Large-Scale Public Research Articles

Labor Market Impacts of a Large-Scale Public Works Program: Evidence from the Indian Employment Guarantee Scheme

Recent years have seen an increasing interest in using public-works programs as anti-poverty measures in developing countries. This paper analyzes the rural labor market impacts of the Indian National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, one of the most ambitious programs of its kind, by using a regression discontinuity design. I find that private-sector wages increase substantially for women, but not for men, and that these effects are concentrated during the main agricultural season. In contrast, there is little evidence for negative private employment effects.

Building Energy-Efficiency Running Mode of Large-Scale Public Building: Based on Energy Performance Contracting

Energy performance contracting plays a key role in improving the building energy-efficiency in China. This paper introduces the current situation of energy-efficiency of large-scale public building in China and provides an overview of energy performance contracting, and then puts forward an innovative energy-efficiency running mode. This paper tries to offer theoretical references for the development of EMC in energy-saving field of large-scale public buildings.

CT Radiation Dose: Trending in the Right Direction

Better definition of the cancer risk on the basis of patient age and clinical condition at exposure are just two small parts of the overall radiation risk equation.

Energy Consumption and Analysis of Air-Conditioning System of Large-Scale Public Buildings in Xi'an

As the main consumption equipment, the air-conditioning system of large-sized public buildings in Xi'an consumes 30%~¬60% of the total energy. Combining with the survey data and related norms, the paper analyses the energy consumption from the following aspects: basic situation of building, index of building energy consumption, ratio of energy consumption of air-conditioning system, load of air-conditioning and indoor environment. Thus, it will give a rational and scientific understanding to energy-efficiency of air-conditioning system of large-scale public buildings in Xi'an for the purpose of providing an efficient assistance to improving the energy consumption of air-conditioning system.

Whole Life Cycle Energy-Saving Measures of Large-Scale Public Building

Large-scale public building has high energy consumption and has great potential in saving it. It is necessary to do research on the calculation of energy consumption and raise some methods to save energy of large-scale public building. Basing on the theory of whole life cycle, the energy consumption of large-scale public building was analysed and the whole life cycle energy saving system was set up. What's more, it emphasized the importance of energy saving design at the stage of planning and design. Meanwhile, the paper not only analysed the whole life cycle energy saving contents and calculation formulas of large-scale public building by taking advantage of LCEA model, but also proposed some corresponding measures to save energy.

Strategy Evaluation System of Large-Scale Public Buildings in Emergency Crisis

In order to promote the development of crisis management in large-scale public buildings, to make solutions for the insufficient crisis management ,poor implementation and other issues. Crisis strategy evaluation system of large public buildings is proposed through the use of literature research and coding method from the perspective of their own. Three dimensions of 16 evaluations are proposed ,including basic security strategy, risk strategy of emergency response, recovery strategy in the hole life cycle of crisis management. In this section, the research and the calculation method are given, and to determine the index weight by expert investigation method. In order to make clear our strengths and weaknesses when facing emergencies through scientific and reasonable evaluation of current crisis management evaluation strategy. Such is so helpful to improve the theory of crisis management of large public buildings in the application and optimizing risk management, and so is to provid a more complete and effective decision basis for the crisis management strategy of large public buildings when facing emergencies.

A New Conception of Engineering Cost Control of Large-scale Public Projects Under Value Management Conditions

Traditional engineering cost control is to figure out the corresponding quantities of projects based on the construction drawing, and then apply the relevant quotas to determine the cost. However, for some extra large engineering projects, due to design depth, construction technology and other factors, the traditional method of cost control can not meet the requirements. This article will explore a new method for such kind of cost control from the perspective of value management.

