a contract that contains a RC, especially if they would be averse to changing geographic location should they face a change in employment.

  12. Strategic Business Plan for Economic Development Contract Services, July 1995-June 1997.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Fox Valley Technical Coll., Appleton, WI.

    This plan describes the contract training and technical assistance services provided by Wisconsin's Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) to area employers, focusing on the status of the services and ways to improve delivery for the July 1995 to June 1997 period. Following an executive summary, the second section focuses on contract services…

  13. 24 CFR 968.135 - Contracting requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... indicated by poor performance, a PHA may be required to submit to HUD periodic progress reports and, for... to 5% of the bid price; and one of the following: (1) A performance and payment bond for 100 percent of the contract price; or (2) Separate performance and payment bonds, each for 50% or more of the...

  14. 48 CFR 52.217-2 - Cancellation Under Multiyear Contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... precluded anticipated benefits of Contractor or subcontractor learning. (g) The claim shall not include— (1...) This contract may include an Option clause with the period for exercising the option limited to the...

  15. 26 CFR 1.460-4 - Methods of accounting for long-term contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... (CCM), which is one of the permissible methods of accounting for exempt construction contracts... computing taxable income. (3) Post-completion-year income. If a taxpayer has not included the total contract... completion year. For the treatment of post-completion-year costs, see paragraph (b)(5)(v) of this section...

  16. 26 CFR 1.460-4 - Methods of accounting for long-term contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... (CCM), which is one of the permissible methods of accounting for exempt construction contracts... computing taxable income. (3) Post-completion-year income. If a taxpayer has not included the total contract... completion year. For the treatment of post-completion-year costs, see paragraph (b)(5)(v) of this section...

  17. 26 CFR 1.460-4 - Methods of accounting for long-term contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... (CCM), which is one of the permissible methods of accounting for exempt construction contracts... computing taxable income. (3) Post-completion-year income. If a taxpayer has not included the total contract... completion year. For the treatment of post-completion-year costs, see paragraph (b)(5)(v) of this section...

  18. 26 CFR 1.460-4 - Methods of accounting for long-term contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... (CCM), which is one of the permissible methods of accounting for exempt construction contracts... computing taxable income. (3) Post-completion-year income. If a taxpayer has not included the total contract... completion year. For the treatment of post-completion-year costs, see paragraph (b)(5)(v) of this section...

  19. 26 CFR 1.460-4 - Methods of accounting for long-term contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... (CCM), which is one of the permissible methods of accounting for exempt construction contracts... computing taxable income. (3) Post-completion-year income. If a taxpayer has not included the total contract... completion year. For the treatment of post-completion-year costs, see paragraph (b)(5)(v) of this section...

  20. Dura mater graft-associated Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease with 30-year incubation period.

    PubMed

    Shijo, Masahiro; Honda, Hiroyuki; Koyama, Sachiko; Ishitsuka, Koji; Maeda, Koichiro; Kuroda, Junya; Tanii, Mitsugu; Kitazono, Takanari; Iwaki, Toru

    2017-06-01

    Over 60% of all patients with dura mater graft-associated Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (dCJD) have been diagnosed in Japan. The incubation period has ranged from 1 to 30 years and the age at onset from 15 to 80 years. Here, we report a 77-year-old male Japanese autopsied dCJD case with the longest incubation period so far in Japan. He received a cadaveric dural graft at the right cranial convexity following a craniotomy for meningioma at the age of 46. At 30 years post-dural graft placement, disorientation was observed as an initial symptom of dCJD. He rapidly began to present with inconsistent speech, cognitive impairment and tremor of the left upper extremity. Occasional myoclonic jerks were predominantly observed on the left side. Brain MRI presented hyperintense signals on diffusion-weighted and T2-weighted images, at the right cerebral cortex. The most hyperintense lesion was located at the right parietal lobe, where the dura mater graft had been transplanted. Single-photon emission CT scan showed markedly decreased cerebral blood flow at the right parietal lobe. EEG revealed diffuse and slow activities with periodic sharp-wave complex discharges seen in the right parietal, temporal and occipital lobes. He died of pneumonia 9 months after onset. Brain pathology revealed non-plaque-type dCJD. Laterality of neuropathological changes, including spongiform change, neuronal loss, gliosis or PrP deposits, was not evident. Western blot analysis showed type 1 PrP CJD . Alzheimer-type pathology and PSP-like pathology were also observed. © 2016 Japanese Society of Neuropathology.

  1. 25 CFR 39.1201 - Establishment of an interim fiscal year 1980 operation and maintenance fund for contract schools.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... and maintenance fund for contract schools. 39.1201 Section 39.1201 Indians BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS... the Contract School Operation and Maintenance Fund. The Secretary shall cause the distribution of an... an appropriate account or subaccount for the Contract School Operation and Maintenance Fund. ...

  2. Defense Contracting in Iraq: Issues and Options for Congress

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2008-05-21

    ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM(S) 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORT NUMBER(S) 12 . DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Approved for public...contract calls for the three companies to compete for task orders; each company may be awarded up to $5 billion for troop support services per year , the...examine several bills to ensure proper accountability and oversight in federal contracting. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Defense Authorization Act (P.L

  3. Review of the Journal Acta Informatica Medica During Eight Year Period: 2008-2015

    PubMed Central

    Masic, Izet; Begic, Edin; Zunic, Lejla

    2016-01-01

    Introduction: Acta Informatica Medica is official journal of the Academy for Medical Sciences of Bosnia and Herzegovina (from 2014 Acta Inform Med is published bimonthly). Aim: To evaluate journal “Acta Informatica Medica” in 2015 and compare findings to previous years. Material and methods: The study has retrospective and descriptive character, and included the period 2008-2015 (included 36 issues of journal). Results: A total of 83 (average 13,8 articles per journal) articles were published in Acta Informatica Medica during 2015. Analyzing the type of articles, original articles are present in majority during 2015 (68,6%) (by analyzing last eight years, 310 (67,3%) were original). During 2015, 27,7% of articles were related to the applied of Health informatics in field of clinical medicine, 63,8% preclinical medicine and 8,5% to public health. Collaboration rate in 2015 was 0,84. Most often the time required for decision on acceptance of article in 2015 is between 50 and 60 days. Articles came from 16 countries. According to scimagojr.com for 2014, Acta Informatica Medica has SCImago Journal Rank 0,166, while Cites / Doc. (2 years) parameter (widely used as impact index) is 0,70. According to GoogleScholar, h5 index is 11 and h5 median is 19. We analyzed the Acta Informatica Medica by “Publish or Perish” software - H index was 14, g index was 19 and e-index was 10.39. Conclusion: Year after year the highest number of original articles are published. Although the period of revision of articles is acceptable, the period up to two months is certainly not long, the goal is to reduce this period. Although the magazine in mentioned field found its place, although it is indexed in numerous bases, including: PubMed, PubMed Central, SCOPUS, EMBASE, EBSCO, etc. The main goal for next year is that the magazine becomes part of the Web of Science. Imperative is further internationalization of the magazine. PMID:27147796

  4. Review of the Journal Acta Informatica Medica During Eight Year Period: 2008-2015.

    PubMed

    Masic, Izet; Begic, Edin; Zunic, Lejla

    2016-04-01

    Acta Informatica Medica is official journal of the Academy for Medical Sciences of Bosnia and Herzegovina (from 2014 Acta Inform Med is published bimonthly). To evaluate journal "Acta Informatica Medica" in 2015 and compare findings to previous years. The study has retrospective and descriptive character, and included the period 2008-2015 (included 36 issues of journal). A total of 83 (average 13,8 articles per journal) articles were published in Acta Informatica Medica during 2015. Analyzing the type of articles, original articles are present in majority during 2015 (68,6%) (by analyzing last eight years, 310 (67,3%) were original). During 2015, 27,7% of articles were related to the applied of Health informatics in field of clinical medicine, 63,8% preclinical medicine and 8,5% to public health. Collaboration rate in 2015 was 0,84. Most often the time required for decision on acceptance of article in 2015 is between 50 and 60 days. Articles came from 16 countries. According to scimagojr.com for 2014, Acta Informatica Medica has SCImago Journal Rank 0,166, while Cites / Doc. (2 years) parameter (widely used as impact index) is 0,70. According to GoogleScholar, h5 index is 11 and h5 median is 19. We analyzed the Acta Informatica Medica by "Publish or Perish" software - H index was 14, g index was 19 and e-index was 10.39. Year after year the highest number of original articles are published. Although the period of revision of articles is acceptable, the period up to two months is certainly not long, the goal is to reduce this period. Although the magazine in mentioned field found its place, although it is indexed in numerous bases, including: PubMed, PubMed Central, SCOPUS, EMBASE, EBSCO, etc. The main goal for next year is that the magazine becomes part of the Web of Science. Imperative is further internationalization of the magazine.

  5. HealthEast Care: a direct contracting company.

    PubMed

    Burrows, S N

    1997-01-01

    HealthEast Care has contracted directly with large self-funded Minnesota employers, including 3M, since 1992. These innovative direct contracting arrangements continue to demonstrate how collaborative efforts between health care purchasers and providers can be of advantage to those enrolled in self-funded and noninsured health plans. Insured HMO enrollment in Minnesota has been flat since 1991, while enrollment in self-funded plans and in noninsured public health plans has doubled during the same period. Minnesota is a bellwether state on the threshold of reform that will shift the power race for health care change from HMOs to purchasers and providers responding to consumer needs.

  6. 24 CFR 880.612 - Reviews during management period.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Reviews during management period... PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES PROGRAM) SECTION 8 HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS PROGRAM FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION Management § 880.612 Reviews during management period. (a) After the effective date of the Contract, the...

  7. 24 CFR 880.612 - Reviews during management period.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Reviews during management period... PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES PROGRAM) SECTION 8 HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS PROGRAM FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION Management § 880.612 Reviews during management period. (a) After the effective date of the Contract, the...

  8. 24 CFR 880.612 - Reviews during management period.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Reviews during management period... PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES PROGRAM) SECTION 8 HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS PROGRAM FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION Management § 880.612 Reviews during management period. (a) After the effective date of the Contract, the...

  9. 24 CFR 880.612 - Reviews during management period.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Reviews during management period... PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES PROGRAM) SECTION 8 HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS PROGRAM FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION Management § 880.612 Reviews during management period. (a) After the effective date of the Contract, the...

  10. 24 CFR 880.612 - Reviews during management period.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Reviews during management period... PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES PROGRAM) SECTION 8 HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS PROGRAM FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION Management § 880.612 Reviews during management period. (a) After the effective date of the Contract, the...

  11. 48 CFR 217.172 - Multiyear contracts for supplies.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... of units to be procured through the contract; and (2) In the case of a contract for procurement of aircraft, the budget request includes full funding of procurement funds for production beyond advance procurement activities of aircraft units to be produced in the fiscal year covered by the budget. (d)(1) The...

  12. [Contraction (retraction) of blood clots in patients with ischemic stroke].

    PubMed

    Peshkova, A D; Saikhunov, M V; Demin, T V; Lozhkin, A P; Panasyuk, M V; Litvinov, R I; Khasanova, D R

    2016-01-01

    To study a possible pathogenetic role of the blood clot contraction and its disturbances in the acute stage of ischemic stroke (IS). Using a new instrumental technique to study the dynamics of clot contraction in vitro, the authors have determined quantitative parameters of clot contraction (the extent and rate of contraction, duration of the lag-period) in the blood of 85 patients with acute IS. The contractile activity of blood clots was substantially reduced compared to the blood of healthy subjects. Correlations between hemostatic and contractile parameters suggest that the reduced clot contraction in stroke is due to the lower platelet count and impaired platelet functionality, higher levels of fibrinogen and antithrombin III as well as higher hematocrit and hemoglobin contents, leukocytosis, and changes in the biochemical blood composition. The results show that the reduced ability of clots may be a novel pathogenic mechanism that aggravates the course and outcomes of IS.

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

    PubMed

    Howden-Chapman, P; Ashton, T

    1994-01-01

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

  14. Psychological contract breaches, organizational commitment, and innovation-related behaviors: a latent growth modeling approach.

    PubMed

    Ng, Thomas W H; Feldman, Daniel C; Lam, Simon S K

    2010-07-01

    This study examined the relationships among psychological contract breaches, organizational commitment, and innovation-related behaviors (generating, spreading, implementing innovative ideas at work) over a 6-month period. Results indicate that the effects of psychological contract breaches on employees are not static. Specifically, perceptions of psychological contract breaches strengthened over time and were associated with decreased levels of affective commitment over time. Further, increased perceptions of psychological contract breaches were associated with decreases in innovation-related behaviors. We also found evidence that organizational commitment mediates the relationship between psychological contract breaches and innovation-related behaviors. These results highlight the importance of examining the nomological network of psychological contract breaches from a change perspective.

  15. Matrix metalloproteinase inhibition reduces contraction by dupuytren fibroblasts.

    PubMed

    Townley, William A; Cambrey, Alison D; Khaw, Peng T; Grobbelaar, Adriaan O

    2008-11-01

    Dupuytren's disease is a common fibroproliferative condition of the hand characterized by fibrotic lesions (nodules and cords), leading to disability through progressive digital contracture. Although the etiology of the disease is poorly understood, recent evidence suggests that abnormal matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity may play a role in cell-mediated collagen contraction and tissue scarring. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of ilomastat, a broad-spectrum MMP inhibitor, in an in vitro model of Dupuytren fibroblast-mediated contraction. Nodule-derived and cord-derived fibroblasts were isolated from Dupuytren patients; carpal ligament-derived fibroblasts acted as control. Stress-release fibroblast-populated collagen lattices (FPCLs) were used as a model of contraction. FPCLs were allowed to develop mechanical stress (48 hours) during treatment with ilomastat (0-100 micromol/L), released, and allowed to contract over a 48-hour period. Contraction was estimated by measuring lattice area compared with untreated cells or treatment with a control peptide. MMP-1, MMP-2, and MT1-MMP levels were assessed by zymography, Western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Nodule-derived fibroblasts contracted lattices (69% +/- 2) to a greater extent than did cord-derived (55% +/- 3) or carpal ligament-derived (55% +/- 1) fibroblasts. Exposure to ilomastat led to significant inhibition of lattice contraction by all fibroblasts, although a reduction in lattice contraction by nodule-derived fibroblasts was most prominent (84% +/- 8). In addition, treatment with ilomastat led to a concomitant suppression of MMP-1 and MMP-2 activity, whereas MT1-MMP activity was found to be upregulated. Our results demonstrate that inhibition of MMP activity results in a reduction in extracellular matrix contraction by Dupuytren fibroblasts and suggest that MMP activity may be a critical target in preventing recurrent contracture caused by this disease.

  16. [Contract learning: effects of professionalization on the student nurse].

    PubMed

    Jubin, Patricia

    2013-03-01

    The reengineering of nurse training implies the implementation of self-development, empowering tools and a reshaping of the function of accompaniment during training which becomes a shared function. This work is part of a psycho-socio-educational approach of the accompaniment to self-directed learning and also in the field of practices of health and social work. This study contributes to the identification of the conditions of efficiency of contracting between student nurses, tutors and instructors. It aims to explore the interest of a triangular steering of the learning contract centered on the student's individual project and also the interest of meetings during training as triggers to a process of self-construction of competences. Moreover, the study aims to identify the effects of contract on professionalization. Our study reverts to the basic question of learning by contract as a pillar for the self-directed learning in an alternating training context. The empirical approach takes into account a qualitative study carried out with 15 people (tutors, managers, student nurses and instructors) in 3 health care structures and a quantitative study based on 78 first year students, 106 second year students, and 47 third year students at the same nursing education institute. The study shows that learning by contract is empowering and professionalizing, if the student is placed in favorable conditions of learning and contractual relationship.

  17. [Job status after the resident training period in Spain. Analysis of a national survey.

    PubMed

    García Sanz, Miguel; Rodríguez Socarrás, Moises; Tortolero Blanco, Leonardo; Pesquera-Ortega, Laura; Colombo, Juan; Gómez Rivas, Juan

    2018-01-01

    Since the establishment of specialization of medicine through the residency system, Spanish health care has sought to maintain a balance between established needs and trained professionals, with the aim of avoiding the deficit or excess of health specialists with its consequences. The objective of the present review is to know the working conditions of urologist specialists at the end of the residency training period. The results of a survey for urologist who completed their residency contract from 2012 to 2016 are presented, assessing working status, academic and working data during the first months after the completion of specialized training. A total of 42 surveys were collected. All respondents had a working contract within 6 months of completing their training. 71% had a temporary contract, most with duration of less than one year. There are more contract numbers in the public health system, although they increase progressively in the private sector. More than half of the respondents were satisfied with their work situation. The work insertion of the recently specialized urologists is high, reaching 100% within 6 months of finishing their specialization. Labor quality issues are not so positive, observing great working instability associated to a high proportion of temporary contracts lower than 6 months.

  18. Hints of Period Change for OGLE-TR-113b

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Adams, Elisabeth R.; Lopez-Morales, M.; Elliot, J. L.; Seager, S.; Osip, D. J.

    2010-10-01

    We present six new transits of the hot Jupiter OGLE-TR-113b observed with MagIC on the Magellan Telescopes between January 2007 and May 2009. We update the system parameters and revise the planetary radius, where the error is dominated by stellar radius uncertainties. The new transit midtimes reveal no transit timing variations from a constant ephemeris over two years, which places an upper limit of 1-2 Earth masses on any perturber in a 1:2 or 2:1 mean-motion resonance with OGLE-TR-113b. Combining the new transit epochs with five epochs published between 2002 and 2006, we find hints that the orbital period of the planet may not be constant, with the best fit indicating the period is decreasing by 60±15 milliseconds per year. If real, this change in period could result from either a long-period (more than 8 years) timing variation due to an external perturber, or more intriguingly from the orbital decay of the planet. The detection of a changing period is still tentative and must be checked with additional observations. If a period decay is confirmed, OGLE-TR-113b will be the first planet observed to be falling onto its star. This would enable direct tests of tidal stability and dynamical models of close-in planets and place observational constraints on the value of stellar tidal energy dissipation factors. This work was supported in part by NASA Origins grant NNX07AN63G and Hubble Fellowship grant HF-01210.01-A/HF-51233.01 awarded by the STScI, which is operated by the AURA, Inc. for NASA, under contract NAS5-26555.

  19. Genetics Home Reference: hyperkalemic periodic paralysis

    MedlinePlus

    ... reduce the ability of skeletal muscles to contract, leading to episodes of muscle weakness or paralysis. In 30 to 40 percent of cases, the cause of hyperkalemic periodic paralysis is unknown. Changes in other genes, which have not been identified, ...

  20. 24 CFR 203.264 - Payment of periodic MIP.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... URBAN DEVELOPMENT MORTGAGE AND LOAN INSURANCE PROGRAMS UNDER NATIONAL HOUSING ACT AND OTHER AUTHORITIES SINGLE FAMILY MORTGAGE INSURANCE Contract Rights and Obligations Mortgage Insurance Premiums-Periodic...

  1. Polymorphic Contracts

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

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

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

  2. NATIONAL EVALUATION OF THE WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM DURING THE ARRA PERIOD: PROGRAM YEARS 2009-2011

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

    Tonn, Bruce Edward; Rose, Erin M; Schmoyer, Richard L

    This report describes the third major evaluation of the Program, encompassing program years 2009 to 2011. In this report, this period of time is referred to as the ARRA Period. This is a special period of time for the Program because the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 has allocated $5 billion of funding for the Program. In normal program years, WAP s annual appropriation is in the range of $200-250 million, supporting the weatherization of approximately 100,000 homes. With the addition of ARRA funding during these program years, the expectation is that weatherization activity will exceed 300,000more » homes per year. In addition to saving energy and reducing low-income energy bills, expanded WAP funding is expected to stimulate the economy by providing new jobs in the weatherization field and allowing low-income households to spend more money on goods and services by spending less on energy.« less

  3. Energy Management Contract Saves Money.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    School Business Affairs, 1983

    1983-01-01

    An energy service contract offered to educational institutions by a commercial company guarantees a specific reduction in energy consumption over a stated term of years. The company pays for equipment upgrading, staff training, repairs, a maintenance program, and capital improvements. (MLF)

  4. 29 CFR 4.122 - Contracts for operation of postal contract stations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... Application of the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act Specific Exclusions § 4.122 Contracts for operation of postal contract stations. The Act, in paragraph (7) of section 7, exempts from its provisions “any... 29 Labor 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 true Contracts for operation of postal contract stations. 4.122...

  5. A retrospective study on anthropometrical, physical fitness, and motor coordination characteristics that influence dropout, contract status, and first-team playing time in high-level soccer players aged eight to eighteen years.

    PubMed

    Deprez, Dieter N; Fransen, Job; Lenoir, Matthieu; Philippaerts, Renaat M; Vaeyens, Roel

    2015-06-01

    The goal of this article was twofold, and a 2-study approach was conducted. The first study aimed to expose the anthropometrical, physical performance, and motor coordination characteristics that influence dropout from a high-level soccer training program in players aged 8-16 years. The mixed-longitudinal sample included 388 Belgian youth soccer players who were assigned to either a "club group" or a "dropout group." In the second study, cross-sectional data of anthropometry, physical performance, and motor coordination were retrospectively explored to investigate which characteristics influence future contract status (contract vs. no contract group) and first-team playing time for 72 high-level youth soccer players (mean age = 16.2 years). Generally, club players outperformed their dropout peers for motor coordination, soccer-specific aerobic endurance, and speed. Anthropometry and estimated maturity status did not discriminate between club and dropout players. Contract players jumped further (p = 0.011) and had faster times for a 5-m sprint (p = 0.041) than no contract players. The following prediction equation explains 16.7% of the variance in future playing minutes in adolescent youth male soccer players: -2,869.3 + 14.6 × standing broad jump. Practitioners should include the evaluation of motor coordination, aerobic endurance, and speed performances to distinguish high-level soccer players further succeeding a talent development program and future dropout players, between 8 and 16 years. From the age of 16 years, measures of explosivity are supportive when selecting players into a future professional soccer career.

  6. Food Processing Contracts: Savings for Schools.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Van Egmond-Pannell, Dorothy

    1983-01-01

    Food processing contracts between schools and food manufacturers can result in huge cost savings. Fairfax County, Virginia, is one of 30 "letter of credit" sites in a three-year study of alternatives. After one year it appears that schools can purchase more for the dollar in their local areas. (MD)

  7. 41 CFR 102-38.150 - How long is the inspection period?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false How long is the inspection period? 102-38.150 Section 102-38.150 Public Contracts and Property Management Federal Property Management Regulations System (Continued) FEDERAL MANAGEMENT REGULATION PERSONAL PROPERTY 38-SALE OF PERSONAL...

  8. 41 CFR 102-38.150 - How long is the inspection period?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false How long is the inspection period? 102-38.150 Section 102-38.150 Public Contracts and Property Management Federal Property Management Regulations System (Continued) FEDERAL MANAGEMENT REGULATION PERSONAL PROPERTY 38-SALE OF PERSONAL...

  9. 41 CFR 102-38.150 - How long is the inspection period?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false How long is the inspection period? 102-38.150 Section 102-38.150 Public Contracts and Property Management Federal Property Management Regulations System (Continued) FEDERAL MANAGEMENT REGULATION PERSONAL PROPERTY 38-SALE OF PERSONAL...

