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The article discusses the popularity and marketing of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. Topics include consumer confusion on OTC hearing aids, view of audiologists on the usefulness of the device, and way for audiologists to get involved and influence which patients purchase which hearing aids. The candidacy for OTCs is also discussed.

The article discusses the recent advancements and discussions in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and the urgent need to tag AI-generated images. It mentions high-level discussions with tech company CEOs about AI detection and transparency. The article also addresses the challenges of detecting AI-generated content, particularly cheating detectors and the use of watermarks that are often invisible to the human eye.

When heavy rain falls on Lynfield Mount hospital in Bradford, West Yorkshire, sewage swells up through its bathroom sinks, and seeps under doors and onto the wards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author shares how she invented a three-dimensional (3D) printed product, an animal-shaped receptacle that eats speech language treatment materials dubbed Chomper Champs, for use in speech therapy to increase her pediatric patients' engagement with speech, language and feeding goals, and became and entrepreneur. She describes her experience of learning 3D printing and tells about the costs and pricing of 3D printing.

With increased workplace pressures, moral distress and burnout during the pandemic, clinical supervision gained prominence across all fields of nursing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the experiences of Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals who work in temporary or part-time jobs, often referred to as "nomads," and how this phenomenon is reshaping the LIS field. It mentions that there is a need to better inform LIS graduate students about this professional phenomenon, and suggests that this work could be used for ethnographic research to better understand the experiences of LIS professionals.

NHS Resolution manages the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts, and aims to reduce the cost of litigation in terms of clinical negligence claims. To achieve this, potential clinical negligence claims are screened to assess whether to defend the claim or to provide an out-of-court settlement. Nurse experts from all nursing specialties are engaged to review all documentation and patient records to offer an opinion on the viability of a claim. This article describes the processes involved in assessing tissue viability clinical negligence claims, providing examples of evidence that guided decisions and advice on how nurses can protect their organisation from costly litigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the latest global cost analysis by Turner & Townsend, which reveals that the U.S. is now the most expensive country for construction, with six American cities ranking among the top ten.

The article reviews several web sites for the librarians to learn data literacy skills includes "The Data Literacy Project (DLP)" located at https://thedataliteracyproject.org/; "Qlik's Data Literacy Program" located at https://www.qlik.com/us/services/ training/data-literacy-program.

The article discusses how to reduce carbon emissions from gas turbine combined-cycle power plant. Topics include the application of high supplementary firing in heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) and recirculation of a portion of its stack gas to efficiently remove carbon dioxide (CO2), the component of a continuous scrubbing system such as absorber and regenerator (stripper), and the performance and cost of post-combustion absorption system.

