C4I Roadmap March 2005

Patients expect to be safe from harm inside the walls of a hospital. Increasing reports of medical errors and adverse events have brought these concerns to public attention. Although we have celebrated many scientific advances over the past several decades, many patients do not benefit because the healthcare infrastructure is inadequate to deliver care to all. Studies confirm opportunities to improve in areas such as inpatient vaccination for flu and outpatient screening for breast, cervical or colon cancer. (Institute of Medicine, (IOM), 2000, 2001, 2004). This document outlines the steps needed to further increase our focus on patient safety in John Dempsey Hospital through the development of a multi-disciplinary Collaborative Center for Clinical Care Improvement (CCCCI). The dimensions of safety and outcomes are briefly discussed to provide some perspective on the scope of these challenges (Strongwater, 2003).

Volume 11, Number 2: April/May 2005

Page 2 – The Vice Provost cites 2004/2005 as a year of significant accomplishments for the Libraries. • The Dodd Research Center and the Human Rights Institute plan a conference on economic human rights for October. Page 3 - Researcher Bill V. Mullen talks about the work of avant garde musician, composer, and author Fred Ho, whose archive is in Archives & Special Collections. Page 4 - Students tell us why they come to the library. • The Dodd Research Center commissions two students to create a logo for its 10th anniversary celebration. • Fragile pamphlets are given new life in the Conservation Lab. Page 5 - The library sponsors a national symposium to explore new technology. • Our newest digital project can lead you to everything you ever wanted to know about Connecticut. • A new Pharmacy Library will open its doors in June. Page 6 - Staff News: service anniversaries and new faces. Page 7 - The Class of 1955 is raising $50,000 for an undergraduate instruction classroom in the library.

The Effect of Deleting Anchor on the Classification of Examinees

The presence of outlying anchor items is an issue faced by many testing agencies. This study examines the effect of removing or retaining one aberrant anchor item. The degree of aberrancy was manipulated as well as the ability distribution of examinees, and four IRT scaling methods were investigated (Mean-sigma, mean-mean, Stocking & Lord, and Haebara). The results indicate that the percent of correctly classified students was not affected by either retaining or removing the aberrant item, although the over- and under- classification of examinees was. There was no difference among the methods.

Therapeutic Use of Ginkgo Biloba

Gingko biloba, one of the most popular herbs in the USA is known for its various therapeutic uses and is now well researched for its various active compounds. Although originally grown in Asia, the tree is distributed all over the world. Leaves, bark, roots all have therapeutic properties and are used for various illnesses like asthma, circulatory ailments and cognitive support or dysfunction.

Adjustable Art Table Project

An adjustable art table was designed for the artists at Passion Works Studio to fulfill a need for a wheelchair-friendly art table. The client desired that the table be sturdy, not electronic and can be used by multiple users. In response, a mechanical approach was taken and various raising devices were explored. A mechanical height adjustment would make for a more stable table and would not require any electricity or motor to adjust. The table also was built with a large, smooth tabletop designed specifically for multiple users making art. The highlight feature is the height adjustment which allows the table to adjust between 29 and 42.5 inches. The table requires just one person to raise, and two people to lower. To raise the table, an individual only needs to unlock the legs and then press in a button to activate the gas springs, which raise the table. Once the table is set to the desired height, the table can lock into place securely. To lower the table, one person must activate the gas springs and push down simultaneously with another person pushing down on the other side of the table. There is enough room for three people, depending on the size of the wheelchairs. With no wheelchairs, as many as six people can use the table. Therefore, the specifications were met, since it raises and lowers within the desired range, and it provides a solid surface for multiple users to do art work.

Alternative Formulations for Angular Momentum Operators, Cartesian and Spherical Polar Forms

The conversion between representations of angular momentum in spherical polar and cartesian form is discussed.

Anion exchange membrane soil nitrate predicts turfgrass color and yield.

Desirable nitrogen (N) management practices for turfgrass supply sufficient N for high quality turf while limiting excess soil N. Previous studies suggested the potential of anion exchange membranes (AEMs) for predicting turfgrass color, quality, or yield. However, these studies suggested a wide range of critical soil nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) values across sample dates. A field experiment, in randomized complete block design with treatments consisting of nine N application rates, was conducted on a mixed species cool-season turfgrass lawn across two growing seasons. Every 2 wk from May to October, turfgrass color was assessed with three different reflectance meters, and soil NO3-N was measured with in situ AEMs. Cate-Nelson models were developed comparing relative reflectance value and yield to AEM desorbed soil NO3-N pooled across all sample dates. These models predicted critical AEM soil NO3-N values from 0. 45 to 1.4 micro g cm-2 d-1. Turf had a low probability of further positive response to AEM soil NO3-N greater than these critical values. These results suggest that soil NO3-N critical values from AEMs may be applicable across sample dates and years and may serve to guide N fertilization to limit excess soil NO3-N.