  10. 41 CFR 102-38.150 - How long is the inspection period?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false How long is the inspection period? 102-38.150 Section 102-38.150 Public Contracts and Property Management Federal Property Management Regulations System (Continued) FEDERAL MANAGEMENT REGULATION PERSONAL PROPERTY 38-SALE OF PERSONAL...

  11. 41 CFR 102-38.150 - How long is the inspection period?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false How long is the inspection period? 102-38.150 Section 102-38.150 Public Contracts and Property Management Federal Property Management Regulations System (Continued) FEDERAL MANAGEMENT REGULATION PERSONAL PROPERTY 38-SALE OF PERSONAL...

  12. Resolving Contract Disputes

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1988-11-01

    as part of the required training for Army contracting personnel. Specifically, these were courses in contract administration and contract law offered...courts and boards. The process itself was discussed in very general terms.[7] The AFIT Government Contract Law Course concerns itself with legal concepts...Washington, D.C., 1984 4. . Air Force Institute of Technology, Government Contract Law , Course Manual, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, April

  13. 48 CFR 217.174 - Multiyear contracts for electricity from renewable energy sources.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... electricity from renewable energy sources. 217.174 Section 217.174 Federal Acquisition Regulations System... SPECIAL CONTRACTING METHODS Mulityear Contracting 217.174 Multiyear contracts for electricity from... not to exceed 10 years for the purchase of electricity from sources of renewable energy, as that term...

  14. 48 CFR 217.174 - Multiyear contracts for electricity from renewable energy sources.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... electricity from renewable energy sources. 217.174 Section 217.174 Federal Acquisition Regulations System... SPECIAL CONTRACTING METHODS Mulityear Contracting 217.174 Multiyear contracts for electricity from... not to exceed 10 years for the purchase of electricity from sources of renewable energy, as that term...

  15. 48 CFR 217.174 - Multiyear contracts for electricity from renewable energy sources.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... electricity from renewable energy sources. 217.174 Section 217.174 Federal Acquisition Regulations System... SPECIAL CONTRACTING METHODS Mulityear Contracting 217.174 Multiyear contracts for electricity from... not to exceed 10 years for the purchase of electricity from sources of renewable energy, as that term...

  16. 48 CFR 217.174 - Multiyear contracts for electricity from renewable energy sources.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... electricity from renewable energy sources. 217.174 Section 217.174 Federal Acquisition Regulations System... SPECIAL CONTRACTING METHODS Mulityear Contracting 217.174 Multiyear contracts for electricity from... not to exceed 10 years for the purchase of electricity from sources of renewable energy, as that term...

  17. 48 CFR 217.175 - Multiyear contracts for electricity from renewable energy sources.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... electricity from renewable energy sources. 217.175 Section 217.175 Federal Acquisition Regulations System... SPECIAL CONTRACTING METHODS Mulityear Contracting 217.175 Multiyear contracts for electricity from... not to exceed 10 years for the purchase of electricity from sources of renewable energy, as that term...

  18. 48 CFR 35.006 - Contracting methods and contract type.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

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

  19. Office of Inspector General audit report on Project Hanford management contract costs and performance

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

    NONE

    1998-11-01

    On August 6, 1996, the Richland Operations Office (Richland) awarded the Project Hanford Management Contract (Management Contract) to Fluor Daniel Hanford, Inc. (Fluor Daniel). This performance-based, 5-year contract to support cleanup of the Department of Energy`s (DOE) Hanford Site (Hanford) contained performance goals or expectations related to the stabilization, transition, and diversification of the Tri-Cities` economy near Hanford in southeastern Washington. One of these economic goals was that Fluor Daniel and its major subcontractors would help generate 3,000 new, non-Hanford, private sector jobs that would help stabilize and diversify the Tri-Cities` economy. The contract specifically called for Fluor Daniel tomore » help generate 200 jobs, establish an investment fund, and bring 6 new growth-oriented enterprise companies to the Tri-Cities by the end of Fiscal Year (FY) 1997. The objective of the audit was to determine whether Richland was making adequate progress in stabilizing and diversifying the economy of the Tri-Cities by creating 3,000 new, non-Hanford jobs within 5 years. Accordingly, the author examined the progress made in FY 1997, which was the first year of the Management Contract. Richland and Fluor Daniel are at risk of not meeting the Management Contract`s goals of stabilizing and diversifying the economy of the Tri-Cities because most of the new jobs created during FY 1997 were not comparable to Hanford jobs and, thus, may not sustain long-term economic goals. Therefore, Fluor Daniel has not met its expectations in the first year and is not making adequate progress toward meeting the Management Contract`s overall economic goals.« less

  20. FAST CONTRACTION OF CORONAL LOOPS AT THE FLARE PEAK

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

    Liu Rui; Wang Haimin

    On 2005 September 8, a coronal loop overlying the active region NOAA 10808 was observed in TRACE 171 A to contract at {approx}100 km s{sup -1} at the peak of an X5.4-2B flare at 21:05 UT. Prior to the fast contraction, the loop underwent a much slower contraction at {approx}6 km s{sup -1} for about 8 minutes, initiating during the flare preheating phase. The sudden switch to fast contraction is presumably corresponding to the onset of the impulsive phase. The contraction resulted in the oscillation of a group of loops located below, with the period of about 10 minutes. Meanwhile,more » the contracting loop exhibited a similar oscillatory pattern superimposed on the dominant downward motion. We suggest that the fast contraction reflects a suddenly reduced magnetic pressure underneath due either to (1) the eruption of magnetic structures located at lower altitudes or to (2) the rapid conversion of magnetic free energy in the flare core region. Electrons accelerated in the shrinking trap formed by the contracting loop can theoretically contribute to a late-phase hard X-ray burst, which is associated with Type IV radio emission. To complement the X5.4 flare which was probably confined, a similar event observed in SOHO/EIT 195 A on 2004 July 20 in an eruptive, M8.6 flare is briefly described, in which the contraction was followed by the expansion of the same loop leading up to a halo coronal mass ejection. These observations further substantiate the conjecture of coronal implosion and suggest coronal implosion as a new exciter mechanism for coronal loop oscillations.« less

  1. 48 CFR 2452.242-71 - Contract management system.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ..., concise summary of technical progress made and the costs incurred for each task during the reporting... technical progress made for each task during the reporting period; and (B) Identifies problems, or potential... and progress reporting as described herein. (b) The contract management system shall consist of two...

  2. Contracting Data Analysis: Assessment of Government-Wide Trends

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2017-03-01

    GAO-17-244SP United States Government Accountability Office (This Page Intentionally Left Blank) United States Government Accountability ...2015, accounting for almost 40 percent of the government’s discretionary spending. Because spending on contracts consumes a large portion of the...year 2015, federal agencies obligated over $430 billion through contracts for goods and services, accounting for almost 40 percent of the

  3. Behavioural contracting as a tool to help patients achieve better health.

    PubMed

    Neale, A V

    1991-12-01

    Behavioural contracting is an intervention technique in which a client signs an agreement to make certain behaviour changes within a specified time, usually with explicitly defined rewards for adherence or success. Contracting is being increasingly used by health professionals to assist patients in making beneficial life style changes. This paper presents data on the outcome of behavioural contracting interventions to lower serum cholesterol and to increase exercise activity. Of 223 primary care patients enrolled in a health promotion programme, 179 met with the project health educator to improve their cardiovascular risk profile; 144 of these were classified as having 'high cholesterol' and 51 signed contracts to adopt the American Heart Association guidelines diet within a 3-month period. Everyone was encouraged to sign a contract to engage in aerobic exercise three times per week; 96 did so. The results indicate that contractors achieved greater beneficial health changes than non-contractors, and that the group which fully met their contract obligations experienced the greatest health benefit of all (either a lowering of cholesterol or a decreased exercising heart rate).

  4. Temporal trends in inflammatory bowel disease publications over a 19-years period.

    PubMed

    Weintraub, Yael; Mimouni, Francis B; Cohen, Shlomi

    2014-11-28

    To determine whether temporal changes occurred in the pediatric vs adult inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), both in terms of number and type of yearly published articles. We aimed to evaluate all PubMed-registered articles related to the field of IBD from January 1, 1993 and until December 31, 2011. We searched for articles using the key words "inflammatory bowel disease" or "Crohn's disease" or "ulcerative colitis" or "undetermined colitis", using the age filters of "child" or "adult". We repeated the search according to the total number per year of articles per type of article, for each year of the specified period. We studied randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, case reports, meta-analyses, letters to the editor, reviews, systematic reviews, practice guidelines, and editorials. We identified 44645 articles over the 19 year-period. There were 8687 pediatric-tagged articles vs 19750 adult-tagged articles. Thus 16208 articles were unaccounted and not assigned a "pediatric" or "adult" tag by PubMed. There was an approximately 3-fold significant increase in all articles recorded both in pediatric and adult articles. This significant increase was true for nearly every category of article but the number of clinical trials, meta-analysis, and randomized controlled trials increased proportionally more than the number of "lower quality" articles such as editorials or letters to the editor. Very few guidelines were published every year. There is a yearly linear increase in publications related to IBD. Relatively, there are more and more clinical trials and higher quality articles.

  5. Modeling the Magnetic and Thermal Structure of Active Regions: 1st Year 1st Semi-Annual Progress Report

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mikic, Zoran

    2003-01-01

    This report covers technical progress during the first six months of the first year of NASA SR&T contract "Modeling the Magnetic and Thermal Structure of Active Regions", NASW-03008, between NASA and Science Applications International Corporation, and covers the period January 14, 2003 to July 13, 2003. Under this contract SAIC has conducted research into theoretical modeling of the properties of active regions using the MHD model.

  6. How many years should I be married: Long-term power contracts in the electric utility industry in Texas

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Levy Ferre, Alberto

    1998-12-01

    This dissertation deals with the effects of long-term power contracts in the electric utility in Texas on consumer welfare, investigating economic and legal aspects of price formation. The study focuses on the institutions---vertical integration and contractual arrangements---that govern the transactions between the different links in the electricity provision chain and its effects on retail electricity prices for residential, commercial and industrial customers. The main hypothesis is that long-term power contracts serve as an uncertainty reduction mechanism to the buyer by clearly defining the conditions of the exchange for a significant period of time. In turn, this reduction of uncertainty is compensated by a premium to the seller in the form of higher prices. It is found that long-term wholesale power contracts present varying levels of flexibility in the terms of the exchange that are directly translated into prices and bills, providing support to the main hypothesis. Control variables include the role of new technologies, degree of competition and population demographics. Each control variable has differing impacts of different customer classes, depending on their demand elasticity. The study poses several interesting policy implications. First, the institutions that will govern and supervise the functioning of the market have an important weight in its success. The results indicate that competition cannot be a policy objective in itself There is a balancing act between the additional needs of a functional market in terms of infrastructure, information and coordination, and the inefficiencies that occur for lack of consumer options. Second, all customers are not equal. Some customer classes have fewer alternatives than others do, their consumption patterns differ and their dependence on electricity varies. Therefore, a policy that treats all customer classes the same will produce an inferior outcome. Third, the relevant environment matters. Legislative

  7. 26 CFR 1.1382-4 - Taxable income of cooperatives; payment period for each taxable year.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... taxable year is the period beginning with the first day of such taxable year and ending with the fifteenth day of the ninth month following the close of such year. [T.D. 6643, 28 FR 3156, Nov. 26, 1963] ...

  8. Integrated, automated revenue management for managed care contracts.

    PubMed

    Burckhart, Kent

    2002-04-01

    Faced with increasing managed care penetration and declining net revenue in recent years, healthcare providers increasingly are emphasizing revenue management. To streamline processes and reduce costs in this area, many healthcare providers have implemented or are considering automated contract management systems. When selecting such a system, healthcare financial managers should make certain that the system can interface with both patient-accounting and decision-support systems of the organization. This integration enhances a healthcare provider's financial viability by providing integrated revenue-management capabilities to analyze projected performance of proposed managed care contracts and actual performance of existing contracts.

  9. Association Between Monetary Deposits and Weight Loss in Online Commitment Contracts

    PubMed Central

    Lesser, Lenard I.; Thompson, Caroline A.; Luft, Harold S.

    2017-01-01

    Purpose To examine the characteristics of voluntary online commitment contracts that may be associated with greater weight loss. Design Retrospective analysis of weight loss commitment contracts derived from a company that provides web-based support for personal commitment contracts. Using regression, we analyzed whether percentage weight loss differed between participants who incentivized their contract using monetary deposits and those who did not. Setting Online. Participants Users (N = 3857) who voluntarily signed up online in 2013 for a weight loss contract. Intervention Participants specified their own weight loss goal, time period, and self-reported weekly weight. Deposits were available in the following 3 categories: charity, anticharity (a nonprofit one does not like), or donations made to a friend. Measures Percentage weight loss per week. Analysis Multivariable linear regressions. Results Controlling for several participant and contract characteristics, contracts with anticharity, charity, and friend deposits had greater reported weight loss than nonincentivized contracts. Weight change per week relative to those without deposits was −0.33%, −0.28%, and −0.25% for anti-charity, charity, and friend, respectively (P < 0.001). Contracts without a weight verification method claimed more weight loss than those with verification. Conclusion Voluntary use of commitment contracts may be an effective tool to assist weight loss. Those who choose to use monetary incentives report more weight loss. It is not clear whether this is due to the incentives or higher motivation. PMID:27502832

  10. Changes in oxygen consumption of human muscle and tendon following repeat muscle contractions.

    PubMed

    Kubo, Keitaro; Ikebukuro, Toshihiro; Tsunoda, Naoya; Kanehisa, Hiroaki

    2008-11-01

    The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the oxygen consumption (VO(2)) of muscle and tendon following repeat muscle contractions. During endurance tests (50 repetitions at 70% of the maximum voluntary contraction with 5-s contractions and 5-s rest) and the recovery period (0-10 min), we measured the blood volume and oxygen saturation (StO(2)) of the medial gastrocnemius muscle and Achilles tendon using near infrared spectroscopy and red laser light. Nine male subjects performed the endurance tests three times on separate days (tests-1, 2, and 3). Before and after (test-1: immediately after, test-2: at the 5-min recovery point, test-3: at the 10-min recovery point) the endurance tests, the rate of StO(2) during 8-min period of arterial occlusion was measured to estimate the VO(2) of muscle and tendon. In test-3, after the end of exercise, the THb and StO(2) of the Achilles tendon increased gradually, and these values were higher than the pre-exercise levels until the end of the recovery period. The VO(2) of tendon as well as muscle increased significantly after the repeat muscle contractions. Furthermore, the VO(2) of tendon returned to the pre-exercise level at the 10-min point of recovery, although that of muscle was significantly higher compared to the pre-exercise level until the end of the recovery period. These results indicate that the difference between oxygen supply and consumption within tendon was greater after compared to before exercise.

  11. 48 CFR 22.1006 - Solicitation provisions and contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... Certain Equipment—Certification; (B) 52.222-52, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor...)(4)(ii) of this subsection). (b) The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.222-42... (subparagraphs (d) (1), (2) and (3)), or 52.222-44 (subparagraphs (b) (1) and (2)). (For example, the prior year...

  12. Trailblazing Teacher Contract Agreement Adopted in Baltimore

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Education Digest: Essential Readings Condensed for Quick Review, 2011

    2011-01-01

    The Baltimore City Public Schools made national headlines late last year when the district adopted a new contract designed to take student learning and teacher professionalism to the next level. The three-year deal replaced conventional approaches to compensation--regular pay increases based on years in the system--with a new approach that gives…

  13. Preferred supplier contracts in post-patent prescription drug markets.

    PubMed

    Blankart, Carl Rudolf; Stargardt, Tom

    2016-02-22

    In recent years, the expiration of patents for large drug classes has increased the importance of post-patent drug markets. However, previous research has focused solely on patent drug markets. In this study, the authors evaluate the influence of preferred supplier contracts, the German approach to tendering, in post-patent drug markets using a hierarchical market share attraction model. The authors find that preferred supplier contracts are a powerful strategic instrument for generic manufacturers in a highly competitive environment. They quantify the effects of signing a preferred supplier contract and show that brand-name manufacturers are vulnerable to tendering. Therefore, brand-name manufacturers should readjust their strategies and consider including preferred supplier contracts in their marketing mix. In addition, the authors employ a simulation to demonstrate that a first-mover advantage might be gained from signing a preferred supplier contract. Furthermore, their results can be used as a blueprint for decision makers in the pharmaceutical industry to assess the market share effects of different contracting strategies regarding preferred supplier contracts.

  14. Trends in U.S., Past-Year Marijuana Use from 1985–2009; An Age-Period-Cohort Analysis

    PubMed Central

    Miech, Richard; Koester, Stephen

    2014-01-01

    Background We present a formal age-period-cohort analysis to examine if the recent increase in past-year marijuana use among the young is specific to the younger generation or if, instead, it is part of a general increase present across cohorts of all ages. This is the first age-period-cohort analysis of past-year marijuana use that includes adult trends from 2001–09. Methods Data come from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a series of annual, nationally-representative, cross-sectional surveys of the U.S. civilian, non-institutionalized population. The analysis focuses on the 25 year time span from 1985–2009 and uses the recently developed ‘intrinsic estimator’ algorithm to estimate independent effects of age, period, and cohort. Results The recent increase in past-year marijuana use is not unique to the youngest birth cohorts. An independent, positive influence of cohort membership on past-year marijuana use, net of historical period and age effects, is smaller for today’s youngest cohorts than it was for the cohorts that came immediately before, and, in fact, is at its lowest level in three decades. The recent increase in marijuana use among the young is more consistent with a historical period effect that has acted across all cohorts. Period and cohort trends differ substantially for Hispanics. Conclusions The major forces that drive trends in past-year marijuana use are moving away from cohort-specific factors and toward broad-based influences that affect cohorts of all ages. Strategic public health and policy efforts aimed at countering the recent increase in past-year marijuana use should do the same. PMID:22361212

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

    PubMed

    Banerjee, Tannista

    2012-01-01

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

  16. Changes in Health Care Spending and Quality 4 Years into Global Payment

    PubMed Central

    Song, Zirui; Rose, Sherri; Safran, Dana G.; Landon, Bruce E.; Day, Matthew P.; Chernew, Michael E.

    2014-01-01

    BACKGROUND Spending and quality under global budgets remain unknown beyond 2 years. We evaluated spending and quality measures during the first 4 years of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Alternative Quality Contract (AQC). METHODS We compared spending and quality among enrollees whose physician organizations entered the AQC from 2009 through 2012 with those among persons in control states. We studied spending changes according to year, category of service, site of care, experience managing risk contracts, and price versus utilization. We evaluated process and outcome quality. RESULTS In the 2009 AQC cohort, medical spending on claims grew an average of $62.21 per enrollee per quarter less than it did in the control cohort over the 4-year period (P<0.001). This amount is equivalent to a 6.8% savings when calculated as a proportion of the average post-AQC spending level in the 2009 AQC cohort. Analogously, the 2010, 2011, and 2012 cohorts had average savings of 8.8% (P<0.001), 9.1% (P<0.001), and 5.8% (P = 0.04), respectively, by the end of 2012. Claims savings were concentrated in the outpatient-facility setting and in procedures, imaging, and tests, explained by both reduced prices and reduced utilization. Claims savings were exceeded by incentive payments to providers during the period from 2009 through 2011 but exceeded incentive payments in 2012, generating net savings. Improvements in quality among AQC cohorts generally exceeded those seen elsewhere in New England and nationally. CONCLUSIONS As compared with similar populations in other states, Massachusetts AQC enrollees had lower spending growth and generally greater quality improvements after 4 years. Although other factors in Massachusetts may have contributed, particularly in the later part of the study period, global budget contracts with quality incentives may encourage changes in practice patterns that help reduce spending and improve quality. (Funded by the Commonwealth Fund and others

  17. Effect of intermittent eccentric contractions on symptoms of muscle microinjury.

    PubMed

    Teague, B N; Schwane, J A

    1995-10-01

    The purpose was to determine whether varying the duration of rest between contractions affects selected symptoms of eccentric contraction-induced skeletal muscle microinjury. Thirty-three women were assigned to three groups (N = 11). Each performed one bout of exercise with each arm involving 10 eccentric contractions of the elbow flexor muscles, lowering a load equaling 60% of maximal static force. One arm exercised continuously; the other exercised with rest periods of 15 s, 5 min, or 10 min between contractions, depending on the group. Preexercise and 0, 24, and 48 h postexercise, symptoms of microinjury in the elbow flexor muscles were assessed: soreness and changes in strength, resting elbow angle ("musculotendinous stiffness"), and arm girth ("swelling"). For all groups combined, 10 continuous contractions caused changes (P < 0.05) in all variables at every measurement time. For example, soreness ratings (0-10 scale) were 4.3 +/- 2.0 (24 h) and 4.3 +/- 2.1 (48 h) and strength was reduced 18% 0 h postexercise. Responses were similar with 15 s of rest between contractions. Although they were moderated, symptoms occurred even with 5 and 10 min of rest. With 10 min between contractions, soreness occurred (e.g., 2.4 +/- 1.5 [24 h]) and strength was 17% reduced 0 h postexercise. Results are most consistent with a mechanical cause of eccentric contraction-induced muscle microinjury, rather than a metabolic or other factor with a short recovery time, although involvement of the latter cannot be ruled out.

  18. Contracts in radiology practices: contract types and key provisions.

    PubMed

    Muroff, Julie A; Muroff, Lawrence R

    2004-07-01

    A contract between a radiology group and its physician member(s) provides the foundation for the professional relationships in a group practice. The parties are not in positions of parity; contract provisions are structured to maintain the primacy of the group over the individual members. An integration clause should be included to preclude reliance on communications that are not memorialized by the language of the contract. Precise, unambiguous terms must be used to convey the intentions of the parties. The contract should have a clear date of initiation and, if applicable, an effective date of termination. Mechanisms for termination and modification should be expressed clearly to minimize the risk of judicial interference. The method of determining and adjusting the salary and other benefits of the radiologist should be stated, as consideration is necessary to support the existence of a legal contract. The obligations of the radiologist to the practice are often stated in general terms to maximize the group's flexibility. Finally, other key clauses that are discussed in the paper should be incorporated into the contract.

  19. Long-term variation analysis of a tropical river's annual streamflow regime over a 50-year period

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Seyam, Mohammed; Othman, Faridah

    2015-07-01

    Studying the long-term changes of streamflow is an important tool for enhancing water resource and river system planning, design, and management. The aim of this work is to identify the long-term variations in annual streamflow regime over a 50-year period from 1961 to 2010 in the Selangor River, which is one of the main tropical rivers in Malaysia. Initially, the data underwent preliminary independence, normality, and homogeneity testing using the Pearson correlation coefficient and Shapiro-Wilk and Pettitt's tests, respectively. The work includes a study and analysis of the changes through nine variables describing the annual streamflow and variations in the yearly duration of high and low streamflows. The analyses were conducted via two time scales: yearly and sub-periodic. The sub-periods were obtained by segmenting the 50 years into seven sub-periods by two techniques, namely the change-point test and direct method. Even though analysis revealed nearly negligible changes in mean annual flow over the study period, the maximum annual flow generally increased while the minimum annual flow significantly decreased with respect to time. It was also observed that the variables describing the dispersion in streamflow continually increased with respect to time. An obvious increase was detected in the yearly duration of danger level of streamflow, a slight increase was noted in the yearly duration of warning and alert levels, and a slight decrease in the yearly duration of low streamflow was found. The perceived changes validate the existence of long-term changes in annual streamflow regime, which increase the probability of floods and droughts occurring in future. In light of the results, attention should be drawn to developing water resource management and flood protection plans in order to avert the harmful effects potentially resulting from the expected changes in annual streamflow regime.

