In contrast to critical systems, one of the primary consequences of faults in HVAC systems is economic rather than safety-related. Therefore, FDD systems applied to HVAC systems must be assessed based upon economic considerations. However, existing research in this application has mainly focused on technique development and validation. This paper addresses the economics of FDD application to HV...

This paper studies the impact of an unfunded social security system on the distribution of bequests in a framework where savings are due both by life cycle and by random altruistic motivations. We show that the impact of social security on the distribution of bequests depends crucially on the importance of the bequest motive in explaining savings behavior. If the bequest motive is strong, then ...

This paper derives a method for HVDC line placement in order to maximize social welfare. Assuming linear generator costs, it shows that for N congestions, there exist exactly N + 1 marginal generators. It then demonstrates that HVDC lines connecting a high-cost with a low-cost marginal generator lead to the maximization of social welfare. The method poses an upper bound on the line installation...

Proponents of hospital consolidation claim that mergers lead to significant cost savings, but there is little systematic evidence backing these claims. For a large sample of hospital mergers between 2000 and 2010, I estimate difference-in-differences models that compare cost trends at acquired hospitals to cost trends at hospitals whose ownership did not change. I find evidence of economically ...

Savings for Unemployment in Good or Bad Times: Options for Developing Countries The paper describes and evaluates unemployment insurance savings accounts (UISAs) – a relatively new and not well-known way of providing unemployment benefits. The UISAs reduce work disincentives by allowing recipients to keep their own unused unemployment contributions, and offer the possibility to extend coverage ...

BACKGROUND Screening women for genital Chlamydia trachomatis at entry to military service provides an opportunity to reduce costs associated with sequelae of this infection. However, financial responsibility for screening may be debated. More than 50% of recruits return to civilian life within 2 years. The military and the civilian health care systems would both benefit from a screening program...

This work presents a simulation approach to the design and economic evaluation of fuel oil hydrotreating processes for the control of SO2 and NOx emission in an Iranian steam power plant. The percent of fuel oil desulphurization was estimated from the SO2 emissions standards for power plants. Based on two different scenarios according to (I) European and (II) Iranian standards, the design and s...

BACKGROUND This study was designed to assess the clinical impact and cost-benefit of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). In the face of current health care cost concerns, cardiac imaging modalities have come under focused review. Data related to CMR clinical impact and cost-benefit are lacking. METHODS AND RESULTS Retrospective review of 361 consecutive patients (pts) who underwe...