Exemptions and Lien Avoidance Under The Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 and Ohio Law

Specified property of a debtor is exempt from the bankruptcy estate. State law has generally specified the property of a bankrupt which may be exempted from the estate. The Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 institutes a new federal policy regarding exemptions. The new federal provisions, however, are under attack. Currently in Ohio, the applicability of the federal avoidance power contained in section 522(f) of the Bankruptcy Code is being questioned. This section provides for the avoidance of certain liens encumbering property otherwise exemptable. Legislation in Ohio specifically provides that the exemption provisions do not affect a security interest of personal property or any lien thereby. The question of whether or not a debtor in Ohio may utilize the federal avoidance power to claim secured property as exempt, when Ohio prohibits exempting such property, is currently being litigated. Further, there is an underlying issue as to whether the avoidance power is unconstitutional as applied to security interests created prior to the enactment of the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978. A review of the Bankruptcy Act of 1898, and the exemption provisions of the State of Ohio will facilitate an understanding of the issues involved in the application of the new federal exemption provisions

Enhancing As(V) adsorption and passivation using biologically formed nano-sized FeS coatings on limestone: implications for acid mine drainage treatment and neutralization

The iron-reducing bacterium Acidiphilium cryputum JF-5 and a sulfate reducing bacterium (SRB) collected and purified from the mine drainage of a copper mine in the northwest of Sichuan Province, China, were used to biologically synthesize nano-sized FeS-coated limestone to remove As(V) from solution. The adsorption efficiency of As(V) is improved from 6.64 μg/g with limestone alone to 187 μg/g with the FeS coated limestone in both batch and column experiments. The hydraulic conductivity of the columns are also improved by the presence of the nano-sized FeS coatings, but the solution neutralization performance of the limestone can be reduced by passivation by gypsum and Fe(III) precipitates. Calculations for FeS-coated limestone dissolution experiments show that the process can be described as nCa.sol=At1/2-nCa,gyp. The results suggest that FeS-coated limestone may be an effective medium for remediating As(V)-bearing solutions such as acid mine drainage in systems such as Permeable Reactive Barriers

In situ arsenic oxidation and sorption by a Fe-Mn binary oxide waste in soil

The ability of a Fe-Mn binary oxide waste to adsorb arsenic (As) in a historically contaminated soil was investigated. Initial laboratory sorption experiments indicated that arsenite [As(III)] was oxidized to arsenate [As(V)] by the Mn oxide component, with concurrent As(V) sorption to the Fe oxide. The binary oxide waste had As(III) and As(V) adsorption capacities of 70 mg g−1 and 32 mg g−1 respectively. X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Structure and Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure at the As K-edge confirmed that all binary oxide waste surface complexes were As(V) sorbed by mononuclear bidentate corner-sharing, with 2 Fe at ∼3.27 Ǻ. The ability of the waste to perform this coupled oxidation-sorption reaction in real soils was investigated with a 10% by weight addition of the waste to an industrially As contaminated soil. Electron probe microanalysis showed As accumulation onto the Fe oxide component of the binary oxide waste, which had no As innately. The bioaccessibility of As was also significantly reduced by 7.80% (p < 0.01) with binary oxide waste addition. The results indicate that Fe-Mn binary oxide wastes could provide a potential in situ remediation strategy for As and Pb immobilization in contaminated soils

Comparison of single-nucleotide polymorphisms and microsatellites in detecting quantitative trait loci for alcoholism: The Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism

BACKGROUND: The feasibility of effectively analyzing high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) maps in whole genome scans of complex traits is not known. The purpose of this study was to compare variance components linkage results using different density marker maps in data from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA). Marker maps having an average spacing of 10 cM (microsatellite), 0.78 cM (SNP1), and 0.31 cM (SNP2) were used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting maximum number of alcoholic drinks consumed in a 24-hour period (lnmaxalc). RESULTS: Heritability of lnmaxalc was estimated to be 15%. Multipoint variance components linkage analysis revealed similar linkage patterns among the three marker panels, with the SNP maps consistently yielding higher LOD scores. Robust LOD scores > 1.0 were observed on chromosomes 1 and 13 for all three marker maps. Additional LODs > 1.0 were observed on chromosome 4 with both SNP maps and on chromosomes 18 and 21 with the SNP2 map. Peak LOD scores for lnmaxalc were observed on chromosome 1, although none reached genome-wide statistical significance. Quantile-quantile plots revealed that the multipoint distribution of SNP results appeared to fit the asymptotic null distribution better than the twopoint results. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, variance-components linkage analysis using high-density SNP maps provided higher LOD scores compared with the standard microsatellite map, similar to studies using nonparametric linkage methods. Widespread application of SNP maps will depend on further improvements in the computational methods implemented in current software packages

The Government Contracts Reference Book: A Comprehensive Guide to the Language of Procurement

This book - first published in 1992 and now in its fifth edition - is intended to offer concise, comprehensive information to the practitioner of the art of government contracting. Looking up a key term, the reader can find a definition, followed by a summary of where the term is used in the statutes or regulations dealing with the procurement process. The book also includes references to literature where the term is more fully discussed. The book is not designed as a standalone encyclopedia: it is a first reference, pointing the user to additional sources as needed. The book makes it clear that government contracting is complex, and the rules cannot be gleaned from a single source such as the Federal Acquisition Regulation. They can only be learned from constant reading of reference materials and textbooks—not to mention decisions of the courts, boards of contract appeals, and the Government Accountability Office. Navigating the waters of government procurement is an arduous task, and this book is intended as an aid in that journey. The authors fully understand that it is impossible to make the book fully comprehensive. While this edition is (again) expanded, we know additional terms could be added. We welcome readers to let us know of terms that should be included in the next edition

Consent Issues in Genetic Research: Views of Research Participants

BackgroundWith the arrival of large-scale population-based genomic research studies, such as the Precision Medicine Initiative (PMI), the question of how to best consent participants is significant, and in an era of patient-centered research, few studies have evaluated participants' preferences about re-consent and broad consent. Using quantitative methods, this study evaluates participants' views regarding the acceptability of re-consent and broad consent in subjects from the Participant Issues Project.MethodsA total of 450 participants were recruited from a cancer genetics registry, including cancer patients, their relatives, and controls. Participants completed a secure online survey.ResultsMost participants endorsed re-consent when investigating an unrelated health condition or sharing their de-identified data with an investigator at a different institution. Notification rather than re-consent was preferred when studying a different gene but the same disease. Over 80% of respondents endorsed re-consent when parents of a child gave the original consent and the child has now reached adulthood. Preferences for some scenarios varied by history of cancer at baseline, gender, stage of cancer, or case versus control group. The large majority of participants preferred the option to select broad consent categories of research.ConclusionUnderstanding research participants' preferences, including their views on the need for re-consent, are critical to the success of the PMI

Multiple genome-wide analyses of smoking behavior in the Framingham Heart Study

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking behavior may have a genetic basis. We assessed evidence for quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting the maximum number of cigarettes smoked per day, a trait meant to quantify this behavior, using data collected over 40 years as part of the Framingham Heart Study's original and offspring cohorts. RESULTS: Heritability was estimated to be approximately 21% using variance components (VC) methods (SOLAR), while oligogenic linkage and segregation analysis based on Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods (LOKI) estimated a mean of two large QTLs contributing approximately 28% and 20%, respectively, to the trait's variance. Genome-wide parametric (FASTLINK) and VC linkage analyses (SOLAR) revealed several LOD scores greater than 1.0, with peak LOD scores using both methods on chromosomes 2, 17, and 20; multi-point MCMC methods followed up on these chromosomes. The most robust linkage results were for a QTL between 65 and 84 cM on chromosome 20 with signals from multiple sex- and age-adjusted analyses including two-point LOD scores of 1.30 (parametric) and 1.07 (heritability = 0.17, VC) at 70.51 cM, a multi-point LOD score of 1.50 (heritability = 0.20, VC) at 84 cM, and an intensity ratio of 12.0 (MCMC) at 65 cM. CONCLUSION: Familial aggregation of the maximum number of cigarettes smoked per day was consistent with a genetic component to this behavior, and oligogenic segregation analyses using MCMC suggested two important QTLs. Linkage signals on chromosome 20 between 65 and 84 cM were seen using multiple analytical methods. No linkage result, however, met genome-wide statistical significance criteria, and the true relationship between these regions and smoking behavior remains unclear