  20. 36 CFR 223.81 - Shorter advertising periods in emergencies.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 36 Parks, Forests, and Public Property 2 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Shorter advertising periods... FOREST BOTANICAL PRODUCTS Timber Sale Contracts Advertisement and Bids § 223.81 Shorter advertising... officer may authorize shortening the formal advertising period to not less than 7 days. In other emergency...

  1. Evaluation of contract time estimation and contracting procedures : technical summary.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1996-08-01

    The objective of this research was 1) to provide the DOTD with a systematic approach to the determination of contract duration, and 2) to explore innovative contracting procedures that may prove beneficial in DOTD projects. The innovative contracting...

  2. Instrument to Measure Psychological Contract Violation in Pharmacy Students

    PubMed Central

    Wilkin, Noel E.; Bentley, John P.; Bouldin, Alicia S.; Wilson, Marvin C.; Holmes, Erin R.

    2010-01-01

    Objectives To adapt and evaluate an instrument that measures perceived psychological contract violations in pharmacy students by schools and colleges of pharmacy. Design A psychological contract violations measure was developed from existing literature and the 1997 ACPE Guidelines and pilot-tested with second-year pharmacy students at 2 schools of pharmacy. A revised measure then was administered to second-year pharmacy students at 6 schools of pharmacy. Using a 5-point Likert-type scale, participants were asked to indicate the level of obligations they received compared to what was promised by the school of pharmacy. Results Exploratory factor analysis on the psychological contract violations measure was conducted using principal components analysis resulting in 7 factors, which led to a revised measure with 26 items. Using a sample of 339 students, the proposed 7-factor measurement model was tested using confirmatory factor analysis. In general, the results supported the hypothesized model. The final 23-item scale demonstrated both reliability and validity. Some students perceived certain aspects of the psychological contract that exists with their school of pharmacy were being violated. Conclusion The psychological contract violations measure may serve as a valuable tool in helping to identify areas where their students believe that schools/colleges of pharmacy have not fulfilled promised obligations. PMID:21045949

  3. Instrument to measure psychological contract violation in pharmacy students.

    PubMed

    Spies, Alan R; Wilkin, Noel E; Bentley, John P; Bouldin, Alicia S; Wilson, Marvin C; Holmes, Erin R

    2010-08-10

    To adapt and evaluate an instrument that measures perceived psychological contract violations in pharmacy students by schools and colleges of pharmacy. A psychological contract violations measure was developed from existing literature and the 1997 ACPE Guidelines and pilot-tested with second-year pharmacy students at 2 schools of pharmacy. A revised measure then was administered to second-year pharmacy students at 6 schools of pharmacy. Using a 5-point Likert-type scale, participants were asked to indicate the level of obligations they received compared to what was promised by the school of pharmacy. Exploratory factor analysis on the psychological contract violations measure was conducted using principal components analysis resulting in 7 factors, which led to a revised measure with 26 items. Using a sample of 339 students, the proposed 7-factor measurement model was tested using confirmatory factor analysis. In general, the results supported the hypothesized model. The final 23-item scale demonstrated both reliability and validity. Some students perceived certain aspects of the psychological contract that exists with their school of pharmacy were being violated. The psychological contract violations measure may serve as a valuable tool in helping to identify areas where their students believe that schools/colleges of pharmacy have not fulfilled promised obligations.

  4. A Study of Factors Affecting the Attraction and Retention of High Caliber Personnel to Department of Defense Contracting.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1987-09-01

    from studies of met expectations: (1) The decision to participate or withdraw from an organization may be looked upon as a process of balancing ...was included in this study tu provide some balance and because a large number of Air Force contract specialists are employed at Aeronautical Systems...thirteen days of sick leave per year. Vacation or leave is accrued constantly with an updated balance provided at the end of each pay period

  5. 24 CFR 203.262 - Due date of periodic MIP.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... URBAN DEVELOPMENT MORTGAGE AND LOAN INSURANCE PROGRAMS UNDER NATIONAL HOUSING ACT AND OTHER AUTHORITIES SINGLE FAMILY MORTGAGE INSURANCE Contract Rights and Obligations Mortgage Insurance Premiums-Periodic...

  6. 24 CFR 203.262 - Due date of periodic MIP.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... URBAN DEVELOPMENT MORTGAGE AND LOAN INSURANCE PROGRAMS UNDER NATIONAL HOUSING ACT AND OTHER AUTHORITIES SINGLE FAMILY MORTGAGE INSURANCE Contract Rights and Obligations Mortgage Insurance Premiums-Periodic...

  7. 24 CFR 983.206 - HAP contract amendments (to add or substitute contract units).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

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

  8. 26 CFR 1.6043-3T - Returns regarding liquidation, dissolution, termination, or substantial contraction of...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ..., termination, or substantial contraction of organizations exempt from taxation under section 501(a) (temporary..., dissolution, termination, or substantial contraction of organizations exempt from taxation under section 501(a... organization no longer exempt from taxation under section 501(a) and that during the period of its exemption...

  9. Droplet Breakup in Expansion-contraction Microchannels

    PubMed Central

    Zhu, Pingan; Kong, Tiantian; Lei, Leyan; Tian, Xiaowei; Kang, Zhanxiao; Wang, Liqiu

    2016-01-01

    We investigate the influences of expansion-contraction microchannels on droplet breakup in capillary microfluidic devices. With variations in channel dimension, local shear stresses at the injection nozzle and focusing orifice vary, significantly impacting flow behavior including droplet breakup locations and breakup modes. We observe transition of droplet breakup location from focusing orifice to injection nozzle, and three distinct types of recently-reported tip-multi-breaking modes. By balancing local shear stresses and interfacial tension effects, we determine the critical condition for breakup location transition, and characterize the tip-multi-breaking mode quantitatively. In addition, we identify the mechanism responsible for the periodic oscillation of inner fluid tip in tip-multi-breaking mode. Our results offer fundamental understanding of two-phase flow behaviors in expansion-contraction microstructures, and would benefit droplet generation, manipulation and design of microfluidic devices. PMID:26899018

  10. Periodic Analysis Between Solar Variability and the Earth's Temperature From Centuries to Ten Thousand Years

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhao, X.; Feng, X. S.

    2014-12-01

    The global warming is one of the hottest topics for both scientists and the public at present. Strong evidences have shown that the global warming is related to the man-made increasing greenhouse gas levels. Besides the artificial factors, natural forces also contribute to the Earth's climate change. Among them, solar activity is an important ingredient of the natural driving forces of the Earth's climate. In this study, two data sets are adopted to investigate the periodicities of both solar activity and the variation of the Earth temperature as well as their correlations based on the wavelet analysis and cross correlation method. The first one is a directly measured data set covering centuries, while the second one is the reconstructed data during the past 11,000 years. The obtained results demonstrate that solar activity and the Earth's temperature have significant resonance cycles, and the Earth's temperature has periodic variations similar to those of solar activity. For centuries, these common periodicities include the 22-year cycle and the 50-year cycle. While for 11,000 years, they are the 200-year, 500-year, 1000-year, and 2000-year cycles. Correlation analysis reveals that the correlations between solar variability and the Earth's temperature are statistically significant. The correlation coefficient (C.C.) between the 11-year running averaged Total Solar Irradiance (TSI) and the ocean temperature is 0.88 during the past 133 years of global warming. While for 11,000 years, the C.C. between the 500-year running averages of sunspot number (SSN) and the Earth temperature (r=0.51, p=1%) is stronger than that between the temperature and the atmospheric CO2 concentration (r=0.35, p=10%). All these support that solar activity should have non-ignorable effects on the Earth's climate change, especially before the modern industrial time.

  11. [Collective versus selective contracts from a legal point of view].

    PubMed

    Schirmer, Horst Dieter

    2006-01-01

    The historically proven organisational model of service relations between sickness funds and healthcare providers are collective contracts. A collective contract as a standards treaty ("Normenvertrag") is particularly pronounced concerning the panel doctor law ("Vertragsarztrecht") defining medical care on the basis of the principle of benefits in kind governing benefit claims of the insured in case of illness. The collective contract is a suitable instrument for ensuring both consistent and exhaustive provision of care and for organising the conditions of care, especially the quality and reimbursement of professional medical services. For several years the legislator has been "experimenting" with parallel contract design patterns such as the contract of integrated care in the form of selective contracts between health insurances or their associations and healthcare providers or groups of healthcare providers. More recently, allowances for conclusion of such contracts have been supposed to lead to competition between the contractual systems. It is doubtful whether this "push-start" will contribute to overcoming the systematic legal disadvantages of selective contracting as an organisational model for the provision of healthcare services to the insured.

  12. High-current discharge channel contraction in high density gas

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

    Rutberg, Ph. G.; Bogomaz, A. A.; Pinchuk, M. E.

    Research results for discharges at current amplitudes of 0.5-1.6 MA and current rise rate of {approx}10{sup 10} A/s are presented. The discharge is performed in the hydrogen environment at the initial pressure of 5-35 MPa. Initiation is implemented by a wire explosion. The time length of the first half-period of the discharge current is 70-150 {mu}s. Under such conditions, discharge channel contraction is observed; the contraction is followed by soft x-ray radiation. The phenomena are discussed, which are determined by high density of the gas surrounding the discharge channel. These phenomena are increase of the current critical value, where themore » channel contraction begins and growth of temperature in the axis region of the channel, where the initial density of the gas increases.« less

  13. Contracting and Higher Education.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ferris, James M.

    1991-01-01

    The potential gains in efficiency of three types of contracts in college administration are contrasted. Contract types include explicit contracts in the budgeting process between the state and higher education institutions; institutional contracting for inputs; and interinstitutional contracting. The tradeoff between production cost savings and…

  14. Changing trends of chronic myeloid leukemia in greater Mumbai, India over a period of 30 years

    PubMed Central

    Dikshit, Rajesh P.; Nagrani, Rajini; Yeole, Balkrishna; Koyande, Shravani; Banawali, Shripad

    2011-01-01

    Background: Little is known about burden of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in India. There is a recent interest to observe incidence and mortality because of advent of new diagnostic and treatment policies for CML. Materials and Methods: We extracted data from the oldest population-based cancer registry of Mumbai for 30 years period from 1976−2005 to observe incidence and mortality rates of CML. We classified the data into four age groups 0–14, 15–29, 30–54 and 55–74 to observe incidence rates in the respective age groups. Results: The age specific rates were highest for the age group of 55–74 years. No significant change in trends of CML was observed for 30 years period. However, there was a significant reduction in incidence rate for recent 15-years period (Estimated average annual percentage change=-3.9). No significant reduction in mortality rate was observed till 2005. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that age-specific rates for CML are highest in age group of 55-74 years, although they are lower compared to western populations. Significant reduction in incidence of CML in recent periods might be because of reduced misclassification of leukemias. The data of CML has to be observed for another decade to witness reduction in mortality because of changes in treatment management. PMID:22174498

  15. Improved water allocation utilizing probabilistic climate forecasts: Short-term water contracts in a risk management framework

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sankarasubramanian, A.; Lall, Upmanu; Souza Filho, Francisco Assis; Sharma, Ashish

    2009-11-01

    Probabilistic, seasonal to interannual streamflow forecasts are becoming increasingly available as the ability to model climate teleconnections is improving. However, water managers and practitioners have been slow to adopt such products, citing concerns with forecast skill. Essentially, a management risk is perceived in "gambling" with operations using a probabilistic forecast, while a system failure upon following existing operating policies is "protected" by the official rules or guidebook. In the presence of a prescribed system of prior allocation of releases under different storage or water availability conditions, the manager has little incentive to change. Innovation in allocation and operation is hence key to improved risk management using such forecasts. A participatory water allocation process that can effectively use probabilistic forecasts as part of an adaptive management strategy is introduced here. Users can express their demand for water through statements that cover the quantity needed at a particular reliability, the temporal distribution of the "allocation," the associated willingness to pay, and compensation in the event of contract nonperformance. The water manager then assesses feasible allocations using the probabilistic forecast that try to meet these criteria across all users. An iterative process between users and water manager could be used to formalize a set of short-term contracts that represent the resulting prioritized water allocation strategy over the operating period for which the forecast was issued. These contracts can be used to allocate water each year/season beyond long-term contracts that may have precedence. Thus, integrated supply and demand management can be achieved. In this paper, a single period multiuser optimization model that can support such an allocation process is presented. The application of this conceptual model is explored using data for the Jaguaribe Metropolitan Hydro System in Ceara, Brazil. The performance

  16. Consequences of intravascular lymphatic valve properties: a study of contraction timing in a multi-lymphangion model

    PubMed Central

    Macaskill, Charlie; Davis, Michael J.; Moore, James E.

    2016-01-01

    The observed properties of valves in collecting lymphatic vessels include transmural pressure-dependent bias to the open state and hysteresis. The bias may reduce resistance to flow when the vessel is functioning as a conduit. However, lymphatic pumping implies a streamwise increase in mean pressure across each valve, suggesting that the bias is then potentially unhelpful. Lymph pumping by a model of several collecting lymphatic vessel segments (lymphangions) in series, which incorporated these properties, was investigated under conditions of adverse pressure difference while varying the refractory period between active muscular contractions and the inter-lymphangion contraction delay. It was found that many combinations of the timing parameters and the adverse pressure difference led to one or more intermediate valves remaining open instead of switching between open and closed states during repetitive contraction cycles. Cyclic valve switching was reliably indicated if the mean pressure in a lymphangion over a cycle was higher than that in the lymphangion upstream, but either lack of or very brief valve closure could cause mean pressure to be lower downstream. Widely separated combinations of refractory period and delay time were found to produce the greatest flow-rate for a given pressure difference. The efficiency of pumping was always maximized by a long refractory period and lymphangion contraction starting when the contraction of the lymphangion immediately upstream was peaking. By means of an ex vivo experiment, it was verified that intermediate valves in a chain of pumping lymphangions can remain open, while the lymphangions on either side of the open valve continue to execute contractions. PMID:26747501

  17. Bigelow BEAM Contract

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2013-01-16

    NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver talks during a media briefing where she and President and founder of Bigelow Aerospace Robert T. Bigelow, discussed their $17.8 million contract to provide a Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) to the International Space Station to test expandable space habitat technology, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013 at Bigelow Aerospace in Las Vegas. BEAM is scheduled to arrive at the space station in 2015 for a two-year technology demonstration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

  18. Bigelow BEAM Contract

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2013-01-16

    President and founder of Bigelow Aerospace Robert T. Bigelow, talks during a media briefing where he and NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver discussed their $17.8 million contract to provide a Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) to the International Space Station to test expandable space habitat technology, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013 at Bigelow Aerospace in Las Vegas. BEAM is scheduled to arrive at the space station in 2015 for a two-year technology demonstration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

  19. Lovelace simplifies, saves big with single-source imaging equipment service contract.

    PubMed

    1997-11-01

    Lovelace Health System traded in its disorganized mess of service contracts for imaging and cardiology equipment for one umbrella contract--and is now saving more than $200,000 a year as a result. Find out how to achieve similar savings.

  20. 42 CFR 423.38 - Enrollment periods.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 42 Public Health 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Enrollment periods. 423.38 Section 423.38 Public... material provision of its contract under this part in relation to the individual, including, but not... in marketing the plan to the individual. (ii) The individual meets other exceptional circumstances as...

  1. Notice Requirements in Federal Acquisition Contracts.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1985-01-01

    oo o e o e *4 16 Development of the Court of Claims Dootrine....48 2. Impact of the Contract Disputes Act............ 56 3. Estoppel ...contractor elects Disputes Clause procedures, the waiver doctrine of Maney and Tapper is now a dead letter. 3. Estoppel Even though the government may...tative might give rise to a situation where the doctrine of equitable estoppel would preclude enforcement of the appeal period limitation. Prior to

  2. Trends in National Emergency Medicine Conference Didactic Lectures Over a 6-Year Period.

    PubMed

    Gottlieb, Michael; Riddell, Jeff; Njie, Abdoulie

    2017-01-01

    National conference didactic lectures have traditionally featured hour-long lecture-based presentations. However, there is evidence that longer lectures can lead to both decreased attention and retention of information. The authors sought to identify trends in lecture duration, lecture types, and number of speakers at four national emergency medicine (EM) conferences over a 6-year period. The authors performed a retrospective analysis of the length, number of speakers, and format of didactic lectures at four different national EM conferences over 6 years. The authors abstracted data from the national academic assemblies for the four largest not-for-profit EM organizations in the United States: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine. There was a significant yearly decrease in the mean lecture lengths for three of the four conferences. There was an increase in the percentage of rapid fire sessions over the preceding 2 years with a corresponding decrease in the percentage of general educational sessions. There was no significant difference in the mean number of speakers per lecture. An analysis of 4210 didactic lecture sessions from the annual meetings of four national EM organizations over a 6-year period showed significant decreases in mean lecture length. These findings can help to guide EM continuing medical education conference planning and research.

  3. The Changes of Pulmonary Function in COPD During Four-Year Period

    PubMed Central

    Cukic, Vesna; Lovre, Vladimir; Ustamujic, Aida

    2013-01-01

    Conflict of interest: none declared. Introduction COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. OBJECTIVE: to show the changes of pulmonary function in COPD during the 4 -year evolution of illness. Material and Methods The research was done on patients suffering from COPD treated at the Clinic “Podhrastovi” during 2006 and 2007. The tested parameters were examined from the date of receiving patient with COPD to hospital treatment in 2006 and 2007 and then followed prospectively until 2010 or 2011 (the follow-up period was 4 years). There were total 199 treated patients who were chosen at random and regularly attended the control examinations. The study was conducted on adult patients of both sexes, different age group. In each patient the duration of illness was recorded so is sex, age, data of smoking habits, information about the regularity of taking bronchodilator therapy during remissions of disease, about the treatment of disease exacerbations, results of pulmonary functional tests as follows: FVC (forced vital capacity), FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second) and bronchodilator reversibility testing. All these parameters were measured at the beginning and at the end of each hospital treatment on the apparatuses of Clinic “Podhrastovi”. We took in elaboration those data obtained in the beginning of the first hospitalization and at the end of the last hospitalization or at the last control in outpatient department when patient was in stable state. Patients were divided into three groups according to the number of exacerbations per year. Results airflow limitation in COPD is progressive; both FVC and FEV1 shows the statistically significant decrease during follow-up period of 4 years (p values / for both parameters/ =0.05) . But in patients regularly treated in phases of remission and exacerbations of illness the course of illness is slower. The fall of FVC and FEV1 is

  4. Green Power Partnership Long-term Contracts

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    The U.S. EPA's Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program designed to reduce the environmental impact of electricity generation by promoting renewable energy. This page lists Partners that signed a contract to purchase green power for 5 years or more.

  5. 48 CFR 227.7009-3 - Additional clauses-contracts except running royalty contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ...-contracts except running royalty contracts. 227.7009-3 Section 227.7009-3 Federal Acquisition Regulations...—contracts except running royalty contracts. The following clauses are examples for use in patent release and settlement agreements, and license agreements not providing for payment by the Government of a running...

  6. 48 CFR 227.7009-3 - Additional clauses-contracts except running royalty contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ...-contracts except running royalty contracts. 227.7009-3 Section 227.7009-3 Federal Acquisition Regulations...—contracts except running royalty contracts. The following clauses are examples for use in patent release and settlement agreements, and license agreements not providing for payment by the Government of a running...

  7. Periodic surface instabilities in stressed polymer solids

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tsukruk, Vladimir V.; Reneker, Darrell H.

    1995-03-01

    The surface morphology of isothermally grown polymer single crystals of polypropylene is observed by atomic force microscopy. The distinguishing features of the polymer single crystals studied are periodic undulations and transverse fractures (cracks) across the single crystal laths. Up to 20 wrinkles are observed near the edges of the cracks. The periodicity of these surface perturbations is 400+/-100 nm and the amplitude is 6+/-3 nm. The formation of the periodic modulations and transverse fractures is attributed to surface stress relief caused by the uniaxial thermal contraction of polymer solids.

  8. [Boundaries and integrity in the "Social Contract for Spanish Science", 1907-1939].

    PubMed

    Gómez, Amparo

    2014-01-01

    This article analyzes the relationship between science and politics in Spain in the early 20th century from the perspective of the Social Contract for Science. The article shows that a genuine social contract for science was instituted in Spain during this period, although some boundary and integrity problems emerged. These problems are analyzed, showing that the boundary problems were a product of the conservative viewpoint on the relationship between science and politics, while the integrity problems involved the activation of networks of influence in the awarding of scholarships to study abroad. Finally, the analysis reveals that these problems did not invalidate the Spanish social contract for science.

  9. Human handedness and asymmetry of the motor cortical silent period.

    PubMed

    Priori, A; Oliviero, A; Donati, E; Callea, L; Bertolasi, L; Rothwell, J C

    1999-10-01

    We performed transcranial magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex in 22 left-handed and 25 right-handed subjects during active contraction of a small hand muscle. Motor evoked potentials had the same latency, amplitude and threshold on both sides of the body, whilst the silent period duration was shorter in the dominant hand. Silent periods elicited by nerve and brainstem stimulation were the same in both hands. Since the latter part of the cortical silent period is due mainly to withdrawal of corticospinal input to spinal motoneurones, we speculate that the results are compatible with the suggestion that tonic contractions of the non-dominant hand are associated with a greater involvement of the corticospinal tract than those of the dominant hand. It also seems likely that there is an asymmetry in the excitability of cortical inhibitory mechanisms with those responsible for the cortical silent period being less excitable in the dominant motor cortex.

  10. Reperfusion response changes induced by repeated, sustained contractions in normal human masseter muscle.

    PubMed

    Aizawa, Shigeru; Tsukiyama, Yoshihiro; Koyano, Kiyoshi; Clark, Glenn T

    2002-07-01

    The purpose was to evaluate the intramuscular reperfusion response characteristics associated with repeated isometric contractions in normal human masseter. Intramuscular blood volume was quantified with a near-infrared spectroscopic device that measured the total haemoglobin (Hb) concentration in the muscle. Electromyographic (EMG) activity from the masseter and total bite forces were also recorded. Sixteen healthy volunteers, eight females and eight males, without masticatory muscle pain participated. They were asked first to clench their teeth for as long as possible at 50% of their maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). This was followed by a 60s rest and then immediately by a standard clenching task (50% MVC for 30s) and a 60s recovery period, immediately after which they were asked to repeat exactly the same procedure, with a final 5 min recovery period after the second 30s contraction. Bite force, EMG and Hb concentration were measured continuously and the duration of the two endurance tasks and the amplitudes of all recorded signals were compared (first trial versus second trial). Specifically, the difference between the lowest Hb (trough) seen during the standardised 30s contractions and the highest (peak) seen just after them was assessed. The trough-to-peak difference in Hb concentration of the second standard contraction task was significantly smaller than that of the first standard task (P<0.05, paired t-test). These data show that with sustained effort the post-contraction vasodilatory reperfusion responses of the human masseter are diminished, suggesting a progressive desensitisation of the vasodilatory system.

