objectives this study is the first of its kind to determine the framework, advantages, and limitations of bot contracts for health care projects in selected countries. background advantages and limitations of build-operate-transfer (bot) contracts in various forms of public-private partnership (ppp) arrangements have not been studied. conclusions this study suggests that more information transp...

Medical research facilities, indeed all the nation's constructed facilities, must be designed, operated, and maintained in a manner that supports the health, safety, and productivity of the occupants. The National Construction Goals, established by the National Science and Technology Council, envision substantial improvements in occupant health and worker productivity. The existing research and...

Grid-connected battery energy storage systems with fast acting control are a key technology for improving power network stability and increasing the penetration of renewable generation. This paper describes two battery energy storage research facilities connected to the UK electricity grid. Their performance is detailed, along with hardware results, and a number of grid support services are dem...

Objective(s): To appropriately use one-day myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals (i.e. to avoid shine-through artifacts), injection doses need to be optimized and dose ratios between the 1st and 2nd scans should be maintained at ≥ 3. However, the current state of practice in Japan is unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to clarify the details of MPI protocols us...

background: adolescents admitted to hospital are either surrounded by children or adults. however, age-appropriate facilities are often not provided to meet the needs of adolescents, which should be incorporated in the wards. this study compares the satisfaction level about physical environment of the wards among adolescents who have been admitted to pediatric and adult wards. materials and met...

OBJECTIVE To quantify women's satisfaction with delivery care in informal settlements of Nairobi, Kenya, and to determine characteristics of women and delivery care associated with satisfaction. DESIGN Household survey data analysis of 1266 women who delivered in health facilities in 2004 or 2005. SETTING Two densely populated informal settlements 7 and 12 km from Nairobi's center, where re...

A two-week mission in March and April of 2011 sent six team members to the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS). MDRS, a research facility in the high Utah desert, provides an analogue for the harsh and unusual working conditions that will be faced by men and women who one day explore Mars. During the mission a selection of quantitative and qualitative psychological tests were administered to th...