Dominant Factors of Central Air Conditioning System Zoning and Thermal Comfort for Large-Scale Public Buildings in China

Large-scale public buildings have high energy density, which take big part of the gross energy consumption in buildings in China. It is still in attempting stage about the strategy of energy conservation in air conditioning systems. The objective of this study is to investigate that how to appropriately divide central air conditioning system zoning by using simulation software to calculate the basis dynamic temperature and load in typical large-scale public buildings. Effects of weather conditions, building envelope conditions and building structure on large-scale public building energy consumption were analyzed in this simulation. The results show that the building load is the fundamental factor involved in air conditioning system zoning. Surplus heat recovery in inner zone is also recommended to maintain inner zone comfort and energy conservation. This work provides the theoretical and technological basis for study on central air conditioning system zoning and thermal comfort for large-scale public building.

Large-Scale Public R&D Portfolio Selection by Maximizing a Biobjective Impact Measure

<para xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> This paper addresses R&amp;D portfolio selection in social institutions, state-owned enterprises, and other nonprofit organizations which periodically launch a call for proposals and distribute funds among accepted projects. A nonlinear discontinuous bicriterion optimization model is developed in order to find a compromise between a portfolio quality measure and the number of projects selected for funding. This model is then transformed into a linear mixed-integer formulation to present the Pareto front. Numerical experiments with up to 25 000 projects competing for funding demonstrate a high computational efficiency of the proposed approach. The acceptance/rejection rules are obtained for a portfolio using the rough set methodology. </para>

A pilot study evaluating an intervention designed to raise awareness of clinical trials among potential participants in the developing world

BackgroundThis pilot study evaluated the speaking book ‘What it means to be part of a clinical trial’. The book aims at empowering populations with information on their rights and responsibilities...

Large-Scale Public Health Emergencies: How Long Do They Last and How Many Staff Do You Need?

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Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Audit in Large-Scale Public Infrastructure Construction: The Case of the Qinghai–Tibet Railway

Large-scale public infrastructure projects have featured in China's modernization course since the early 1980s. During the early stages of China's rapid economic development, public attention focused on the economic and social impact of high-profile construction projects. In recent years, however, we have seen a shift in public concern toward the environmental and ecological effects of such projects, and today governments are required to provide valid environmental impact assessments prior to allowing large-scale construction. The official requirement for the monitoring of environmental conditions has led to an increased number of debates in recent years regarding the effectiveness of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and Governmental Environmental Audits (GEAs) as environmental safeguards in instances of large-scale construction. Although EIA and GEA are conducted by different institutions and have different goals and enforcement potential, these two practices can be closely related in terms of methodology. This article cites the construction of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway as an instance in which EIA and GEA offer complementary approaches to environmental impact management. This study concludes that the GEA approach can serve as an effective follow-up to the EIA and establishes that the EIA lays a base for conducting future GEAs. The relationship that emerges through a study of the Railway's construction calls for more deliberate institutional arrangements and cooperation if the two practices are to be used in concert to optimal effect.

Parenteral Nutrition Objectives for Very Low Birth Weight Infants: Results of a National Survey

The aim of the study was to evaluate parenteral nutrition objectives for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), and to compare nutritional protocol differences according to levels of care. A national survey was conducted in France through a questionnaire sent to 296 French neonatal departments to determine each team leader's nutritional objectives for parenteral nutrition of VLBW infants. A total of 172 of the 296 French neonatal departments responded to the questionnaire. Protein administration was not started during the first day of life in half of the responding units. Furthermore, half of the units initiated protein administration with less than 1 g x kg(-1) x day(-1). The day of introduction of lipid emulsions varied considerably from one unit to another, but more than half of the units started the lipid emulsions after the third day of life. Twenty percent of the units reported a target energy intake of 100 kcal x kg(-1) x day(-1), whereas 14% reported a target intake above or equal to 130 kcal x kg(-1) x day(-1). In comparison with recent guidelines for parenteral nutrition for VLBW infants, the results indicate that the majority of the departments are familiar with target macronutrient and energy intakes, but the time of introduction and the rate of progression of macronutrients, particularly proteins and lipids, are frequently lower than those defined by the guidelines. The large-scale publication of new nutritional guidelines for the parenteral nutrition of neonates and preterm infants as well as regular, specific training in the parenteral nutrition of preterm infants are needed.

