Previous Fiscal Year Research Articles

Flagging Off High-Speed Trains in India: Prerequisites, Feasibility, Benefits and Challenges

The paper is an attempt to answer the convoluted riddle: how can India achieve global standards in high-speed railway infrastructure? The need for overhauling the current railway network is conspicuous. With dull patchy walls of railway stations daubed in paan spits, railway tracks rusting with age and train compartments reeking with stench; a travel in the Indian Railways could be a possible nightmare for many. The rot runs deep in the system: it is running in huge losses. The Indian Railways suffered a loss of nearly Rs. 25,000 crore the previous fiscal year. A comprehensive analysis of the issues riddling the network and suggesting solutions thereto are prerequisites to inducting high speed railways to the network. Introducing high-speed railways in the network without thought to the existing problems is meaningless. The paper shall commence with cataloging the issues plaguing the railway network with relevant suggestions. After addressing the issues, the paper would continue to chart a road-map for successful introduction of high-speed railways in India. The costs involved in the project along with possible routes shall be discussed. The paper would conclude with juxtaposing the benefits of the high-speed system with the challenges arising therefrom.

Regime de competência aplicado ao setor público: análise no reconhecimento dos restos a pagar não processados e despesas de exercícios anteriores dos municípios brasileiros

The convergence process of Brazilian Accounting Standards Applied to the Public Sector (NBCAPS) to the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) brought into focus the discussions on the use of a mixed method in the public sector. The aim of this paper is to analyze the accrual accounting method applied in the public sector and the recognition of out standing remains that were not processed and expenses from previous fiscal years in Brazilianmunicipalities. The hypotheses tested the reflection of the partial implementation of accrual financial results of the Brazilian municipalities. Distortions caused in the financial liabilities and in the financial surplus of 4,246 Brazilian municipalities were observed in the light of the accounting theory, by reason of the adjustments made in recognition of out standing remains that were not processed and expenses from previous fiscal years, which represented 97.59% of the total sample comprised by 4,351 municipalities analyzed. To perform the analysis we used the asset values , financial liability, due unprocessed remains and expenses from previous fiscal years, collected from the Brazil Finance (FINBRA) base in the period 2002 to 2009. It is concluded that the smaller cities are less regular in sending their accounting data to the National Treasury Secretariat (STN). In 57.51% of the sample there was a variation of less than 5% in the balance after making adjustments. The occurrence of reversals in the financial surplus of 1,310 municipalities/year analyzed as well as investments in financial losses to 1,143 municipalities/year analyzed due to partial implementation of the accrual basis were found.Key words: accrual basis, public sector, due unprocessed remains, expenses from previous years.

Earnings Fall In Japan

Japan’s economy expanded at an annualized rate of 3.5% in the first three months of 2013, but its chemical industry did not benefit from this growth. For the fiscal year that ended on March 31, most of Japan’s large chemical companies reported earnings lower than in the previous fiscal year or even losses. Several companies also reported lower year-over-year sales, a drop they attributed to sluggish demand both in Japan and abroad. The drop happened despite a weakening in the value of the yen, which can bolster the competitiveness of Japanese-made products in the international market. The yen was worth 14% less on March 31 than it was a year ago. Among the large firms, Sumitomo Chemical fared the worst, posting a net loss of $542 million compared with a profit of $59 million a year earlier. The company explained that it decreased by $211 million the value of production ...

The Use of a Quality Indicator to Reduce Elective Repeat Caesarean Section for Low-Risk Women Before 39 Weeks’ Gestation: The Eastern Ontario Experience

