A re-examination of cremains weight: sex and age variation in a Northern California sample

The reduction of modern commercially cremated remains into a fine powder negates the use of traditional methods of skeletal analysis. The literature on the use of cremains weight for estimating aspects of the biologic profile is limited, often with conflicting results. This study re-evaluates the value of weight in the assessment of biologic parameters from modern cremated remains. A sample of adults was collected in northern California (n = 756), with a cremains weight averaging 2737.1 g. Males were significantly heavier than females (mean = 3233.2 g versus mean = 2238.3 g, respectively; p<0.001). Comparison of this sample with other previously reported samples from southern California, Florida, and Tennessee indicates a consistent sex difference, with the most similar mean values to the Tennessee study. Although cremains weight decreases with age as expected, the relationship is weak; thus, cremains weight cannot accurately predict age-at-death. While sex estimation shows considerable accuracy (86.3% for males and 80.9% for females), sectioning points may be population specific.     

Turnout and Party Registration among Criminal Offenders in the 2008 General Election

This paper estimates the voter registration, turnout, and party registration in the 2008 general election for men with felony convictions in Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Missouri, and North Carolina. The findings indicate that turnout among felons is much lower than previous research has shown. Ex‐felon turnout in 2008 varied by state, averaging 22.2 percent. People captured and convicted for their first offense after the election voted at similarly low rates. Also contrary to the expectations of previous literature, the ex‐felon population does not seem overwhelmingly Democratic. In North Carolina and Florida, two states for which the data are available, party registration varies by race. Among registered black male ex‐felons, 71.7 percent in North Carolina and 84.2 percent in Florida are registered Democrats. Among whites, however, only 35.3 percent and 36.4 percent of ex‐felons are registered Democrats in North Carolina and Florida, respectively.     

The social roles of Medicare: assessing Medicare's collateral benefits

The Medicare program incorporates a number of functions that go beyond providing health insurance to its beneficiaries. These activities, which we refer to as "collateral" functions, may have important health consequences but are also an increasing source of controversy. In this essay we develop a conceptual framework for categorizing these involvements, introduce some additional options that might complement Medicare's current collateral functions, assess the reaction of policy elites and Medicare's current beneficiaries to these alternatives, and evaluate the role that collateral activities play for Medicare's core mission. A case can be made for expanding some collateral involvements, but only if the Health Care Financing Administration has the strategic direction and administrative capacity to effectively implement these activities.     

Database considerations in a technology-transfer network

A computer-based network to support technology transfer between campuses of the California State University and local industry is described. Options associated with designing the database and configuring the hardware are evaluated. The TECHNET system involves 20 campuses of the state university system and is designed to support 1,000 industrial firms. The database consists of faculty expertise in the forms of resumes and company products and capabilities. Member companies may query the database to identify faculty (preferably at a local campus) and/or another company that can help them solve technological and business problems. The benefit of TECHNET to companies in addition to problem solving is new business opportunities and to faculty is consulting opportunities. The work is supported by the California Competitive Technology Project office of the California Department of Commerce.