Expert Systems as an Alternative to Dealing with Regulatory Agencies: The Case of Small Printers

Small businesses, because they do not possess the resources of large businesses, may experience a disproportionateexposure to compliance and enforcement actions by government regulatory agencies. We believe, in many cases, thatinformation technology solutions such as expert systems can help level the playing field. This paper describes the potentialusefulness of expert systems in the small business environment having a potentially large number of users. It also describesan field-tested prototype expert system for small printers, as a proof of concept. That system has been commended by bothenvironmental agencies and potential users alike as a dramatic conceptual improvement in environmental compliance

Transition Detection at Cryogenic Temperatures Using a Carbon-Based Resistive Heating Layer Coupled with Temperature Sensitive Paint

This paper will highlight the development and application of a carbon-based resistive heating layer for use in transition detection at cryogenic temperatures at the National Transonic Facility (NTF) for full-flight Reynolds number testing. This study builds upon previous work that was successfully demonstrated at the 0.3-m Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel on a smaller-scale airfoil shape of regular geometry. However, the test performed at the NTF involved a semispan wing with complex geometry and significantly larger than previous tests. This required the development of new coatings to provide suitable resistances to provide adequate heating rates for transition detection. Successful implementation of this technology has the ability to greatly enhance transition detection experiments at cryogenic temperatures as well as reducing perturbation in the tunnel caused by more traditional transition detection methods

A Demonstration of the Cleaner Technology Substitute Auditor and Advisor, a Prototype Expert System for Small Printing Businesses

Small businesses, because they do not possess the resources of large businesses, may experience a disproportionate exposure to compliance and enforcement actions by government regulatory agencies. I believe, in many cases, that information technology solutions such as expert systems can help level the playing field. This demonstration illustrates the potentialusefulness of expert systems in the small business environment having a potentially large number of users. This system is a field-tested prototype expert system for small printers, as a proof of concept. That system has been commended by both environmental agencies and potential users alike as a dramatic conceptual improvement in environmental complianc

Interpretation of a Unified Theory of Gravitation and Symmetry Breaking

The formalism of Moen and Moffat is interpreted as a Yang-Mills theory set in a space-time generally endowed with curvature and torsion

The Metamorphosis of the Mainframe Computer: The Superserver

Mainframe computers, which once dominated the computer hardware and software markets, have become increasingly unpopular with users. Major mainframe manufacturers have felt this decline in user demand. In 1994 mainframe computers amounted to only about 30 percent of IBM\u27s total computer sales, compared with 90 percent in 1984. UnisysCorporation announced in 1994 that it would entirely discontinue manufacturing its line of mainframe computers, electing to concentrate on more profitable areas of the computer market. Despite a trend where users abandon mainframe solutions, computer processing demand by business, industry, government, and private users is growing at a geometric rate. Unfortunately, the growing demand for computer services has been imperfectly sustained by smaller-scale but more user-friendly computers, especially networks of personal computers. However, evidence suggests that the decline of the mainframe computer will soon end. Based on this information, we believe that the mainframe will reemerge to prominence. However, it will do so in a transformed state--as a superserver. In its metamorphosis, the superserver will replace the general purpose processor as a multi-purpose processor which will perform a broad spectrum of functions, including functions of the legacy system, the database server, and the windows serve

Role of bevacizumab therapy in the management of glioblastoma

Glioblastoma is one of the most common primary brain tumors and one of the most difficult to treat. In population-based studies only 30% of patients will survive 1 year and in the most efficacious surgery, irradiation, and chemotherapy clinical trials approximately 20% will live 2 years. Bevacizumab is a recombinant, antivascular epidermal growth factor receptor (VEGF) monoclonal antibody with 6 VEGF-binding residues that binds to VEGF, preventing VEGF from binding to its target, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2, on endothelial cells. Through its binding to VEGF ligands bevacizumab reduces tumor angiogenesis and vasogenic brain edema; the consequences are that bevacizumab reduces the rate of glioblastoma tumor growth and its associated tumoral edema, thereby improving quality of life and survival for patients suffering from cerebral glioblastoma. In this review, we will summarize the studies that led to the use of bevacizumab in glioblastoma and the potential side-effects and complications that can be associated with its use and, finally, new opportunities for drug combinations with bevacizumab

The cosmic ray spectrum above 10(17) eV

The final analysis of the data obtained by the Sydney University Giant Airshower Recorder (SUGAR) is presented. The data has been reanalysed to take into account the effects of afterpulsing in the photomultiplier tubes. Event data was used to produce a spectrum of equivalent vertical muon number and from this a model dependent primary energy spectrum was obtained. These spectra show good evidence for the Ankle: a flattening at 10(19) eV. There is no sign of the cut-off which would be expected from the effects of the universal black body radiation

Water facilities in retrospect and prospect: An illuminating tool for vehicle design

Water facilities play a fundamental role in the design of air, ground, and marine vehicles by providing a qualitative, and sometimes quantitative, description of complex flow phenomena. Water tunnels, channels, and tow tanks used as flow-diagnostic tools have experienced a renaissance in recent years in response to the increased complexity of designs suitable for advanced technology vehicles. These vehicles are frequently characterized by large regions of steady and unsteady three-dimensional flow separation and ensuing vortical flows. The visualization and interpretation of the complicated fluid motions about isolated vehicle components and complete configurations in a time and cost effective manner in hydrodynamic test facilities is a key element in the development of flow control concepts, and, hence, improved vehicle designs. A historical perspective of the role of water facilities in the vehicle design process is presented. The application of water facilities to specific aerodynamic and hydrodynamic flow problems is discussed, and the strengths and limitations of these important experimental tools are emphasized

A Quandary for Information Technology: Who Controls the Content of Distance Education?

Perhaps the most important of current educational product of Information Technology (IT) is Distance Education (DE), which has created many opportunities for universities, faculty, and students. While students receive the benefits of DE, universities and faculty are changing their traditional relationship to accommodate its academic, technical, and legal challenges. However, IT educators must deal with far more than the technical and the educational content issues in assisting their university colleagues with the issues of DE. One of the more difficult DE challenges is effectively dealing with legal ownership of course content. Unfortunately, scant thought is being given to who legally owns the content created for the unique and repeatable, electronic classroom. Both university administrators and faculty tend assume they have full control of DE and act accordingly. This paper suggests that both groups should fully understand and reach agreement on DE ownership issues before proceeding with a full-scale DE implementation. This paper explores the relative claims to ownership and control by university faculty and their employers. Particular emphasis is placed on copyright law