This paper introduces a formalism to describe the needs and preferences of database users. Because of the precise formulation of these concepts, we have found an automatic and very simple mechanism to incorporate user needs and preferences into the query answering process. In the formalism, the user provides a lattice of domain independent values that deene preferences and needs and a set of do...

Abstract Background Low and middle income countries has recently implemented various reforms toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This study aims to assess the impact of Family Physician Plan (FPP) Transformation (HTP) on hospitalization rate in Iran. Methods We conducted an Interrupted Time Series (ITS) design. The data was monthly Mazandaran province over a period 7 years. Segmented regres...

Public recreation land management agencies have been searching for ways to increase revenue. User fees as implemented by the Fee Demonstration Program have received the most attention. Corporate sponsorships and private donations have also been implemented and other options, such as partial privatization, closure of some areas, and different forms of public-private partnerships have been debate...

This paper introduces a formalism to describe the needs and preferences of database users. Because of the precise formulation of these concepts, we have found an automatic and very simple mechanism to incorporate user needs and preferences into the query answering process. In the formalism, the user provides a lattice of domain independent values that define preferences and needs and a set of d...

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Permission to make digital or hard copies of all or part of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page. Copyrights for components of this work owned by others than ACM must be honored. Abstracting with credit is permitte...

1990’s were marked by massive introduction of user fee health care plans as a mean of improving efficiency by moderating demand, containing cost, and mobilize more funds for health care than existing sources provided. Introduction of user fees raised a lot of controversy with common claims that their implementation reinforced the poverty trap in developing world, which has considerable health a...

This final rule makes several changes affecting Medicare Part B payment. The changes include: implementation of resource-based malpractice insurance relative value units (RVUs); refinement of resource-based practice expense RVUs; payment for physician pathology and independent laboratory services; discontinuous anesthesia time; diagnostic tests; prostate screening; use of CPT modifier -25; qual...

BACKGROUND Many low and middle income countries have initiated maternity fee exemption and removal policies to promote use of skilled maternity care. After two and a half decades of these policies, uptake of skilled birth care remains low and inequalities continue to exist in many low and middle income countries. This study uses 2 decades of birth histories data to examine four maternity fee pa...