Showing papers on "Cost effectiveness published in 1977"

An Analysis of the Cost-Effectiveness of Pharyngitis Management and Acute Rheumatic Fever Prevention

Abstract: The cost-effectiveness of preventing primary acute rheumatic fever attacks by oral or benzathine penicillin treatment was analyzed for both epidemic and endemic streptococcal pharyngitis s...

Entrepreneurs and Ventures: An Attempt at Classification and Clarification

Abstract: Confusion about concepts and terminology can be reduced by classifying types of entrepreneurs and their ventures. Three new concepts are introduced which relate to the independent entrepreneurial venture: (a) the Four-P Index (perceived payoff per principal), (b) the Life-Cycle of the Independent Entrepreneurial Venture, and (c) the “Succession of Firms” Concept.

Solar Conversion Efficiency of Pressure Sintered Cadmium Selenide Liquid Junction Cells

Abstract: Pressure sintered electrodes of cadmium selenide subsequently doped with cadmium vapor have shown solar energy conversion efficiencies approaching /sup 3///sub 4/ of those of single crystal specimens in sunlight experiments. The cell CdSe/1F Na/sub 2/S-1F S-1F NaOH/C has operated at 5.1% conversion efficiency under AM2 conditions with polycrystalline electrodes. The relatively small sacrifice of efficiency from single crystal values of 7.5 +- 0.5% suggests the possibility of substantial cost advantage. The temperature and pressure conditions, cadmium doping procedure, material characterization, and the voltammetric behavior of the cell are discussed.

Alcohol: a brazilian answer to the energy crisis.

Abstract: The Brazilian government has launched a program to replace much of the country's imported oil with ethyl alcohol produced from sugarcane and other crops. It has been demonstrated that alcohol is a far more flexible fuel than gasoline, since it can be used in motors designed for gasoline in proportions as high as 20 percent with no adjustment to ordinary automobile engines. Alcohol can also be burned in a 50-50 mixture with diesel fuel in truck and bus engines through use of an ingeneous double-carburetion system and seems to be an ideal turbine fuel for use in electric generating plants. Officials of the Brazilian program estimate that about 4 billion liters of alcohol per year will be required to substitute for 20 percent of gasoline consumption by the early 1980's. This level of production would require 1.3 million hectares of cane or between 1 and 2 million hectares of manioc. The alcohol program will also have a favorable impact in areas such as: pollution, employment, and industrial growth.

Non-tracking solar energy collector system

Abstract: A solar energy collector system characterized by an improved concentrator for directing incident rays of solar energy on parallel vacuum-jacketed receivers or absorbers including a plurality of individually mounted reflector modules of a common asymmetrical triangular cross-sectional configuration supported for independent reorientation and defining a plurality of asymmetric vee-trough concentrators.

Silicon solar cells by high-speed low-temperature processing

Abstract: A new method for silicon solar cell fabrication is being developed around ion implantation and pulsed electron beam techniques. Cells are fabricated totally in a vacuum environment at room temperature. Major reductions result in the time, energy consumption, and waste material generation associated with solar cell production. Cells to date have exhibited air mass zero efficiencies exceeding 10 percent.

Measurements and modeling of gain coefficients for neodymium laser glasses

Abstract: Small-signal gain coefficients are reported for neodymium in silicate, phosphate, fluorophosphate, and fluoroberyllate laser glasses. Measurements were made in a disk amplifier under identical conditions. Using spectroscopic data as the input, amplifier gain is calculated as a function of flashlamp energy, pumping pulse duration, disk thickness, and Nd-doping. The agreement between predicted and measured gains is generally with ±10 percent, consistent with experimental uncertainties in the model and the parameters used. The operating conditions which optimize amplifier performance and efficiency for a given laser glass may be found using spectroscopic data alone. This process can be extended to derive the most cost-effective staging of amplifier chains for fusion lasers. A discussion of the model and examples of calculations are presented.

Submunition having terminal trajectory correction

Abstract: A submunition having an infrared detector disposed in a nose portion thereof, the detector having a narrow angularly-displaced field of view, and vanes for causing the submunition to rotate at an essentially constant rate while in flight, thus to cause the infrared detector to scan a target area and to detect the presence of a target having a selected higher temperature than the background infrared radiation. The submunition includes a small explosive charge sheet disposed on its outer surface and concentrated in one area, and firing pulse generation means for firing the charge. When the infrared detector scans past a detectable target within the target area, it produces a detection signal that triggers a firing pulse from the firing pulse generation means, thereby firing the explosive charge to create a lateral impulse or offset of the submunition. Timing means is provided to cause the impulse to be produced in the exact direction to correct the terminal trajectory of the submunition to intercept the detected target, so that the warhead carried by the submunition can cripple or destroy the target. This novel correctable-trajectory submunition is therefore seen to be a low-cost device having high kill probability when air-dropped in clusters, thereby providing very high cost effectiveness.

Computed tomography of the brain in patients with headache or temporal lobe epilepsy: findings and cost-effectiveness.

Abstract: Computed tomographic (CT) examinations of the brain were reviewed in 85 patients with a chief complaint of headache and in 22 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy in an attempt to assess the yield and cost-effectiveness in these two clinical settings Lower bounds for the costs of case finding were calculated using probabilistic estimates In patients with headache and no objective neurologic findings, no abnormal CT examinations were found On the other hand, 34% of patients with headache and associated objective neurologic findings had abnormal CT studies No abnormal CT examinations occurred in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy The calculated lower bounds for the costs of case finding for these groups were $4,363, $500, and $1,846 per patient, respectively

The Limits of Cost-Benefit Analysis as a Guide to Priority-Setting in Rehabilitation.

Abstract: Policy makers and program managers concerned with targeting resources to meet the rehabilitation needs of the nation cannot rely on the backlog of 18 cost-benefit studies to decide among alternative kinds and amounts of investment. Overly simplistic forecasting of the future earnings of rehabilitants, the insufficiencies of data concerning the benefits and costs of rehabilitation, and the extreme sensitivity of the cost-benefit model's results to its untested underlying assumptions argue against priority-setting based on intuitively appealing class-specific calculations that appear to show greater rates of return for investments in some kinds of disabled persons over others. Until substantial upgrading of the state of the art along certain recommended lines takes place, the political process looks like the only sensible and fair way to approach choice and the assertion ofpriorities.

The Learning and Cost Effectiveness of AVT Supplemented Instruction: Specification of Learning Models

Abstract: This article should be a valuable follow-up of the debate on research techniques which appeared in the fall issue of this journal. Becker and Salemi report on an evaluation of an audiovisual tutorial package used in several two-year colleges, finding that the AVT experience had no differential effect on learning for the experimental group as a whole. Then they go on to discuss some basic research problems, such as simultaneous equation bias, the use of the gap-closing model, and measuring the opportunity cost of student time. Appropriate remedies for these problems are offered, and these should be of considerable interest to others planning evaluation studies in economic education.

Cost Factors in Urban Telemedicine

Abstract: This paper reports on the cost effectiveness of a pediatric primary care system utilizing nurse practitioners (NPs) linked to a physician consultant through bidirectional interactive cable television. In addition, it discusses ways in which multiple uses enhance the economic feasibility of a telemedicine consultation link in a given geographic area. The overall consultation rate during periods of remote physician coverage was 21 per cent, compared with 24 per cent during on-site coverage. The telephone became a partial substitute for the TV for some uses but could not replace it in diagnostic decisions. As telemedicine is obviously underutilized in a one-satellite system, we compare a five-satellite network with other ways of delivering service. The resulting estimated cost of $18.50 an hour, or 2/3 of the cost of a physician providing direct care, includes a TV component of $5.30 an hour of use in a 1,750-hour year. The critical factor is that the NP can be a physician substitute if there is TV backup. The TV appears to prevent unnecessary referrals compared to a physician on site. Whether TV increases the length of the consult compared to the phone for conditions of equal severity is not entirely clear. If TV is compared to transporting a patient to a central place, the implicit value of transport time and disutility required to justify using TV is $7.55 per consult in a five-clinic network. Geographic and other barriers to physician availability enhance the potential for application fo telemedicine.

