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We develop and test an algorithmic approach for providing p-cycle survivable transport network designs. The basic approach is to first identify a set of primary p-cycles, then to search for improvements on those cycles through various operations to create a final set of cycles of high individual and collective efficiency, before finally placing one p-cycle at a time, iteratively, until all working capacity of the network is protected. We compare the solution quality of the algorithm to optimal designs obtained with ILP methods. The primary advantage of this algorithmic approach is that it entirely avoids the step of enumerating all cycles, which is a preliminary step in both ILP and heuristic solution methods based on preselection. This method proceeds initially with no more than S "primary" p-cycles, and in the worst case will enumerate no more than S2*N other candidate cycles during its execution, where S is the number of spans in the network and N is the number of nodes. We also find that the set of candidate cycles developed by the algorithm can themselves be used as a quite small but highly effective set of eligible cycles in an ILP design model. IndexTermsp-cycles, optical mesh network design, algorithmic and heuristic design, restoration and protection. 0-7803-81 18-1/03/$17.00 0 2003 IEEE

Our aging population has exacerbated strong and divergent trends between health human resource supply and demand. One way to mitigate future inequities is through the adoption of health information technology (HIT). Our previous research showed a number of risks and mitigating factors which affected HIT implementation success. We confirmed these findings through semistructured interviews with nine Alberta clinics. Sociotechnical factors significantly affected physicians' implementation success. Physicians reported that the time constraints limited their willingness to investigate, procure, and implement an EMR. The combination of antiquated exam room design, complex HIT user interfaces, insufficient physician computer skills, and the urgency in patient encounters precipitated by a fee-for-service remuneration model and long waitlists compromised the quantity, if not the quality, of the information exchange. Alternative remuneration and access to services plans might be considered to drive prudent behavior during physician office system implementation.

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