An Integrated Micro-Macro (IMM) Approach to the Evaluation of Large-Scale Public Investment Programmes: The Case of EU Structural Funds

An Integrated Micro-Macro (IMM) Approach to the Evaluation of Large-Scale Public Investment Programmes: The Case of EU Structural Funds

Innovation Processes in Large-Scale Public Foodservice—Case Findings from the Implementation of Organic Foods in a Danish County

Following the declaration adopted at the 1992 World Summit held inRio de Janeiro, many governments have committed themselves to a common political goal of sustainable development. The declaration points out that both production and consumption patterns have to change in order to reach this goal. Since, in social and environmental terms, one of the most important areas is the production and consumption of food, some European governments have drawn up action plans setting out concrete goals for the conversion of arable land from conventional to organic production. One of the notable emerging areas is the idea that large-scale foodservice such as hospital foodservice should adopt a ‘buy organic’ policy owing to their large consumption volume. Whereas the implementation of organic foods has developed quite smoothly in smallerinstitutions such as kindergartens and nurseries, the introduction of organic foods into large-scale foodservice such as that found in hospitals and larger residential homes for the elderly, has proven to be quite difficult. One of the reasons for this is the highly complex planning, procurement and processing procedures pursued by such facilities. Against this background, an evaluation was carried out of the change process related to the implementation of organic foods in largescale foodservice facilities in the county of Greater Copenhagen in order to study the effects of such a change. Based on the findings, a set of guidelines was developed for the successful implementation of organic foods into the large-scale foodservice. However, the findings and guidelines are applicable to other types of innovation processes in foodservice.

The Mastodon Matrix Project: An Experiment with Large-Scale Public Collaboration in Paleontological Research

An important long-term goal of science education reform is to involve more students in open-ended inquiry and authentic research. In making such “research partnerships” between scientists and students commonplace, it is critical to determine how to attract willing participation of a large number and variety of classrooms while achieving genuine scientific goals. Since early 2000, the Paleontological Research Institution and Cornell University have been administering a research partnership involving non-specialists in collecting and sorting fossils from sediments collected around recently excavated mastodon skeletons. This research partnership quickly drew a diversity of participants from across the country. Feedback on participation in this project has been extremely positive, and student discovery has yielded a large reference collection of small fossils that otherwise may not have been recovered. Based on feedback in surveys and letters, oral discussion, and other observations, we surmise that this project is popular because of the mystique of large vertebrates and because of the knowledge that this project is “authentic.” Ability for non-specialists to participate is enhanced because the activity is simple to undertake, requires little equipment, is intellectually straightforward, and is open-ended enough to readily adapt to other curricular goals.

Personal network and common habitation consciousness of the advanced age resident in a Large-scale Public Housing Estate

Personal network and common habitation consciousness of the advanced age resident in a Large-scale Public Housing Estate

Unrealistic Optimism: Present and Future

Unrealistic Optimism: Present and Future

Translating Research Findings into Large-Scale Public Programs and Policy

The articles in this journal issue review many research studies to illustrate the benefits and limitations of early childhood programs. Translating the findings of those studies into policy and practice is often challenging, in part because policymakers and researchers have very different constituencies, styles, and interests. The author of this article is a researcher by training, but she has worked for many years in partnership with policymakers, trying to improve the lives of young children throughout the state of Florida. In this article, she contrasts policymakers (including elected and appointed officials as well as career bureaucrats) with researchers to explore the ways in which these groups differ and the ways in which the media, private foundations, and advocacy groups can facilitate communication among the two groups and the public. The author then reviews her experience during the years in which Florida's policymakers wrestled with the decision to entitle disabled infants and toddlers to early intervention services through Public Law 99-457, Part H of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Although this law is not discussed in other articles in this journal issue, the example is a model of how research can be used to shape policy for young children and their families. The article concludes with recommendations to help researchers and policymakers work together.

Social Status of the Large-scale Public Policy-Supporting Model

Social Status of the Large-scale Public Policy-Supporting Model