The promise of automatic vehicle identification

Abstract: Automatic vehicle identification (AVI) technology, which permits fully automatic and unique identification of vehicles at specific interrogation points, offers potential benefits in many fields including fleet control, revenue collection, traffic operations, transportation planning, and safety and law enforcement. Three technologies are currently being used for AVI: optical, microwave, and low power radio frequency. All of the three technologies are currently being used in either operating systems or extensive field testing under operating conditions. The first large scale application of AVI was in the railroad industry to identify automatically rolling stock. The optical AVI techniques used have also been applied in automatic container identification and, in a limited scope application, in the operation of an automatic toll collection system. Microwave AVI techniques have been tested successfully in containerization applications and are currently under test by a major toll road in revenue collection application. Low power radio frequency AVI was tested extensively in the federally-sponsored Automatic Bus Identification Project and is being evaluated for nonstop toll collection application by toll agencies. While the cost effectiveness of AVI will vary to a considerable extent with the technology used and the desired functional requirements, existing AVI technology can provide automatic unique identification of vehicles at a cost which can be justified in many applications. As these applications are being developed, the rapid advances in computer and electronic technology which are inherent in AVI systems, will further reduce initial and operating costs of contemplated AVI systems.

Promise of automatic vehicle identification

Abstract: Automatic vehicle identification (AVI) technology, which permits fully automatic and unique identification of vehicles at specific interrogation points, offers potential benefits in many fields including fleet control, revenue collection, traffic operations, transportation planning, and safety and law enforcement. Three technologies are currently being used for AVI: optical, microwave, and low power radio frequency. All of the three technologies are currently being used in either operating systems or extensive field testing under operating conditions. The first large scale application of AVI was in the railroad industry to identify automatically rolling stock. The optical AVI techniques used have also been applied in automatic container identification and, in a limited scope application, in the operation of an automatic toll collection system. Microwave AVI techniques have been tested successfully in containerization applications and are currently under test by a major toll road in revenue collection application. Low power radio frequency AVI was tested extensively in the federally-sponsored Automatic Bus Identification Project and is being evaluated for nonstop toll collection application by toll agencies. While the cost effectiveness of AVI will vary to a considerable extent with the technology used and the desired functional requirements, existing AVI technology can provide automatic unique identification of vehicles at a cost which can be justified in many applications. As these applications are being developed, the rapid advances in computer and electronic technology which are inherent in AVI systems, will further reduce initial and operating costs of contemplated AVI systems.

Coatings and Cathodic Protection of Pilings in Seawater: Results of 5-Year Exposure.

Abstract: : This report presents the results of the inspection of test pilings extracted after 5 years of exposure to seawater at LaCosta Island, FL. The effectiveness of various coating systems and sacrificial anodes in preventing corrosion of H- and steel pipe pilings in seawater is assessed. Six of the coating systems were found to perform excellently, as was a coating/cathodic protection combination. Sacrificial anodes of zinc and aluminum were also found to effectively reduce corrosion in the immersed zone. The study also confirmed that use of the cathodic protection index and polarization behavior is an effective nondestructive testing technique for monitoring corrosion of steel immersed in seawater. (Author)

