Privacy Act of 1974; report of new routine use and minor revisions--SSA

In accordance with the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(11)), we are issuing public notice of our intent to establish a new routine use of information in the system of records entitled Master Files of Social Security Number (SSN) Holders, HHS/SSA/OSR, 09-60-0058. The proposed routine use will permit disclosure of information to organizations/agencies which are required by law to provide SSA with SSN information. We also have made minor revisions to the Federal Register notice applicable to the system. We invite public comments on this publication.     

Privacy Act of 1974; report of new routine uses--Health Care Financing Administration. Notification of new routine uses

In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(11), we are proposing to add new routine uses applicable to the following notices of Systems of Records; (1) 09-70-0501, Carrier Medicare Claims Records, HHS/HCFA/BPO. (2) 09-70-0502, Health Insurance Master Records, HHS/HCFA/BPO. (3) 09-70-0503, Intermediary Medicare Claims Records, HHS/HCFA/BPO. We have provided background information about the routine uses in the "Supplementary Information" section below. We invite public comments on this proposal.     

Privacy Act of 1974; notification of new routine use--Public Health Service

In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act, the Public Health Service (PHS) is publishing notice of a proposal to establish a new routine use permitting disclosure to contractors of information in the Privacy Act system of records 09-35-0044, "Health Professions Planning and Evaluation," HHS/HRA/OA.     

Privacy Act of 1974; system of records--PHS. Notification of a proposal to add routine uses

In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act and the Debt Collection Art of 1982 ( Pub . L. 97-365), the Public Health Service (PHS) is publishing a notice of a proposal to expand one routine use and to add one routine use to three systems of records in the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration (ADAMHA). We are adding a further routine use to system of records 09-30-0031 only. PHS invites interested persons to submit comments on the proposed routine uses on or before July 2, 1984.     

Medicare program; adjustments to cost limits for skilled nursing facility inpatient routine service costs--HCFA. Proposed notice

This notice proposes to eliminate an adjustment that we make to the Medicare cost limits for skilled nursing facility (SNF) routine services if the final rate of change in the market basket index for a calendar year that we use to set the limits differs from the estimated rate of change in the index by at least 0.3 percentage points. Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register is a separate final notice with comment period that explains the methodology we use to develop the cost limits and sets forth the cost limits applicable to cost reporting periods occurring on or after October 1, 1997.     

Privacy Act of 1974; system of records--HCFA. Notice of proposed new routine use for existing system of records

One of the top priorities of HHS is to assure high quality and effective health care. HCFA is proposing to revise the system notice for the Medicare Bill File (Statistics). System No. 09-70-0005, by adding a new routine use for release of Medicare Hospital Mortality Information which is derived from data in the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR) File, and other files available to HCFA. The purpose of this routine use is to allow individuals hospitals to participate in quality of care studies and activities by using data that they have previously supplied to HCFA. This new routine use will allow release to individual hospitals of patient-specific data including mortality predictors which have been statistically derived.     

Privacy Act of 1974; addition of routine uses to an existing system of records--HRSA. Notification of an addition of routine uses to an existing system of records

In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is publishing a proposal to add three new routine uses for the records in System of Records 09-15-0056, National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), BHPr/ HRSA/HHS. HRSA proposes to specify the categories of records in the system, and to expand the list of routine use in record disclosures to include disclosures for research purposes, disclosures to annuity brokers, and disclosures to employees of life insurance companies for the purposes of providing benefits to recipients under the VICP.     

Privacy Act of 1974; proposed new routine uses--PHS. Notification of new routine uses permitting disclosure of information from four Privacy Act systems of records

In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act, the Public Health Service (PHS) is publishing notice of a proposal to establish new routine uses permitting disclosure of information from four Privacy Act systems of records maintained by the National Institutes of Health (NIH): 09-25-0008, "Administration: Radiation Workers Monitoring, HHS/NIH/ORS"; 09-25-0010, "Research Resources: Registry of Individuals Potentially Exposed to Microbial Agents, HHS/NIH/NCI"; 09-25-0077, "Clinical Research: Biological Carcinogenesis Branch Human Specimen Program, HHS/NIH/NCI"; and 09-25-0099, "Clinical Research: Patient Medical Records, HHS/NIH/CC." The NIH Office of Research Services (ORS) is responsible for the first of these systems. The National Cancer Institute (NCI), a component of NIH, maintains the second and third systems of records. The NIH Clinical Center (CC) maintains the fourth system. The new routine uses will allow disclosure to contractors for routine records keeping and processing activities. These disclosures will be wholly compatible with the purposes of these systems, as discussed below.     