  11. Contract Actions for Leased Equipment

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1999-06-30

    Fundamentals, Fundamentals of Contract Pricing, and Government Contract Law courses. The additional instruction should emphasize the contracting officers...Contracting Fundamentals, Fundamentals of Contract Pricing, and Government Contract Law courses. This additional instruction should emphasize the important...FAR 107.401 and 207.470 in the Basics of Contracting and Government Contract Law courses, and that price analysis in assessing lease versus purchase

  12. 40 CFR 35.4235 - Are there specific provisions my group's contract(s) must contain?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ...) Suspension and Debarment; (g) The following clauses from 40 CFR 30.48: (1) Remedies for breaches of contract...'s contract(s) must contain? 35.4235 Section 35.4235 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL... provisions my group's contract(s) must contain? Your group must include the following provisions in each of...

  13. Point and 5-year period prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia: the Cache County Study.

    PubMed

    Steinberg, Martin; Shao, Huibo; Zandi, Peter; Lyketsos, Constantine G; Welsh-Bohmer, Kathleen A; Norton, Maria C; Breitner, John C S; Steffens, David C; Tschanz, Joann T

    2008-02-01

    Neuropsychiatric symptoms are nearly universal in dementia, yet little is known about their longitudinal course in the community. To estimate point and 5-year period prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in an incident sample of 408 dementia participants from the Cache County Study. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory assessed symptoms at baseline and at 1.5 years, 3.0 years, 4.1 years, and 5.3 years. Point prevalence, period prevalence and mean symptom severity at each time point were estimated. Point prevalence for delusions was 18% at baseline and 34-38% during the last three visits; hallucinations, 10% at baseline and 19-24% subsequently; agitation/aggression fluctuated between 13% and 24%; depression 29% at baseline and 41-47% subsequently; apathy increased from 20% at baseline to 51% at 5.3 years; elation never rose above 1%; anxiety 14% at baseline and 24-32% subsequently; disinhibition fluctuated between 2% and 15%; irritability between 17% and 27%; aberrant motor behavior gradually increased from 7% at baseline to 29% at 5.3 years. Point prevalence for any symptom was 56% at baseline and 76-87% subsequently. Five-year period prevalence was greatest for depression (77%), apathy (71%), and anxiety (62%); lowest for elation (6%), and disinhibition (31%). Ninety-seven percent experienced at least one symptom. Symptom severity was consistently highest for apathy. Participants were most likely to develop depression, apathy, or anxiety, and least likely to develop elation or disinhibition. Give converging evidence that syndromal definitions may more accurately capture neuropsychiatric co-morbidity in dementia, future efforts to validate such syndromes are warranted. Copyright (c) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  14. Contract Learning.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Gilbert, Jay

    Academic work carried out through learning contracts at Empire State College is described. Learning contracts are defined and examples are given. Faculty roles, educational advantages, and implementation methods are discussed. (MLH)

  15. 48 CFR 35.006 - Contracting methods and contract type.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

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

  16. Report: Improved Contract Administration Needed for the Customer Technology Solutions Contract

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    Report #13-P-0398, September 16, 2013. Based on our review of the WCF contract EPW08034, which ended September 2012, the EPA needs to improve its contract administration to assist in managing other similar type contracts.

  17. The operative treatment of pressure sores in the pelvic region: A 10-year period overview

    PubMed Central

    Jósvay, János; Klauber, András; Both, Béla; Kelemen, Péter B.; Varga, Zsombor Z.; Pesthy, Pál Cs.

    2015-01-01

    Context Pelvic region pressure sores often develop following spinal cord injury. Surgery is often necessary for long standing, large-sized pressure sores not responding to conservative treatment. Authors analyze their results of a 10-year period, and identify factors contributing to the reduction of the recurrence rate. Methods A total of 119 pressure sores were operated on 98 patients in two institutions during a 10-year period (1 January 2003 to 31 December 2012). The encountered perioperative complications are summarized, and the recurrence rate is analyzed with a patient follow-up questionnaire. Results We experienced 15 perioperative complications (12.6%). All complications were fully resolved by conservative treatment. Fifty-eight returned patient replies were processed. The average follow-up time after surgery was 5.2 years. The recurrence rate was 5.47%. Conclusion The strict adherence to surgical indications, full patient compliance, specialized pre- and post-operative patient care, our routinely used preferred surgical method, all contribute to a low post-operative complication rate, long-term flap survival, and an extended recurrence free period. PMID:25299238

  18. The operative treatment of pressure sores in the pelvic region: A 10-year period overview.

    PubMed

    Jósvay, János; Klauber, András; Both, Béla; Kelemen, Péter B; Varga, Zsombor Z; Pesthy, Pál Cs

    2015-07-01

    Pelvic region pressure sores often develop following spinal cord injury. Surgery is often necessary for long standing, large-sized pressure sores not responding to conservative treatment. Authors analyze their results of a 10-year period, and identify factors contributing to the reduction of the recurrence rate. A total of 119 pressure sores were operated on 98 patients in two institutions during a 10-year period (1 January 2003 to 31 December 2012). The encountered perioperative complications are summarized, and the recurrence rate is analyzed with a patient follow-up questionnaire. We experienced 15 perioperative complications (12.6%). All complications were fully resolved by conservative treatment. Fifty-eight returned patient replies were processed. The average follow-up time after surgery was 5.2 years. The recurrence rate was 5.47%. The strict adherence to surgical indications, full patient compliance, specialized pre- and post-operative patient care, our routinely used preferred surgical method, all contribute to a low post-operative complication rate, long-term flap survival, and an extended recurrence free period.

  19. Metabolic status and resistin in chronic schizophrenia over a 2-year period with continuous atypical antipsychotics

    PubMed Central

    Kawabe, Kentaro; Ochi, Shinichiro; Yoshino, Yuta; Mori, Yoko; Onuma, Hiroshi; Osawa, Haruhiko; Hosoda, Yoshiki; Ueno, Shu-ichi

    2015-01-01

    Background: Common adverse effects of atypical antipsychotic treatments for schizophrenia are weight gain and lipid metabolism abnormality. We aimed to identify the signs of metabolic problems with continuous atypical antipsychotic treatment for schizophrenia over a 2-year period. Methods: The participants were 68 schizophrenic patients (29 males, 39 females; ages 53.4 ± 13.5 years old). Changes in carbohydrate metabolism and changes in physical characteristics were studied over a 2-year period. In addition, functional single nucleotide polymorphisms in the transcriptional regulatory region of the resistin gene were examined. Results: We found no changes in the mental state of the participants over a 2-year period. Patients did show a significant decrease in total cholesterol and hemoglobin A1c levels, although physical changes such as body mass index and abdominal girth, were not observed. The amount of resistin may not be associated with mental states and physical parameters. Conclusions: We could not find physical factors related to metabolic changes of antipsychotics in this 2-year study. However, several psychological factors, such as health-related thoughts and behaviors, should be studied in the future. PMID:26557983

  20. Lessons learned : pavement marking warranty contract.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2013-12-01

    In 2012, UDOT implemented a performance-based warranty on a portion of an I-15 pavement marking : project. The awarded contract requested a contractor warranty on the implemented markings for a total : duration of six years. This is the first time th...

  1. 48 CFR 970.2672-3 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... Restructuring Under Section 3161 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993, in contracts for the management and operation of Department of Energy Defense Nuclear Facilities and, as... Defense Nuclear Facility. ...

  2. 25 CFR 170.611 - What special provisions apply to ISDEAA contracts and agreements?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ...-year contracts and agreements. The Secretary can enter into a multi-year IRR Program self-determination contract and self-governance agreement with a tribe under sections 105(c)(1)(A) and (2) of ISDEAA. The.... Under Title I and Title IV of ISDEAA, tribes and multi-tribal organizations are eligible to assume IRR...

  3. 25 CFR 170.611 - What special provisions apply to ISDEAA contracts and agreements?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ...-year contracts and agreements. The Secretary can enter into a multi-year IRR Program self-determination contract and self-governance agreement with a tribe under sections 105(c)(1)(A) and (2) of ISDEAA. The.... Under Title I and Title IV of ISDEAA, tribes and multi-tribal organizations are eligible to assume IRR...

  4. A public school district's vending machine policy and changes over a 4-year period: implementation of a national wellness policy.

    PubMed

    Han-Markey, T L; Wang, L; Schlotterbeck, S; Jackson, E A; Gurm, R; Leidal, A; Eagle, K

    2012-04-01

    The school environment has been the focus of many health initiatives over the years as a means to address the childhood obesity crisis. The availability of low-nutrient, high-calorie foods and beverages to students via vending machines further exacerbates the issue of childhood obesity. However, a healthy overhaul of vending machines may also affect revenue on which schools have come to depend. This article describes the experience of one school district in changing the school environment, and the resulting impact on food and beverage vending machines. Observational study in Ann Arbor public schools. The contents and locations of vending machines were identified in 2003 and surveyed repeatedly in 2007. Overall revenues were also documented during this time period. Changes were observed in the contents of both food and beverage vending machines. Revenue in the form of commissions to the contracted companies and the school district decreased. Local and national wellness policy changes may have financial ramifications for school districts. In order to facilitate and sustain school environment change, all stakeholders, including teachers, administrators, students and healthcare providers, should collaborate and communicate on policy implementation, recognizing that change can have negative financial consequences as well as positive, healthier outcomes. Copyright © 2012 The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. 26 CFR 1.7702-2 - Attained age of the insured under a life insurance contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... became 60 years old on May 1, 2007. On January 1, 2008, X purchases from IC a contract insuring X's life... January 1, 2008, is May 1, 2008, when X will become 61 years old. Based on the method used by IC to... changes annually. Accordingly, X continues to be 63 years old throughout the contract year beginning...

  6. 26 CFR 1.7702-2 - Attained age of the insured under a life insurance contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... became 60 years old on May 1, 2007. On January 1, 2008, X purchases from IC a contract insuring X's life... January 1, 2008, is May 1, 2008, when X will become 61 years old. Based on the method used by IC to... changes annually. Accordingly, X continues to be 63 years old throughout the contract year beginning...

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

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

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

    2014-12-01

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

  8. Forearm muscle oxygenation decreases with low levels of voluntary contraction

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Murthy, G.; Kahan, N. J.; Hargens, A. R.; Rempel, D. M.

    1997-01-01

    The purpose of our investigation was to determine if the near infrared spectroscopy technique was sensitive to changes in tissue oxygenation at low levels of isometric contraction in the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle. Nine subjects were seated with the right arm abducted to 45 degrees, elbow flexed to 85 degrees, forearm pronated 45 degrees, and wrist and forearm supported on an armrest throughout the protocol. Altered tissue oxygenation was measured noninvasively with near infrared spectroscopy. The near infrared spectroscopy probe was placed over the extensor carpi radialis brevis of the subject's right forearm and secured with an elastic wrap. After 1 minute of baseline measurements taken with the muscle relaxed, four different loads were applied just proximal to the metacarpophalangeal joint such that the subjects isometrically contracted the extensor carpi radialis brevis at 5, 10, 15, and 50% of the maximum voluntary contraction for 1 minute each. A 3-minute recovery period followed each level of contraction. At the end of the protocol, with the probe still in place, a value for ischemic tissue oxygenation was obtained for each subject. This value was considered the physiological zero and hence 0% tissue oxygenation. Mean tissue oxygenation (+/-SE) decreased from resting baseline (100% tissue oxygenation) to 89 +/- 4, 81 +/- 8, 78 +/- 8, and 47 +/- 8% at 5, 10, 15, and 50% of the maximum voluntary contraction, respectively. Tissue oxygenation levels at 10, 15, and 50% of the maximum voluntary contraction were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than the baseline value. Our results indicate that tissue oxygenation significantly decreases during brief, low levels of static muscle contraction and that near infrared spectroscopy is a sensitive technique for detecting deoxygenation noninvasively at low levels of forearm muscle contraction. Our findings have important implications in occupational medicine because oxygen depletion induced by low levels of muscle

  9. Effect of a hawthorn extract on contraction and energy turnover of isolated rat cardiomyocytes.

    PubMed

    Pöpping, S; Rose, H; Ionescu, I; Fischer, Y; Kammermeier, H

    1995-11-01

    The hawthorn extract LI 132 (crataegus), prepared from leaves and flowers, and standardised to 2.2% flavonoids, was investigated with respect to its effect on (1) the contraction, (2) the energy-turnover and (3) the apparent refractory period (t(ref)) of isolated cardiac myocytes from adult rats. (1) The contractile behaviour of attached myocytes was analyzed by an image processing system. (2) The energy turnover was calculated from the decrease in oxygen content in the myocyte suspension, brought about by cellular respiration. It was differentiated between energy turnover related to cell shortening and that required for ionic transport processes by application of the contraction-inhibiting agent 2,3-butanedione monoxime. (3) The apparent refractory period (t(ref)) was evaluated by pacing the myocytes with increasing stimulation rates and determining the frequency at which failure of single contractions occurred. For these purposes, the myocytes were incubated in a stimulation chamber, which is part of a computer-assisted system allowing to simultaneously evaluate the mechanics and energetics of electrically induced contraction. Within a range of 30-180 microg/ml, the hawthorn extract exhibited a positive inotropic effect on the contraction amplitude accompanied by a moderate increase of energy turnover both for mechanical and ionic processes. In comparison with other positive inotropic interventions, such as application of the beta-adrenergic agonist isoprenaline, or of the cardiac glycoside ouabain (g-strophantin), or elevation of the extracellular Ca++-concentration, the effects of the hawthorn extract were significantly more economical with respect to the energetics of the myocytes. Furthermore the extract prolonged the apparent refractory period in the presence and the absence of isoprenaline, which be indicative for an antiarrhythmic potential.

  10. Observational study of contracts processing at 29 CTSA sites.

    PubMed

    Kiriakis, James; Gaich, Nicholas; Johnston, S Claiborne; Kitterman, Darlene; Rosenblum, Daniel; Salberg, Libby; Rifkind, Adam

    2013-08-01

    We measured contracts final negotiation (FN) and full execution (FE) times using shared definitions in a prospective observational study of management of contracts for clinical trials at 29 CTSA institutions. Median FN and FE times were reached in 39 and 91 days, respectively; mean times for FN and FE were 55 and 103 days, respectively. Individual site medians ranged from 3 to 116 days for FN and 34 to 197 days for FE. The use of master agreements (MAs) and previously negotiated terms (PNTs) was associated with significant reduction of FN times by a mean of 33 days (p < 0) and 22 days (p < 0.001), respectively. PNTs, but not MAs, were associated with significantly reduced FE time (22 days, p < 0.007). Gap analysis revealed a gap of 22 days between contracts negotiation and Institutional Review Board (IRB) review and intervals of 33 days (contracts) and 48 days (IRB review) during which the process steps were being conducted alone, suggesting a potential benefit with parallel processing. These baseline data support a plan to investigate root causes of prolonged study start-up time by examining causes of variation and outliers. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  11. 24 CFR 203.474 - Maximum claim period.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Maximum claim period. 203.474 Section 203.474 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban Development... SINGLE FAMILY MORTGAGE INSURANCE Contract Rights and Obligations Rehabilitation Loans § 203.474 Maximum...

  12. Teaching about Contracts.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Froman, Michael; Kosnoff, Kathy

    1978-01-01

    Presents teaching strategies for introducing high school students to contract law. Offers as a case study a contract agreement between pro football players and team owners. Stresses basic elements of contracts (offer, acceptance, consideration, and understanding the bargaining process). Journal available from the American Bar Association, 1155…

  13. 7 CFR 766.110 - Conservation Contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... floodplains; (iii) Areas of high water quality or scenic value; (iv) Historic or cultural properties listed in..., or 50 years. (e) Conservation management plan. The Agency, through the recommendations of the Conservation Contract review team, is responsible for approving the conservation management plan. (f...

  14. 7 CFR 766.110 - Conservation Contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... floodplains; (iii) Areas of high water quality or scenic value; (iv) Historic or cultural properties listed in..., or 50 years. (e) Conservation management plan. The Agency, through the recommendations of the Conservation Contract review team, is responsible for approving the conservation management plan. (f...

  15. 48 CFR 1517.204 - Contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 true Contracts. 1517.204 Section 1517.204 Federal Acquisition Regulations System ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES SPECIAL CONTRACTING METHODS Options 1517.204 Contracts. The SCM may approve a contract with...

  16. 26 CFR 1.460-2 - Long-term manufacturing contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... time normally required to design and manufacture the first unit of an item for which the taxpayer... manufacture a new type of industrial equipment. C reasonably expects the normal production period for this... 26 Internal Revenue 6 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Long-term manufacturing contracts. 1.460-2...

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

    PubMed

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

    2010-06-01

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

  18. The 'Alternative Quality Contract,' based on a global budget, lowered medical spending and improved quality.

    PubMed

    Song, Zirui; Safran, Dana Gelb; Landon, Bruce E; Landrum, Mary Beth; He, Yulei; Mechanic, Robert E; Day, Matthew P; Chernew, Michael E

    2012-08-01

    Seven provider organizations in Massachusetts entered the Blue Cross Blue Shield Alternative Quality Contract in 2009, followed by four more organizations in 2010. This contract, based on a global budget and pay-for-performance for achieving certain quality benchmarks, places providers at risk for excessive spending and rewards them for quality, similar to the new Pioneer Accountable Care Organizations in Medicare. We analyzed changes in spending and quality associated with the Alternative Quality Contract and found that the rate of increase in spending slowed compared to control groups, more so in the second year than in the first. Overall, participation in the contract over two years led to savings of 2.8 percent (1.9 percent in year 1 and 3.3 percent in year 2) compared to spending in nonparticipating groups. Savings were accounted for by lower prices achieved through shifting procedures, imaging, and tests to facilities with lower fees, as well as reduced utilization among some groups. Quality of care also improved compared to control organizations, with chronic care management, adult preventive care, and pediatric care within the contracting groups improving more in year 2 than in year 1. These results suggest that global budgets with pay-for-performance can begin to slow underlying growth in medical spending while improving quality of care.

  19. Impact of Cricothyroid Muscle Contraction on Vocal Fold Vibration: Experimental Study with High-Speed Videoendoscopy.

    PubMed

    Ishikawa, Camila Cristina; Pinheiro, Thais Gonçalves; Hachiya, Adriana; Montagnoli, Arlindo Neto; Tsuji, Domingos Hiroshi

    2017-05-01

    The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of cricothyroid muscle contraction on vocal fold vibration, as evaluated with high-speed videoendoscopy, and to identify one or more aspects of vocal fold vibration that could be used as an irrefutable indicator of unilateral cricothyroid muscle paralysis. This was an experimental study employing excised human larynges. Twenty freshly excised human larynges were evaluated during artificially produced vibration. Each larynx was assessed in three situations: bilateral cricothyroid muscle contraction, unilateral cricothyroid muscle contraction, and no contraction of either cricothyroid muscle. The following parameters were evaluated by high-speed videoendoscopy: fundamental frequency, periodicity, amplitude of vocal fold vibration, and phase symmetry between the vocal folds. Although neither unilateral nor bilateral cricothyroid muscle contraction altered the periodicity of vibration or the occurrence of phase asymmetry, there was a significant decrease in fundamental frequency in parallel with decreasing longitudinal tension. We also found an increase in vibration amplitude of right and left vocal folds, which were similar in terms of their behavior for this parameter in the various situations studied. Our results suggest that differences in vibration amplitude and phase symmetry between vocal folds are not reliable indicators of unilateral cricothyroid muscle paralysis. Copyright © 2017 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  20. Age, period, and birth cohort-specific effects on cervical cancer mortality rates in Japanese women and projections for mortality rates over 20-year period (2012-2031).

    PubMed

    Uchida, Hiroyuki; Kobayashi, Mizuki; Hosobuchi, Ami; Ohta, Ayano; Ohtake, Kazuo; Yamaki, Tutomu; Uchida, Masaki; Odagiri, Youichi; Natsume, Hideshi; Kobayashi, Jun

    2014-01-01

    We aimed to determine the effects of age, period, and birth cohort on cervical cancer mortality rate trends in Japanese women, by age-period-cohort (APC) analysis. Additionally, we analyzed projected mortality rates. We obtained data on the number of cervical cancer deaths in Japanese women from 1975-2011 from the national vital statistics and census population data. A cohort table of mortality rate data was analyzed on the basis of a Bayesian APC model. We also projected the mortality rates for the 2012-2031 period. The period effect was relatively limited, compared with the age and cohort effects. The age effect increased suddenly from 25-29 to 45-49 years of age and gently increased thereafter. An analysis of the cohort effect on mortality rate trends revealed a steep decreasing slope for birth cohorts born from 1908-1940 and a subsequent sudden increase after 1945. The mortality rate projections indicated increasing trends from 40 to 74 years of age until the year 2031. The age effect increased from 25-29 years of age. This could be attributable to the high human papilloma virus (HPV) infection risk and the low cervical cancer screening rate. The cohort effect changed from decreasing to increasing after the early 1940s. This might be attributable to the spread of cervical cancer screening and treatment before 1940 and the high HPV infection risk and reduced cervical cancer screening rate after 1945. The projected mortality rate indicated an increasing trend until the year 2031.

  1. Impact of the pay-for-performance contract and the management of hypertension in Scottish primary care: a 6-year population-based repeated cross-sectional study.

    PubMed

    Simpson, Colin R; Hannaford, Philip C; Ritchie, Lewis D; Sheikh, Aziz; Williams, David

    2011-07-01

    The 2004 introduction of the pay-for-performance contract has increased the proportion of income that GPs are able to earn by targeting quality care to patients with chronic diseases such as hypertension. To investigate the impact of pay for performance on the management of patients with hypertension in Scottish primary care. A population-based repeated cross-sectional study in Scottish primary care practices (n = 315) contributing to the Primary Care Clinical Informatics Unit database. A dataset was extracted on 826 973 patients aged ≥40 years including, age, sex, socioeconomic deprivation status, hypertension diagnosis, recorded blood pressure measurement, attainment of target blood pressure levels, and provision of hypertension-related prescribing for each year from 2001 until 2006. Increasing treatment for hypertension (absolute difference [AD] 9.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 9.0 to 9.5) occurred throughout the study period. The majority of increases found in blood pressure measurement (AD 46.8%; 95% CI = 46.5 to 47.1) and recorded hypertension (AD 5.9%; 95% CI = 5.7 to 6.0) occurred prior to 2004. Blood pressure control increased throughout the study period (absolute increase ≤140/90 mmHg; 18.9%; 95% CI = 18.5 to 19.4). After 2004, the oldest female, as well as the male and female patients with the greatest socioeconomic deprivation status, became less likely than their youngest (<40 years) and most affluent counterparts to have a blood pressure measurement recorded (P<0.05). Patients not prescribed therapy were younger and had higher blood pressure levels (P<0.001). It is likely that the continued efforts of general practice to improve hypertension diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment will reduce future cardiovascular events and mortality in those with hypertension. However, there is a need to follow up patients who are older and more socioeconomically deprived once they are diagnosed, as well as prescribing antihypertensive therapy to younger

  2. Evolution of Salmonella Cerro on a dairy farm over an eight-year period

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Cerro, frequently isolated from dairy cattle and an occasional pathogen of humans, was recurrently isolated over an eight-year period on a dairy farm in south-central Pennsylvania. The genomes of 18 S. Cerro isolates recovered directly from the feces of in...

  3. 29 CFR 4.146 - Contract obligations after award, generally.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... time spent by employees undertaking such training or phase-in work is considered to be hours worked on... thereunder only while the employees are performing on the contract, provided the contractor's records make clear the period of such performance. (See also § 4.179.) If employees of the contractor are required by...

