Developing a Protocol for Observational Comparative Effectiveness Research: A User's Guide


Book Description

This User’s Guide is a resource for investigators and stakeholders who develop and review observational comparative effectiveness research protocols. It explains how to (1) identify key considerations and best practices for research design; (2) build a protocol based on these standards and best practices; and (3) judge the adequacy and completeness of a protocol. Eleven chapters cover all aspects of research design, including: developing study objectives, defining and refining study questions, addressing the heterogeneity of treatment effect, characterizing exposure, selecting a comparator, defining and measuring outcomes, and identifying optimal data sources. Checklists of guidance and key considerations for protocols are provided at the end of each chapter. The User’s Guide was created by researchers affiliated with AHRQ’s Effective Health Care Program, particularly those who participated in AHRQ’s DEcIDE (Developing Evidence to Inform Decisions About Effectiveness) program. Chapters were subject to multiple internal and external independent reviews. More more information, please consult the Agency website: www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov)




Appendix, Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2012


Book Description

Contains detailed information on the various appropriations and funds that constitute the budget and is designed primarily for the use of the Appropriations Committee. The Appendix contains more detailed financial information on individual programs and appropriation accounts than any of the other budget documents. It includes for each agency: the proposed text of appropriations language, budget schedules for each account, new legislative proposals, and explanations of the work to be performed and the funds needed, and proposed general provisions applicable to the appropriations of entire agencies or group of agencies. Information is also provided on certain activities whose outlays are not part of the budget totals.




The Modelling and Analysis of Security Protocols


Book Description

An introduction to CSP - Modelling security protocols in CSP - Expressing protocol goals - Overview of FDR - Casper - Encoding protocols and intruders for FDR - Theorem proving - Simplifying transformations - Other approaches - Prospects and wider issues.







Innovations in Federal Statistics


Book Description

Federal government statistics provide critical information to the country and serve a key role in a democracy. For decades, sample surveys with instruments carefully designed for particular data needs have been one of the primary methods for collecting data for federal statistics. However, the costs of conducting such surveys have been increasing while response rates have been declining, and many surveys are not able to fulfill growing demands for more timely information and for more detailed information at state and local levels. Innovations in Federal Statistics examines the opportunities and risks of using government administrative and private sector data sources to foster a paradigm shift in federal statistical programs that would combine diverse data sources in a secure manner to enhance federal statistics. This first publication of a two-part series discusses the challenges faced by the federal statistical system and the foundational elements needed for a new paradigm.




Designing Green Networks and Network Operations


Book Description

In recent years, socio-political trends toward environmental responsibility and the pressing need to reduce Run-the-Engine (RTE) costs have resulted in the concept of Green IT. Although a significant amount of energy is used to operate routing, switching, and transmission equipment, comparatively less attention has been paid to Green Networking. A clear and concise introduction to green networks and green network operations, Designing Green Networks and Network Operations: Saving Run-the-Engine Costs guides you through the techniques available to achieve efficiency goals for corporate and carrier networks, including deploying more efficient hardware, blade form-factor routers and switches, and pursuing consolidation, virtualization, and network and cloud computing. The book: Delineates techniques to minimize network power, cooling, floor space, and online storage while optimizing service performance, capacity, and availability Discusses virtualization, network computing, and Web services as approaches for green data centers and networks Emphasizes best practices and compliance with international standards for green operations Extends the green data center techniques to the networking environment Incorporates green principles in the intranet, extranet, and the entire IT infrastructures Reviews networking, power management, HVAC and CRAC basics Presents methodical steps toward a seamless migration to Green IT and Green Networking