Cost Effectiveness in Insurance Distribution

Abstract: This article explores the extent to which the independent and the exclusive agency systems of distribution of property and liability insurance differ in terms of cost effectiveness. Results of a survey of both types of insurance distributors were used to compare the two systems along several cost effectiveness dimensions. The conclusion of the study is that the exclusive agency system indicates greater effectiveness. It exhibits better performance as regards orchestration of activities of insurers and agents, and has achieved greater productivity at the agency level. The post-war growth of the direct writers and the exclusive agency systems' in the property and liability insurance industry has caused many to fear that the independent insurance agent may eventually disappear or occupy only a marginal role in the distribution of property and liability insurance. The alarm felt by many has been expressed by Kenney as follows: Unless major corrective measures are undertaken by those in position to do so, the presently waning agency system of insurance distribution faces complete disintegration in many areas of our business, and a perpetual state of agency impotence in those areas wherein we continue to operate.2 A major concern has been the ability of the stock and the mutual insurance companies and of the independent agents to compete effectively on the basis of costs with the direct writers and the exclusive agency companies. For example, Mehr suggested that: By means of central billing, lower commission scales, lower operating costs, these companies [the direct writers and the exclusive agency insurers] soon had made great inroads in the automobile insurance field. Their means of attack were classic: they offered a lower cost, comparable quality product. Michael Etgar, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor of Operations Analysis in the School of Management of State University of New York at Buffalo. He has contributed to the Journal of Industrial Economics, Journal of Retailing, Journal of Business Administration, and Industrial Organization Reviewv. 'The careful (as distinguished from common) designation for operations like those of State Farm is "exclusive agency" while CEICO and Factor Mutuals are "direct writers." In this article the focus of analysis is on the former. 2 Roger Kenney, "Critique of American Agency System," In Wayne Snyder (ed.), Readings in Property and Casualty Insurance (Homewood, Ill.: Irwin, 1959), p. 266.

Optimization of Mechanical Supports for Large Superconductive Magnets

Abstract: Load-bearing thermal insulators are often required in the construction of cryogenic dewars. Superconducting magnets in some cases also require the extensive use of mechanical struts anchored in the low-temperature region on one end, while the other end of the strut rests on room temperature frames. One such extreme example occurs in the design of superconductive solenoids for use as energy storage magnets. Since the cost of a cold structure would be excessive, it is necessary to support such solenoids in bedrock (which is cost free except for minor excavation charges) by means of epoxy-fiberglass struts. As an example, one large unit requires that 14 × 106 metric tons of force be transmitted from 1.8 K conductors to room temperature rock surfaces as efficiently as possible.

Analysis of aarchitectural features for enhancing the performance of a database machine

Abstract: RAP (Relational Associative Processor) is a “back-end” database processor that is intended to take over much of the effort of database management in a computer system. In order to enhance RAP's performance its design includes mechanisms for permitting features analogous to multiprogramming and virtual memory as in general purpose computer systems. It is the purpose of this paper to present the detailed design of these mechanisms, along with some analysis that supports their value. Specifically, (1) the response time provided by RAP under several scheduling disciplines involving priority by class is analyzed, (2) the cost effectiveness of the additional hardware in RAP necessary to support multiprogramming is assessed, and (3) a detailed design of the RAP virtual memory system and its monitor is presented.

Evaluation of parity equations for gyro failure detection and isolation /FDI/ in a skew-redundant octahedron configuration