Privacy Act of 1974; report of new system of records--SSA, HHS

In accordance with the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a (e)(4], we are issuing public notice of our intent to establish a new system of records: the "Disability Insurance (DI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Demonstration Projects and Experiments System, HHS/SSA/ ORSIP . 09-60-0218." The purpose of the proposed system is to maintain information which we will use to conduct demonstrations and experiments of approaches to encourage individuals receiving either DI benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (the Act) or SSI disability payments under title XVI of the Act to find gainful employment. We also are proposing to establish routine uses of information which will be maintained in the proposed system as discussed below. We invite public comments on this proposal.     

Privacy Act of 1974; report of altered system of records and new routine uses Privacy Act instructions--SSA

In accordance with the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a(e)), we are issuing public notice of our intent to make changes to the system of records entitled "Master Beneficiary Record (MBR), 09-60-0090." These changes are prompted by implementation of provisions of Public Law (P.L.) 98-21 (the Social Security Admendments of 1983, hereinafter referred to as the Amendments). We are amending the categories of individuals covered by the MBR to include individuals (nonclaimants) whose former spouses apply for or receive benefits based on their earnings and the categories of records in the MBR to includes data relating to the amount of tax withheld on the benefits of nonresident aliens. Additionally, we are proposing to establish new routine uses of MBR data in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3). The proposed routine uses provide for disclosure to the Department of the Treasury for determining the Federal tax liability on Social Security benefits and, as necessary, to deposit in the Social Security Trust Funds the tax withheld on the benefits of nonresident aliens. We also are making minor revisions to the MBR notice. We invite public comments on this publication.     

The concentration of criminal victimization and patterns of routine activities

Although many repeat victimization studies have focused on describing the prevalence of the phenomenon, this study attempted to explain variations in the concentration of victimization by applying routine activities as a theoretical model. A multivariate analysis of repeat victimization based on the 2005 Taiwan criminal victimization data supported the general applicability of the routine activity model developed in Western culture for predicting repeat victimization. Findings that diverged from Western patterns included family income to assault, gender to robbery, and marital status, family income, and major activity to larceny incidents. These disparities illustrated the importance of considering the broader sociocultural context in the association between risk predictors and the concentration of criminal victimization. The contradictory results and nonsignificant variance also reflected untapped information on respondents' biological features and psychological tendencies. Future victimization research would do well to integrate measurements that are sensitive to salient sociocultural elements of the society being studied and individuals' biological and psychological traits.     

The routine use of C-reactive protein in forensic investigations

In clinical medicine, C-reactive protein (CRP) is extensively used as a general marker for immune system activation, and post-mortem applicability has been established [M.Q. Fujita, B.L. Zhu, K. Ishida, L. Quan, S. Oritani, H. Maeda, Serum C-reactive protein levels in postmortem blood-an analysis with special reference to the cause of death and survival time, Forensic Sci. Int. 130 (2002) 160-166; L. Uhlin-Hansen, C-reactive protein (CRP), a comparison of pre- and post-mortem blood levels, Forensic Sci. Int. 124 (2001) 32-35]. We have analysed the routine use of CRP in non-selected cases. Scarcity of blood available for analysis is a common problem in forensic investigation, and in response to this we have developed a method using liver as a source. In 50 consecutive autopsy cases, we have evaluated method, validated results and discussed their interpretation. In three cases the analysis was not possible. For each of the remaining cases (n=47) we have analysed whole blood, serum and/or liver samples. 57% (n=25) had serum CRP > 10 mg/L. Serum levels were higher than in whole blood or liver. CRP levels in serum and whole blood samples were stable in more than one month after death, making storage for later analysis possible. Liver levels peaked at one week, but after one month putrefaction was obvious. CRP levels were independent of the post-mortem interval. The use of liver as a source has not yet been described in literature. Our results in liver samples correlate well with plasma results, and liver is a good post-mortem alternative when blood is not available. We conclude that CRP measurements are easy, viable and inexpensive in a forensic setting, and that the number of cases with CRP elevation is high in a non-selected forensic material. In cases of doubt, marked elevation of CRP is an indicator of natural mode of death, and in cases of trauma, it indicates vital reaction. It can be used as a pre-autopsy screening, leading to a more extensive search for diseases not easily diagnosed, such as sepsis or ketoacidosis.     

Face-work in Chinese routine criminal trials

This article examines the performative aspect of face-to-face interactions among various legal actors and defendants in routine criminal trials in China. Using 105 trial videos as empirical data, the author develops a face-work framework to understand how an individual judge's “face”—signifying judges' legal and political roles, and their professional status—is established, protected, and enhanced during courtroom interactions. The study shows that the legal face of judges can be established by some characterizations of the nature of criminal trials such as the demarcation of legal space, the speed of the trial, and the apprising of rights to the defendants. Nevertheless, the legal face can also be disrupted by trial interactions due to judges' lack of judicial authority. Hence, Chinese judges maintain their authority through the establishment of their political face. They also use both their political face and legal face to establish their situational professional status. These interactions often lead to punitive and coercive measures against defendants in trials. While the article focuses on routine criminal trials in China, the face-work framework has the potential to explain courtroom interactions in other types of social contexts and legal proceedings.     