ObjectiveElective repeat Caesarean section (ERCS) for low-risk women at < 39 weeks’ gestation has consistently been associated with increased risks to the neonate, including respiratory morbidity, NICU admission, and lengthier hospital stays than ERCS at 39 to 40 weeks’ gestation. The objective of this quality improvement project was to reduce high rates of ERCS < 39 weeks across the Eastern Ontario region. MethodsAll hospitals within the region providing care during labour and birth (n = 10) were asked to participate. Representatives from each hospital received information about their site-specific rates and knowledge-translation resources to assist them with the project. A benchmark rate for ERCS < 39 weeks was set at 30%. The rates of ERCS < 39 weeks were calculated for two different times (the 2009–2010 and 2010–2011 fiscal years) and the relative difference and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to quantify the magnitude and statistical significance of any change. Qualitative interviews were completed with key informants from each hospital. ResultsThe proportion of ERCS at < 39 weeks’ gestation across the region in the fiscal year 2010–2011 (n = 197/497; 39.6%) was significantly decreased (relative difference: −21%; 95% CI −31% to −8%, P = 0.002) from the previous fiscal year 2009–2010 (n = 229/459; 49.9%). A number of barriers to, and facilitators of, practice change were identified. ConclusionA reduction in the rate of ERCS < 39 weeks among low-risk women was achieved across the region. Awareness of the issue, possession of site-specific data, and agreement about the evidence and the need for change are critical first steps to improving practice.

2012 National Science Foundation Political Science Program Awards

The political science program of the National Science Foundation (NSF) announces its awards for basic research support and dissertation improvement grants for fiscal year 2012. The program funded 68 new projects and 30 doctoral dissertation improvement awards. Additional program funds were spent on continuing grant increments, which result from awards that were made in previous fiscal years, but for which funds are being disbursed on a yearly basis instead of upfront. The program holds two grant competitions annually—Regular Research, August and January 15; and Dissertation Improvement September and January 15—and constitutes a major source of political science research funding as part of fulfilling NSF's mission to encourage theoretically focused empirical investigations aimed at improving the explanation of fundamental social and political processes and structures.

Financial Statement Fiscal Years 2010–2011 and Previous Fiscal Year

Financial Statement Fiscal Years 2010–2011 and Previous Fiscal Year

현행 헌법상 준예산제도의 해석 및 입법론

This paper discusses how the legal provisions related to provisional budgets should be interpreted. In this regard, other country cases on the legislation and application of legal provisions related to provisional budgets are analyzed, and Korea`s historical changes and experiences in the legislation of constitutions and budget laws are studied. Legal provisions for executing a provisional budget are stated in the constitution in Korea. The constitution stipulates that the National Assembly shall decide upon the budget bill within 30 days before the beginning of the fiscal year and if the budget bill is not passed by the beginning of the fiscal year, the Executive may, in conformity with the budget of the previous fiscal year, disburse funds for some limited purposes until the budget bill is approved by the National Assembly. However, the National Finance Act states that provisional budgets can only be executed in compliance with the provisons of the constitution. Until now, the government and the National Assembly, which operate the provisional budget system, have overlooked this legal shortfall. Taking into account the actual behavior of the government and the National Assembly, this study argues and demonstrates that the provisions regarding provisional budgets in the constitution should be interpreted in the aspect of fiscal democracy. In addition to this demonstration, this study also discusses the need for amending or revising the constitution and the National Finance Act including National Assembly Act in order to resolve the existing problems in the legal system, i.e., provisions regarding special budget resolutions procedures should be enacted in the National Assembly Act as in other country cases such as France and provisions in the constitution limiting the circumstances under which provisional budgets can be executed should be mitigated.

Financial Statement Fiscal Years 2009–2010 and Previous Fiscal Year

Financial Statement Fiscal Years 2009–2010 and Previous Fiscal Year

NSF Political Science Program Awards and AAAS Political Scientist Electees

The political science program of the National Science Foundation (NSF) announces it awards for basic research support and dissertation improvement grants for fiscal year 2010. The program funded 75 new projects and 31 doctoral dissertation improvement proposals. Additional program funds were spent on continuing grant increments, which result from awards that were made in previous fiscal years, but for which funds are being disbursed on a yearly basis instead of upfront. The political science program spent $12,753,794 on these research, training, and workshop projects and $345,389 on dissertation training grants for political science students. The program holds two grant competitions annually—Regular Research, August and January 15; and Dissertation Improvement, January 15—and constitutes a major source of political science research funding as part of fulfilling NSF's mission to encourage theoretically focused empirical investigations aimed at improving the explanation of fundamental social and political processes and structures.