Hypothenar hammer syndrome: Proposed etiology

AbstractPurpose: Finger ischemia caused by embolic occlusion of digital arteries originating from the palmar ulnar artery in a person repetitively striking objects with the heel of the hand has been termed hypothenar hammer syndrome (HHS). Previous reports have attributed the arterial pathology to traumatic injury to normal vessels. A large experience leads us to hypothesize that HHS results from trauma to intrinsically abnormal arteries. Methods: We reviewed the arteriography, histology, and clinical outcome of all patients treated for HHS in a university clinical research center study of hand ischemia, which prospectively enrolled more than 1300 subjects from 1971 to 1998. Results: Twenty-one men had HHS. All had occupational (mechanic, carpenter, etc) or avocational (woodworker) exposure to repetitive palmar trauma. All patients underwent upper-extremity and hand arteriography, unilateral in eight patients (38%) and bilateral in 13 patients (62%). By means of arteriogram, multiple digital artery occlusions were shown in the symptomatic hand, with either segmental ulnar artery occlusion in the palm or characteristic “corkscrew” elongation, with alternating stenoses and ectasia. Similar changes in the contralateral asymptomatic (and less traumatized) hand were shown by means of 12 of 13 bilateral arteriograms (92%). Twenty-one operations, consisting of segmental ulnar artery excision in the palm and vein grafting, were performed on 19 patients. Histology was compatible with fibromuscular dysplasia with superimposed trauma. Patency of arterial repairs at 2 years was 84%. One patient (5%) required amputative debridement of necrotic finger tips. No other tissue loss occurred. There have been no recurrences of ischemia in patients with patent bypass grafts. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the largest reported group of HHS patients. The characteristic angiographic appearance, histologic findings, and striking incidence of bilateral abnormalities in patients with unilateral symptoms lead us to conclude that HHS occurs when persons with preexisting palmar ulnar artery fibrodysplasia experience repetitive palmar trauma. This revised theory for the etiology of HHS explains why HHS does not develop in most patients with repetitive palmar trauma. (J Vasc Surg 2000;31:104-13.

Junior doctors’ communication with hospital pharmacists about prescribing: findings from a qualitative interview study

Objectives To explore factors affecting communication between Foundation Year (FY) 1 doctors and hospital pharmacists about prescribing from the junior doctors’ perspective. Methods Trained interviewers (n=4) conducted semistructured interviews with FY1 doctors who were purposively sampled from three hospitals in England. FY1 doctors were asked about their experiences of communication with hospital pharmacists about their prescribing; instances where they disagreed with or did not implement a hospital pharmacist’s recommendation; and their preferences for communicating with hospital pharmacists about prescribing. Interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Results A total of 27 FY1 doctors were interviewed. Findings were categorised into four main themes: (1) nature and context of communication; (2) FY1 doctors’ perceptions of communication with hospital pharmacists; (3) factors influencing FY1 doctors’ decision whether to act on pharmacists’ prescribing recommendations; and (4) suggestions to improve communication with pharmacists. FY1 doctors and hospital pharmacists generally communicated well. FY1 doctors appreciated and frequently acted on pharmacists’ advice yet there was deference to senior medical staff when advice differed. Joint ward rounds, pharmacist-led teaching sessions and a standardised approach to communication were all suggested as ways to improve communication and may increase the likelihood of pharmacists’ recommendations being acted on. Conclusions FY1 doctors and hospital pharmacists communicated frequently about medication prescribing. Issues occurred when there were differences in professional judgement between senior medical staff and pharmacists but these were usually resolved satisfactorily for the FY1 doctor. Further interventions to improve communication and safe prescribing could involve a multidisciplinary and systems approach