  4. [Smoking among psychology students over a ten-year period (1996-2006)].

    PubMed

    Míguez Varela, María del Carmen; Becoña Iglesias, Elisardo

    2009-11-01

    The purpose of this study was to analyze the evolution of smoking among Psychology students at the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain) over a ten-year period (1986-2006). We also assessed the extent of knowledge of the Spanish health legislation on tobacco (Ley 28/2005) and its effect on smoking. We administered a questionnaire to representative samples of students from the 1st year of their Psychology course to the 5th year, on four occasions. In the academic year 1996-1997 (N = 835), 34% of the sample claimed to be daily smokers; in 1999-2000 (N = 842), the figure was 35.2%; in 2003-2004 (N = 835) it was 31.9%; and in 2006-2007 (N = 688), it was 22.8%. Moreover, in the last assessment, 97.1% of the sample reported being aware of the legislation (Ley 28/2005) and 41.9% of the smokers claimed that it had some degree of influence on their smoking. It can be stated that, although overall current prevalence of smoking is similar to that of 10 years ago, a significant change is observed in the profile of smokers. This change is expressed in lower levels of nicotine dependence and a decrease in the percentage of daily smokers, together with an increase in occasional smokers.

  5. Generalized contractive mappings and weakly α-admissible pairs in G-metric spaces.

    PubMed

    Hussain, N; Parvaneh, V; Hoseini Ghoncheh, S J

    2014-01-01

    The aim of this paper is to present some coincidence and common fixed point results for generalized (ψ, φ)-contractive mappings using partially weakly G-α-admissibility in the setup of G-metric space. As an application of our results, periodic points of weakly contractive mappings are obtained. We also derive certain new coincidence point and common fixed point theorems in partially ordered G-metric spaces. Moreover, some examples are provided here to illustrate the usability of the obtained results.

  6. Generalized Contractive Mappings and Weakly α-Admissible Pairs in G-Metric Spaces

    PubMed Central

    Hussain, N.; Parvaneh, V.; Hoseini Ghoncheh, S. J.

    2014-01-01

    The aim of this paper is to present some coincidence and common fixed point results for generalized (ψ, φ)-contractive mappings using partially weakly G-α-admissibility in the setup of G-metric space. As an application of our results, periodic points of weakly contractive mappings are obtained. We also derive certain new coincidence point and common fixed point theorems in partially ordered G-metric spaces. Moreover, some examples are provided here to illustrate the usability of the obtained results. PMID:25202742

  7. Changes in physical fitness and nutritional status of schoolchildren in a period of 30 years (1980-2010)

    PubMed Central

    Ferrari, Gerson Luis de Moraes; Matsudo, Victor Keihan Rodrigues; Fisberg, Mauro

    2015-01-01

    Objective: To analyze and compare the changes in physical fitness according to the nutritional status and gender of schoolchildren during a period of 30 years (1980-2010). Methods: Four cross-sectional evaluations were performed every 10 years in a period of 30 years from 1978 to 1980 (baseline), 1988-1990 (10 years), 1998-2000 (20 years) and 2008-2010 (30 years). The sample consisted of 1291 schoolchildren (188 in baseline, 307 in 10 years; 375 in 20 years; 421 in 30 years) of 10 and 11 years old. The variables assessed were: body weight (kg), height (cm), upper limb strength (ULS; kg), lower limb strength (LLS; cm), agility (seconds) and velocity (seconds). Schoolchildren were classified as normal weight and overweight according to World Health Organization reference of body mass index for age and gender. Comparisons among periods applied ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test, with a significance level set at of p<0.01. Variation between baseline and 30 years was assessed by the percentage delta. Seven different percentile values were presented for each variable. Results: In eutrophic boys and girls, mean values of ULS (−16.7%; −3.2%), agility (−1.5%; −1.6%) decreased significantly after 30 years (p<0.001). In the overweight boys and girls, only the average ULS (−15.5%; −12.5%) decreased significantly over time (p<0.001). After 30 years, the ULS percentile changed in boys. Conclusions: The decline in physical fitness was greater in schoolchildren with normal weight than in those with overweight. PMID:26298653

  8. Contributions of Central Command and Muscle Feedback to Sympathetic Nerve Activity in Contracting Human Skeletal Muscle.

    PubMed

    Boulton, Daniel; Taylor, Chloe E; Macefield, Vaughan G; Green, Simon

    2016-01-01

    During voluntary contractions, muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) to contracting muscles increases in proportion to force but the underlying mechanisms are not clear. To shed light on these mechanisms, particularly the influences of central command and muscle afferent feedback, the present study tested the hypothesis that MSNA is greater during voluntary compared with electrically-evoked contractions. Seven male subjects performed a series of 1-min isometric dorsiflexion contractions (left leg) separated by 2-min rest periods, alternating between voluntary and electrically-evoked contractions at similar forces (5-10% of maximum). MSNA was recorded continuously (microneurography) from the left peroneal nerve and quantified from cardiac-synchronized, negative-going spikes in the neurogram. Compared with pre-contraction values, MSNA increased by 51 ± 34% (P < 0.01) during voluntary contractions but did not change significantly during electrically-evoked contractions (-8 ± 12%, P > 0.05). MSNA analyzed at 15-s intervals revealed that this effect of voluntary contraction appeared 15-30 s after contraction onset (P < 0.01), remained elevated until the end of contraction, and disappeared within 15 s after contraction. These findings suggest that central command, and not feedback from contracting muscle, is the primary mechanism responsible for the increase in MSNA to contracting muscle. The time-course of MSNA suggests that there is a longer delay in the onset of this effect compared with its cessation after contraction.

  9. Quechua II contraction in the Ayacucho intermontane basin: Evidence for rapid and episodic Neogene deformation in the Andes of central Perú

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wise, James M.; Noble, Donald C.; Zanetti, Kathleen A.; Spell, Terry L.

    2008-12-01

    In the Ayacucho basin of central Perú the regional Quechua II contractional deformation is bracketed by 40Ar/ 39Ar isotopic age determinations to a maximum duration of about 300,000 years, and probably less than 150,000 years, centered on 8.7 Ma. The strongly deformed Huanta Formation beneath the Quechua II angular unconformity was deposited during a period of extension that began before 9.05 ± 0.05 Ma. Deposition of a thick succession of alluvial fan deposits interbedded with flows of basaltic andesite in the Tingrayoc Member continued up to about 8.76 ± 0.05 Ma with the later part of the sedimentary record reflected by lacustrine deposits of the Mayocc Member. The upper limit on contractional deformation is constrained by an age of 8.64 ± 0.05 Ma on a unit of tuff near the base of the Puchcas volcanics, which in places was deposited upon near-vertical beds of the Huanta Formation. The Ayacucho Formation was deposited, locally unconformably, upon the Puchcas volcanics beginning slightly before 7.65 ± 0.10 Ma. Extended periods of neutral to tensional stress interrupted by rapid well-developed pulses of contractional deformation demonstrate the episodic behavior of Andean orogeny in Perú. The very short duration for the Quechua II event implies that driving forces for episodic deformation may be related to coupling along the orogen boundaries and strain accumulation and release mechanisms in the continental crust instead of much longer-term variations in the configuration of converging plates.

  10. 48 CFR 1517.204 - Contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Contracts. 1517.204 Section 1517.204 Federal Acquisition Regulations System ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES SPECIAL CONTRACTING METHODS Options 1517.204 Contracts. The SCM may approve a...

  11. Distribution of 10 periodontal bacterial species in children and adolescents over a 7-year period.

    PubMed

    Nakano, K; Miyamoto, E; Tamura, K; Nemoto, H; Fujita, K; Nomura, R; Ooshima, T

    2008-10-01

    There is scant information available regarding the distribution of periodontal bacterial species in children and adolescents over an extended period. The purpose of this study was to compare bacterial profiles in the same individuals over a period of 7 years. Twenty-six children and adolescents from whom dental plaque and saliva specimens were obtained during both the first (1999-2000) and second (2006-2007) periods, were analyzed. Bacterial DNA was extracted from each specimen and the presence of 10 periodontal bacterial species was determined using a PCR method, with a focus on the red complex species of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia. Subjects with red complex species in saliva specimens obtained during the second collection possessed a significantly higher number of total bacterial species than those without. The detection rate of the red complex species in the second collection period samples was significantly greater in subjects who had two or more species detected in samples taken during the first collection compared with the other subjects. Subjects possessing red complex species may be at possible risk for infection with a high number of periodontal bacterial species during adolescent and younger adult years.

  12. 48 CFR 1817.204 - Contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 true Contracts. 1817.204 Section 1817.204 Federal Acquisition Regulations System NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES SPECIAL CONTRACTING METHODS Options 1817.204 Contracts. (e)(i) The 5...

  13. Contracts. Warranties.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Mertz, Gayle

    1988-01-01

    Presents two lesson plans for grades 5-9 which are meant to increase student's legal literacy. The first lesson covers contracts and includes a comic strip which illustrates contract law. The second deals with warranties and why they are important. Included are examples of product warranties. (GEA)

  14. Bigelow BEAM Contract

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2013-01-16

    NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver and President and founder of Bigelow Aerospace Robert T. Bigelow, announce a planned addition to the International Space Station that will use the orbiting laboratory to test expandable space habitat technology during a press conference held at Bigelow Aerospace on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013 in Las Vegas. The $17.8 million contract with Bigelow Aerospace will provide a Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM), which is scheduled to arrive at the space station in 2015 for a two-year technology demonstration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

  15. Arm anthropometry indices in Turkish children and adolescents: changes over a three-year period.

    PubMed

    Çiçek, Betül; Öztürk, Ahmet; Mazıcıoğlu, Mustafa Mümtaz; Kurtoğlu, Selim

    2014-12-01

    Time-related changes and comparisons for mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), arm fat area (AFA) are lacking for Turkish children and adolescents. To determine the arm anthropometry indices (MUAC, TSF, AFA) in children and adolescents and to also assess the changes in these indices over a 3-year time period. The data of the Anthropometry of Turkish Children Aged 0-6 Years (ATCA-06) study and the Second Study of Determination of the Anthropometric Measurements of Turkish Children and Adolescents (DAMTCA-II) were used to calculate the arm anthropometry percentiles in a total group of 6982 children and adolescents aged 28 days to 17 years. The 3rd-97th percentiles were computed by the LMS method. In girls, 50th percentile MUAC values linearly increased with age. In boys, 50th percentile TSF values linearly increased until 10 years of age and decreased after age 11 years, while in girls, TSF values increased linearly with age. 50th percentile values for AFA showed a linear increase in both genders with age. Significant differences were found between the 5th, 50th and 95th percentile values for MUAC and AFA obtained in the two studies (DAMTCA-II and DAMTCA-I) in both boys and girls. The prominent finding was the significant and alarming increase in arm anthropometry indices in both genders within as short period of time as three years.

  16. Motor unit recruitment and derecruitment induced by brief increase in contraction amplitude of the human trapezius muscle

    PubMed Central

    Westad, C; Westgaard, R H; De Luca, C J

    2003-01-01

    The activity pattern of low-threshold human trapezius motor units was examined in response to brief, voluntary increases in contraction amplitude (‘EMG pulse’) superimposed on a constant contraction at 4–7% of the surface electromyographic (EMG) response at maximal voluntary contraction (4–7% EMGmax). EMG pulses at 15–20% EMGmax were superimposed every minute on contractions of 5, 10, or 30 min duration. A quadrifilar fine-wire electrode recorded single motor unit activity and a surface electrode recorded simultaneously the surface EMG signal. Low-threshold motor units recruited at the start of the contraction were observed to stop firing while motor units of higher recruitment threshold stayed active. Derecruitment of a motor unit coincided with the end of an EMG pulse. The lowest-threshold motor units showed only brief silent periods. Some motor units with recruitment threshold up to 5% EMGmax higher than the constant contraction level were recruited during an EMG pulse and kept firing throughout the contraction. Following an EMG pulse, there was a marked reduction in motor unit firing rates upon return of the surface EMG signal to the constant contraction level, outlasting the EMG pulse by 4 s on average. The reduction in firing rates may serve as a trigger to induce derecruitment. We speculate that the silent periods following derecruitment may be due to deactivation of non-inactivating inward current (‘plateau potentials’). The firing behaviour of trapezius motor units in these experiments may thus illustrate a mechanism and a control strategy to reduce fatigue of motor units with sustained activity patterns. PMID:14561844

  17. Musculoskeletal symptoms and job strain among nursing personnel: a study over a three year period.

    PubMed Central

    Josephson, M; Lagerström, M; Hagberg, M; Wigaeus Hjelm, E

    1997-01-01

    OBJECTIVES: To examine the variation of symptoms from the neck, shoulders, and back over a three year period among female nursing personnel and the relation between job strain and musculoskeletal symptoms. METHODS: At a county hospital the female nursing personnel answered a questionnaire at baseline and then once a year over a period of three years. There were 565, 553, 562, and 419 subjects who answered the questionnaire at the first, second, third, and fourth survey, respectively. Of the study group, 285 nursing personnel answered the questionnaire on four occasions. Ongoing symptoms of the neck, shoulders, and back were assessed by means of a 10 point (0-9) scale with the verbal end points "no symptoms" and "very intense symptoms." Cases were defined as nursing personnel reporting ongoing symptoms, score > 6, from at least one of the body regions. For assessments of job strain, a Swedish version of Karasek and Theorell's model was used. RESULTS: Of the 285 subjects, 13% were defined as cases at all four assessments, and 46% varied between cases and not cases during the study period. In the repeated cross sectional surveys the estimated rate ratio (RR) for being a case was between 1.1 and 1.5 when comparing the group with job strain and the group without job strain. For the combination of job strain and perceived high physical exertion the estimated RR was between 1.5 and 2.1. When the potential risk factors were assessed one, two, or three years before the assessment of symptoms the estimated RR for becoming a case was between 1.4 and 2.2 when comparing the group with job strain and the group without job strain. CONCLUSION: Almost half of the healthcare workers varied between being a case and not, over a three year period. The analysis indicated that job strain is a risk factor for musculoskeletal symptoms and that the risk is higher when it is combined with perceived high physical exertion. PMID:9423583

  18. A Study of the Utilization Patterns of an Elementary School-Based Health Clinic over a 5-Year Period

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Johnson, Veda; Hutcherson, Valerie

    2006-01-01

    The purpose of this study was to determine the utilization pattern of an elementary school-based clinic over a 5-year period. It involved a retrospective analysis of computer-based data for all patient visits during this study period. Results revealed high clinic utilization with an average of over 5 encounters for all users each year. The most…

  19. [Changes in physical fitness and nutritional status of schoolchildren in a period of 30 years (1980-2010)].

    PubMed

    de Moraes Ferrari, Gerson Luis; Matsudo, Victor Keihan Rodrigues; Fisberg, Mauro

    2015-12-01

    To analyze and compare the changes in physical fitness according to the nutritional status and gender of schoolchildren during a period of 30 years (1980-2010). Four cross-sectional evaluations were performed every 10 years in a period of 30 years from 1978 to 1980 (baseline), 1988-1990 (10 years), 1998-2000 (20 years) and 2008-2010 (30 years). The sample consisted of 1,291 schoolchildren (188 in baseline, 307 in 10 years; 375 in 20 years; 421 in 30 years) of 10 and 11 years old. The variables assessed were: body weight (kg), height (cm), upper limb strength (ULS; kg), lower limb strength (LLS; cm), agility (seconds) and velocity (seconds). Schoolchildren were classified as normal weight and overweight according to World Health Organization reference of body mass index for age and gender. Comparisons among periods applied ANOVA folled by Bonferroni test, with a significance level set at of p<0.01. Variation between baseline and 30 years was assessed by the percentage delta. Seven different percentile values were presented for each variable. In eutrophic boys and girls, mean values of ULS (-16.7%; -3.2%), agility (-1.5%; -1.6%) decreased significantly after 30 years (p<0,001). In the overweight boys and girls, only the average ULS (-15.5%; -12.5%) decreased significantly over time (p<0,001). After 30 years, the ULS percentile changed in boys. the decline in physical fitness was greater in schoolchildren with normal weight than in those with overweight. Copyright © 2015 Sociedade de Pediatria de São Paulo. Publicado por Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

  20. Uninvolved versus target muscle contraction during contract: relax proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching.

    PubMed

    Azevedo, Daniel Camara; Melo, Raphael Marques; Alves Corrêa, Ricardo Vidal; Chalmers, Gordon

    2011-08-01

    The purpose of this study was to compare the acute effect of the contract-relax (CR) stretching technique on knee active range of motion (ROM) using target muscle contraction or an uninvolved muscle contraction. pre-test post-test control experimental design. Clinical research laboratory. Sixty healthy men were randomly assigned to one of three groups. The Contract-Relax group (CR) performed a traditional hamstring CR stretch, the Modified Contract-Relax group (MCR) performed hamstring CR stretching using contraction of an uninvolved muscle distant from the target muscle, and the Control group (CG) did not stretch. Active knee extension test was performed before and after the stretching procedure. Two-way between-within analysis of variance (ANOVA) results showed a significant interaction between group and pre-test to post-test (p < 0.001). Post-hoc examination of individual groups showed no significant change in ROM for the CG (0.8°, p = 0.084), and a significant moderate increase in ROM for both the CR (7.0°, p < 0.001) and MCR (7.0°, p < 0.001) groups. ROM gain following a CR PNF procedure is the same whether the target stretching muscle is contracted, or an uninvolved muscle is contracted. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  1. Esophageal contractions in type 3 achalasia esophagus: simultaneous or peristaltic?

    PubMed

    Kim, Tae Ho; Patel, Nirali; Ledgerwood-Lee, Melissa; Mittal, Ravinder K

    2016-05-01

    Absence of peristalsis and impaired relaxation of lower esophageal sphincter are the hallmarks of achalasia esophagus. Based on the pressurization patterns, achalasia has been subdivided into three subtypes. The goal of our study was to evaluate the esophageal contraction pattern and bolus clearance in type 3 achalasia esophagus. High-resolution manometry (HRM) recordings of all patients diagnosed with achalasia esophagus in our center between the years 2011 and 2013 were reviewed. Recordings of 36 patients with type 3 achalasia were analyzed for the characteristics of swallow-induced "simultaneous esophageal contraction." The HRM impedance recordings of 14 additional patients with type 3 achalasia were analyzed for bolus clearance from the impedance recording. Finally, the HRM impedance along with intraluminal ultrasound imaging was conducted in six patients to further characterize the simultaneous esophageal contractions. Among 187 achalasia patients, 30 were type 1, 121 type 2, and 36 type 3. A total of 434 swallows evaluated in type 3 achalasia patients revealed that 95% of the swallow-induced contractions met criteria for simultaneous esophageal contraction, based on the onset of contraction. Interestingly, the peak and termination of the majority of simultaneous esophageal contractions were sequential. The HRM impedance revealed that 94% of the "simultaneous contractions" were associated with complete bolus clearance. Ultrasound image analysis revealed that baseline muscle thickness of patients in type 3 achalasia is larger than normal but the pattern of axial shortening is similar to that in normal subjects. The majority of esophageal contractions in type 3 achalasia are not true simultaneous contractions because the peak and termination of contraction are sequential and they are associated with complete bolus clearance.

  2. 23 CFR 635.121 - Contract time and contract time extensions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... time extensions. (a) The STD should have adequate written procedures for the determination of contract... of the effective date of this Final Rule. (b) Contract time extensions granted by a STD shall be...

  3. 23 CFR 635.121 - Contract time and contract time extensions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... time extensions. (a) The STD should have adequate written procedures for the determination of contract... of the effective date of this Final Rule. (b) Contract time extensions granted by a STD shall be...

  4. 23 CFR 635.121 - Contract time and contract time extensions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... time extensions. (a) The STD should have adequate written procedures for the determination of contract... of the effective date of this Final Rule. (b) Contract time extensions granted by a STD shall be...

  5. 23 CFR 635.121 - Contract time and contract time extensions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... time extensions. (a) The STD should have adequate written procedures for the determination of contract... of the effective date of this Final Rule. (b) Contract time extensions granted by a STD shall be...

  6. Mechanism linking glycogen concentration and glycogenolytic rate in perfused contracting rat skeletal muscle.

    PubMed Central

    Hespel, P; Richter, E A

    1992-01-01

    The influence of differences in glycogen concentration on glycogen breakdown and on phosphorylase activity was investigated in perfused contracting rat skeletal muscle. The rats were preconditioned by a combination of swimming exercise and diet (carbohydrate-free or carbohydrate-rich) in order to obtain four sub-groups of rats with varying resting muscle glycogen concentrations (range 10-60 mumol/g wet wt.). Pre-contraction muscle glycogen concentration was closely positively correlated with glycogen breakdown over 15 min of intermittent short tetanic contractions (r = 0.75; P less than 0.001; n = 56) at the same tension development and oxygen uptake. Additional studies in supercompensated and glycogen-depleted hindquarters during electrical stimulation for 20 s or 2 min revealed that the difference in glycogenolytic rate was found at the beginning rather than at the end of the contraction period. Phosphorylase alpha activity was approximately twice as high (P less than 0.001) in supercompensated muscles as in glycogen-depleted muscles after 20 s as well as after 2 min of contractions. It is concluded that glycogen concentration is an important determinant of phosphorylase activity in contracting skeletal muscle, and probably via this mechanism a regulator of glycogenolytic rate during muscle contraction. PMID:1622395

  7. Abdominal injuries in a major Scandinavian trauma center – performance assessment over an 8 year period

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Introduction Damage control surgery and damage control resuscitation have reduced mortality in patients with severe abdominal injuries. The shift towards non-operative management in haemodynamically stable patients suffering blunt abdominal trauma has further contributed to the improved results. However, in many countries, low volume of trauma cases and limited exposure to trauma laparotomies constitute a threat to trauma competence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the institutional patient volume and performance for patients with abdominal injuries over an eight-year period. Methods Data from 955 consecutive trauma patients admitted in Oslo University Hospital Ulleval with abdominal injuries during the eight-year period 2002-2009 were retrospectively explored. A separate analysis was performed on all trauma patients undergoing laparotomy during the same period, whether abdominal injuries were identified or not. Variable life-adjusted display (VLAD) was used in order to describe risk-adjusted survival trends throughout the period and the patients admitted before (Period 1) and after (Period 2) the institution of a formal Trauma Service (2005) were compared. Results There was a steady increase in admitted patients with abdominal injuries, while the number of patients undergoing laparotomy was constant exposing the surgical trauma team leaders to an average of 8 trauma laparotomies per year. No increase in missed injuries or failures of non-operative management was detected. Unadjusted mortality rates decreased from period 1 to period 2 for all patients with abdominal injuries as well as for the patients undergoing laparotomy. However, this apparent decrease was not confirmed as significant in TRISS-based analysis of risk-adjusted mortality. VLAD demonstrated a steady performance throughout the study period. Conclusion Even in a high volume trauma center the exposure to abdominal injuries and trauma laparotomies is limited. Due to increasing NOM, an increasing

  8. [Congenital heart disease mortality in Spain during a 10 year period (2003-2012)].