2009 National Science Foundation Political Science Program Awards

The Political Science Program at the National Science Foundation (NSF) announces it awards for basic research support and dissertation improvement grants for fiscal year 2009. The program funded 56 new projects and 34 doctoral dissertation improvement proposals. (Additional program funds were spent on continuing grant increments. These result from awards that were made in previous fiscal years, but where funds are being disbursed on a yearly basis instead all up front.) The Political Science Program spent $10,461,799 on these research, training, and workshop projects and $383,238 on dissertation training grants for political science students. In addition, the program contributed $345,000 to support three Graduate Research Fellowships. The program holds two grant competitions annually (Regular Research, August and January 15; Dissertation Improvement, January 15) and constitutes a major source of political science research funding as part of fulfilling NSF's mission to encourage theoretically focused empirical investigations aimed at improving the explanation of fundamental social and political processes and structures.

Fiscal Imbalances and Borrowing Costs: Evidence from State Investment Losses

During the last quarter of 2008, state pension funds fell in value by approximately $350 billion. Depending on the state, the losses were equivalent to as little as 12% of the own revenue (taxes, fees, and charges) generated by the state government in the previous fiscal year, or as much as 68%. We quantify a sovereign default channel in the state municipal market by examining how changes in bond spreads vary with state pension fund losses, controlling for credit ratings and various measures of the state’s fiscal strength. Municipal bond spreads rose by 7-15 basis points for each 10% of state-generated revenue lost by states in the lower half of the credit quality spectrum.

Food Assistance Landscape: FY 2007 Annual Report

Federal expenditures for USDA’s food assistance programs totaled almost $53 billion in fiscal 2006, a 4-percent increase over the previous fiscal year. This was the sixth consecutive year in which food assistance expenditures increased and the fourth consecutive year in which they exceeded the previous historical record. The five largest food assistance programs—the Food Stamp Program, the National School Lunch Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the School Breakfast Program—accounted for 95 percent of USDA's total expenditures for food assistance. This report uses preliminary data from the Food and Nutrition Service to examine trends in the programs at the through fiscal 2006. It also discusses a recent ERS study that examined income volatility among households with children and the implications of volatility for eligibility in the National School Lunch Program.

Congress Passes 2006 NIH Reform Act

Congress Passes 2006 NIH Reform Act

A Regional Comparison of Developing Diabetes among VA Patients Exposed to Typical and Atypical Antipsychotics Relative to Corticosteroids and Proton Pump Inhibitors

Metabolic changes, including weight gain and onset of diabetes, have been associated with both systemic corticosteroid use and atypical antipsychotic drugs. The purpose of this study was to quantify and compare the risk of new-onset diabetes mellitus in a Veterans Affairs population receiving antipsychotics and corticosteroids, using persons taking proton pump inhibitors as a control group. This study included data from subjects treated within Veterans Integrated Service Network 23 who had received an outpatient prescription in fiscal years (FY) 1999 or 2000 for a corticosteroid (CS), a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), a typical antipsychotic, or an atypical antipsychotic. Patients receiving prescriptions in more than one class were not excluded. Subjects were excluded if they had a documented diagnosis of diabetes either in the previous FY year (1998) or prior to their index prescription date. Thirteen percent of the population had a new diagnosis for diabetes during the two-year study. Cox-regression analysis using time dependent covariates determined a significantly higher risk of developing diabetes (RR = 1.21) in users of CS relative to PPIs. Demographic variables including age, race, gender, marital status, and VA financial classification as well as a marker for schizophrenia, were also included in the model. Comparison of both typical and atypical antipsychotics to PPIs found an increased but nonsignificant risk of developing diabetes (RR = 1.18 and RR = 1.19 respectively). The diabetogenic risk associated with atypical antipsychotics was found to be less than that of corticosteroids when compared to controls. Periodic monitoring of blood glucose should be considered with chronic use of an agent from either class.

