HEALTH CARE REFORM: THE IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH DATA SYSTEMS

Health Economics and Policy,

Establishing laboratory standards for biological flight experiments

The general objective of this research was to assess the effects of exposure to simulated microgravity on ultrastructural aspects of the contractile system in chicken skeletal muscle cells. This general objective had two specific experimental components: (1) the progression of changes in cell morphology, fusion, and patterns of contractile filament organization in muscle cell cultures grown in hollow fibers in the Clinostat were evaluated, with appropriate controls; (2) to initiate experiments in which muscle cells were grown on the surface of microcarrier beads. The ultimate objective of this second portion of the work is to determine if these beads can be rotated in a bioreactor and thereby obtain a more accurate approximation of the effects of simulated microgravity on differentiated muscle cells

The design and implementation of an input/output subsystem for a Farsi language search engine

The question posed in this thesis is whether it is feasible to use commonly available computer hardware and software equipment found in the United States for querying a web-based native Farsi language search engine. A document conversion utility consisting of a C program called html2unicode was constructed to convert the native language web pages into a common format. A Javascript keyboard application and corresponding embeddable web server was developed to make native Farsi language input and output accessible to a search engine. Although there are some issues inherent in the conversion of Farsi web pages into a format suitable for searching, it is possible to use common hardware and software to retrieve Farsi documents

Physiological Effects of Low Mowing Heights, Rolling, and Foot Traffic on Creeping Bentgrass Putting Greens

Golf course superintendents are managing creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) putting greens throughout the transition zone where temperatures can exceed optimum levels for consecutive days in the summer. The stress of creeping bentgrass associated with these supraoptimal temperatures has been well documented, but the management practices implemented on putting greens to increase green speeds may exacerbate these environmental stresses. To date, the physiological effects of these management practices in combination have not been evaluated for putting green turf. The objective of this dissertation project was to determine the effect of mowing heights, light-weight rolling, and foot traffic on performance and physiological parameters of `SR 1020\u27 and `Penn G2\u27 creeping bentgrass. Both above and below ground performance characteristics were evaluated in this project including: wear tolerance, turf quality, turf coverage, turf color, rooting characteristics, ball roll distance, ball mark severity, and ball mark recovery. Physiological data were collected with a custom photosynthesis chamber, and carbohydrate analysis was performed for all mowing and rolling treatments. Individual carbohydrates (total ethanol soluble sugars, glucose, sucrose, fructans, and average degree of polymerization) were determined for foliage, crown, and root material of each sample. Both performance characteristics and physiological parameters reached poorest levels in July or August each year as environmental stresses increased. Plots maintained at higher mowing heights and reduced rolling frequencies maintained better wear tolerance, turf quality, coverage, and color compared to lower mowing heights with frequent rolling. Net photosynthesis increased slightly as mowing heights were increased, but few significant differences were observed for these treatment combinations. Few consistent differences were observed for carbohydrate analysis with lower mowing heights or increased rolling frequencies, but increased mowing height generally resulted in higher carbohydrate concentrations in foliage and crown material following heat stress. Ball mark severity was rarely affected by these treatment combinations, but increased rolling frequencies increased maximum ball mark injury and extended recovery time. Fewer significant differences were observed for these parameters compared to initial expectations, but increased mowing heights and reduced rolling frequencies generally created healthier turf

EFFICIENCY ANALYSIS OF HOSPITALS IN THE GREAT PLAINS: AN URBAN-RURAL COMPARISON

This study examined the efficiency of a sample of hospitals in the Great Plains using a nonparametric approach. Technical efficiency was less than either allocative or scale efficiency. Urban hospitals are relatively more efficient than rural hospitals with respect to all efficiency measures. Private hospitals are more efficient than others.Health Economics and Policy,

A Monograph of the Genus \u3ci\u3ePolyphylla\u3c/i\u3e Harris in America North of Mexico (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae)

The North American species of the genus Polyphylla Harris, 1841, are defined and revised for the first time since Fall (1928). All name bearing types were examined except those of P. oklahomensis Hatch and P. subvittata LeConte (synonyms of P. hammondl), which are lost. A lectotype is designated for P. gracilis Horn, and neotypes for P. decemlineata (Say), P. occidentalis (L.), and P. variolosa (Hentz). New synonyms of P. decemlineata are P. comstockiana von Bloeker, P. matrona Casey, and P. potsiana Casey. New synonyms of P. crinita LeConte are P. pacifica Casey and P. ruficollis perversa Casey. P. alleni Cazier is a new synonym of P. diffracta Casey. P. crinita nigra Casey is raised to specific rank and P. incolumis relicta Casey, P. incolumis robustula Casey, P. martini von Bloeker, and P. santacruzae von Bloeker are its new synonyms. New synonyms of P. hammondi LeConte are P. latifrons Casey, P. rufescenta Tanner, P. speciosa Casey, and P. speciosa acomana Casey. P. marginata is a nomen nudum. Descriptions of first known females are given for P. barbata Cazier, P. devestiva Young, and P. erratica Hardy and Andrews. P. mescalerensis is a new species from southeastern New Mexico. Of the 71 names established since 1767 which represent Polyphylla, 28 are recognized as valid. Females are unknown for 12 species. These species cluster morphologically and geographically into four species complexes. A key to larvae is provided for the four species having described larvae. A key to adults is provided, and all taxa are described or redescribed and illustrated by photographs. Available biological information is included. Distributional data and maps based on 14,094 specimens are provided. A cladistic interpretation and hypothetical phylogeny of the genus are constructed