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Daily Archives: September 19, 2014

New GAO Reports – DOD Joint Bases, Federal Real Property, Fish Stock Assessments

  • DOD JOINT BASES: Implementation Challenges Demonstrate Need to Reevaluate the Program, GAO-14-577: Published: Sep 19, 2014. Publicly Released: Sep 19, 2014: “Joint base officials reported varying progress in consolidating installation-support functions, and challenges resulting from consolidation efforts that created inefficiencies and inequities. Overall, the joint bases reported partially consolidating 80 percent of their installation-support functions, but the extent of consolidation varied across the bases and among the various functions. None of the joint bases have reported consolidating all functions. However, all 11 joint bases reported consolidating some portion of eight functions, such as custodial services and installation safety. The least consolidated functions were reported to be military service-specific or mission-specific, such as small-arms range management and port services. Also, joint base officials reported several challenges resulting from consolidation, such as multiple inspections and employees being potentially disadvantaged in competing for promotion opportunities due to military service-specific personnel policies. The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and military service officials have not evaluated which functions are still suitable for consolidation or taken policy actions to address any challenges resulting from consolidation. Without an evaluation of the suitability of installation-support functions for consolidation and without actions to address any negative consequences that emerged from consolidation, the Department of Defense (DOD) may continue to experience challenges in its efforts to consolidate these functions.”
  • FEDERAL REAL PROPERTY: DHS and GSA Need to Strengthen the Management of DHS Headquarters Consolidation, GAO-14-864T: Published: Sep 19, 2014. Publicly Released: Sep 19, 2014.
  • FEDERAL REAL PROPERTY: DHS and GSA Need to Strengthen the Management of DHS Headquarters Consolidation, GAO-14-648: Published: Sep 19, 2014. Publicly Released: Sep 19, 2014.
  • FISH STOCK ASSESSMENTS: Prioritization and Funding, GAO-14-794R: Published: Sep 19, 2014. Publicly Released: Sep 19, 2014.

Assessment for Decision-Makers Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 2014

Assessment for Decision-Makers: Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 2014, World Meteorological  Organization, Global Ozone Research and Monitoring Project—Report No. 56, Geneva, Switzerland, 2014. • “The sum of the measured tropospheric abundances of substances controlled under the Montreal Protocol continues to decrease. Most of the major controlled ODSs are decreasing largely as projected, and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)… Continue Reading

Results from OCLC Research International Linked Data Survey for Implementers

“OCLC Research conducted an international linked data survey for implementers between 7 July and 15 August 2014 to learn details of specific projects or services that format metadata as linked data and/or make subsequent uses of it. This was an exploratory survey prompted by the OCLC Research Library Partners Metadata Managers Focus Group, who are… Continue Reading

Financial Crisis, Unconventional Monetary Policy and International Spillovers

Chen, Qianying and Filardo, Andrew J. and He, Dong and Zhu, Feng, Financial Crisis, Unconventional Monetary Policy and International Spillovers (September 18, 2014). HKIMR Working Paper No.23/2014. Available for download at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2497922 “This paper studies the effects of unconventional monetary policies in the major advanced economies. We first examine the cross-border financial market impact of… Continue Reading

Domestic Abuse / Violence – Get Help Inbox x

“Domestic abuse and violence have been front-page news lately, and a topic of discussion throughout the country. The US Department of Justice defines domestic violence as, “a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner.” It can be: Physical Sexual Emotional Economic Psychological… Continue Reading

CDC data show declines in 5 major diabetes-related complications among U.S. adults

“A new CDC study shows that rates of five major diabetes-related complications have declined substantially in the last 20 years among U.S. adults with diabetes. The study, Changes in Diabetes Related Complications in the United States, 1990 -2010, published in the current issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, used data from the National Health Interview Survey, National Hospital… Continue Reading

Employee Benefits in the United States – March 2014

“Employer-provided medical care was available to 86 percent of full-time private industry workers in the United States in March 2014, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. By contrast, only 23 percent of part-time workers had medical care benefits available. Access, or availability, also varied by establishment size: 57 percent for workers in small establishments (those with… Continue Reading

Social Security Reform: Legal Analysis of Social Security Benefit Entitlement Issues

CRS – Social Security Reform: Legal Analysis of Social Security Benefit Entitlement Issues. Emily M. Lanz, Legislative Attorney; Thomas J. Nicola, Legislative Attorney. September 17, 2014 “Calculations indicating that the Social Security program will not be financially sustainable in the long run under the present statutory scheme have fueled the current debate regarding Social Security reform. This report addresses selected… Continue Reading