Dollar Commitment Research Articles

Barriers to conducting a multi-center randomized controlled trial of surgical stabilization of rib fractures (and how to overcome them).

Surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) has become a standardized procedure, routinely performed at trauma centers over the last 40 years, however, it remains a controversial practice. Multicenter, randomized controlled trials (RCT) would provide compelling evidence in the efficacy of SSRF but there are theoretical obstacles involved with execution and design of this type of investigation. Through the systematic review of current literature on the topics of SSRF for flail and non-fail patterns, medical device industry conflicts of interests, working with international review boards (IRB), the surveyed opinions of surgeons, and through the experience gained from conducting a multicenter RCT on SSRF, it was possible to identify the major barriers that come with successful implementation of this type of study. In identifying these obstacles, it was then possible to propose their solutions, specifically to the issues that make the effort underpowered, underfunded, understaffed, with not enough time for completion. These barriers can be overcome with understanding, up front, that a mutlicenter RCT of SSRF will involve a multi-year and multi-hundred thousand dollar commitment, with support from parent organizations, and a dedicated, full-time research staff (and the solutions of how to overcome them). These barriers stem from poor planning which result specifically in an effort that is underpowered, under funded, under staffed, with not enough time for completion.

Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Research Committee Report 2014

The Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG) and its Foundation, the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation (CDHF), in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) aim to promote excellence in research. The overarching objective is that this research, in turn, will lead to new discoveries which will translate into improved health for Canadians. Moreover, this partnership will sustain and increase this capacity through high quality education and research training of talented young scientists and clinicians in gastroenterology. The CAG strategic plan is to sustain its strong support of biomedical research while increasing support for research in CIHR pillars 3 and 4, including outcomes research, quality assurance and knowledge translation. This report, on behalf of the Research Committee (Table 1), outlines another very successful year for this partnership program. TABLE 1 Members of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Research Committee 2014 Details relating to eligibility and application processes for all of the following awards are available on the CAG website: http://www.cagacg.org/research. The review and assessment of every application complies with CIHR standards and guidelines and any potential conflicts of interest are meticulously identified and avoided. Industry Partner-CIHR-CAG Post-Doctoral Operating Fellowship Program The fellowship program is the cornerstone in the CAG research activities and its sustained success makes it a model for other societies. A large number of applications were received again this year and with support from CIHR, and CAG’s partners, AbbVie, Actavis, Crohn’s & Colitis Canada (CCC), Ferring, Pentax, and Takeda, 14 fellowships were funded (Table 2). Two fellows received CIHR-CAG awards in name only as their applications ranked at a level to be funded entirely by the CIHR. TABLE 2 Funded Postdoctoral Fellowships (2014) New Investigator Award One new investigator salary award (Table 3) has been awarded this year with the support of CCC. TABLE 3 Funded Grants (2014) Summer Studentships It is critical that young investigators be supported at all levels of their training. Thus, in partnership with CCC, 16 students have received awards ($5,000 each) to work in laboratories of recent or established investigators whose interests cover many facets of gut function in health and in disease (Table 4). TABLE 4 Canadian Association of Gastroenterology- and Crohn’s & Colitis Canada-funded Summer Studentships (2014) The CAG and the CDHF offer the Ivan Beck Memorial Summer Studentship Award (an additional stipend of $1,000) to the top ranked summer studentship applicant. This award is in recognition of Dr Ivan Beck, one of the founding members of the CAG (1962) and the CDHF (1995). Ms Carly Aspden (UBC) is the 2014 awardee. Resident Research Program Seven awards were available with the generous partnership from Procter & Gamble, Shire and Actavis (Table 5). TABLE 5 Resident Research Awards (2014) Workshop Grants One CAG workshop grant was provided for the Kananaskis Inflammation Workshop (January 18, 2014). Such workshops make a significant contribution to education in gastrointestinal (GI) research, and help to showcase the cutting edge GI research from Canada and beyond. CCC-CAG Partnership The CCC continues to be a key partner in the CAG research program and inflammatory bowel disease research a major focus of the research being conducted. The summaries (Tables 2, ​,33 and ​and4)4) show that CCC supported three fellowships, one new investigator salary award and six summer studentships. Congratulations to all the successful awardees. We look forward to your contributions and your continued participation in the CAG research program. And again, many thanks to the CIHR and CAG partners – the 16 summer studentships, seven resident research awards, fourteen fellowships, one new investigator salary award add up to a research dollar commitment in 2013 of $1,378,500.

Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Research Committee Report 2013

The Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG) and its Foundation, the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation (CDHF), in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the CAG -CDHF partners, aims to promote excellence in research. The overarching objective is that this research, in turn, will lead to new discoveries which will translate into improved health for Canadians. Moreover, this partnership will sustain and increase this capacity through high quality education and research training of talented young scientists and clinicians in gastroenterology. The CAG strategic plan is to sustain its strong support of biomedical research while increasing support for research in CIHR pillars 3 and 4, including outcomes research, quality assurance and knowledge translation. This report, on behalf of the research committee (Table 1), outlines another very successful year for this partnership program. TABLE 1 Members of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Research Committee 2013 Details relating to eligibility and application processes for all of the following awards are available on the CAG website: www.cag-acg.org/research. The review and assessment of every application complies with CIHR standards and guidelines and any potential conflicts of interest are meticulously identified and avoided. Operating Grant and New Investigator Award One operating grant and one new investigator salary award (Table 2) were awarded this year. The New Investigator Salary Award is in name only because the application ranked at a level to be funded entirely by the CIHR. TABLE 2 Funded grants (2013) CAG-CIHR-Partnered Post-Doctoral Operating Fellowship Program The fellowship program is the cornerstone in the CAG research activities and its sustained success makes it a model for other societies. A large number of applications were received again this year and support from CIHR, the CCFC and CAG’s industry partners (identified in tables 2, ​,3,3, ​,55 and ​and6)6) 10 fellowships were funded (Table 3). One fellow received CAG-CIHR awards in name only as their applications ranked at a level to be funded entirely by the CIHR. TABLE 3 Funded Postdoctoral Fellowships (2013) TABLE 5 Summer Studentships 2013 TABLE 6 Resident Research Awards (2013) CDHF-CIHR SHOPP PhD Studentship Program Six PhD students, three awarded in 2011 and three awarded in 2012 (Table 4) continue to be funded in 2013 under this partnership program. As of the 2012–2013 competition, the CIHR has discontinued the Small Health Organization Partnership Program (SHOPP), which was used to support this program. TABLE 4 Canadian Digestive Health Foundation-Canadian Institutes of Health Research (SHOPP) Studentship Program 2013 Summer Studentships It is critical that young investigators be supported at all levels of their training. The CAG supported nine awards ($5,000 each). The CCFC supported six awards ($5,000 each). The CDHF supported the 2013 Ivan Beck Award ($500) in partnership with the CAG; Ms Megan Levings (UBC) received a total award of $7,000. Funds support students to work in labs of recent and established investigators whose interests cover many facets of gut function in health and in disease. (Table 5). Resident Research Program Three awards were made available with the generous partnership from Shire and Warner Chilcott (Table 6). Workshop Grants Three CAG Workshop Grants were provided; one for the Banff Inflammation Workshop (January 31 to February 3, 2013), one for the 16th International Congress of Mucosal Immunology (July 17 to 21, 2013) and one for the Sherbrooke 10th Symposium on the Physiology and Disease of Digestive Tract (September 11 to 13, 2013). These workshops make a significant contribution to education in gastrointestinal (GI) research, and help to showcase the cutting-edge GI research from Canada and beyond. The CAG is proud to acknowledge its Benefactor Corporate Sponsors: AbbVie Corporation Olympus Canada Inc Pentax Canada Inc Janssen Inc Takeda Canada Inc CCFC-CAG Partnership The CCFC continues to be a key partner in the CAG research program and IBD research a major focus of the research being conducted. The summaries (Tables 2, ​,33 and ​and5)5) show that CCFC supported five Fellowships, one New Investigator salary award and six Summer Studentships. Congratulations to all the successful awardees. We look forward to your contributions and your continued participation in CAG research program. And again, many thanks to CIHR and CCFC and the CAG industry partners – the 17 Summer Studentships, three Resident Research awards, 10 Fellowships, one New Investigator Salary Award, and one operating grant add up to a research dollar commitment in 2013 of $1,095,000.

Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Research Committee Report 2012

The Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG) and its Foundation, the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation (CDHF), in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the CAG-CDHF partners, aims to promote excellence in research. The overarching objective is that this research, in turn, will lead to new discoveries that will translate into improved health for Canadians. Moreover, this partnership will sustain and increase this capacity through high-quality education and research training of talented young scientists and clinicians in gastroenterology. The CAG strategic plan is to sustain its strong support of biomedical research while increasing support for research in CIHR pillars 3 and 4, including outcomes research, quality assurance and knowledge translation. The present report, on behalf of the research committee (Table 1), outlines another very successful year for this partnership program. TABLE 1 Members of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Research Committee 2012 Details relating to eligibility and application processes for all of the following awards are available on the CAG website (www.cag-acg.org/research). The review and assessment of every application complies with CIHR standards and guidelines, and any potential conflicts of interest are meticulously identified and avoided. Operating Grant and New Investigator Award One operating grant and one new investigator salary award (Table 2) were awarded this year. TABLE 2 Funded grants 2012 CAG-CIHR-Partnered Postdoctoral Operating Fellowship Program The fellowship program is the cornerstone in the CAG research activities and its sustained success makes it a model for other societies. A large number of applications were received again this year and with support from the CIHR, the CCFC and CAG’s industry partners (identified in Tables 2 to ​to5)5) 15 fellowships were funded (Table 3). Two fellows received CAG/CIHR awards in name only because their applications ranked at a level to be funded entirely by the CIHR. TABLE 3 Funded Postdoctoral Fellowships 2012 TABLE 5 Resident Research Awards 2012 CDHF-CIHR PhD Studentship Program Three PhD students (Table 6) were funded under this partnership program. TABLE 6 Canadian Digestive Health Foundation-Canadian Institutes of Health Research Studentship Program 2012 Summer Studentships It is critical that young investigators be supported at all levels of their training. Thus, in partnership with CCFC, 14 students received awards ($7,000 each) to work in laboratories of recent or established investigators whose interests cover many facets of gut function in health and in disease (Table 4). TABLE 4 Canadian Association of Gastroenterology and Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada-funded Summer Studentships 2012 Resident Research Program Ten awards were made available with the generous partnership from Takeda Canada, Shire Canada, Warner Chilcott, and Aptalis Pharma (Table 5). Community Research Grant (CREG) The CREG is an award specifically designed to assist community-based gastroenterologists, who are members of the CAG, take advantage of an operating research funding grant in digestive sciences. The CAG and the CDHF awarded the 2012 Community Research Grant to Dr Adrian Bak (Kelowna, British Columbia) for his project titled ‘Potential of the water method of colonoscopy as a universal screening test’. Workshop Grants Two CAG Workshop Grants were provided: one for the Farncombe Symposium Workshop (September 22 to 25, 2011) and a second for the Kananaskis Inflammation Workshop (January 21, 2012). These workshops make a significant contribution to education in gastroenterology (GI) research, and help to showcase the cutting-edge GI research from Canada and beyond. CCFC-CAG Partnership The CCFC continues to be a key partner in the CAG research program and IBD research, a major focus of the research being conducted. The summaries (Tables 2, ​,33 and ​and4)4) show that CCFC supported three Fellowships, one New Investigator salary award and six summer studentships. Congratulations to all the successful awardees. We look forward to your contributions and your continued participation in the CAG research program. And again, many thanks to CIHR and CCFC and the CAG industry partners – the 14 summer studentships, 10 resident research awards, 15 fellowships, one salary award and one operating grant total a research dollar commitment in 2012 of $1,974,000.