Problem/Condition: As a result of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, millions of U.S. adults attained health insurance coverage. However, millions of adults remain uninsured or underinsured. Compared with adults without barriers to health care, adults who lack health insurance coverage, have coverage gaps, or skip or delay care because of limited personal finances might face increased risk for poor physical and mental health and premature mortality. Period Covered: 2014. Description of System: The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is an ongoing, state-based, landline- and cellular-telephone survey of noninstitutionalized adults aged =18 years residing in the United States. Data are collected from states, the District of Columbia, and participating U.S. territories on health risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, health care access, and use of clinical preventive services (CPS). An optional Health Care Access module was included in the 2014 BRFSS. This report summarizes 2014 BRFSS data from all 50 states and the District of Columbia on health care access and use of selected CPS recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force or the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices among working-aged adults (aged 18-64 years), by state, state Medicaid expansion status, expanded geographic region, and federal poverty level (FPL). This report also provides analysis of primary type of health insurance coverage at the time of interview, continuity of health insurance coverage during the preceding 12 months, and other health care access measures (i.e., unmet health care need because of cost, unmet prescription need because of cost, medical debt [medical bills being paid off over time], number of health care visits during the preceding year, and satisfaction with received health care) from 43 states that included questions from the optional BRFSS Health Care Access module. Results: In 2014, health insurance coverage and other health care access measures varied substantially by state, state Medicaid expansion status, expanded geographic region (i.e., states categorized geographically into nine regions), and FPL category. The following proportions refer to the range of estimated prevalence for health insurance and other health care access measures by examined geographical unit (unless otherwise specified), as reported by respondents. Among adults with health insurance coverage, the range was 70.8%-94.5% for states, 78.8%-94.5% for Medicaid expansion states, 70.8%-89.1% for nonexpansion states, 73.3%-91.0% for expanded geographic regions, and 64.2%-95.8% for FPL categories. Among adults who had a usual source of health care, the range was 57.2%-86.6% for states, 57.2%-86.6% for Medicaid expansion states, 61.8%-83.9% for nonexpansion states, 64.4%-83.6% for expanded geographic regions, and 61.0%-81.6% for FPL categories. Among adults who received a routine checkup, the range was 52.1%-75.5% for states, 56.0%-75.5% for Medicaid expansion states, 52.1%-71.1% for nonexpansion states, 56.8%-70.2% for expanded geographic regions, and 59.9%-69.2% for FPL categories. Among adults who had unmet health care need because of cost, the range was 8.0%-23.1% for states, 8.0%-21.9% for Medicaid expansion states, 11.9%-23.1% for nonexpansion states, 11.6%-20.3% for expanded geographic regions, and 5.3%-32.9% for FPL categories. Estimated prevalence of cancer screenings, influenza vaccination, and having ever been tested for human immunodeficiency virus also varied by state, state Medicaid expansion status, expanded geographic region, and FPL category. The prevalence of insurance coverage varied by approximately 25 percentage points among racial/ethnic groups (range: 63.9% among Hispanics to 88.4% among non-Hispanic Asians) and by approximately 32 percentage points by FPL category (range: 64.2% among adults with household income <100% of FPL to 95.8% among adults with household income >400% of FPL). The prevalence of unmet health care need because of cost varied by nearly 14 percentage points among racial/ethnic groups (range: 11.3% among non-Hispanic Asians to 25.0% among Hispanics), by approximately 17 percentage points among adults with and without disabilities (30.8% versus 13.7%), and by approximately 28 percentage points by FPL category (range: 5.3% among adults with household income >400% of FPL to 32.9% among adults with household income <100% of FPL). Among the 43 states that included questions from the optional module, a majority of adults reported private health insurance coverage (63.4%), followed by public health plan coverage (19.4%) and no primary source of insurance (17.1%). Financial barriers to health care (unmet health care need because of cost, unmet prescribed medication need because of cost, and medical bills being paid off over time [medical debt]) were typically lower among adults in Medicaid expansion states than those in nonexpansion states regardless of source of insurance. Approximately 75.6% of adults reported being continuously insured during the preceding 12 months, 12.9% reported a gap in coverage, and 11.5% reported being uninsured during the preceding 12 months. The largest proportion of adults reported =3 visits to a health care professional during the preceding 12 months (47.3%), followed by 1-2 visits (37.1%), and no health care visits (15.6%). Adults in expansion and nonexpansion states reported similar levels of satisfaction with received health care by primary source of health insurance coverage and by continuity of health insurance coverage during the preceding 12 months. Interpretation: This report presents for the first time estimates of population-based health care access and use of CPS among adults aged 18-64 years. The findings in this report indicate substantial variations in health insurance coverage; other health care access measures; and use of CPS by state, state Medicaid expansion status, expanded geographic region, and FPL category. In 2014, health insurance coverage, having a usual source of care, having a routine checkup, and not experiencing unmet health care need because of cost were higher among adults living below the poverty level (i.e., household income <100% of FPL) in states that expanded Medicaid than in states that did not. Similarly, estimates of breast and cervical cancer screening and influenza vaccination were higher among adults living below the poverty level in states that expanded Medicaid than in states that did not. These disparities might be due to larger differences to begin with, decreased disparities in Medicaid expansion states versus nonexpansion states, or increased disparities in nonexpansion states. Public Health Action: BRFSS data from 2014 can be used as a baseline by which to assess and monitor changes that might occur after 2014 resulting from programs and policies designed to increase access to health care, reduce health disparities, and improve the health of the adult population. Post-2014 changes in health care access, such as source of health insurance coverage, attainment and continuity of coverage, financial barriers, preventive care services, and health outcomes, can be monitored using these baseline estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on an economic evaluation of the cost and cost-effectiveness of aflibercept monotherapy vs. bevacizumab-first strategies for treating diabetic macular edema.