    PubMed

    Pérez-Lescure Picarzo, Javier; Mosquera González, Margarita; Latasa Zamalloa, Pello; Crespo Marcos, David

    2018-05-01

    Congenital heart disease is a major cause of infant mortality in developed countries. In Spain, there are no publications at national level on mortality due to congenital heart disease. The aim of this study is to analyse mortality in infants with congenital heart disease, lethality of different types of congenital heart disease, and their variation over a ten-year period. A retrospective observational study was performed to evaluate mortality rate of children under one year old with congenital heart disease, using the minimum basic data set, from 2003 to 2012. Mortality rate and relative risk of mortality were estimated by Poisson regression. There were 2,970 (4.58%) infant deaths in a population of 64,831 patients with congenital heart disease, with 73.8% of deaths occurring during first week of life. Infant mortality rate in patients with congenital heart disease was 6.23 per 10,000 live births, and remained constant during the ten-year period of the study, representing 18% of total infant mortality rate in Spain. The congenital heart diseases with highest mortality rates were hypoplastic left heart syndrome (41.4%), interruption of aortic arch (20%), and total anomalous pulmonary drainage (16.8%). Atrial septal defect (1%) and pulmonary stenosis (1.1%) showed the lowest mortality rate. Congenital heart disease was a major cause of infant mortality with no variations during the study period. The proportion of infants who died in our study was similar to other similar countries. In spite of current medical advances, some forms of congenital heart disease show very high mortality rates. Copyright © 2017 Asociación Española de Pediatría. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  9. 78 FR 52964 - Availability of HUD's Fiscal Years 2011 and 2012 Service Contract Inventories

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-08-27

    ... and 2012 Service Contract Inventories AGENCY: Office of the Chief Procurement Officer, HUD. ACTION... inventories that were awarded in FY 2011 and FY 2012. The inventories are organized by function and are... insure HUD maintains an adequate workforce for operations and to research whether contractors were...

  10. Service quality in contracted facilities.

    PubMed

    Rabbani, Fauziah; Pradhan, Nousheen Akber; Zaidi, Shehla; Azam, Syed Iqbal; Yousuf, Farheen

    2015-01-01

    The purpose of this paper is to explore the readiness of contracted and non-contracted first-level healthcare facilities in Pakistan to deliver quality maternal and neonatal health (MNH) care. A balanced scorecard (BSC) was used as the assessment framework. Using a cross-sectional study design, two rural health centers (RHCs) contracted out to Aga Khan Health Service, Pakistan were compared with four government managed RHCs. A BSC was designed to assess RHC readiness to deliver good quality MNH care. In total 20 indicators were developed, representing five BSC domains: health facility functionality, service provision, staff capacity, staff and patient satisfaction. Validated data collection tools were used to collect information. Pearson χ2, Fisher's Exact and the Mann-Whitney tests were applied as appropriate to detect significant service quality differences among the two facilities. Contracted facilities were generally found to be better than non-contracted facilities in all five BSC domains. Patients' inclination for facility-based delivery at contracted facilities was, however, significantly higher than non-contracted facilities (80 percent contracted vs 43 percent non-contracted, p=0.006). The study shows that contracting out initiatives have the potential to improve MNH care. This is the first study to compare MNH service delivery quality across contracted and non-contracted facilities using BSC as the assessment framework.

  11. Binge Eating Behavior and Weight Loss Maintenance over a 2-Year Period

    PubMed Central

    Pacanowski, Carly R.; Senso, Meghan M.; Crain, A. Lauren; Sherwood, Nancy E.

    2014-01-01

    Objective. To investigate the relationship between binge eating behavior and weight loss maintenance over a two-year period in adults. Design. Secondary data analysis using the Keep It Off study, a randomized trial evaluating an intervention to promote weight loss maintenance. Participants. 419 men and women (ages: 20 to 70 y; BMI: 20–44 kg/m2) who had intentionally lost ≥10% of their weight during the previous year. Measurements. Body weight was measured and binge eating behavior over the past 6 months was reported at baseline, 12 months and 24 months. Height was measured at baseline. Results. Prevalence of binge eating at baseline was 19.4% (n = 76). Prevalence of binge eating at any time point was 30.1% (n = 126). Although rate of weight regain did not differ significantly between those who did or did not report binge eating at baseline, binge eating behavior across the study period (additive value of presence or absence at each time point) was significantly associated with different rates of weight regain. Conclusion. Tailoring weight loss maintenance interventions to address binge eating behavior is warranted given the prevalence and the different rates of weight regain experienced by those reporting this behavior. PMID:24891946

  12. Risk behaviour determinants among people who inject drugs in Stockholm, Sweden over a 10-year period, from 2002 to 2012.

    PubMed

    Karlsson, Niklas; Santacatterina, Michele; Käll, Kerstin; Hägerstrand, Maria; Wallin, Susanne; Berglund, Torsten; Ekström, Anna Mia

    2017-08-16

    People who inject drugs (PWID) frequently engage in injection risk behaviours exposing them to blood-borne infections. Understanding the underlying causes that drive various types and levels of risk behaviours is important to better target preventive interventions. A total of 2150 PWID in Swedish remand prisons were interviewed between 2002 and 2012. Questions on socio-demographic and drug-related variables were asked in relation to the following outcomes: Having shared injection drug solution and having lent out or having received already used drug injection equipment within a 12 month recall period. Women shared solutions more than men (odds ratio (OR) 1.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03; 2.21). Those who had begun to inject drugs before age 17 had a higher risk (OR 1.43, 95% CI 0.99; 2.08) of having received used equipment compared to 17-19 year olds. Amphetamine-injectors shared solutions more than those injecting heroin (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.64; 3.62). A housing contract lowered the risk of unsafe injection by 37-59% compared to being homeless. Women, early drug debut, amphetamine users and homeless people had a significantly higher level of injection risk behaviour and need special attention and tailored prevention to successfully combat hepatitis C and HIV transmission among PWID. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier, NCT02234167.

  13. The financial experience of hospitals with HMO contracts: evidence from Florida.

    PubMed

    Young, Gary J; Burgess, James F; Desai, Kamal R; Valley, Danielle

    2002-01-01

    In this paper, we report results from the first study to systematically examine trends in the financial experience of hospitals with health maintenance organization (HMO) contracts. The longitudinal analysis (1990 through 1997) focused on hospitals in Florida. Hospital operating margins for HMO contracts grew tighter toward the end of the study period when the median margin was less than 1%. Teaching hospitals had operating margins that on average were below that of their nonteaching counterparts. The continued growth of HMOs and other managed care entities may have important implications for the future financial viability of U.S. hospitals.

  14. Different approaches to contracting in health systems.

    PubMed Central

    Perrot, Jean

    2006-01-01

    Contracting is one of the tools increasingly being used to enhance the performance of health systems in both developed and developing countries; it takes different forms and cannot be limited to the mere purchase of services. Actors adopt contracting to formalize all kinds of relations established between them. A typology for this approach will demonstrate its diversity and provide a better understanding of the various issues raised by contracting. In recent years the way health systems are organized has changed significantly. To remedy the under-performance of their health systems, most countries have undertaken reforms that have resulted in major institutional overhaul, including decentralization of health and administrative services, autonomy for public service providers, separation of funding bodies and service providers, expansion of health financing options and the development of the profit or nonprofit private sector. These institutional reshuffles lead not only to multiplication and diversification of the actors involved, but also to greater separation of the service provision and administrative functions. Health systems are becoming more complex and can no longer operate in isolation. Actors are gradually realizing that they need to forge relations. The simplest way to do that is through dialogue, although some prefer a more formal commitment. Interaction between actors may take various forms and be on different scales. There are several types of contractual relations: some are based on the nature of the contract (public or private), others on the parties involved and yet others on the scope of the contract. Here they are classified into three categories according to the object of the contract: delegation of responsibility, act of purchase of services, or cooperation. PMID:17143459

  15. Managing Contraction.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Taylor, William

    The major thesis of this paper on declining resources and enrollment is that the management of decline, or, as the author calls it, "contraction," is not simply an economic and technical problem; it is basically a conceptual and political one. The author first considers the effects of contraction on schools, buildings, and courses,…

  16. Employee contract issues for dermatologists.

    PubMed

    Brown, Christopher E; Indest, George F

    2013-12-01

    Employees and employers routinely face negotiating and preparing physician employment contracts. It is important for both sides to know and understand the basic information on what a comprehensive employment contract for a dermatologist should contain. There are various employment contract provisions from both the employee's perspective and the employer's perspective that must be considered when preparing physician employment contracts. This article provides basic advice and recommendations on requirements that should be included in such contracts. It suggests legal pitfalls that can be avoided through various contract clauses.

  17. KSC SBIR/STTR 2004 Program Year Report

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    2005-01-01

    The Kennedy Space Center Level III SBIR/STTR management staff is under the Technology Transfer Office within the Spaceport Engineering and Technology Directorate. The SBIR and STTR programs provide an opportunity for small high technology companies and research institutions to participate in Government-sponsored research and development (R&D) programs in key technology areas. The SBIR program was established by Congress in 1982 to provide increased opportunities for small businesses to participate in R&D programs, increase employment, and improve U.S. competitiveness. The program's specific objectives are to stimulate U.S. technological innovation, use small businesses to meet Federal research and development needs, increase private sector commercialization of innovations, and foster and encourage participation by socially disadvantaged businesses. Legislation enacted in December 2000 reauthorized the program and strengthened emphasis on pursuing commercial applications of SBIR projects. An SBIR Phase I contract is the opportunity to establish the feasibility and technical merit of a proposed innovation. Selected competitively, the Phase I contract lasts for 6 months and is funded up to $70,000. SBIR Phase II contracts continue the most promising Phase I projects based on scientific! technical merit, expected value to NASA, company capability, and commercial potential. Phase II contracts are usually for a period of 24 months and may not exceed $600,000. NASA usually selects approximately 40 percent of Phase I projects to continue to the Phase II level. Phase III is the process of furthering the development of a product to make it commercially available. The STTR program awards contracts to small business concerns for cooperative R&D with a nonprofit research institution. Research institutions include nonprofit research organizations, Federal laboratories, or universities. The goal of the program established by Congress is to facilitate the transfer of technology

  18. Children Treated for Nocturnal Enuresis: Characteristics and Trends over a 15-Year Period

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kushnir, Jonathan; Kushnir, Baruch; Sadeh, Avi

    2013-01-01

    Background: Nocturnal Enuresis (NE) is one of the most prevalent childhood disorders and has significant negative psychosocial impact on the child and family. Objective: To assess the characteristics of children with NE and trends over a 15-year period. Methods: The study included 18,677 children [11,205 (60%) boys and 7,472 (40%) girls] referred…

  19. 48 CFR 235.006 - Contracting methods and contract type.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

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

  20. Human muscle fascicle behavior in agonist and antagonist isometric contractions.

    PubMed

    Simoneau, Emilie M; Longo, Stefano; Seynnes, Olivier R; Narici, Marco V

    2012-01-01

    The aim of this study was to compare, at a given level of electromyographic (EMG) activity, the behavior of dorsiflexor and plantarflexor muscles as assessed via their architecture (pennation angle and fiber length) during agonist or antagonist isometric contractions. Real-time ultrasonography and EMG activity of gastrocnemius medialis (GM) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles were obtained while young males performed ramp isometric contractions in dorsi- and plantarflexion. For both muscles, at a similar level of EMG activity, fiber length was longer, and pennation angle was smaller, during antagonist than during agonist contractions. These results indicate that, at similar levels of EMG activity, GM and TA muscles elicit a higher mechanical output while acting as an antagonist. These findings have important implications for muscle function testing. They show that estimation of antagonistic force using the common method based on the EMG/net torque relationship yields underestimated values. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  1. Cognitive changes in people with temporal lobe epilepsy over a 13-year period.

    PubMed

    Mameniškienė, Rūta; Rimšienė, Justė; Puronaitė, Roma

    2016-10-01

    The aims of our study were to evaluate cognitive decline in people with temporal lobe epilepsy over a period of 13years and to determine what clinical and treatment characteristics may have been associated with these. Thirty-three individuals with temporal lobe epilepsy underwent the same neuropsychological assessment of verbal and nonverbal memory, attention, and executive functions using the same cognitive test battery as one used 13years ago. Long-term verbal and nonverbal memory was tested four weeks later. Results were compared with those carried out 13years earlier. There was no significant change in verbal and verbal-logical memory tests; however, nonverbal memory worsened significantly. Long-term verbal memory declined for 21.9% of participants, long-term verbal-logical memory for 34.4%, and long-term nonverbal memory for 56.3%. Worsening of working verbal and verbal-logical memory was associated with longer epilepsy duration and lower levels of patients' education; worsening of verbal delayed recall and long-term verbal-logical memory was associated with higher seizure frequency. Decline in long-term nonverbal memory had significant association with a longer duration of epilepsy. The worsening of reaction and attention inversely correlated with the symptoms of depression. Over a 13-year period, cognitive functions did not change significantly. Good seizure control and reduced symptoms of depression in this sample of people with temporal lobe epilepsy were associated with better cognitive functioning. The predictors of change of cognitive functions could be complex and require further study. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. A Group Counseling Contract.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Johnson, Norbert; Johnson, Sarah Campbell

    1980-01-01

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

  3. Contracting for health services in New Zealand: a transaction cost analysis.

    PubMed

    Ashton, T

    1998-02-01

    The splitting of the functions of purchaser and provider in the New Zealand health system in 1993 necessitated the use of explicit contracts between the two parties. This paper examines contracting experiences during the first two years of operation. The study focuses on four services: rest homes, primary care clinics, surgical services, and acute mental health services. The insights of transaction cost economics form the theoretical framework. The objective of this study was to examine whether the transaction costs associated with contracting vary across the four different services, and whether different types of contracts and contractual relationships are emerging as transactors attempt to reduce these costs. Information was collected in a series of 53 interviews with purchasers and providers, together with any relevant documentation. The results suggest that the costs of contracting are indeed greater for some services than for others. Other variables such as the style of negotiations, the type and specificity of contracts and the degree of monitoring also differ across the four services. At this early stage of the reform process, there was little evidence that purchasers and providers were attempting to reduce transaction costs by negotiating more flexible, longer-term, relational contracts. The main benefit from contracting to date has been improved accountability of service providers.

  4. 48 CFR 1846.470 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... CONTRACT MANAGEMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE Government Contract Quality Assurance 1846.470 Contract clause. The contracting officer may insert a clause substantially as stated at 1852.246-71, Government Contract Quality Assurance Functions, in solicitations and contracts to specify the location(s) of quality assurance...

  5. 48 CFR 3416.307 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 7 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Contract clauses. 3416.307 Section 3416.307 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ACQUISITION REGULATION CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES TYPES OF CONTRACTS Cost-Reimbursement Contracts 3416.307 Contract...

  6. Esophageal contractions in type 3 achalasia esophagus: simultaneous or peristaltic?

    PubMed Central

    Kim, Tae Ho; Patel, Nirali; Ledgerwood-Lee, Melissa

    2016-01-01

    Absence of peristalsis and impaired relaxation of lower esophageal sphincter are the hallmarks of achalasia esophagus. Based on the pressurization patterns, achalasia has been subdivided into three subtypes. The goal of our study was to evaluate the esophageal contraction pattern and bolus clearance in type 3 achalasia esophagus. High-resolution manometry (HRM) recordings of all patients diagnosed with achalasia esophagus in our center between the years 2011 and 2013 were reviewed. Recordings of 36 patients with type 3 achalasia were analyzed for the characteristics of swallow-induced “simultaneous esophageal contraction.” The HRM impedance recordings of 14 additional patients with type 3 achalasia were analyzed for bolus clearance from the impedance recording. Finally, the HRM impedance along with intraluminal ultrasound imaging was conducted in six patients to further characterize the simultaneous esophageal contractions. Among 187 achalasia patients, 30 were type 1, 121 type 2, and 36 type 3. A total of 434 swallows evaluated in type 3 achalasia patients revealed that 95% of the swallow-induced contractions met criteria for simultaneous esophageal contraction, based on the onset of contraction. Interestingly, the peak and termination of the majority of simultaneous esophageal contractions were sequential. The HRM impedance revealed that 94% of the “simultaneous contractions” were associated with complete bolus clearance. Ultrasound image analysis revealed that baseline muscle thickness of patients in type 3 achalasia is larger than normal but the pattern of axial shortening is similar to that in normal subjects. The majority of esophageal contractions in type 3 achalasia are not true simultaneous contractions because the peak and termination of contraction are sequential and they are associated with complete bolus clearance. PMID:26950858

  7. The Certification Program, Training, and Competencies--An Examination of the Air Force Contracting Work Force’s Response to the Sufficiency of Professional Training

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1994-09-01

    Training Education I 1 year Contracting Fundamentals De-rce or Contract Pricing 24 hours of business II 2 years Government Contract Law Same as Level I...Contract Pricing I CON 201 Government Contract Law Il CON 221 Intermediate Contract Administration II CON 222 Operational Level Contract II Administration...4-13 Table 4-13. Top Five Courses Perceived as Most AdL.4uate Ranking* I Certification Training Course Title 1 Government Contract Law 2 MDAC - Basic

  8. 48 CFR 716.406 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

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

  9. 48 CFR 716.406 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

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

  10. 48 CFR 3416.701 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 7 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Contract clause. 3416.701 Section 3416.701 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ACQUISITION REGULATION CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES TYPES OF CONTRACTS Agreements 3416.701 Contract clause. The contracting...

  11. 48 CFR 17.204 - Contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... information technology contracts. However, statutes applicable to various classes of contracts, for example... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Contracts. 17.204 Section 17.204 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION CONTRACTING METHODS AND...

  12. Successive contractile periods activate mitochondria at the onset of contractions in intact rat cardiac trabeculae.

    PubMed

    Wüst, Rob C I; Stienen, Ger J M

    2018-04-01

    The rate of oxidative phosphorylation depends on the contractile activity of the heart. Cardiac mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation is determined by free ADP concentration, mitochondrial Ca 2+ accumulation, mitochondrial enzyme activities, and Krebs cycle intermediates. The purpose of the present study was to examine the factors that limit oxidative phosphorylation upon rapid changes in contractile activity in cardiac muscle. We tested the hypotheses that prior contractile performance enhances the changes in NAD(P)H and FAD concentration upon an increase in contractile activity and that this mitochondrial "priming" depends on pyruvate dehydrogenase activity. Intact rat cardiac trabeculae were electrically stimulated at 0.5 Hz for at least 30 min. Thereafter, two equal bouts at elevated stimulation frequency of 1, 2, or 3 Hz were applied for 3 min with 3 min of 0.5-Hz stimulation in between. No discernible time delay was observed in the changes in NAD(P)H and FAD fluorescence upon rapid changes in contractile activity. The amplitudes of the rapid changes in fluorescence upon an increase in stimulation frequency (the on-transients) were smaller than upon a decrease in stimulation frequency (the off-transients). A first bout in glucose-containing superfusion solution resulted, during the second bout, in an increase in the amplitudes of the on-transients, but the off-transients remained the same. No such priming effect was observed after addition of 10 mM pyruvate. These results indicate that mitochondrial priming can be observed in cardiac muscle in situ and that pyruvate dehydrogenase activity is critically involved in the mitochondrial adaptation to increases in contractile performance. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Mitochondrial respiration increases with increased cardiac contractile activity. Similar to mitochondrial "priming" in skeletal muscle, we hypothesized that cardiac mitochondrial activity is altered upon successive bouts of contractions and depends on pyruvate

  13. 17 CFR 100.1 - Delivery period required with respect to certain grains.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 17 Commodity and Securities Exchanges 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Delivery period required with respect to certain grains. 100.1 Section 100.1 Commodity and Securities Exchanges COMMODITY FUTURES... grains. A period of seven business days is required during which contracts for future delivery in the...

  14. [Fatal poisonings during a 5-year period in Eastern Denmark].

    PubMed

    Worm, K; Steentoft, A; Toft, J

    1999-11-29

    In the period 1992-1996, both years included, 1079 cases of deaths from poisoning by drugs or poisons were found by forensic-chemical analyses at The Institute of Forensic Medicine, Dept. of Forensic Chemistry, in Copenhagen, covering a population of 2.4 million. Morphine was by far the most frequently occurring compound accounting for 421 deaths, followed by methadone with 185 deaths. Then alcohol, ketobemidone, and carbon monoxide were represented with 80, 74 and 66 deaths, respectively. Drug addicts dominated in the survey with 549 cases. According to Danish law, autopsy with following chemical analyses must be performed on all dead drug addicts, whereas many other deaths by poisoning are defined only from the medicine found in the vicinity of the dead body.

  15. 48 CFR 1437.103 - Contracting officer responsibility.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... two years? (6) Competition. If the response to any of the following questions is negative, completion... response to the first question below is affirmative, the contract requirement is for an inherently Governmental function that Government officials must perform. If the response to the second question below is...

  16. Mortality from Cardiovascular Diseases in the Elderly: Comparative Analysis of Two Five-year Periods

    PubMed Central

    Piuvezam, Grasiela; Medeiros, Wilton Rodrigues; Costa, Andressa Vellasco; Emerenciano, Felipe Fonseca; Santos, Renata Cristina; Seabra, Danilo Silveira

    2015-01-01

    Background Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Brazil. The better understanding of the spatial and temporal distribution of mortality from cardiovascular diseases in the Brazilian elderly population is essential to support more appropriate health actions for each region of the country. Objective To describe and to compare geospatially the rates of mortality from cardiovascular disease in elderly individuals living in Brazil by gender in two 5-year periods: 1996 to 2000 and 2006 to 2010. Methods This is an ecological study, for which rates of mortality were obtained from DATASUS and the population rates from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística). An average mortality rate for cardiovascular disease in elderly by gender was calculated for each period. The spatial autocorrelation was evaluated by TerraView 4.2.0 through global Moran index and the formation of clusters by the index of local Moran-LISA. Results There was an increase, in the second 5-year period, in the mortality rates in the Northeast and North regions, parallel to a decrease in the South, South-East and Midwest regions. Moreover, there was the formation of clusters with high mortality rates in the second period in Roraima among females, and in Ceará, Pernambuco and Roraima among males. Conclusion The increase in mortality rates in the North and Northeast regions is probably related to the changing profile of mortality and improvement in the quality of information, a result of the increase in surveillance and health care measures in these regions. PMID:26559984

  17. 78 FR 11685 - Public Availability of FY 2011 Service Contract Inventory Analysis, FY 2012 Service Contract...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-02-19

    ... Analysis, FY 2012 Service Contract Inventory, and FY 2012 Service Contract Inventory Planned Analysis for... of the availability of the FY 2011 Service Contract Inventory Analysis, the FY 2012 Service Contract Inventory, and the FY 2012 Service Contract Inventory Planned Analysis. The FY 2011 inventory analysis...

  18. 24 CFR 232.605 - Contract requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... Fire Safety Equipment Form of Contract § 232.605 Contract requirements. (a) The contract between the... contract. Either form of contract shall include the cost of fire safety equipment, its installation, and...

  19. 24 CFR 232.605 - Contract requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... Fire Safety Equipment Form of Contract § 232.605 Contract requirements. (a) The contract between the... contract. Either form of contract shall include the cost of fire safety equipment, its installation, and...

  20. 24 CFR 232.605 - Contract requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... Fire Safety Equipment Form of Contract § 232.605 Contract requirements. (a) The contract between the... contract. Either form of contract shall include the cost of fire safety equipment, its installation, and...

