Optimizing Cyber Deterrence

Cyber deterrence is not like regular deterrence. In regular deterrence, say between two nuclear powers, the development of more nukes does not make hardened silos less effective on a per unit basis. Cyber deterrence is different. Cyber deterrence is inextricably riddled with tradeoffs and interdependencies that regular deterrence lacks. This chapter outlines the essential tradeoffs between cyber deterrence by denial, punishment, entanglement and taboo. Each case example illustrates how investing heaving in one form of cyber deterrence costs, at margin, in some other category. Cyber deterrence can be optimized, but only with these essential tradeoffs in mind.

1163 Nickel, Dime or Dollar: Breaking Down Broken Notions of Cost in Sleep Diagnostics

Introduction Home sleep apnea tests (HSATs) are convenient alternatives to in-lab polysomnograms (PSGs) but high non-diagnostic rates limit their utility. A clinical decision support tool (CDST) to triage patients to HSAT versus PSG was developed at the Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System (GLA-VAHS). It uses a random forest ensemble to reduce non-diagnostic HSAT rates by 46%. While prior studies have found PSGs to be more profitable than HSATs on a per unit basis, these analyses do not factor in relative profitability over time. Additionally, no prior studies have quantified the financial impact of a CDST in diagnostic sleep testing. Methods We performed an analysis of the overall profitability of HSATs and PSGs in 2018-2019 within GLA-VAHS which has 6 PSG beds. Revenue was calculated using 2019 Medicare reimbursement rates. Contribution margin (CM) analysis was used to factor out the high fixed costs of healthcare infrastructure, instead focusing on variable direct costs (VDCs). CM analysis is especially useful when calculated on a per diem basis instead of per study, adjusting for number of tests performed in a given day. CM was calculated by subtracting VDCs from revenue under two simulated conditions: with and without the CDST. Results PSGs were 2.5 times more profitable than HSATs on a per unit basis (CM $200/study vs. $81/study). However, on a per day basis, PSGs were only 1.4 times more profitable than HSATs at average nightly occupancy rates of 75% (CM $902/day vs. $646/day). Using the CDST to guide testing, 2.2 times more diagnostic HSATs could be performed per day. As a result, HSATs were 1.3 times more profitable than PSGs on a per day basis with CDST use (CM $1,211/day vs. $902/day). Conclusion This analysis demonstrates that implementing a CDST and maximizing utilization of HSATs allow hospitals to better allocate limited sleep lab resources, increase diagnostic throughput and generate higher profits. Analyzing costs using contribution margin avoids erroneous assumptions about profitability and leads to better-informed administrative decisions regarding sleep lab expansion. Support

Pastoral Practices and Common Use of Pastureland: The Case of Karakul, North-Eastern Tajik Pamirs

This study describes pastoralism practiced in the Karakul village, Northeast of Tajikistan, and discusses its sustainability. Tajikistan introduced a market economy at independence in 1991, and pastoralism is now practiced on a family-unit basis. The families in Karakul graze livestock in their summer pastureland (jailoo) and move their livestock to winter pastureland around the village (kyshtoo). They make groups for pasturage with several families in jailoo and also in kyshtoo. Each group pastures their livestock every day, using a system called novad. In addition to jailoo and kyshtoo, they also practice pastoralism on two additional kinds of pastureland: küzdöö (spring pastureland) and bäärlöö (autumn pastureland). Still, now, the Karakul villagers use their pastureland as the commons: the Karakul village has not established private possession of pastureland even after a law enabled the division of common pastureland among individual families. Using the pastureland as the commons would be preferred by the local pastoralists. However, the free pasture access as the commons may result in a loss of sustainability as a trade-off. Regardless of privatization or the continued use of the commons, the possible development of the uneven use of the pastureland is inferred and should be avoided, and the introduction of a local management structure is urgently needed.

Effects of Aerodynamic Interactions of Closely-Placed Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Pairs

In this study, a numerical model was developed to study the effects of aerodynamic interactions between a pair of counter-rotating vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) in close proximity. In this model, the rotor rotation is not prescribed as a constant as in most other studies, but is determined by the moment of inertia and the total torque of the rotor, including the aerodynamic torque, generator torque, and a torque representing friction. This model enables study of the behavior of the rotor under an arbitrary ambient wind profile. The model was applied to an isolated rotor with five straight J-blades and pairs of identical rotors placed in close proximity. Compared with an isolated rotor, the aerodynamic interactions between the pair of rotors enhance the aerodynamic torques on the rotors and significantly increase the turbine power output on a per unit basis. The enhancement in turbine power output due to aerodynamic enhancement decreases with the distance between the pair of rotors.

Collegiality, collaboration and communication: Innovation in a first year Business Unit development. A Practice Report

This paper reports on the development of first year “core” units in the new Bachelor of Business (BBus) at Murdoch University. These units evolved from a curriculum renewal program and presented opportunities and challenges in their development. The units needed to develop not only the essential numeracy, literacy and research skills for students to transition successfully to university studies, but also the core technical skills in discipline areas common to all BBus majors. Developing these units in a collaborative manner with ongoing interaction between academic and professional staff helped to scaffold skills development on an inter-unit basis.

Per Unit Costs to Own and Operate Farm Machinery

With increasingly thin margins and new technologies, it is important that farm managers know their cost of field operations on a per unit basis (e.g., acre, ton, bale). Accurate per unit costs give confidence when constructing enterprise budgets and evaluating new technologies, such as no-till. Custom rates are often used as a proxy for per unit costs; however, this research, using entropy and jackknife estimation procedures, found that custom rates understate total ownership and operating costs by approximately 25% for an average Kansas farm. Estimates from these models are then used to benchmark actual costs against expected cost.

Moisture-Retentive Dressings: A Review of the Current Literature

Moisture-retentive dressings allow rapid epithelialization, reduce pain, reduce fibrosis, reduce infection and yield better cosmetic results. Furthermore, occlusive dressings allow less painful debridement and stimulate granulation tissue. Despite these advantages, moisture-retentive dressings are still underused. Among the reasons for this underuse are confusion due to the variety of dressings available, fear of infection, and excessive cost. The studies reviewed here refute concerns that moisture-retentive dressings are associated with more infections or that they are too expensive to be practical. The issue of cost was addressed in several of the articles reviewed here, and while moisture-retentive dressings are certainly more expensive on a per unit basis, their overall cost-effectiveness can be more favourable than other more conventional dressings.

Evaluation of a Computerized Timber Inventory System for Nonindustrial Private Forest Landowners

Foresters in many Minnesota counties are interested in gaining access to an automated land use inventory of NIPF lands. The Private Lands Information System (PLIS) was developed to provide field foresters in three Minnesota counties with access to a map-based inventory of NIPF timber stands. An evaluation of that system indicated that most users were pleased with its performance as a tool for targeting areas for management assistance, for working more effectively, and for addressing new issues. PLIS was less expensive to develop initially and to reinventory, on a per land unit basis, than the system which is being applied to state and county lands in Minnesota. However, there is no evidence to suggest which system is more cost effective. Up-front planning is required to develop a system that meets user needs. North. J. Appl. For. 10(3): 123-127.