Privacy Act of 1974; new routine use and system of records name change--HHS. Notification of a new routine use and system of records name change

The Public Health Service (PHS) is publishing notice of a new routine use, responding to comments, changing the system name, providing the contractor's address, and making editorial clarifications for system of records: 09-15-0054, "Health Care Practitioner Adverse Credentialing Data Bank, HHS/HRSA/BHPr", now titled "National Practitioner Data Bank for Adverse Information on Physicians and Other Health Care Practitioners, HHS/HRSA/BHPr."     

Privacy Act of 1974; clarification of record system notice--Office of the Assistant Secretary for Personnel Administration, HHS. Notice of changes to routine uses

The Department is giving notice that it is deleting some and clarifying other existing routine use disclosures, clarifying the categories of individuals covered by the system, adding a restriction of the policy on access to the system by non-record subjects and non-Employee Counseling Service staff, and updating the list of system managers for the Privacy Act record system notice: 09-90-0010-Employee Counseling Service Program Records, HHS/OS/ASPER. Records in this system contain information on employees who have been counseled by the Employee Counseling Services for alcohol abuse, drug abuse or emotional problems.     

An evaluation of the relevance of routine DNA typing of fingernail clippings for forensic casework

DNA extracted from fingernail clippings of victims in forensic cases is a possible source of DNA from the perpetrator in cases where victims struggled or defended themselves. The source of this DNA on a victim's fingernails could possibly originate from contact with the suspect's blood, saliva, semen or scratched skin. In this technical note we evaluate the relevance of routine DNA typing of fingernail clippings in the forensic biology laboratory when, in real casework, normally only small quantities of nail material is sent. This was carried out by extracting DNA from fingernail clippings from a number of volunteers, before and after aggressively scratching other volunteers. No blood was drawn from the scratching, but skin flakes were observed under the nails before cutting and subsequent DNA typing. The DNA extracted was then typed using the STR systems: HUMTHO1, HUMTPOX and HUMCSF1PO (CTT triplex) and the system of D1S80. These profiles were compared with profiles achieved by similar typing of buccal swabs as a reference from each volunteer. In this study, the profile detected from each volunteer's clippings was the same before and after scratching, and matched the profile of the corresponding volunteer as defined by typing each volunteer's reference buccal swab. Fingernail clippings that are sent to our lab in actual casework are usually so small that additional treatment by swabbing or removing debris from below the clipping is not possible. For this reason, in this simulation the entire clippings were used for DNA extraction, to maximize the possibility of finding an additional profile. In conclusion, the findings from this study show that although the profiles obtained when typing fingernail clippings are those of the donors themselves, we suggest that typing of fingernail clippings should be carried out in forensic cases only when relevant. We would suggest that fingernail clippings not be routinely sent to the biology laboratory as items of evidence to be tested.     

Privacy Act system of records; amendment of a routine use and change in locations. Public Health Service. Amendment of a routine use and change in locations for Privacy Act system of records 09-15-0007

In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act, the Public Health Service (PHS) is publishing this notice of a proposal to amend a routine use and change the listing of locations for the "Patients Medical record System PHS Hospitals/Clinics," HHS/HSA/BMS. We are taking these actions in order to comply with the provisions of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 (Pub. L.97-35) which requires that the PHS hospitals and clinics be closed by October 31, 1981, or converted to community use by September 30, 1982.     

Victimization risks and routine activities: A theoretical examination using a gender-specific and domain-specific model

This paper examines female and male victimization risks in general and in three domains: home, work, and leisure/public. In doing so, the analysis is based on a popular victimization model: the routine activities/lifestyle theory of victimization. There are several critiques of the routine activities/lifestyle theory research at present. Most tests of this theory use a sample of victims that does not distinguish between specific populations. Further, research on victimization risks needs domainspecific models of victimization because lifestyle can encompass a large variety of behaviors in several different settings, all of which do not have the same risk of victimization (Lynch, 1987). Analyses using data from the National Crime Survey’s Victim Risk Supplement (1983) indicate the importance of analyzing specific populations and domains in any evaluation of routine activities/lifestyle victimization theory because the determinants of victimization are not identical between men and women or between the domains of home, work, and leisure/public.     

A proposal for cadaver organ procurement: routine removal with right of informed refusal

In order to alleviate the shortage of vital organs for transplant, we propose a system of routine removal of cadaver organs with an option of informed refusal by family. Unless an individual registered an objection during his or her lifetime, or unless the family objected to the procedure, clinicians would be permitted routinely to salvage vital organs for transplant. Our proposal charts a middle path between the current ineffective policy based on "encouraged voluntarism" and "presumed consent" policies that promise effectiveness at the cost of violating traditional ethical and legal principles. In this article, we analyze the failure of the current regime, articulate a policy of routine removal subject to the right of informed refusal, and defend this policy against several possible objections.