Factors in the selection of patients for conditional release from their first psychiatric hospitalization

Objective: This study examined a sample of patients in Victoria, Australia, to identify factors in selection for conditional release from an initial hospitalization that occurred within 30 days of entry into the mental health system. Methods: Data were from the Victorian Psychiatric Case Register. All patients first hospitalized and conditionally released between 1990 and 2000 were identified (N = 8,879), and three comparison groups were created. Two groups were hospitalized within 30 days of entering the system: those who were given conditional release and those who were not. A third group was conditionally released from a hospitalization that occurred after or extended beyond 30 days after system entry. Logistic regression identified characteristics that distinguished the first group. Ordinary least-squares regression was used to evaluate the contribution of conditional release early in treatment to reducing inpatient episodes, inpatient days, days per episode, and inpatient days per 30 days in the system. Results: Conditional release early in treatment was used for 11 percent of the sample, or more than a third of those who were eligible for this intervention. Factors significantly associated with selection for early conditional release were those related to a better prognosis ( initial hospitalization at a later age and having greater than an 11th grade education), a lower likelihood of a diagnosis of dementia or schizophrenia, involuntary status at first inpatient admission, and greater community involvement ( being employed and being married). When the analyses controlled for these factors, use of conditional release early in treatment was significantly associated with a reduction in use of subsequent inpatient care.

Technical and economic factors in applying the enhanced coalbed methane recovery process

Geological sequestration of CO2 is a technically feasible and potentially economic option for significantly and safely reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with CO2 injection already practiced in Canada and the USA to enhance crude oil production. The Enhanced Coalbed Methane (ECBM) process is seen as the next most economical sequestration options. The authors estimate an incremental methane recovery factor from 20% to 50%, depending on coal rank and seam depth. Others have estimated the potential to increase worldwide CBM production, utilising ECBM, by 18 Trillion cubic meters, while simultaneously sequestering 345 Giga tonnes of CO2. This paper presents technical and economic factors to consider for developing a commercial ECBM project. Technical factors include: geostructural and hydrogeological issues, geochemical reactions, stressed and competitive sorption, counter-diffusion, effective and relative 4-D coal permeability and methane recovery levels. Key economic factors are injectant acquisition price, sale price of methane and the level of carbon credits.

Leadership and institutional factors in endogenous regional economic development

Literature on the relationship between leadership and entrepreneurship as it applies to endogenous growth in a regional context is reviewed and used to explore a research agenda for work on this topic. A leadership/entrepreneurship analytical approach is developed and applied on a pilot basis to the Greater Washington D.C. region and its sub-parts. The results are assessed and used to further refine the model and to identify some of the more provocative policy implications of this work. The implications for regional planning process are also considered.