The Food Assistance Landscape

Expenditures for USDA's 15 food assistance programs totaled $46 billion in fiscal 2004 (October 1, 2003, to September 30, 2004), marking the second consecutive year in which spending exceeded the previous record high. The fiscal 2004 spending level represented a 10-percent increase from the previous fiscal year, the fourth consecutive year in which total food assistance expenditures increased. Five programs - the Food Stamp Program, the National School Lunch Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the School Breakfast Program, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program - accounted for 94 percent of USDA's total expenditures for food assistance. While each of these major programs expanded during fiscal 2004, most of the increase in total food assistance expenditures between fiscal 2003 and fiscal 2004 was due to the increase in Food Stamp Program expenditures.

The CDC's campaign to prevent antimicrobial resistance offers structure, strategy, and authority to a hospital's efforts to battle an increase in resistant organisms

ISSUE: This is a 547-bed urban teaching hospital with 26,000 annual discharges. In the fall of 1999, the incidence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (CA-MRSA) MRSA doubled; a year later, the incidence of nosocomial cases (N-MRSA) also doubled. By the end of 2002, the incidence of CA-MRSA had quadrupled and N-MRSA had tripled over the pre-2000 baseline. PROJECT: In August 2002, the infection control committee commissioned a task force (TF) to address this trend. Its primary goal was to implement the CDC Campaign to Prevent Antimicrobial Resistance. The first priority was to gain recognition and support from hospital leadership, then to aim advertising efforts at the entire hospital community. The TF was organized into four working groups (WGs). Each WG initiated at least one project. Project champions were chosen to lead each effort. The Prevent Infection (PI) WG sought to improve the number of inpatients immunized against influenza. In 2002-2003 only 95 inpatients were immunized. Diagnose and Treat (DT) chose to construct a standardized pathway for treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). No standard approach for management of CAP existed in 2002. Use Antibiotics Wisely (UAW) focused its efforts on establishing an antibiotic management team (AMT). In 2002, antibiotic oversight consisted of a specialized pharmacist and a restricted formulary requiring approval from an infectious disease (ID) fellow. Prevent Transmission (PT) implemented the CDC 2002 Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Health Care Settings. In 2002, poor hand hygiene practices were observed in many areas of the hospital. RESULTS: PI's campaign facilitated an increased influenza immunization of high-risk inpatients to >700 a year. DT involved multidisciplinary stakeholders to develop a CAP care path that was implemented in July 2004. Endpoints are tracked, and use of the pathway has increased. UAW established an AMT composed of an ID physician and a pharmacological doctor. Antimicrobial usage was reduced by 7%, and costs were reduced by 15% over the previous fiscal year. PT instituted an intense campaign to improve hand hygiene, which resulted in steady improvement. Since 2002, incidence of N-MRSA has decreased, while incidence of CA-MRSA has doubled. LESSONS LEARNED: Reduction of antibiotic-resistant organisms requires three components: support from leadership, effective project champions, and a marketing strategy to reach the entire workforce. The CDC's Campaign to Reduce Antimicrobial Resistance offers a vehicle and a strategy to reach these objectives.

EPA External Research Grants Program faces steep budget cuts

The Bush administration—s proposed budget cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency's research grants program, Science to Achieve Results (STAR),came under criticism at a hearing of the Science Subcommittee on Environment, Technology and Standards of the U.S. House of Representatives. The hearing was held 11 March.Subcommittee members and several witnesses said that a proposed $36 million cut to the STAR'S fiscal year 2005 budget—compared to the FY2004 proposed budget—is too steep. They said the proposed $65‐million budget—which would be a cut of more than 30% from the previous fiscal year—would harm the program, as well as the agency's ability to receive outside research advice on a range of cutting‐edge environmental issues. Funding for STAR graduate fellowships also would be cut by $3.1 million, compared to the enacted level for FY2004.

House Committee increases NSF budget

The National Science Foundation (NSF) would receive an 8.9% funding increase for fiscal year 2003 under a budget resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives' Budget Committee on 13 March.Under the resolution, funding for NSF would total $5.2 billion. The Bush administration has proposed an FY2003 budget of $5.04 billion, 5% greater than the previous fiscal year.

Cost of Treating Uninsured Jeopardizing Trauma Centers

Cost of Treating Uninsured Jeopardizing Trauma Centers

Who Pays? Who Decides?

(2001). Who Pays? Who Decides? Public Performance & Management Review: Vol. 25, No. 2, pp. 229-230.