Abstract: A set of seven unique parity equations (linear dependence relationships) are derived for an octahedron inertial measurement unit (IMU) having six skew-redundant sensing axes. Single and dual axis gyro failure detection and isolation (FDI) algorithms, utilizing the parity equations, are evaluated for a typical Earth launch to geosynchronous orbit mission. The IMU implemented with single degree-ot-freedoni gyros had better FDI characteristics but was relegated in favor of the more cost effective IMU with two degree-of-freedom gyros. A life cycle cost analysis showed that to be more cost effective the latter IMU was required to yield an FDI probability greater than 0.98 with false alarm rate less than 0.001. This capability was verified by Monte Carlo simulation. HE requirement for high reliability and low life-cycle cost in a production program involving many vehicles makes the selection of a skew-redundant strapdown inertial measurement unit (IMU) an attractive choice. Gimbaled orthogonal platform systems which provide single-point failure protection require triple modular redundancy (TMR) implementation with a significant penalty in size, weight, power, and production cost. The decision to go skewed is complicated somewhat by the need to provide a highly effective instrument "soft" failure detection and isolation (FDI) algorithm. A TMR system can simply vote each set of three independent redundant axes and thereby avoid the need for special algorithms for failure detection and isolation. Soft failures are, by definition, undetectable with built-in test equipment (BITE). They gradually degrade IMU performance and, if undetected, may cause end-of-mission (EOM) accuracy specifications to be violated. The effectiveness of an FDI algorithm is measured by how likely it is to detect and correctly isolate (cover) a soft failure before it has a chance to jeopardize mission success. At the same time the algorithm must not have a high probability for false alarm (i.e., inadvertently causing the removal of a good instrument). Several different types of FDI algorithms have been developed and/or evaluated by numerous authors.J'3 One of the most attractive, from the point of view of ease of implementation in an airborne digital computer (ADC), is the parity equation algorithm. This paper presents results of an analysis of parity equation efficacy for two strapped-down skewed IMU's. A. Description of Skewed IMU's Figure 1 illustrates the IMU type discussed in the paper. This is the so-called octahedron configuration. The body frame is shown as XNB, YNB, ZNB with the instrument input axes labeled numerically 1 through 6. Each axis contains a gyro and an accelerometer. Complimentary axes in the octahedron IMU (i.e., 1 and 2, 3 and 4, and 5 and 6) make angles of 90 deg with each other and are symmetrically placed with respect to the body system. That is to say, instruments 1 and 2 both are inclined 45 deg with respect to the ZNB body axis, 3 and 4, 45 deg with respect

Cost-Effectiveness of Flight Simulators for Military Training. Volume 1. Use and Effectiveness of Flight Simulators

Abstract: : Flight simulators cost less to operate than do aircraft; estimates range from 5 to 20 percent Many studies have shown that skills learned in flight simulators can be performed successfully in aircraft, ie, the use of flight simulators for training purposes saves flight time The critical issue is whether the amount of flight time saved by the use of simulators is worth their cost The cost-effectiveness of flight simulators for training has been demonstrated only in a few recent studies which report that the procurement cost of simulators can be amortized in a few years Current R and D about flight simulators centers about the need for motion and wide angle visual display systems Flight simulators have achieved their greatest use by the military so far in undergraduate flight training Their greatest potential for future savings lies in transition and continuation training which account for the major costs of military flying Consistent methods of data collection and cost estimating, not now available, are needed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of alternative flight training programs, including the use of various types of simulators, part-task trainers, new instructional strategies, and the like The report provides a preliminary cost model which identifies the data needed to develop cost estimates for use in cost-effectiveness analyses of flight training

Preliminary study of automatic daylight control of artificial lighting

Abstract: The availability and present use of photo-electric continuous dimming or simple switching lighting controls are described and the cost effectiveness of using such systems is investigated. Although data on use of lighting are lacking, necessitating some assumptions, it is concluded that at present costs automatic dimming systems are likely to be cost effective in new buildings. Fitting existing lighting installations with automatic dimming control is not usually cost effective although an increase in electricity cost of about 4% per annum in real terms could change this. Despite smaller potential savings automatic switching can often be cost effective since initial costs are significantly lower. The maximum conservation potential of automatic controls is between 0.2 and 0.4% of UK primary energy use.

Cost-Effectiveness of Potential Federal Policies Affecting Research and Development Expenditures in the Auto, Steel and Food Industries,

Abstract: : This paper contains the writer's preliminary analysis of the demand for company financed research and development expenditures (CR/D) in three manufacturing industries. Based upon estimates of the demand for CR/D, he estimated the costs and effects of two public policies that could affect R/D expenditures: (1) changes in the level of federally financed R/D expenditures; and (2) changes in the cost of private R/D through tax credits. He develops a capital theoretic framework in which he assumes that CR/D generates knowledge or 'research capital' that may increase output demand or reduce costs. Based upon his capital theoretic framework, the demand for the research capital stock is estimating using industry level time-series data for 1956-74. These time-series data enable him to obtain the first measures of changes in the price of knowledge upon the demand for CR/D, and also to measure the impact of changes in federal R/D expenditures upon CR/D.