Paradox, Promise and Public Pedagogy: Implications of the Federal Government’s Digital Education Revolution

The use of digital technology in the classroom is a significant issue for teachers as they are under increasing pressure to teach in technologically mediated ways. This 'digital turn' in education has culminated in the Australian federal government's Digital Education Revolution, which represents a multi-billion dollar commitment to putting computers in schools and the implementation of technological pedagogical practice. This paper focuses on the confluence between globalised economic process, the Digital Education Revolution, and the discourse of the digital native; and describes the way in which students' use of digital technologies is identity forming. I examine the Digital Education Revolution policy and related discourse in order to sketch out some of the educational implications. Drawing upon Giroux's (2004) notion of 'public pedagogy' I argue that using digital technologies could potentially open up an educative space to allow students to author their own digital identity. While the Digital Education Revolution is a product of the influence of globalisation upon education, it, nonetheless, contains contradictory prohibitions and possibilities that can be utilised to take the use of digital technology beyond that of preparing students for work in a globalised information economy.

Training the Next Generation of Global Health Scientists: A School of Appropriate Technology for Global Health

In March of 2008, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation made the impressive announcement that it will accept proposals for a new Grand Challenges Explorations program [1]. Grand Challenges Explorations will provide $100 million for global health scientists to identify new ways to protect against infectious diseases (including neglected tropical diseases [NTDs]), to create new drugs or delivery systems, to prevent or cure HIV/AIDS, and to explore the basis of latency in tuberculosis [1]. In so doing, the Gates Foundation will build on its long-standing multibillion dollar commitments to develop and test new drugs, diagnostics, and vaccines for NTDs, as well as the better known “big three” diseases, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, and to fund critically needed operational research in support of large-scale control programs for these conditions [1]. The Gates Foundation is not alone—the United Kingdom's Wellcome Trust has a £15 billion investment portfolio of which a significant amount is devoted to global infectious diseases [2], while the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) also devotes a significant amount of funding towards global health [3]. Therefore, in the coming decade we can expect that these initiatives will contribute significantly towards reducing the so-called 10/90 gap, a term coined by the Global Forum for Health Research to refer to the finding that only 10% or less of the global expenditure on medical research and development is directed towards neglected health problems that disproportionately affect the poorest people in developing regions of sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and tropical regions of the Americas.

Minnesota's Proposal for Urban Partnership Agreement

In 2007 Minnesota was one of five finalists for an Urban Partnership Agreement (UPA) grant through a unique competition initiated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). Minnesota was awarded a $133-million UPA grant by the USDOT to use congestion pricing in combination with other strategies to reduce congestion in a major transportation corridor. In 2005 Minnesota had previously adapted a high-occupancy vehicle lane to a high-occupancy toll (HOT) lane on I-394 west of downtown Minneapolis. These HOT lanes are known as MnPASS lanes. The UPA project will extend the MnPASS lanes to I-35W south of Minneapolis, the most heavily traveled stretch of urban Interstate in the Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area. The proposal includes the use of priced dynamic shoulder lanes to make more efficient use of existing capacity as well as improved transit, telecommuting, and technology support in the corridor and in downtown Minneapolis. The significant federal dollar commitment to funding UPA projects, particularly through transit funding, has played a key role in generating political and institutional dialogue and support, especially among local government elected officials and legislators in the I-35W corridor. Stakeholder workshops have been an important outreach and education mechanism to inform and engage elected officials and other key constituents during the UPA application process.

