Health Insurance Coverage in Nebraska

https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/coph_policy_reports/1017/thumbnail.jp

Policy Analysis of Impaired Driving Laws in Nebraska

In Nebraska, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury death, and the second leading cause of injury-related hospitalization. More than a fourth of all motor vehicle deaths in Nebraska involved at least one alcohol-impaired driver. This brief provides a description of Nebraska alcohol-related statutes and regulations as of January 2011, and impaired driving policy recommendations based on the Nebraska Strategic Highway Safety Plan and recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/coph_policy_reports/1012/thumbnail.jp

Data handling methods and target detection results for multibeam and sidescan data collected as part of the search for SwissAir Flight 111

The crash of SwissAir Flight 111, off Nova Scotia in September 1998, triggered one of the largest seabed search surveys in Canadian history. The primary search tools used were sidescan sonars (both conventional and focussed types) and multibeam sonars. The processed search data needed to be distributed on a daily basis to other elements of the fleet for precise location of divers and other optical seabed search instruments (including laser linescan and ROV video). As a result of the glacial history of the region, many natural targets, similar in gross nature to aircraft debris were present. These included widespread linear bedrock outcrop patterns together with near ubiquitous glacial erratic boulders. Because of the severely broken-up nature of the remaining aircraft debris, sidescan imaging alone was often insufficient to unambiguously identify targets. The complementary attributes of higher resolution, but poorly located, sidescan imagery together with slightly lower resolution, but excellently navigated multibeam sonar proved to be one of critical factors in the success of the search. It proved necessary to rely heavily on the regional context of the seabed (provided by the multibeam sonar bathymetry and backscatter imagery) to separate natural geomorphic targets from anomalous anthropogenic debris. In order to confidently prove or disprove a potential target, the interpreter required simultaneous access to the full resolution sidescan data in the geographic context of the multibeam framework. Specific software tools had to be adapted or developed shipboard to provide this capability. Whilst developed specifically for this application, these survey tools can provide improved processing speed and confidence as part of more general mine hunting, hydrographic, engineering or scientific surveys

Health Reform Funding in Nebraska

In March 2010, the Affordable Care Act was passed into law with the aim to solidify the nation’s health care safety net and expand access to care through new and existing programs. Of the estimated $200 billion dollars in mandatory and discretionary spending set to be appropriated by 2019, approximately$18.3 billion in total funding has been allocated to the states. Ranking 46 out of 51, Nebraska has received approximately 0.5% ($85.4 million) of total US funding, almost a full percent lower than the national median of 1.4$47.20 per capita. Nebraska also ranks among the bottom half of similarly populated states, ranking 21 out of 26 in total funding and 23 out of 26 in total funding per capita. We examined Nebraska’s standing in acquiring ACA implementation funding and discuss the policy implications of missed funding opportunities.https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/coph_policy_reports/1002/thumbnail.jp

The Impact of Health Reform and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on Latinos and Immigrants in the Omaha-Council Bluffs Metropolitan Area

This policy brief presents evidence for major barriers to access medical care for Latinos and immigrants and the potential impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to improve health insurance coverage. The brief also outlines some potential solutions

Impact of Health Reform on Latinos and Immigrants in the Omaha-Council Bluffs Metropolitan Area

https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/coph_policy_reports/1010/thumbnail.jp

Medicaid Expansion in Indiana

https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/coph_policy_reports/1016/thumbnail.jp

System design and architecture of an online, adaptive, and personalized learning platform

Thesis (S.M. in Technology and Policy)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2013.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 76-82).The author proposes that personalized learning can be brought to traditional and nontraditional learners through a new type of asynchronous learning platform called Guided Learning Pathways (GLP). The GLP platform allows learners to intelligently traverse a vast field of learning resources, emphasizing content only of direct relevance to the learner and presenting it in a way that matches the learner's pedagogical preference and contextual interests. GLP allows learners to advance towards individual learning goals at their own pace, with learning materials catered to each learner's interests and motivations. Learning communities would support learners moving through similar topics. This thesis describes the software system design and architecture required to support Guided Learning Pathways. The author provides detailed information on eight software applications within GLP, including specific learning benefits and features of each. These applications include content maps, learning nuggets, and nugget recommendation algorithms. A learner scenario helps readers visualize the functionality of the platform. To describe the platform's software architecture, the author provides conceptual data models, process flow models, and service group definitions. This thesis also provides a discussion on the potential social impact of GLP in two areas: higher education institutions and the broader economy.by Cole J. Shaw.S.M.in Technology and Polic

Estimating a preference-based index from the Japanese SF-36

Objective: The main objective of the study was to estimate a preference-bascd Short Form (SF)-6D index from the SF-36 for Japan and compare it with the UK results. Study Design and Setting: The SF-6D was translated into Japanese. Two hundred and forty-nine health states defined by this version of the SF-6D were then valued by a representative sample of 600 members of the Japanese general population using standard gamble (SG). These health-state values were modeled using classical parametric random-effect methods with individual-level data and ordinary least squares (OLS) on mean health-state values, together with a new nonparametric approach using Bayesian methods of estimation. Results: All parametric models estimated on Japanese data were found to perform less well than their UK counterparts in terms of poorer goodness of fit, more inconsistencies, larger prediction errors and bias, and evidence of systematic bias in the predictions. Nonparametric models produce a substantial improvement in out-of-sample predictions. The physical, role, and social dimensions have relatively larger decrements than pain and mental health compared with those in the United Kingdom. Conclusion: The differences between Japanese and UK valuations of the SF-6D make it important to use the Japanese valuation data set estimated using the nonparametric Bayesian technique presented in this article. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved