Optimization of Business Processes through Digitization and Automation

NPS NRP Technical ReportReporting and clerical functions at an NSW Echelon IV commands are ripe for digitization, automation and optimization. A significant number of manhours are used to populate multiple databases with the same information. Given the budgetary constraints and the push towards a more efficient and effective Navy, it is imperative to reduce the number of non-value-added hours spent on administrative tasks. Given the two-year turnover cycle there are efficiencies that are learned and lost. Long-term efficiencies could be gained from greater automation through the use of simple software, some of which are already available in the Microsoft office environment. Some data could provide long term benefit if captured in a more persistent manner. Manhours could be reduced by optimizing data input requirements and automating cross population of data as well as report generation.Naval Special Warfare Command (NAVSPECWARCOM)N9 - Warfare SystemsThis research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

Optimization of Business Processes through Digitization and Automation

NPS NRP Executive SummaryReporting and clerical functions at an NSW Echelon IV commands are ripe for digitization, automation and optimization. A significant number of manhours are used to populate multiple databases with the same information. Given the budgetary constraints and the push towards a more efficient and effective Navy, it is imperative to reduce the number of non-value-added hours spent on administrative tasks. Given the two-year turnover cycle there are efficiencies that are learned and lost. Long-term efficiencies could be gained from greater automation through the use of simple software, some of which are already available in the Microsoft office environment. Some data could provide long term benefit if captured in a more persistent manner. Manhours could be reduced by optimizing data input requirements and automating cross population of data as well as report generation.Naval Special Warfare Command (NAVSPECWARCOM)N9 - Warfare SystemsThis research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

Optimization of Business Processes through Digitization and Automation

NPS NRP Project PosterReporting and clerical functions at an NSW Echelon IV commands are ripe for digitization, automation and optimization. A significant number of manhours are used to populate multiple databases with the same information. Given the budgetary constraints and the push towards a more efficient and effective Navy, it is imperative to reduce the number of non-value-added hours spent on administrative tasks. Given the two-year turnover cycle there are efficiencies that are learned and lost. Long-term efficiencies could be gained from greater automation through the use of simple software, some of which are already available in the Microsoft office environment. Some data could provide long term benefit if captured in a more persistent manner. Manhours could be reduced by optimizing data input requirements and automating cross population of data as well as report generation.Naval Special Warfare Command (NAVSPECWARCOM)N9 - Warfare SystemsThis research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

Excise Taxes, Consumer Demand, Over-Shifting, and Tax Revenue

This paper examines over-shifting in excise taxes, using the constant elasticity demand function under monopolistic competition. We apply the solution for price from this model to previous studies to obtain estimated price elasticities of demand. We also derive the excise tax, which maximizes tax revenue under this formulation, resulting in a revenue-maximizing tax-price ratio based upon the price elasticity. The model is applied to some previous experience regarding excise tax increases for alcoholic beverages and cigarettes. Our study offers structural insights behind empirical research that finds over-shifting. The model can also be used to help construct excise tax policy

Impact of musculoskeletal degradation on cancer outcomes and strategies for management in clinical practice

The prevalence of malnutrition in patients with cancer is one of the highest of all patient groups. Weight loss (WL) is a frequent manifestation of malnutrition in cancer and several large-scale studies have reported that involuntary WL affects 50–80% of patients with cancer, with the degree of WL dependent on tumour site, type and stage of disease. The study of body composition in oncology using computed tomography has unearthed the importance of both low muscle mass (sarcopenia) and low muscle attenuation as important prognostic indications of unfavourable outcomes including poorer tolerance to chemotherapy; significant deterioration in performance status and quality of life (QoL), poorer post-operative outcomes and shortened survival. While often hidden by excess fat and high BMI, muscle abnormalities are highly prevalent in patients with cancer (ranging from 10 to 90%). Early screening to identify individuals with sarcopenia and decreased muscle quality would allow for earlier multimodal interventions to attenuate adverse body compositional changes. Multimodal therapies (combining nutritional counselling, exercise and anti-inflammatory drugs) are currently the focus of randomised trials to examine if this approach can provide a sufficient stimulus to prevent or slow the cascade of tissue wasting and if this then impacts on outcomes in a positive manner. This review will focus on the aetiology of musculoskeletal degradation in cancer; the impact of sarcopenia on chemotherapy tolerance, post-operative complications, QoL and survival; and outline current strategies for attenuation of muscle loss in clinical practice

A Cost Benefit Analysis of Transitioning the USN to a Single Fuel Type

NPS NRP Project PosterFuel distribution and its availability is key to maintain force posture during all phases of a conflict. Given the great power competition (GPC) increasing between the U.S., China, and Russia, and a shift to distributed maritime operations, it is important to assess the cost benefit of changing the fuel distribution to a single fuel type. The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) proposes to conduct a cost benefit analysis (CBA) of switching entirely or partially to JP-5 fuel as opposed to the current multiple fuel types used on ships aircrafts and vehicles. Specifically, this research addresses these main questions: If the Navy adopted a policy allowing a 50% JP-5 and 50% F-76 mixture to be issued to surface vessels in lieu of F-76, what would be the cost benefit? Would this policy improve historical turnover rates of the Department of Defense's JP-5 inventory? What infrastructure investments are necessary to adopt a single-type Naval fuel? We use past list purchase cost and standard sales prices for JP-5 and F-76 as our primary data sources to calculate potential savings from shifting to the SFC. Regression analysis is used to calculate the estimated purchase costs and sales costs for fuel under the current two-fuel concept. The predicted consumption figures for a single fuel concept (SFC) were used to predict the total fuel cost of JP-5 for future years as a single fuel in the fleet. We find significant cost savings by switching to a single fuel concept instead of a fuel policy mixture of using 50% JP-5 and 50% F-76. If the purchase and sales prices of JP-5 remain the same upon implementation of the SFC, there is potential for substantial savings for the government.N4 - Fleet Readiness & LogisticsThis research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

A Cost Benefit Analysis of Transitioning the USN to a Single Fuel Type

NPS NRP Executive SummaryFuel distribution and its availability is key to maintain force posture during all phases of a conflict. Given the great power competition (GPC) increasing between the U.S., China, and Russia, and a shift to distributed maritime operations, it is important to assess the cost benefit of changing the fuel distribution to a single fuel type. The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) proposes to conduct a cost benefit analysis (CBA) of switching entirely or partially to JP-5 fuel as opposed to the current multiple fuel types used on ships aircrafts and vehicles. Specifically, this research addresses these main questions: If the Navy adopted a policy allowing a 50% JP-5 and 50% F-76 mixture to be issued to surface vessels in lieu of F-76, what would be the cost benefit? Would this policy improve historical turnover rates of the Department of Defense's JP-5 inventory? What infrastructure investments are necessary to adopt a single-type Naval fuel? We use past list purchase cost and standard sales prices for JP-5 and F-76 as our primary data sources to calculate potential savings from shifting to the SFC. Regression analysis is used to calculate the estimated purchase costs and sales costs for fuel under the current two-fuel concept. The predicted consumption figures for a single fuel concept (SFC) were used to predict the total fuel cost of JP-5 for future years as a single fuel in the fleet. We find significant cost savings by switching to a single fuel concept instead of a fuel policy mixture of using 50% JP-5 and 50% F-76. If the purchase and sales prices of JP-5 remain the same upon implementation of the SFC, there is potential for substantial savings for the government.N4 - Fleet Readiness & LogisticsThis research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.