Valenced attributions and risk in new‐product decisions: How why indicates what's next

AbstractBased in a new‐product decision‐making context, this article poses the question, “how, and to what extent, do prior outcomes, and the reasons given to account for those outcomes, influence a marketing manager's future new‐product selection (choice) and support (dollar commitment) decisions?” The study's hypotheses are developed by integrating the motivational qualities of Weiner's attribution theory with the behavioral predictions of four popular risk perspectives: prospect theory, the hot‐hand effect, the competency hypothesis, and risk as hazard. The research question is reflected in two sets of hypotheses that experimentally examine the relationship between valenced (was the outcome good or bad) attributions (why did the outcome happen) and changes in the riskiness (chance and size of loss) of managers' new‐product introduction decisions. Three‐way interactions are found that support the study's attribution‐based framework and address predictive differences among the four risk perspectives. Implications for the theories examined and the management of the new‐product development process are discussed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

An exploratory investigation of expectancy theory in a retail channel: content and concurrent validity

Since the negotiation process between organizations occurs between individuals or boundary personnel, expectancy theory holds promise for improving our understanding of relationships between channel members. This exploratory investigation focused on examining the concepts of Vroom's general expectancy model in the context of a retail channel (furniture dealers). The primary objectives were to (1) capture the general expectancy estimate (El), salient out- comes (E21), and preferences (V1) as perceived by channel members; (2) validate the ‘expected’ relationships; and (3) evaluate the relevance of the general expectancy model for channel relationships. The results suggest that the interpersonal relationships can dominate buyers' behavior; the dollar commitment required by the deal and the corporate relationship (corporate dyad) were less salient to the buyers. The general expectancy model appears most applicable when the channel relationship has been going on for some time, or when the relationship is of gr...

The Manufacturing Research Center at the Georgia Institute of Technology

A unique partnership among industry, state government, and university resulted in the establishment of the Manufacturing Research Center at the Georgia Institute of Technology with the purpose of bringing university researchers in contact with manufacturing research problems faced by US industry in meeting the global competition. The State of Georgia has developed a model of providing research infrastructure in specific areas identified by a consortium established by the governor. This consortium then contracted with McKinsey and Company to identify areas of competitive advantage in the research universities supported by the state. As funds are identified, the state constructs and equips a facility to conduct research in one of these areas and assigns responsibility to the appropriate state university. The university then finds funds to support the research agenda by developing ties with industry and the federal government. The $15,000,000 facility is under construction on the Georgia Tech campus. Georgia Tech has already developed funding from DEC, IBM, Motorola, and Ford to support a research program in electronics manufacturing. Other firms appear on the verge of joining this group. A million dollar commitment over a five-year period is required.

Equal Opportunity for Women in Intercollegiate Sports: Financial Aid and Family Background as Major Influences on Female Participation in Competitive Programs

Abstract. Financial aid is an important factor in determining women's rate of participation in intercollegiate sports and is likely to become an even more important influence. Regression analysis of data from a representative sample of female athletes attending institutions in the two major divisions of the National Intercollegiate Athletic Association and of financial information from the institutions shows that socioeconomic background also is a major factor. Other variables that explain such participation are total non‐scholarship direct expenditures (a proxy for quality), birth order and per capita direct expenditures. Although a university's or college's dollar commitment is having a major impact, economic considerations indicate there are some potential dangers in allocating grants according to the ratio of female to male athletes.

Immunization of Pension Funds and Sensitivity to Actuarial Assumptions

Changes in rates of return affect both the assets and liabilities of a pension fund. If these assets and liabilities are in a proper relationship with each other, however, the pension fund can be irnmunized from the change in rates of return. The cornerstone of the immunization strategy is management of the duration, or weighted average life, of the asset portfolio. This paper discusses some of the factors to be considered in immunizing a medium-sized pension fund, including whether immunization is in fact a desirable strategy. A pension fund is subject to risks on both the asset and liability sides of its balance sheet. Risks on the liability side relate to the probability that the amount of pension benefits actually payable (ex post) will differ from the amounts expected to be payable (ex ante) based on actuarial calculations. Initial assumptions about employee turnover rates, mortality rates, or salary scales may turn out to be incorrect. Risks on the asset side relate to the probability that assets available for making pension payments as they become due (ex post) will differ from the amounts expected to be available (ex ante). Initial assumptions about the rate of return to be earned on pension fund investments may turn out to be wrong (due either to superior or poor investment decisions by the fund administrator or to unexpected changes in marketwide rates of return). Also, the assumed level of operating costs (such as for actuarial, legal, developmental, financial, or administrative services) may turn out to be incorrect. These risks are not entirely independent, nor are they of equal importance. Some of the risks, such as unexpected changes in operating costs, are subject at least partially to the control of the fund administrator. Others, such as changes in rates of affecting all investments, are related to Richard J. Keintz, Ph.D. and CPA, was the Deputy Commissioner of Insurance, State of Wisconsin, when the article was written. Currently he is Vice President-Director of Research, the CUNA Mutual Insurance Society, Inc., in Madison, Wisconsin. He was associated with Touche Ross and Company and later served on the faculty of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Clyde P. Stickney, DBA and CPA, is an Associate Professor of Accounting, Amos Tuck School of Business Administration, Dartmouth College. He has served oIn the faculties of the University of Chicago and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The authors acknowledge the helpful and thought-provoking comments of Roman L. Weil and two anonymous reviewers. 1 The term market rate of return' is used instead of interest rate to reflect the fact that pension funds invest in several types of investments (common and preferred stock, real estate, and fixed dollar commitments) and not just fixed dollar commitments.

1977 National survey of support in space and dollars for departments of obstetrics and gynecology from their medical schools

A questionnaire was sent to all chairpersons in obstetrics and gynecology departments in United States Medical Schools in the fall of 1977 seeking information on the school's support of that department for the year 1977 in terms of space and dollar commitments. A total of 113 schools were contacted; 106 responded (93.8%) and the data were tabulated. There were no significant differences between the private and state school resources. The average space commitment was 9,277 +/- SEM 709 square feet and the average school budget was 441,023 +/- SEM 24,265 dollars/year. These data were adjusted for class size and provide the first data base for assessing the adequacy of a medical school's commitment to a department of obstetrics and gynecology.

The Dollar Gap

To MOST AMERICANS, the news that our dollar was in danger came as a great shock. During the early postwar years, we heard about dollar shortages, and various economic difficulties that other, once prosperous, nations were having; but it seemed incredible that one day we too might be faced with similar difficulties, though on a much smaller scale. The American Government and people, seeing the danger of chaos to the civilized world, started the most generous and ambitious plan to help to rebuild the rest of the world by pouring out billions of dollars. This aid was given in the form of grants and loans of much foodstuffs, raw materials, industrial equipment, and technical assistance. The results were more than rewarding. Any American travelling through Western Europe today, and seeing the thriving economic activity must certainly feel gratified that his hard earned tax money was well spent, and was mostly responsible for this healthy resurgent economy. It is not intended to belittle the tremendous effort made by these nations, and yet everybody will agree that without American aid, these fantastic achievements could never have taken place in so short a time. Most Americans considered the achievements of the West European nations as interesting economic developments, and watched them with sympathy and condescendence. However, a few months ago a very rude awakening came: Gold that had travelled to America during a generation was now running away; thus our dollar was in danger. Although the nation's economists had been mentioning this fact for sometime, the general public was quite unaware of it. The trip of our ex-Secretary of Treasury to Bonn, to reduce our dollar commitments abroad, and former President Eisenhower's directive, now rescinded, to bring the dependents of our servicemen home, to save dollars, shook the man in the street both in the States and abroad.