The article explores an example of manufacturing polyvinyl chloride (PVC) from coal. Topics covered include a comparative analysis of PVC manufacturing from alternative feedstocks, such as coal, key assumptions on which PVC comparative cost analysis is based, and costs for PVC production through the naphtha and natural gas routes.

The article presents the highlights of a panel discussion convened by the Health Forum of the American Hospital Association (AHA) on November 4, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois that examined the role of the pathologist in diagnosis, quality and patient safety. Topics include Bob Kehoe, senior editor of the "Hospitals & Health Network" journal as the moderator. Also mentioned are panelists Wendy Leutgens of Loyola University Medcial Center and Doctor Ritu Nayar of Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

The article discusses the need for refineries to develop a solid greenhouse gas (GHG) best available control technology (BACT) cost-effectiveness calculation in order to avoid carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) costs in the U.S. Topics covered include the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations on GHG emissions, the focus by activist groups on the GHG BACT analysis when challenging environmental permits, and the components of a comprehensive cost analysis.

The article presents an assessment of the behavioral health programs (BHPs) or behavioral health assistance programs in fire service that range from basic to comprehensive with services and resources offered in-house or by external providers. The said programs have been found to ameliorate the undesired effects emergency services workers have experienced from exposure to traumatic events. The effectiveness of BHP can also be rated on personnel productivity or an economic cost/benefit analysis.

The article informs Stantec, Canada-based designing company, has won a contract of undisclosed value from the U.S. National Association of Clean Water Agencies, to develop the first national analysis of agency financial impacts in monitoring and remediating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Emerson has announced that its Aventics Advanced Valve (AV) valve system with Advanced Electronic System (AES) Profinet and Ethernet/IP is now available with pre-installed Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture (OPC UA). The valve system is the first and only of its kind to offer this integrated feature. The integration of OPC UA facilitates communication with higher-level systems and enables direct data access. This can save costs as complex analyses do not need to be performed through a separate gateway. Schubert & Salzer Control Systems will be showcasing IO-Link position controllers for its pneumatic control valves at ACHEMA 2022. The integration of the international industrial standard IO-Link simplifies the installation and maintenance of the valves in complex systems. The condition data provided by IO-Link increases process reliability and enables predictive maintenance planning. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses how nurses in the United Kingdom (UK) can sustain their annual payment for their Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) membership if they are struggling financially. Other topics include how nurses can pay their annual fees like the NMC Online platform, how the fees are being used by the regulators, and the help provided by the Cavell Nurses' Trust to nurses struggling to pay their fees.

Economic evaluation is rapidly becoming an invaluable tool for healthcare decision making, especially in light of current pressures on health services to reduce costs and increase expenditure on health care. This article provides an overview of the main methods used for the economic evaluation of healthcare interventions, and their applications and limitations. It is intended as an introduction to the topic for readers with no background in economics, and can be used to review the basic concepts of economic evaluation in healthcare provision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports that Ma'aden Wa'ad Al-Shamal Phosphate Co.'s (MWSPC) Umm Wu'al phosphate project in Saudi Arabia has started production of ammonia, merchant-grade acid and fertilizer. It notes that fluor is providing overall program management services for this $8 billion megaproject, in addition to engineering, procurement and operations and readiness services for various scopes. BHP reported a 4% decline in copper equivalent costs compared to the 2016 financial year. INSET: Rio Tinto Opens Silvergrass Iron Ore Mine in Weste.

The article offers a guide of collecting books. It mentions that condition has two factors in book collecting, which include the book itself and the dust jacket. It states that the Book-of-the Month Club printed by some other company and not by the original publisher, frequently using the original plates. It says that book club copies are less valuable because they are more numerous compared to the true first editions.

The article discusses how hospitals can get the most value from their physicians. Topics discussed include the improved medical group operations in hospitals including practice-support expenses, the reduction of unnecessary wide variation among physicians in clinical-resource use and the ProvenCare program of Geisinger Health System, and the need for a more holistic view of the physician's role in the system.

