Association of 12-Month Contraceptive Supply Policy and Months of Oral Contraception Prescribed by Obstetrics and Gynecology Physicians: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study

Objective This study sought to determine if there was a difference in the months of oral contraception prescribed by physicians living in U.S. states with a 12-month supply policy compared to physicians in states without a policy. Methods We conducted an exploratory descriptive study using a convenience sample of Obstetrics & Gynecology resident physicians (n=275) in the United States. Standard bivariate analyses were used to compare the difference between groups. Results Few physicians in both groups (3.8% with a policy and 1.4% without a policy) routinely prescribed a 12-month supply of contraception. The mean coverage prescribed by providers in states with and without a policy was 2.81 and 2.07 months (p<0.05). Conclusions The majority of physicians were unaware of 12-month contraceptive supply policies and unable to correctly write a prescription for 12-months of contraception, regardless of whether they lived in a state with a 12-month contraceptive supply policy. Physician education may be needed to effectively implement 12-month contraceptive supply policies.

Determining the Trade-offs of Inventory Management Approaches in the Face of Covid-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has left a clear mark on virtually every area of human activity. Arguably, most prominent changes may be observed in the global supply chain where the delivery times have changed, and even minor outbreaks of the pandemic pose ever-increasing risks in logistics, supply, and infrastructure. The authors of the scientific study analyze supply chain management approaches and deal with the key aspects which are most suitable to tackle the COVID-19 crisis. This study identifies which area caused by the pandemic has been most problematic and proposes strategies and methods to help companies properly manage their stockpiles. Another important aspect of this scientific study is that the analysis of inventory management methods in a critical environment is performed by developing an agent-based model. Thus, the data from this study are completely new and allow a closer look and understanding of how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the supply and stockpiling/storage issues. In this research, the authors focus on the supplier relationship and inventory level management. Here, they examine several different business scenarios, such as: central vs. distributed warehouses, local vs. global suppliers, etc. Due to the wide range of information, this book should attract not only those who are profoundly interested in the field but also inquisitive newcomers with an interest in the trade and product supply policy.

Import Risks of Agricultural Products in Foreign Trade

This paper aims to identify the main risk groups according to their significance on imports of agricultural products. After analysis of the scientific literature, eight groups of risks associated with agricultural products import were determined: supply risks, demand risks, production risks, management plus operational risks, logistical plus infrastructural risks, political risks, policy plus regulatory risks and financial risks. In order to assess the importance of all import risk groups, three Multicriteria decision support methods (MCDM)—SAW, TOPSIS and Geometric means—for expert evaluation are used. The article introduces a new import risks assessment framework CIRA (Country’s Imports Risk Assessment) contributing to the systematic approach of a country’s international trade risks management. The results order risk groups according to their importance in the following order: production (the most crucial risk group), logistical plus infrastructural, financial, management plus operational, political, supply, policy plus regulatory and demand risks.

Net-Zero Emissions With Renewable Energy Certificates: A Public Policy for a Massachusetts Municipal Light Plant

The promotion, desire and need for renewable energy generation and transmission to electric grids to provide clean, non-carbon-based power has increased in recent years with more focus on climate change mitigation in both the public and private sectors. Renewable Energy Certificates, also known as “RECs” are the established public policy mechanism for incentivizing, verifying, tracking and supporting renewable energy. REC markets are created and managed by state governments to allow selling, purchasing and trading of these “green commodities'' to substantiate environmental attribute claims. A new legislation in Massachusetts requires all stakeholders, businesses and sectors to reduce emissions, which means electric utilities, both public and private, must participate in REC markets to green their power supply portfolios that they provide to consumers. This paper explores and analyzes the role of REC markets, monetary policy, trends, stakeholders, participants, and the current public policy debates in this area. A specific public policy making case is explored for this research, the Municipal Light Plant in Shrewsbury, MA, utilizing RECs to achieve a 100% non-carbon power supply or “net-zero” emissions. A financial analysis based on REC market research and debate is conducted to inform a rules-based and judgement-based fiscal Power Supply Policy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standard for SELCO (Shrewsbury Electric and Cable Operations), a public electricity utility.

Challenges of Water Sensitive Cities in México: The case of the Metropolitan Zone of Guadalajara.

Mexico is currently facing important water management challenges. Cities in the country are facing water scarcity and at the same time, they struggle with floods during the raining season. The water sensitive urban design (WSUD) approach has proved to be helpful in tackling urban water challenges such as floods and water scarcity and it is being implemented in cities around the world. The WSUD approach highlights the role of both the water cycle and the water utilities systems, when transitioning towards a water sensitive stage. Therefore, the objective of this research is to analyse the current situation of the water cycle and the water utility (SIAPA). To do so, we have selected the Metropolitan Area of Guadalajara (MAG) and proposes a case study approach. Within our case of study, we answer two questions: 1) What are the causes of water scarcity and flooding in the MAG? and 2) What are the proposals to solve these problems under a WSUD approach? By answering these questions, we identified that the water management in the MAG corresponds to a single purpose infrastructure. This type of management does not contribute to solve the problems of water scarcity and floods. The water supply policy is based only on the construction of large dams disregarding the storage and use of rainwater, and reuse of greywater, and water-conservation devices. In order to transition towards a water sensitive stage, a WSUD approach that includes multi-purpose infrastructure should be considered. Such as green roofs, swales, rainwater gardens, infiltration trenches, etc.

A New Regulatory Approach for PV-Based Self-Supply, Validated by a Techno-Economic Assessment: A Case Study for Slovenia

When it comes to the proliferation of photovoltaic (PV) systems, technological solutions have to go hand in hand with optimized policy approaches and regulatory frameworks. This paper proposes a new application of state-of-the-art PV potential estimation method based on Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) data targeted toward individual household self-supply. The performance of the proposed general approach is demonstrated in the case of Slovenian PV based self-supply (yearly net self-sufficient energy supply) scheme and related policy. The results obtained by PV potential assessment method show drawbacks of the current policy solution in Slovenia, which limits the installed peak power of the PV systems to 80% of the rated power supply. The paper proposes to change the policy in a way that increases the yearly energy production of the PV system and assures proper voltage profiles in the electricity network. The paper is novel in terms of considering PV potential over LiDAR data by also considering self-sustainability, in using such techno-economic analysis to validate the merits and demerits of a policy approach and is the first such case study used in the context of Slovenian self-supply policy. The proposed PV potential estimation method is generally applicable for any location and can be easily adjusted to the local regulatory framework.