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Monthly Archives: September 2016

World University Rankings 2016-2017 results announced

News release: “The University of Oxford has become the first UK university to top the Times Higher Education World University Rankings in the 12-year history of the table. It knocks the five-time leader, the California Institute of Technology, into second place in the World University Rankings 2016-2017. World University Rankings 2016-2017: Standing still is not… Continue Reading

CRS – Nanotechnology: A Policy Primer

Nanotechnology: A Policy Primer. John F. Sargent Jr., Specialist in Science and Technology Policy. September 15, 2016. “Nanoscale science, engineering, and technology—commonly referred to collectively as “nanotechnology”—is believed by many to offer extraordinary economic and societal benefits. Congress has demonstrated continuing support for nanotechnology and has directed its attention particularly to three topics that may… Continue Reading

Univ. of Michigan – Deep Blue Data Repository

“Deep Blue Data is a repository offered by the University of Michigan Library that provides access and preservation services for digital research data that were developed or used in the support of research activities at U-M..The datasets that underlie research findings are increasingly in demand. Funding agencies require that research data be discoverable, accessible and… Continue Reading

Federal Automated Vehicles Policy

US Department of Transportation: “As the digital era increasingly reaches deeper into transportation, our task at the U.S. Department of Transportation is not only to keep pace, but to ensure public safety while establishing a strong foundation such that the rules of the road can be known, understood, and responded to by industry and the public.As the Department… Continue Reading

Pride and Prejudice in U.S. Trade

Cao, Lan, Pride and Prejudice in U.S. Trade (September 19, 2016). 7 Notre Dame J. Int’l & Comp. Law (2016 Forthcoming). Available for download at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2840911 “Trade has become a highly contentious issue in the United States, as major Presidential candidates line up to denounce trade as “fraudulent” and “disastrous for the American worker.”… Continue Reading

Pew – US Unauthorized Immigrant Population Level Since 2009

“The U.S. unauthorized immigrant population – 11.1 million in 2014 – has stabilized since the end of the Great Recession, as the number from Mexico declined but the total from other regions of the world increased, according to new Pew Research Center estimates based on government data. Among world regions, the number of unauthorized immigrants… Continue Reading

Pew – Digital Readiness Gaps

Pew – September 20, 2016: “For many years concerns about “digital divides” centered primarily on whether people had access to digital technologies. Now, those worried about these issues also focus on the degree to which people succeed or struggle when they use technology to try to navigate their environments, solve problems, and make decisions. A… Continue Reading

What Does Consistent Participation in 401(k) Plans Generate? Changes in 401(k) Plan Account Balances, 2010–2014

What Does Consistent Participation in 401(k) Plans Generate? Changes in 401(k) Plan Account Balances, 2010–2014. September 2016. EBRI Issue Brief #426. Employee Benefit Research Institute: “This Issue Brief provides an annual update of the longitudinal analysis of 401(k) plan participants drawn from the EBRI/ICI 401(k) database — the largest, participant-level database of its kind, with about… Continue Reading

GPO and LC begin digital release of all Congressional Records

“The U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) partners with the Library of Congress (LC) to release the digital bound Congressional Records from 1991-1998 on GPO’s govinfo. This release covers debates of the 102nd thru 105th Congresses. This era of Congress covers historical topics such as: The Persian Gulf War Bill Clinton’s Presidency NAFTA Enactment of the… Continue Reading

Highlights of a Forum: Data and Analytics Innovation: Emerging Opportunities and Challenges

Highlights of a Forum: Data and Analytics Innovation: Emerging Opportunities and Challenges, GAO-16-659SP: Published: Sep 20, 2016. Publicly Released: Sep 20, 2016. “Forum discussions considered the implications of new data-related technologies and developments that are revolutionizing the basic three-step innovation process in the figure below. As massive amounts of varied data become available in many… Continue Reading

Federal Information Security: Actions Needed to Address Challenges

Federal Information Security: Actions Needed to Address Challenges, GAO-16-885T: Published: Sep 19, 2016. Publicly Released: Sep 20, 2016. “Cyber incidents affecting federal agencies have continued to grow, increasing about 1,300 percent from fiscal year 2006 to fiscal year 2015. Several laws and policies establish a framework for the federal government’s information security and assign implementation… Continue Reading

Beyond the Standard Repayment Plan: Smaller Student Loan Payments and Short-Term Outcome

Urban Institute,K ristin Blagg, September 15, 2016: “Borrowers have more choices than ever for paying down their student loans. Although many borrowers still automatically enroll in standard 10-year, fixed-payment plans, some opt to enroll in programs that allow smaller monthly payments, such as income-driven repayment plans, or plans with longer repayment periods. I present a… Continue Reading