With increasing health service cutbacks, cost-effectiveness is a central issue in many wound care decisions. Clinicians are frequently required to justify clinical decision making in terms of health benefits obtained and the cost to health service providers. However, few clinicians have the skills to accurately interpret cost in more than local health economic terms, and the disjointed structures that exist in healthcare provision mean that even those who monitor health expenditure have little concept of the global cost of care provision. This article focuses on the pressures placed on healthcare providers to achieve cost-effectiveness in care, specifically in relation to wound care and the effect that pain at dressing change has on the cost of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents several letters to the editor including the articles "Solid Preference?" and an interview with Chris Chadwick, president of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, both in the May 26/June 2, 2014 issue, and "Counter Craft" in the May 12 issue.

The article presents the results of the American Hospital Association Environmental Scan, a data analysis initiative which is designed to provide information on market forces that are likely to affect the health care field in the U.S. The role that the scan can play in helping U.S. hospital and health system professionals understand the issues which will affect the future of health care in the U.S. is discussed.

The article offers eight steps to help create business value via communication and improve business performance. It includes getting leaders for performance-based communication, including value proposition in business case, and conducting a value-to-cost assessment. Also mentioned are assessment of communication capabilities, creation or refinement of the supporting infrastructure, introduction of new direction of communication function and its business case.

The article discusses on new technologies being developed to reduce costs and solvent wastage during food testing across different labs. Liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with mass spectrometry has enhanced techniques for food testing of large number of food items to find all types of contaminants. The article's main focus is on use of High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) methods to micro flow LC to improve sensitivity and robustness of analysis.

The optimal point in time for re-investment of the superstructure for a specific rail section can be determined only by considering the Life Cycle Costs. The economic service life of standard kilometre categories which were developed as a part of investment and maintenance strategies are defined by a particular combination of parameters. For evaluation, the static model of the average annual cost is used because the cost-effectiveness otherwise depends too heavily on the assumed interest rate. There is also a potential for cost reduction by joining several sections for the re-investment. The overall optimum which is the optimal section length with the economically optimal point in time for re-investment can only be determined iteratively. Forthis, an evaluation model is presented, which can determine the overall optimum based on the Life Cycle Costs. Different implementation costs are taken into account in relation to the section length, and cost increases or cost reductions by reducing or extending the standard service life as well as costs of operational hindrances due to permanent slow orders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El artículo discute la labor del empaque en la cadena de suministro de la empresa contemporánea. El autor centra su análisis en la noción de satisfacción del cliente como base de la cadena de suministro, para lo cual aborda aspectos como diseño de empaque, análisis de costos y personalización masificada.

The article discusses the commitment of the University of Alberta (UAlberta) to sustainability, focusing on its collaboration with the City of Edmonton's Utility Services on design and development of new anaerobic digestion (AD) facility in Alberta. It mentions that UAlberta analyzes costs, collection system and logistics to improve diversion of organics, with information on the change management consideration during the pilot building planning process.

The article reports on academic research and development (R&D) spending trends based from the National Science Foundation in the U.S. It states that the university and college spending on science and engineering R&D increased only 4.3% to $47.8 billion in 2006 which became the smallest expansion since 1996. Moreover, the total R&D spending by universities and colleges as removed from the statistics indicates the edging up 1.0% in terms of unvarying dollars between 2005 and 2006.

Se evalúa el sistema de costeo del Banco Central de Brasil. Explica que el banco utilizó en 2002 y 2003 el llamado Sistema de Custos e Informaçoes Gerenciais (SCIG) para medir los costos de y los productos generados por sus actividades. Informa que el sistema fue introducido con modificaciones que diferían del método aceptado Costeo Basado en Actividades (ABC). El artículo trata estas modificaciones.

Decision makers in operations and marketing prefer different calculations of unit costs. The authors explain how unit costs can confuse decision makers in each area if calculations are not adjusted for their preferences and demonstrate adjustments within the framework of activity-based costing systems. Current accounting practices that capitalize on flexible unit costs will serve companies best. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on the updated cost and resource estimate for the Donlin Creek mining project in Alaska. According to the final drill results released by NovaGold Resources Inc., the drill data continue to indicate resource expansion potential beyond the 2006 Preliminary Economic Assessment pit limits. However, Reuters reported that NovaGold's 2006 estimate had Donlin costing C$2.1 billion, but project partner Barrick Gold Corp. stated in 2007 it could cost C$4 billion. This means that the overall project costs for Donlin Creek could increase significantly.