  1. Automatic Conflict Detection on Contracts

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fenech, Stephen; Pace, Gordon J.; Schneider, Gerardo

    Many software applications are based on collaborating, yet competing, agents or virtual organisations exchanging services. Contracts, expressing obligations, permissions and prohibitions of the different actors, can be used to protect the interests of the organisations engaged in such service exchange. However, the potentially dynamic composition of services with different contracts, and the combination of service contracts with local contracts can give rise to unexpected conflicts, exposing the need for automatic techniques for contract analysis. In this paper we look at automatic analysis techniques for contracts written in the contract language mathcal{CL}. We present a trace semantics of mathcal{CL} suitable for conflict analysis, and a decision procedure for detecting conflicts (together with its proof of soundness, completeness and termination). We also discuss its implementation and look into the applications of the contract analysis approach we present. These techniques are applied to a small case study of an airline check-in desk.

  2. Hydrologic drought of water year 2011 compared to four major drought periods of the 20th century in Oklahoma

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Shivers, Molly J.; Andrews, William J.

    2013-01-01

    Water year 2011 (October 1, 2010, through September 30, 2011) was a year of hydrologic drought (based on streamflow) in Oklahoma and the second-driest year to date (based on precipitation) since 1925. Drought conditions worsened substantially in the summer, with the highest monthly average temperature record for all States being broken by Oklahoma in July (89.1 degrees Fahrenheit), June being the second hottest and August being the hottest on record for those months for the State since 1895. Drought conditions continued into the fall, with all of the State continuing to be in severe to exceptional drought through the end of September. In addition to effects on streamflow and reservoirs, the 2011 drought increased damage from wildfires, led to declarations of states of emergency, water-use restrictions, and outdoor burning bans; caused at least $2 billion of losses in the agricultural sector and higher prices for food and other agricultural products; caused losses of tourism and wildlife; reduced hydropower generation; and lowered groundwater levels in State aquifers. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, conducted an investigation to compare the severity of the 2011 drought with four previous major hydrologic drought periods during the 20th century – water years 1929–41, 1952–56, 1961–72, and 1976–81. The period of water years 1925–2011 was selected as the period of record because few continuous record streamflow-gaging stations existed before 1925, and gaps in time existed where no streamflow-gaging stations were operated before 1925. In water year 2011, statewide annual precipitation was the 2d lowest, statewide annual streamflow was 16th lowest, and statewide annual runoff was 42d lowest of those 87 years of record. Annual area-averaged precipitation totals by the nine National Weather Service climate divisions from water year 2011 were compared to those during four previous major hydrologic drought

  3. Hydrazine levels in formulations of hydralazine, isoniazid, and phenelzine over a 2-year period.

    PubMed

    Lovering, E G; Matsui, F; Curran, N M; Robertson, D L; Sears, R W

    1983-08-01

    Hydrazine levels in formulations of hydralazine, isoniazid, and phenelzine have been measured over a 2-year period under ambient conditions and under temperature and humidity stress. Hydralazine tablets are stable under ambient conditions, but the hydrazine level in an injectable formulation increased from 4.5 to 10 micrograms/ml over a 23-month period. Isoniazid tablets are also stable, but hydrazine levels in an elixir and a pyridoxine combination product doubled to 44 micrograms/ml and 19 micrograms/tablet, respectively. Levels in phenelzine tablets appeared to remain constant at approximately 60 micrograms/tablet, with considerable tablet-to-tablet variation.

  4. 7 CFR 634.25 - Contracting.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... AGRICULTURE LONG TERM CONTRACTING RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM Participant RCWP Contracts § 634.25 Contracting... agrees to apply his or her water-quality plan. Any person who controls, or shares control, of the farm... basic contract document, special provisions as needed, the participant's water-quality plan, schedule of...

  5. 7 CFR 634.25 - Contracting.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... AGRICULTURE LONG TERM CONTRACTING RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM Participant RCWP Contracts § 634.25 Contracting... agrees to apply his or her water-quality plan. Any person who controls, or shares control, of the farm... basic contract document, special provisions as needed, the participant's water-quality plan, schedule of...

  6. 7 CFR 634.25 - Contracting.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... AGRICULTURE LONG TERM CONTRACTING RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM Participant RCWP Contracts § 634.25 Contracting... agrees to apply his or her water-quality plan. Any person who controls, or shares control, of the farm... basic contract document, special provisions as needed, the participant's water-quality plan, schedule of...

  7. LL and E awarded E and D contract area in eastern Algeria

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

    Not Available

    1992-12-07

    This paper reports that a Louisiana Land and Exploration Co. unit has been awarded on exploration and production contract in Algeria by state oil company Enterprise Nationale Sonatrach. LL and E Algeria Ltd.'s contract covers two blocks in the central Ghadames oil basin of eastern Algeria. LL and E said the contract, yet to be submitted for government approval, calls for a minimum investment of $33 million during a 5 year work program that includes seismic acquisition and drilling a minimum of three wildcats.

  8. The Joy of Contracts.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hegarty, Kevin

    This paper is a practical guide that explains and illustrates contracts between libraries and vendors for computerized circulation systems. It describes the elements of a typical contract to include the equipment and services that should be specified in the contract and establishes scheduling and acceptance testing needs. Included in a contract…

  9. Leucine-Enriched Essential Amino Acids Augment Muscle Glycogen Content in Rats Seven Days after Eccentric Contraction

    PubMed Central

    Kato, Hiroyuki; Miura, Kyoko; Suzuki, Katsuya; Bannai, Makoto

    2017-01-01

    Eccentric contractions induce muscle damage, which impairs recovery of glycogen and adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP) content over several days. Leucine-enriched essential amino acids (LEAAs) enhance the recovery in muscles that are damaged after eccentric contractions. However, the role of LEAAs in this process remains unclear. We evaluated the content in glycogen and high energy phosphates molecules (phosphocreatine (PCr), adenosine di-phosphate (ADP) and ATP) in rats that were following electrically stimulated eccentric contractions. Muscle glycogen content decreased immediately after the contraction and remained low for the first three days after the stimulation, but increased seven days after the eccentric contraction. LEAAs administration did not change muscle glycogen content during the first three days after the contraction. Interestingly, however, it induced a further increase in muscle glycogen seven days after the stimulation. Contrarily, ATP content decreased immediately after the eccentric contraction, and remained lower for up to seven days after. Additionally, LEAAs administration did not affect the ATP content over the experimental period. Finally, ADP and PCr levels did not significantly change after the contractions or LEAA administration. LEAAs modulate the recovery of glycogen content in muscle after damage-inducing exercise. PMID:29065533

  10. Leucine-Enriched Essential Amino Acids Augment Muscle Glycogen Content in Rats Seven Days after Eccentric Contraction.

    PubMed

    Kato, Hiroyuki; Miura, Kyoko; Suzuki, Katsuya; Bannai, Makoto

    2017-10-23

    Eccentric contractions induce muscle damage, which impairs recovery of glycogen and adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP) content over several days. Leucine-enriched essential amino acids (LEAAs) enhance the recovery in muscles that are damaged after eccentric contractions. However, the role of LEAAs in this process remains unclear. We evaluated the content in glycogen and high energy phosphates molecules (phosphocreatine (PCr), adenosine di-phosphate (ADP) and ATP) in rats that were following electrically stimulated eccentric contractions. Muscle glycogen content decreased immediately after the contraction and remained low for the first three days after the stimulation, but increased seven days after the eccentric contraction. LEAAs administration did not change muscle glycogen content during the first three days after the contraction. Interestingly, however, it induced a further increase in muscle glycogen seven days after the stimulation. Contrarily, ATP content decreased immediately after the eccentric contraction, and remained lower for up to seven days after. Additionally, LEAAs administration did not affect the ATP content over the experimental period. Finally, ADP and PCr levels did not significantly change after the contractions or LEAA administration. LEAAs modulate the recovery of glycogen content in muscle after damage-inducing exercise.

  11. 48 CFR 632.705 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Contract clauses. 632.705 Section 632.705 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF STATE GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT FINANCING Contract Funding 632.705 Contract clauses. ...

  12. 48 CFR 32.705 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Contract clauses. 32.705 Section 32.705 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT FINANCING Contract Funding 32.705 Contract clauses. ...

  13. 40 CFR 35.6275 - Period of availability of funds.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Period of availability of funds. 35.6275 Section 35.6275 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY GRANTS AND OTHER FEDERAL ASSISTANCE STATE AND LOCAL ASSISTANCE Cooperative Agreements and Superfund State Contracts for Superfund...

  14. 40 CFR 35.6275 - Period of availability of funds.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Period of availability of funds. 35.6275 Section 35.6275 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY GRANTS AND OTHER FEDERAL ASSISTANCE STATE AND LOCAL ASSISTANCE Cooperative Agreements and Superfund State Contracts for Superfund...

  15. Defense Contract Management Agency

    Science.gov Websites

    , May 24. Click the photo above for more information. Members of the Defense Contract Management Agency for more information. Members of the Defense Contract Management Agency International Region conduct Skip to main content (Press Enter). Toggle navigation Defense Contract Management Agency Search

  16. 76 FR 14587 - Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Multiyear Contract Authority for Electricity...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-03-17

    ...-AG48 Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Multiyear Contract Authority for Electricity... 10 years for the purchase of electricity from sources of renewable energy, as that term is defined in... electricity under such contract is cost effective; and (2) It would not be possible to purchase electricity...

  17. Windsurfing vs kitesurfing: Injuries at the North Sea over a 2-year period.

    PubMed

    van Bergen, Christiaan J A; Commandeur, Joris P; Weber, Rik I K; Haverkamp, Daniel; Breederveld, Roelf S

    2016-12-18

    To analyze all windsurfing and kitesurfing (kiteboarding) injuries presented at our coastal hospital over a 2-year period. Twenty-five windsurfers (21 male; aged 31 ± 8 years) and 32 kitesurfers (23 male; aged 29 ± 11 years) presented at our hospital during the 2-year study period. Various injury data were recorded, including transport to hospital and treatment. After a median follow-up of 16 mo (range, 7-33 mo), 18 windsurfers (72%) and 26 kitesurfers (81%) completed questionnaires on the trauma mechanisms, the use of protective gear, time spent on windsurfing or kitesurfing, time to return to sports, additional injuries, and chronic disability. Most patients sustained minor injuries but severe injuries also occurred, including vertebral and tibial plateau fractures. The lower extremities were affected the most, followed by the head and cervical spine, the upper extremities, and the trunk. The injury rates were 5.2 per 1000 h of windsurfing and 7.0 per 1000 h of kitesurfing ( P = 0.005). The injury severity was the same between groups ( P = 1.0). Less than 30% of the study population used protective gear. Kitesurfers had a higher number of injuries, and required transport by ambulance, inpatient hospital stay and operative treatment more often than windsurfers, but these differences were not statistically significant ( P > 0.05). The median time to return to windsurfing and kitesurfing was 5 and 4 wk, respectively ( P = 0.79). Approximately one-third of the patients in each group experienced chronic symptoms. Kitesurfing results in a significantly higher injury rate than windsurfing in the same environmental conditions but the severity of the injuries does not differ.

  18. Epidemic of fractures during a period of snow and ice: has anything changed 33 years on?

    PubMed Central

    Al-Azzani, Waheeb; Adam Maliq Mak, Danial; Hodgson, Paul; Williams, Rhodri

    2016-01-01

    Objectives We reproduced a frequently cited study that was published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) in 1981 assessing the extent of ‘snow-and-ice’ fractures during the winter period. Setting This study aims to provide an insight into how things have changed within the same emergency department (ED) by comparing the findings of the BMJ paper published 33 years ago with the present date. Participants As per the original study, all patients presenting to the ED with a radiological evidence of fracture during three different 4-day periods were included. The three 4-day periods included 4 days of snow-and-ice conditions and two control 4-day periods when snow and ice was not present; the first was 4 days within the same year, with a similar amount of sunshine hours, and the second was 4 days 1 calendar year later. Primary and secondary outcome measures To identify the frequency, distribution and pattern of fractures sustained in snow-and-ice conditions compared to control conditions as well as comparisons with the index study 33 years ago. Results A total of 293 patients with fractures were identified. Overall, there was a 2.20 (CI 1.7 to 3.0, p <0.01) increase in risk of fracture during snow-and-ice periods compared to control conditions. There was an increase (p <0.01) of fractures of the arm, forearm and wrist (RR 3.2 (CI 1.4 to 7.6) and 2.9 (CI 1.5 to 5.4) respectively). Conclusions While the relative risk was not of the magnitude 33 years ago, the overall number of patients presenting with a fracture during snow-and-ice conditions remains more than double compared to control conditions. This highlights the need for improved understanding of the impact of increased fracture burden on hospitals and more effective preventative measures. PMID:27630066

  19. Epidemic of fractures during a period of snow and ice: has anything changed 33 years on?

    PubMed

    Al-Azzani, Waheeb; Adam Maliq Mak, Danial; Hodgson, Paul; Williams, Rhodri

    2016-09-14

    We reproduced a frequently cited study that was published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) in 1981 assessing the extent of 'snow-and-ice' fractures during the winter period. This study aims to provide an insight into how things have changed within the same emergency department (ED) by comparing the findings of the BMJ paper published 33 years ago with the present date. As per the original study, all patients presenting to the ED with a radiological evidence of fracture during three different 4-day periods were included. The three 4-day periods included 4 days of snow-and-ice conditions and two control 4-day periods when snow and ice was not present; the first was 4 days within the same year, with a similar amount of sunshine hours, and the second was 4 days 1 calendar year later. To identify the frequency, distribution and pattern of fractures sustained in snow-and-ice conditions compared to control conditions as well as comparisons with the index study 33 years ago. A total of 293 patients with fractures were identified. Overall, there was a 2.20 (CI 1.7 to 3.0, p <0.01) increase in risk of fracture during snow-and-ice periods compared to control conditions. There was an increase (p <0.01) of fractures of the arm, forearm and wrist (RR 3.2 (CI 1.4 to 7.6) and 2.9 (CI 1.5 to 5.4) respectively). While the relative risk was not of the magnitude 33 years ago, the overall number of patients presenting with a fracture during snow-and-ice conditions remains more than double compared to control conditions. This highlights the need for improved understanding of the impact of increased fracture burden on hospitals and more effective preventative measures. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

  20. Adjustments in motor unit properties during fatiguing contractions after training.

    PubMed

    Vila-Chã, Carolina; Falla, Deborah; Correia, Miguel Velhote; Farina, Dario

    2012-04-01

    The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of strength and endurance training on muscle fiber membrane properties and discharge rates of low-threshold motor units of the vasti muscles during fatiguing contractions. Twenty-five sedentary healthy men (age (mean ± SD) = 26.3 ± 3.9 yr) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: strength training, endurance training, or a control group. Conventional endurance and strength training was performed 3 d·wk⁻¹, during a period of 6 wk. Motor unit conduction velocity and EMG amplitude of the vastus medialis obliquus and lateralis muscles and biceps femoris were measured during sustained isometric knee extensions at 10% and 30% of the maximum voluntary contraction before and immediately after training. After 6 wk of training, the reduction in motor unit conduction velocity during the sustained contractions at 30% of the maximum voluntary force occurred at slower rates compared with baseline (P < 0.05). However, the rate of decrease was lower after endurance training compared with strength training (P < 0.01). For all groups, motor unit discharge rates declined during the sustained contraction (P < 0.001), and their trend was not altered by training. In addition, the biceps femoris-vasti coactivation ratio declined after the endurance training. Short-term strength and endurance training induces alterations of the electrophysiological membrane properties of the muscle fiber. In particular, endurance training lowers the rate of decline of motor unit conduction velocity during sustained contractions more than strength training.

  1. An Analysis of Air Force Service Contract Cases Appealed to the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1988-09-01

    DEM/88S- 1 AN ANALYSIS OF AIR FORCE SERVICE CONTRACT CASES APPEALED TO THE ARMED SERVICES BOARD OF CONTRACT APPEALS THESIS Diane L. Bowden First...CONTRACT CASES APPEALED TO THE ARMED SERVICES BOARD OF CONTRACT APPEALS THESIS Presented to the Faculty of the School of Systems and Logistics of the Air...analyze, and condense information that might be useful to contracting and contract management personnel. Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals

  2. 48 CFR 42.401 - Contract correspondence.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Contract correspondence... MANAGEMENT CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION AND AUDIT SERVICES Correspondence and Visits 42.401 Contract correspondence. (a) The contracting officer (or other contracting agency personnel) normally shall (1) forward...

  3. 48 CFR 1832.705 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 true Contract clauses. 1832.705 Section 1832.705 Federal Acquisition Regulations System NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT FINANCING Contract Funding 1832.705 Contract clauses. ...

  4. 48 CFR 1242.7000 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Contract clauses. 1242.7000 Section 1242.7000 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CONTRACT MANAGEMENT CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION AND AUDIT SERVICES Contract Administration Clauses 1242.7000 Contract...

  5. Motor Unit Interpulse Intervals During High Force Contractions.

    PubMed

    Stock, Matt S; Thompson, Brennan J

    2016-01-01

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

  6. 77 FR 66607 - Placer County Water Agency; Notice of Application for Approval of Contract for the Sale of Power...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-11-06

    ... contract with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) for two months beyond the expiration of the current... of two major storage reservoirs, five smaller reservoirs and diversion pools, and five powerhouses... Water Agency; Notice of Application for Approval of Contract for the Sale of Power for a Period...

  7. The use of standard contracts in the English National Health Service: a case study analysis.

    PubMed

    Petsoulas, Christina; Allen, Pauline; Hughes, David; Vincent-Jones, Peter; Roberts, Jennifer

    2011-07-01

    The use of contracts is vital to market transactions. The introduction of market reforms in health care in the U.K. and other developed countries twenty years ago meant greater use of contracts. In the U.K., health care contracting was widely researched in the 1990s. Yet, despite the changing policy context, the subject has attracted less interest in recent years. This paper seeks to fill a gap by reporting findings from a study of contracting in the English National Health Service (NHS) after the introduction of the national standard contract in 2007. By using economic and socio-legal theories and two case studies we examine the way in which the new contract was implemented in practice and the extent to which implementation conformed to policy intentions and to our theoretical predictions. Data were collected using non-participant observation of 36 contracting meetings, 24 semi-structured interviews, and analysis of documents. We found that despite efforts to introduce a more detailed ('complete') contract, in practice, purchasers and providers often reverted to a more relational style of contracting. Frequently reliance on the NHS hierarchy proved to be indispensable; in particular, formal dispute resolution was avoided and financial risk was re-allocated in compromises that sometimes ignored contractual provisions. Serious data deficiencies and shortages of skilled personnel still caused major difficulties. We conclude that contracting for health care continues to raise serious problems, which may be exacerbated by the impending transfer of responsibility to groups of general practitioners (GPs) who generally lack experience and expertise in large-scale, secondary care contracting. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  8. 48 CFR 846.312 - Construction contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Construction contracts. 846.312 Section 846.312 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS CONTRACT MANAGEMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE Contract Clauses 846.312 Construction contracts. The contracting officer shall...

  9. 48 CFR 543.205 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... Section 543.205 Federal Acquisition Regulations System GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION CONTRACT MANAGEMENT CONTRACT MODIFICATIONS Change Orders 543.205 Contract clauses. The contracting officer shall insert 552.243-71, Equitable Adjustments, in solicitations and contracts containing FAR 52.243-4, Changes. [74 FR...

  10. 7 CFR 1780.61 - Construction contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 12 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Construction contracts. 1780.61 Section 1780.61..., Constructing and Inspections § 1780.61 Construction contracts. Contract documents must be sufficiently.... (a) Standard construction contract documents. If the construction contract documents utilized are not...

  11. 7 CFR 1780.61 - Construction contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 12 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Construction contracts. 1780.61 Section 1780.61..., Constructing and Inspections § 1780.61 Construction contracts. Contract documents must be sufficiently.... (a) Standard construction contract documents. If the construction contract documents utilized are not...

  12. 48 CFR 3443.106 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 7 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Contract clause. 3443.106 Section 3443.106 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ACQUISITION REGULATION CONTRACT MANAGEMENT CONTRACT MODIFICATIONS 3443.106 Contract clause. The contracting officer shall insert...

  13. 48 CFR 543.205 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... Section 543.205 Federal Acquisition Regulations System GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION CONTRACT MANAGEMENT CONTRACT MODIFICATIONS Change Orders 543.205 Contract clauses. The contracting officer shall insert 552.243-71, Equitable Adjustments, in solicitations and contracts containing FAR 52.243-4, Changes. [74 FR...

  14. IMPACT OF MICROBIOLOGICAL CHANGES ON SPONTANEOUS BACTERIAL PERITONITIS IN THREE DIFFERENT PERIODS OVER 17 YEARS.

    PubMed

    Almeida, Paulo Roberto Lerias de; Leão, Gabriel Stefani; Gonçalves, Charlles David Gonçalves; Picon, Rafael Veiga; Tovo, Cristiane Valle

    2018-01-01

    Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is a serious complication in cirrhotic patients, and changes in the microbiological characteristics reported in the last years are impacting the choice of antibiotic used for treatment. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the changes in the epidemiology and bacterial resistance of the germs causing spontaneous bacterial peritonitis over three different periods over 17 years. All cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and positive culture of ascites fluid were retrospectively studied in a reference Hospital in Southern Brazil. Three periods were ramdomly evaluated: 1997-1998, 2002-2003 and 2014-2015. The most frequent infecting organisms and the sensitivity in vitro to antibiotics were registered. In the first period (1997-1998) there were 33 cases, the most common were: E. coli in 13 (36.11%), Staphylococcus coagulase-negative in 6 (16.66%), K. pneumoniae in 5 (13.88%), S. aureus in 4 (11.11%) and S. faecalis in 3 (8.33%). In the second period (2002-2003), there were 43 cases, the most frequent were: Staphylococus coagulase-negative in 16 (35.55%), S. aureus in 8 (17.77%), E. coli in 7 (15.55%) and K. pneumoniae in 3 (6.66%). In the third period (2014-2015) there were 58 cases (seven with two bacteria), the most frequent were: E. coli in 15 (23.1%), S. viridans in 12 (18.5%), K. pneumoniae in 10 (15.4%) and E. faecium 5 (7.7%). No one was using antibiotic prophylaxis. Considering all staphylococci, the prevalence increased to rates of the order of 50% in the second period, with a reduction in the third period evaluated. Likewise, the prevalence of resistant E. coli increased, reaching 14%. There was a modification of the bacterial population causing spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, with high frequency of gram-positive organisms, as well as an increase in the resistance to the traditionally recommended antibiotics. This study suggests a probable imminent inclusion of a drug against gram

  15. Effects of contraction duration on low-frequency fatigue in voluntary and electrically induced exercise of quadriceps muscle in humans.

