Air cargo market outlook and impact via the NASA CLASS project

An overview is given of the Cargo/Logistics Airlift Systems Study (CLASS) project which was a 10 man-year effort carried out by two contractor teams, aimed at defining factors impacting future system growth and obtaining market requirements and design guidelines for future air freighters. Growth projection was estimated by two approaches: one, an optimal systems approach with a more efficient and cost effective system considered as being available in 1990; and the other, an evolutionary approach with an econometric behavior model used to predict long term evolution from the present system. Both approaches predict significant growth in demand for international air freighter services and less growth for U.S. domestic services. Economic analysis of air freighter fleet options indicate very strong market appeal of derivative widebody transports in 1990 with little incentive to develop all new dedicated air freighters utilizing the 1990's technology until sometime beyond the year 2000. Advanced air freighters would be economically attractive for a wide range of payload sizes (to 500 metric tons), however, if a government would share in the RD and T costs by virtue of its needs for a slightly modified version of a civil air freighter design (a.g. military airlifter)

Fees in an Imperfect World: An Application to Motor Vehicle Emissions

This paper compares an emissions fee on measured vehicle emissions rates to a mandatory regulation that requires all vehicles to maintain emissions below a minimum standard. We model the motorist’s decision under the fee policy and simulate the fee and regulatory policies using data from an emissions inspection program that includes test and repair information for more than 50,000 vehicles. Under ideal conditions with perfect information and no subsidies, the fee on emissions rates performs substantially better than the regulatory policy. When more realistic modeling of available information and market conditions are included, there is little difference in the cost and effectiveness of the fee and regulatory programs. In particular, we find that the ability of the polluter to assess the emissions and cost outcomes of is critical importance for the performance of the fee policy.pollution fees, emissions control, vehicle pollution, inspection and maintenance

The Emergence of the National Middle School Association

The purpose of this study was to determine if the National Middle School Association (NMSA) has been consistent with its written purposes, organizational structure, administrative leadership, publications, conferences, finances, and membership. An investigation was made of NMSA\u27s records from its inception in 1970 through 1980. Personal and telephone interviews were conducted with leaders of NMSA. A compilation of happenings, past works, problems and accomplishments of the Association was made available to those interested in the history of NMSA. The specific objectives of this study were the following: (1) to provide a written historical record of NMSA during its first decade; (2) to critically analyze the Association according to its written purposes, organizational structures, administrative leadership, publications, conferences, financial status and membership; and (3) to examine NMSA\u27s past experiences in order to provide information concerning its future. The research procedure and methodology established a base for a review of available records including minutes of Board of Directors meetings, committee reports, official publications of NMSA, personal interviews, telephone interviews and letters from NMSA leaders. The files of the Executive Director and NMSA central office files were also investigated. The findings of the study indicated that during the first decade, NMSA grew from a group of twenty-two Midwestern middle school educators to a national group of almost two thousand members. The working staff of NMSA grew from a small, all-volunteer group to a professional staff of a full-time Executive Director, Executive Assistant, and secretaries working in the headquarters in Fairborn, Ohio. Services provided for the membership changed from a copy machine newsletter to the professional Middle School Journal, quarterly newsletter, bonus publications and regional and national conferences. The major accomplishments of the Association were: (1) promotion of the middle school concept; (2) providing of quality publications; (3) sharing ideas and research; and (4) providing a forum for all people interested in middle grades students. The conclusions of this study indicated that the initial ideas set forth by the founders were well intended. However, they were altered due to the myriad forces that fragmented middle school education. This fragmentation made imperative that new policies and organizational structure be established and changed constantly. These changes, though considered by the leadership to be necessary, served to disjoint the Association, hindering its anticipated growth

Not Just a Symbol But a Status Symbol

I create art, not out of a deep understanding of the world around me, but out of a lack of one. Human psychology, motives, behaviors, stressors, intentions and identity are the themes that boggle me the most. Therefore, it is only natural that my work would be fueled by the questions these themes pose. In the past I sought to understand what pushes people to make certain choices and how can the world around us affect the formation of identity. Currently I wonder about identity in terms of what do people use to form and reinforce identity both real and fabricated. In addition to this I am working through the question of what creates worth for an object; it’s function or its fabricated identity. Through the use of photography, video, sculpture and installation I explore the possibilities of questions and also understandings that my work can create

Nonprofit Human Services Agencies and Reliance upon Government Funding: Implications for Organizational Development

Based on interviews with the executive directors of twenty human service agencies from San Francisco, CA, which received 60% or more of their funding from government sources, this study explores what organizational and operational benefits and challenges these executives attribute to reliance on government for funding support. The theoretical framework for the study relies on resource dependency theory within a natural or open systems model of organizational development. This illuminates the relationships between nonprofit human services agencies and the government agencies that fund them. The dependency relationship is seen as being of mutual benefit, although power distribution within these relationships is not equal. Due to their dependence on funding, nonprofit agencies may be pressured to develop or operate in ways that are not self-determinant. This study explores this influence from an organizational perspective, seeking to determine what effect, if any, this funding dependency has on organizational structure, internal systems, allocation of resources, targeting of consumers, and program (product) choice and delivery. Specific inquiry concerns the adequacy of government support for the operations of the programs and the indirect costs associated with their operation. This study finds reliance on government funding has considerable influence on the organizational infrastructure and internal systems of the recipient agencies, both in response to the demands placed on them by virtue of this funding relationship and in passive consideration of resource allocation and the support of activities and structures that could reduce their level of dependency. Respondents note serious consequences for agency infrastructure and human resource practices, particularly occurring over time, as most government contracted funding fails to keep pace with wage inflation and increases in the general costs of doing business. An impression of a service delivery system in decline develops, largely attributed to these non-compensated inflationary factors. Conclusions seed recommendations for the reexamination of funding and contracting policies of government agencies to improve the health and well -being of the service delivery systems they fund, including steps local government could consider to help ensure service delivery-system health. The study questions the strategic decisions of nonprofit operators and the resistance of many to attempt balancing government support with private and foundation fundraising. It recommends the adoption of-- and investment in -- diversified funding strategies

Sequence distribution studies of dichloroprotoanemonin-methyl methacrylate copolymers

Chloride elimination and ultraviolet bands in dichloroprotoanemonin/methyl methacrylate copolymer

Congestion Pricing: Long-Term Economic and Land-Use Effects

We employ a spatially disaggregated general equilibrium model of a regional economy that incorporates decisions of residents, firms, and developers integrated with a spatially disaggregated strategic transportation planning (START) model that features mode, time period, and route choice to evaluate economic effects of congestion pricing. First, we evaluate the long-run effects of a road-pricing policy based on the integrated model of land use, strategic transport, and regional economy (LUSTRE) and compare them with the short-term effects obtained from the START model alone. We then look at distributional effects of the policy in question and point out differences and similarities in the short run versus the long run. Finally, we analyze the mechanisms at the source of the economic and land-use effects induced by the road-pricing policy.traffic congestion, welfare analysis, CGE modeling, cordon tolls, distributional effects