The article reports on the total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis of the periodical, which states that the cost of software as a service (SaaS) is about $135,000 less than a comparable licensed application in the U.S. This evaluation has been attained by contrasting a customer relationship management (CRM) service and a licensed software package. The readers have cited several concerns over security, performance, uptime and physical possession of critical business data. In addition, three CRM applications such as Salesforce.COM Professional, Microsoft Dynamics CRM. 3.0 Professional and Oracle Siebel CRM Pro, have been examined to compare the costs.

For each layer of information security there is a number of techniques and tools that can be used to ensure information superiority. Indeed some experts would argue that you cannot have the former without the latter. In today's technological & interconnected world, however, information superiority is very hard to achieve and almost impossible to maintain. This paper will argue that the art of deception is a reliable and cost effective technique that can assure the security of an infrastructure. The paper will conclude by presenting a technical solution of the above statement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on evaluating the cost-efficiency of using mechanical controls and variable frequency drives (VFD) for regulating fan airflow. The process of figuring annual operating costs associated with the use of VFD and inlet and outlet dampers is discussed. An assessment of VFD cost-efficiency is presented.

Explains the use of the benefits/cost analysis tool in the Copenhagen Consensus Project. Basic idea behind benefit/cost analysis; Observation on the problems brought by climate change; Information on the problem of communicable diseases in poor countries.

The article evaluates synchronous reluctance motor for more energy efficiency. It notes that the compressor manufacturer Kaeser is also upgrading the CSD/CSDX series with frequency-controlled drive technology to further improve efficiency and reduce the energy costs of compressed air generation in the system network reduce. It adds that responsible use of resources is one of the important success factors of Kaeser compressors.

Focuses on several factors to be considered when choosing distributed generation as an alternative to central station generation in power plants. Growth projections; Cost/benefit analysis; Natural gas prices; Efficiency and reliability.

This article presents information on low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC). It is informed that LTCC is an increasingly popular technology that has the potential for increased reliability, improved electrical performance, size reduction and reduced cost. LTCC is a process technology that allows radio frequency engineers to create modules with integrated passive components. The great advantage of LTCC is that ceramic technology circuit elements such as capacitors, resistors and inductors can be implemented in a small space and at low cost.

Analyzes the effective management of unit costs and unit margins in businesses. Nature of unit costs; Situations in which unit cost management has put a company in a difficult situation; Characteristics of costing and margin management; Measure of efficiency.

The article focuses on cancellation of Stand-Off Jammer (SOJ) program. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley said that the rise in cost of the B-52 SOJ program, to nearly $7 billion from $1 billion, caused the program to be canceled. He and aerospace industry officials agreed that the tendency to add capabilities on to a program doomed the effort. The advanced system would have broadened the scope of electronic attack by adding flexibility and muscle to information operations and communications network invasion and exploitation. Some of those involved in the program's early stages are calling foul on the cancellation decision, which, they say, was made by the Pentagon comptroller's office without adequate input from the Air Force, Navy, and industry, in particular.

The article focuses on the use of data-driven, experience based approach for the optimization of workforce. It mentions that the workforce optimization consulting (WOC) helps in reducing the cost of production. It mentions that the data-supported staffing assessment approach includes proprietary methodology and tools, that help operators in determining and implementing the optimum workforces for the companies.

Unscrupulous promoters of tax avoidance schemes are continuing to target healthcare workers, including agency nurses and those who have returned to help the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic. There can be significant financial implications for anyone involved in these schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the 2021 finding that medical liability insurance premiums are increasing after a decade of mostly steady rates. Topics covered include its boosting of economic stress on medical practices amid the patient reduction and higher expenses for scarce medical supplies after the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and the need to check rising premiums to maintain patient care access. Also noted is the pursuit of reforms to keep premiums stable.

The article offers information on the future of libraries in digital terms. Topics include that the users of the library have changed, and with this, expectations of the library have changed; and discusses the part of librarians' responsibility which is bridging the gap between their personal, professional experience of the library and user expectations. Article discusses that digital resources offer some tools for librarians too, such as options for viewing usage patterns.