    PubMed

    Ratkevicius, A; Skurvydas, A; Povilonis, E; Quistorff, B; Lexell, J

    1998-04-01

    The aims of this study were to investigate if low-frequency fatigue (LFF) dependent on the duration of repeated muscle contractions and to compare LFF in voluntary and electrically induced exercise. Male subjects performed three 9-min periods of repeated isometric knee extensions at 40% maximal voluntary contraction with contraction plus relaxation periods of 30 plus 60 s, 15 plus 30 s and 5 plus 10 s in protocols 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The same exercise protocols were repeated using feedback-controlled electrical stimulation at 40% maximal tetanic torque. Before and 15 min after each exercise period, knee extension torque at 1, 7, 10, 15, 20, 50 and 100 Hz was assessed. During voluntary exercise, electromyogram root mean square (EMGrms) of the vastus lateralis muscle was evaluated. The 20-Hz torque:100-Hz torque (20:100 Hz torque) ratio was reduced more after electrically induced than after voluntary exercise (P < 0.05). During electrically induced exercise, the decrease in 20:100 Hz torque ratio was gradually (P < 0.05) reduced as the individual contractions shortened. During voluntary exercise, the decrease in 20:100 Hz torque ratio and the increase in EMGrms were greater in protocol 1 (P < 0.01) than in protocols 2 and 3, which did not differ from each other. In conclusion, our results showed that LFF is dependent on the duration of individual muscle contractions during repetitive isometric exercise and that the electrically induced exercise produced a more pronounced LFF compared to voluntary exercise of submaximal intensity. It is suggested that compensatory recruitment of faster-contracting motor units is an additional factor affecting the severity of LFF during voluntary exercise.

  16. Caveats on Contract.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Croxton, Tom A.

    1988-01-01

    Addresses concept of the therapeutic contract in clinical social work and psychotherapy. Defines "contract," describing legal implications, and implications for the professional relationship and course of treatment. Discusses mutuality, penalty clauses, voluntary participation in contractual process, malpractice and professional negligence,…

  17. 48 CFR 46.312 - Construction contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Construction contracts. 46... MANAGEMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE Contract Clauses 46.312 Construction contracts. The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.246-12, Inspection of Construction, in solicitations and contracts for...

  18. 48 CFR 46.312 - Construction contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Construction contracts. 46... MANAGEMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE Contract Clauses 46.312 Construction contracts. The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.246-12, Inspection of Construction, in solicitations and contracts for...

  19. 48 CFR 546.312 - Construction contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Construction contracts... CONTRACT MANAGEMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE Contract Clauses 546.312 Construction contracts. Insert the clause at 552.246-72, Final Inspection and Tests, in solicitations and contracts for construction that include...

  20. 48 CFR 546.312 - Construction contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Construction contracts... CONTRACT MANAGEMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE Contract Clauses 546.312 Construction contracts. Insert the clause at 552.246-72, Final Inspection and Tests, in solicitations and contracts for construction that include...

  1. 48 CFR 46.312 - Construction contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Construction contracts. 46... MANAGEMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE Contract Clauses 46.312 Construction contracts. The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.246-12, Inspection of Construction, in solicitations and contracts for...

  2. 48 CFR 546.312 - Construction contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Construction contracts... CONTRACT MANAGEMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE Contract Clauses 546.312 Construction contracts. Insert the clause at 552.246-72, Final Inspection and Tests, in solicitations and contracts for construction that include...

  3. 48 CFR 46.312 - Construction contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Construction contracts. 46... MANAGEMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE Contract Clauses 46.312 Construction contracts. The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.246-12, Inspection of Construction, in solicitations and contracts for...

  4. 48 CFR 546.312 - Construction contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Construction contracts... CONTRACT MANAGEMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE Contract Clauses 546.312 Construction contracts. Insert the clause at 552.246-72, Final Inspection and Tests, in solicitations and contracts for construction that include...

  5. 48 CFR 46.314 - Transportation contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Transportation contracts... MANAGEMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE Contract Clauses 46.314 Transportation contracts. The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.246-14, Inspection of Transportation, in solicitations and contracts for freight...

  6. 48 CFR 46.314 - Transportation contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Transportation contracts... MANAGEMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE Contract Clauses 46.314 Transportation contracts. The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.246-14, Inspection of Transportation, in solicitations and contracts for freight...

  7. 48 CFR 46.314 - Transportation contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Transportation contracts... MANAGEMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE Contract Clauses 46.314 Transportation contracts. The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.246-14, Inspection of Transportation, in solicitations and contracts for freight...

  8. 48 CFR 46.314 - Transportation contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Transportation contracts... MANAGEMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE Contract Clauses 46.314 Transportation contracts. The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.246-14, Inspection of Transportation, in solicitations and contracts for freight...

  9. 48 CFR 46.314 - Transportation contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Transportation contracts... MANAGEMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE Contract Clauses 46.314 Transportation contracts. The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.246-14, Inspection of Transportation, in solicitations and contracts for freight...

  10. 48 CFR 2035.70 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

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

  11. Affine Contractions on the Plane

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Celik, D.; Ozdemir, Y.; Ureyen, M.

    2007-01-01

    Contractions play a considerable role in the theory of fractals. However, it is not easy to find contractions which are not similitudes. In this study, it is shown by counter examples that an affine transformation of the plane carrying a given triangle onto another triangle may not be a contraction even if it contracts edges, heights or medians.…

  12. Army Contract Writing System (ACWS)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-03-01

    2016 Major Automated Information System Annual Report Army Contract Writing System (ACWS) Defense Acquisition Management Information Retrieval...Program Information Program Name Army Contract Writing System (ACWS) DoD Component Army Responsible Office Program Manager References MAIS...UNCLASSIFIED 4 Program Description The Army Contract Writing System (ACWS) will be the Army’s single, next-generation, enterprise-wide contract writing

  13. Uterine Contraction Modeling and Simulation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

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

    2010-01-01

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

  14. Contract Design, Supply Chain Complexity, and Accountability in Federal Contracts

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-04-30

    understanding how organizations, policy makers, and citizens use information to make decisions and influence public and organizational policy. He has...qÜáêíÉÉåíÜ=^ååì~ä= ^Åèìáëáíáçå=oÉëÉ~êÅÜ= póãéçëáìã= qÜìêëÇ~ó=pÉëëáçåë= sçäìãÉ=ff= = Contract Design, Supply Chain Complexity, and Accountability in Federal...Executive Officer, PEO IEW&S Contract Design, Supply Chain Complexity, and Accountability in Federal Contracts Adam Eckerd, Assistant Professor

  15. Change in Maternal Criticism and Behavior Problems in Adolescents and Adults with Autism Across a Seven-Year Period

    PubMed Central

    Baker, Jason K.; Smith, Leann E.; Greenberg, Jan S.; Seltzer, Marsha Mailick; Taylor, Julie Lounds

    2010-01-01

    In a previous study from our laboratory, high levels of maternal criticism predicted increased behavior problems in adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) over an 18-month period (Greenberg, Seltzer, Hong, & Orsmond, 2006). The current investigation followed these families over a period of seven years to examine the longitudinal course of criticism and behavior problems, to assess the association between their trajectories, and to determine the degree to which change in each of these factors predicted levels of criticism and behavior problems at the end of the study period. A sample of 118 mothers co-residing with their adolescents and adults with ASD provided open-ended narratives about their children and reported on the children's behavior problems at four waves. Maternal criticism was derived from expressed emotion ratings of the narratives. Criticism exhibited low but significant stability over the seven year period and behavior problems exhibited high stability. Using latent growth curve modeling, (a) criticism was found to have increased over time, but only for the group of families in which the sons or daughters transitioned from high school services during the study period, (b) individual changes in criticism and behavior problems were positively correlated over the seven-year period, and (c) changes in criticism predicted levels of behavior problems at the conclusion of the study. Changes in behavior problems were not predictive of end levels of criticism. Implications for intervention and prevention efforts are discussed. PMID:21319925

  16. Contracting for health and curative care use in Afghanistan between 2004 and 2005

    PubMed Central

    Arur, Aneesa; Peters, David; Hansen, Peter; Mashkoor, Mohammad Ashraf; Steinhardt, Laura C.; Burnham, Gilbert

    2010-01-01

    Afghanistan has used several approaches to contracting as part of its national strategy to increase access to basic health services. This study compares changes in the utilization of outpatient curative services from 2004 to 2005 between the different approaches for contracting-out services to non-governmental service providers, contracting-in technical assistance at public sector facilities, and public sector facilities that did not use contracting. We find that both contracting-in and contracting-out approaches are associated with substantial double difference increases in service use from 2004 to 2005 compared with non-contracted facilities. The double difference increase in contracting-out facilities for outpatient visits is 29% (P < 0.01), while outpatient visits from female patients increased 41% (P < 0.01), use by the poorest quintile increased 68% (P < 0.01) and use by children aged under 5 years increased 27% (P < 0.05). Comparing the individual contracting-out approaches, we find similar increases in outpatient visits when contracts are managed directly by the Ministry of Public Health compared with when contracts are managed by an experienced international non-profit organization. Finally, contracting-in facilities show even larger increases in all the measures of utilization other than visits from children under 5. Although there are minor differences in the results between contracting-out approaches, these differences cannot be attributed to a specific contracting-out approach because of factors limiting the comparability of the groups. It is nonetheless clear that the government was able to manage contracts effectively despite early concerns about their lack of experience, and that contracting has helped to improve utilization of basic health services. PMID:19850664

  17. 25 CFR 502.15 - Management contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 25 Indians 2 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Management contract. 502.15 Section 502.15 Indians... CHAPTER § 502.15 Management contract. Management contract means any contract, subcontract, or collateral... contract or agreement provides for the management of all or part of a gaming operation. ...

  18. 25 CFR 502.15 - Management contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 25 Indians 2 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Management contract. 502.15 Section 502.15 Indians... CHAPTER § 502.15 Management contract. Management contract means any contract, subcontract, or collateral... contract or agreement provides for the management of all or part of a gaming operation. ...

  19. 25 CFR 502.15 - Management contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 25 Indians 2 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Management contract. 502.15 Section 502.15 Indians... CHAPTER § 502.15 Management contract. Management contract means any contract, subcontract, or collateral... contract or agreement provides for the management of all or part of a gaming operation. ...

  20. 48 CFR 37.304 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Contract clauses. 37.304... CONTRACTING SERVICE CONTRACTING Dismantling, Demolition, or Removal of Improvements 37.304 Contract clauses. (a) The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.237-4, Payment by Government to Contractor...

  1. 25 CFR 502.15 - Management contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 25 Indians 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Management contract. 502.15 Section 502.15 Indians... CHAPTER § 502.15 Management contract. Management contract means any contract, subcontract, or collateral... contract or agreement provides for the management of all or part of a gaming operation. ...

  2. 24 CFR 232.605 - Contract requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... MORTGAGE INSURANCE FOR NURSING HOMES, INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITIES, BOARD AND CARE HOMES, AND ASSISTED... Fire Safety Equipment Form of Contract § 232.605 Contract requirements. (a) The contract between the... contract. Either form of contract shall include the cost of fire safety equipment, its installation, and...

  3. Sex differences in neuromuscular function after repeated eccentric contractions of the knee extensor muscles.

    PubMed

    Lee, Andrea; Baxter, Jake; Eischer, Claire; Gage, Matt; Hunter, Sandra; Yoon, Tejin

    2017-06-01

    This study examined the mechanisms for force and power reduction during and up to 48 h after maximal eccentric contractions of the knee extensor muscles in young men and women. 13 men (22.8 ± 2.6 years) and 13 women (21.6 ± 2.2 years) performed 150 maximal effort eccentric contractions (5 sets of 30) with the knee extensor muscles at 60° s -1 . Maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) and maximal voluntary concentric contractions (MVCC) were performed before and after the 150 eccentric contractions. The MVCCs involved a set of two isokinetic contractions at 60° s -1 and sets of isotonic contractions performed at seven different resistance loads (1 N m, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60% MVIC). Electrical stimulation was used during the MVICs and at rest to determine changes in voluntary activation and contractile properties. At baseline, men were stronger than women (MVIC: 276 ± 48 vs. 133 ± 37 N m) and more powerful (MVCC: 649 ± 77 vs. 346 ± 78 W). At termination of the eccentric contractions, voluntary activation, resting twitch amplitude, and peak power during concentric contractions at the seven loads and at 60° s -1 decreased (P < 0.05) similarly in the men and women. At 48 h post-exercise, the MVIC torque, power (for loads ≥20-60% MVIC), and voluntary activation remained depressed (P < 0.05), but the resting twitch had returned to baseline (P > 0.05) with no sex differences. Central mechanisms were primarily responsible for the depressed maximal force production up to 48 h after repeated eccentric contractions of the knee extensors and these mechanisms were similar in men and women.

  4. Retrospective Integration of Research Conducted on a Multi-Section Educational Psychology Course over a Fifteen-Year Period

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Williams, Robert L.

    2017-01-01

    This article integrates a series of studies conducted over a 15-year period in a multi-section educational course taught by the same supervising professor and his GTAs . The purpose of each study was to determine whether particular interventions or student characteristics affected performance levels in the course. Over the extended period of…

  5. 48 CFR 52.222-48 - Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment....222-48 Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Maintenance... following provision: Exemption From Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Maintenance...

  6. 48 CFR 52.222-51 - Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment....222-51 Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Maintenance... clause: Exemption From Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration...

  7. [Contraceptive practice in Mexico: two five-year periods, two different patterns (1976-1977 to 1987)].

    PubMed

    Llera, S

    1990-01-01

    This work uses data from the 1976-77 Mexican Fertility Survey, the 1982 National Demographic Survey, and the 1987 National Fertility and Health Survey to analyze fertility and contraceptive behavior among Mexican women in the 2 5-year periods from 1976-82 and 1982-87. The proportion of fertile-aged women in union using a method increased from 41.6% in 1976-77 to 58.8% in 1982 and 61.4% in 1989. The most significant gains in use of the more effective methods as in contraceptive prevalence occurred in the 1st 5-year period. The proportion of women sterilized increased from 3.73% in 1977 to 16.6% in 1982 and 21.7% in 1987, equivalent to increases over the 2 5-year periods of 345.7% and 30.7%. Female sterilization was the only method whose use increased constantly over the period. Use of the IUD was almost unchanged between 1977-82, while use of oral contraceptives and injectables both declined from 1982 to 1987 after increasing over the preceding 5 years. Contraceptive usage increased intensely in all subgroups of women studied between 1976-82, but in the 2nd period from 1982 to 1987 contraceptive usage declined significantly in some subgroups. Contraceptive prevalence among women in urban and metropolitan areas increased systematically after 1977. Rural women increased their use from 22.5% in 1977 to 48.6% in 1982. 5 years later the proportion of rural users had declined to 45.3% although it was still well above the level of 1976-77. The most significant increase in contraceptive usage among illiterate women and those with primary educations occurred from 1976 to 1982. In 1987 women with primary and higher levels of education demonstrated increases in contraceptive usage compared with 1982, but contraceptive usage among illiterate women declined from 40.8% in 1982 to 28.9% in 1987. Data from the 3 surveys demonstrate low but increasing rates of use among women 15-19 years old, who may be in the process of developing a new fertility pattern characterized by longer

  8. 24 CFR 891.560 - HAP contract.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

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

  9. Non-Adrenergic, Tamsulosin-Insensitive Smooth Muscle Contraction is Sufficient to Replace α1 -Adrenergic Tension in the Human Prostate.

    PubMed

    Hennenberg, Martin; Acevedo, Alice; Wiemer, Nicolas; Kan, Aysenur; Tamalunas, Alexander; Wang, Yiming; Yu, Qingfeng; Rutz, Beata; Ciotkowska, Anna; Herlemann, Annika; Strittmatter, Frank; Stief, Christian G; Gratzke, Christian

    2017-05-01

    α 1 -blockers, explaining the limited efficacy of α 1 -blockers in LUTS treatment. Contractions by thromboxane and endothelin-1 may be additive, and may exceed α 1 -adrenergic tone. Prostate 77:697-707, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  10. Synthesis of innovative contracting strategies for routine and preventive maintenance contracts.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2010-02-01

    TxDOT is faced with a need to expand their maintenance contracted services due to shortage of in-house : personnel and expertise. As a result, TxDOT had a need to investigate maintenance contracting strategies to : identify those efficient strategies...

  11. 25 CFR 900.17 - Can the statutory 90-day period be extended?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 25 Indians 2 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Can the statutory 90-day period be extended? 900.17 Section 900.17 Indians BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, AND INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE... ASSISTANCE ACT Review and Approval of Contract Proposals § 900.17 Can the statutory 90-day period be extended...

  12. 48 CFR 52.222-52 - Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Certain Services...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Certain Services-Certification. 52.222-52 Section 52.222... from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Certain Services—Certification. As... Contract Act to Contracts for Certain Services—Certification (NOV 2007) (a) The offeror shall check the...

  13. Age-specific characterization of spinal cord injuries over a 19-year period at a Japanese rehabilitation center.

    PubMed

    Toda, Mitsunori; Nakatani, Eiji; Omae, Kaoru; Fukushima, Masanori; Chin, Takaaki

    2018-01-01

    Regional demographics of spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are fundamental to identifying and implementing appropriate preventive measures. The current study was conducted as a longitudinal analysis of all patients with SCIs admitted to the Hyogo Rehabilitation Center over a 19-year period. The sex and age of the patient, time and nature of injury (i.e., cause, level, and extent), and period from injury to admission were evaluated retrospectively. Pertinent tests, including Poisson regression analysis, and the Cochran-Armitage, Kruskal-Wallis, and chi-square tests, were applied to assess demographic variables, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Between 1995 and 2013, a total of 632 patients with SCIs (predominantly male and largely < 60 years old) were admitted to our center for rehabilitation. Although the male: female ratio remained unchanged throughout the study period, the ratio of older adults increased over time. In assessing the cause of injury, the majority of the patients involved in road traffic accidents were aged ≤ 44 years, whereas patients aged ≥ 45 years accounted for the majority of low-distance falls and disease-related SCIs, the proportions of which gradually increased. Complete paralysis and paraplegia primarily occurred in patients aged ≤ 44 years, whereas the majority of incomplete injuries and tetraplegia were limited to those aged ≥ 45 years. The patient age at the time of SCI and the nature of the injury sustained were interrelated. Age-specific strategies thus offered the best means of preventing/reducing the incidence of SCIs in Hyogo prefecture.

  14. 48 CFR 16.203-4 - Contract clauses.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... AND CONTRACT TYPES TYPES OF CONTRACTS Fixed-Price Contracts 16.203-4 Contract clauses. (a) Adjustment... must agree in writing on the identity of the standard supplies and the corresponding contract line...) The contracting officer shall describe in detail in the contract Schedule— (i) The types of labor and...

  15. Policy for equipment’s leasing period extension with minimum cost of maintenance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lestari, C.; Kurniati, N.

    2018-04-01

    The cost structure for equipment investment including purchase cost and maintenance cost is getting more expensive. The company considers to lease the equipment instead of purchase it under a contractual agreement. Offering to extend the lease period, following to the base lease period, will provide more benefits for both the lessor (owner) and the lessee (user). Whenever the lease period extension offered at the beginning of the contract, there are some risks in finance e.g. uncertainty of the equipment performance and lessor responsibility. Therefore, this research attempts to model the optimal maintenance policy for lease period extension offered at the end of the contract. Minimal repair is performed to rectify a failed equipment, while imperfect preventive maintenance is conducted to improve the operational state of the equipment when reaches a certain control limit to avoid failures. The mathematical model is constructed to determine the optimal control limit, the number and degree of preventive maintenance, and the multiplication number of the lease period extension. Finally, numerical examples are given to illustrate the influences of the optimal length of the extended lease and the maintenance policy to minimize the maintenance cost.

  16. The Value of Competitive Contracting

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-09-01

    Research & Engineering) BBP Better Buying Power BOA basic ordering agreement BPA basic purchase agreement CAE Component Acquisition Executive CDSA...competitive procedures for the following contract actions:” a. Contract and purchase orders b. Orders and calls under part 13 Basic Purchase Agreement ( BPA ...Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) c. Government wide acquisition contracts and IDIQ contracts d. BPAs and BPA calls under Federal Supply Schedules

  17. Changes in plant species composition of coastal dune habitats over a 20-year period

    PubMed Central

    Del Vecchio, Silvia; Prisco, Irene; Acosta, Alicia T. R.; Stanisci, Angela

    2015-01-01

    Coastal sandy ecosystems are increasingly being threatened by human pressure, causing loss of biodiversity, habitat degradation and landscape modifications. However, there are still very few detailed studies focussing on compositional changes in coastal dune plant communities over time. In this work, we investigated how coastal dune European Union (EU) habitats (from pioneer annual beach communities to Mediterranean scrubs on the landward fixed dunes) have changed during the last 20 years. Using phytosociological relevés conducted in 1989–90 and in 2010–12, we investigated changes in floristic composition over time. We then compared plant cover and the proportion of ruderal, alien and habitat diagnostic species (‘focal species’) in the two periods. Finally, we used Ellenberg indicator values to define the ‘preferences’ of the plant species for temperature and moisture. We found that only fore dune habitats showed significant differences in species cover between the two time periods, with higher plant cover in the more recent relevés and a significant increase in thermophilic species. Although previous studies have demonstrated consistent habitat loss in this area, we observed that all coastal dune plant communities remain well represented, after a 20-year period. However, fore dunes have been experiencing significant compositional changes. Although we cannot confirm whether the observed changes are strictly related to climatic changes, to human pressure or to both, we hypothesize that a moderate increment in average yearly temperature may have promoted the increase in plant cover and the spread of thermophilic species. Thus, even though human activities are major driving forces of change in coastal dune vegetation, at the community scale climatic factors may also play important roles. Our study draws on re-visitation studies which appear to constitute a powerful tool for the assessment of the conservation status of EU habitats. PMID:25750408

  18. 42 CFR 457.610 - Period of availability for State allotments for a fiscal year.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 42 Public Health 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Period of availability for State allotments for a fiscal year. 457.610 Section 457.610 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) STATE CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAMS (SCHIPs) ALLOTMENTS AND GRANTS TO STATES Payments to States §...

  19. 29 CFR 4.107 - Federal contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 29 Labor 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Federal contracts. 4.107 Section 4.107 Labor Office of the Secretary of Labor LABOR STANDARDS FOR FEDERAL SERVICE CONTRACTS Application of the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act Agencies Whose Contracts May Be Covered § 4.107 Federal contracts. (a) Section 2(a) of the Act...

  20. Endurance training facilitates myoglobin desaturation during muscle contraction in rat skeletal muscle.

    PubMed

    Takakura, Hisashi; Furuichi, Yasuro; Yamada, Tatsuya; Jue, Thomas; Ojino, Minoru; Hashimoto, Takeshi; Iwase, Satoshi; Hojo, Tatsuya; Izawa, Tetsuya; Masuda, Kazumi

    2015-03-24

    At onset of muscle contraction, myoglobin (Mb) immediately releases its bound O2 to the mitochondria. Accordingly, intracellular O2 tension (PmbO2) markedly declines in order to increase muscle O2 uptake (mVO2). However, whether the change in PmbO2 during muscle contraction modulates mVO2 and whether the O2 release rate from Mb increases in endurance-trained muscles remain unclear. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to determine the effect of endurance training on O2 saturation of Mb (SmbO2) and PmbO2 kinetics during muscle contraction. Male Wistar rats were subjected to a 4-week swimming training (Tr group; 6 days per week, 30 min × 4 sets per day) with a weight load of 2% body mass. After the training period, deoxygenated Mb kinetics during muscle contraction were measured using near-infrared spectroscopy under hemoglobin-free medium perfusion. In the Tr group, the VmO2peak significantly increased by 32%. Although the PmbO2 during muscle contraction did not affect the increased mVO2 in endurance-trained muscle, the O2 release rate from Mb increased because of the increased Mb concentration and faster decremental rate in SmbO2 at the maximal twitch tension. These results suggest that the Mb dynamics during muscle contraction are contributing factors to faster VO2 kinetics in endurance-trained muscle.