An Investigation of Factors that Affect HIPAA Security Compliance in Academic Medical Centers

HIPAA security compliance in academic medical centers is a central concern of researchers, academicians, and practitioners. Increased numbers of data security breaches and information technology implementations have caused concern over the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic personal health information. The federal government has implemented stringent HIPAA security compliance reviews and significantly extended the scope and enforcement of the HIPAA Security Rule. However, academic medical centers have shown limited compliance with the HIPAA Security Rule. Therefore, the goal of this study was to investigate the factors that may affect HIPAA security compliance in academic medical centers. Based on a review of the literature of technology acceptance and security effectiveness, this study proposed a theoretical model that uses management support, security awareness, security culture, and computer self-efficacy to predict security behavior and security effectiveness and thus HIPAA security compliance in academic medical centers. To empirically assess the effect of the above-noted variables on HIPAA security compliance in academic medical centers, a Web-based survey was developed. The survey instrument was designed as a multi-line measure that used Likert-type scales. Previous validated scales were adapted and used in the survey. The sample for this investigation was health care information technology professionals who are members of the Group on Information Resources within the Association of American Medical Colleges. Two statistical methods were used to derive and validate predictive models: multiple linear regression and correlation analysis. The results of the investigation demonstrated that security awareness, management support, and security culture were significant predictors of both security effectiveness and security behavior. Security awareness was the most significant predictor of security effectiveness and security behavior. Due to the presence of collinearity, Pearson correlation analysis was used to develop a composite factor, consisting of management support and security culture, for the final multiple linear regression model. By enhancing the understanding of HIPAA security compliance in academic medical centers, the outcomes of this study will contribute to the body of knowledge of security compliance. The empirical results of this research also will provide guidance for individuals and organizations involved with HIPAA security compliance initiatives in health care

An Oxidation-Resistant Coating Alloy for Gamma Titanium Aluminides

Titanium aluminides based on the g-phase (TiAl) offer the potential for component weight savings of up to 50 percent over conventional superalloys in 600 to 850 C aerospace applications. Extensive development efforts over the past 10 years have led to the identification of "engineering" gamma-alloys, which offer a balance of room-temperature mechanical properties and high-temperature strength retention. The gamma class of titanium aluminides also offers oxidation and interstitial (oxygen and nitrogen) embrittlement resistance superior to that of the alpha(sub 2) (Ti3Al) and orthorhombic (Ti2AlNb) classes of titanium aluminides. However, environmental durability is still a concern, especially at temperatures above 750 to 800 C. Recent work at the NASA Lewis Research Center led to the development of an oxidation-resistant coating alloy that shows great promise for the protection of gamma titanium aluminides

Oxidation Resistant Ti-Al-Fe Diffusion Barrier for FeCrAlY Coatings on Titanium Aluminides

A diffusion barrier to help protect titanium aluminide alloys, including the coated alloys of the TiAl gamma + Ti3Al (alpha2) class, from oxidative attack and interstitial embrittlement at temperatures up to at least 1000 C is disclosed. The coating may comprise FeCrAlX alloys. The diffusion barrier comprises titanium, aluminum, and iron in the following approximate atomic percent: Ti-(50-55)Al-(9-20)Fe. This alloy is also suitable as an oxidative or structural coating for such substrates

The Oxidation and Protection of Gamma Titanium Aluminides

The excellent density-specific properties of the gamma class of titanium aluminides make them attractive for intermediate-temperature (600-850 C) aerospace applications. The oxidation and embrittlement resistance of these alloys is superior to that of the alpha(sub 2) and orthorhombic classes of titanium aluminides. However, since gamma alloys form an intermixed Al2O3/TiO2 scale in air rather than the desired continuous Al2O3 scale, oxidation resistance is inadequate at the high end of this temperature range (i.e., greater than 750-800 C). For applications at such temperatures, an oxidation-resistant coating will be needed; however, a major drawback of the oxidation-resistant coatings currently available is severe degradation in fatigue life by the coating. A new class of oxidation-resistant coatings based in the Ti-Al-Cr system offers the potential for improved fatigue life

Environmental Studies on Titanium Aluminide Alloys

Titanium aluminides are attractive alternatives to superalloys in moderate temperature applications (600 to 850 C) by virtue of their high strength-to-density ratio (high specific strength). These alloys are also more ductile than competing intermetallic systems. However, most Ti-based alloys tend to degrade through interstitial embrittlement and rapid oxidation during exposure to elevated temperatures. Therefore, their environmental behavior must be thoroughly investigated before they can be developed further. The goals of titanium aluminide environmental studies at the NASA Lewis Research Center are twofold: characterize the degradation mechanisms for advanced structural alloys and determine what means are available to minimize degradation. The studies to date have covered the alpha 2 (Ti3Al), orthorhombic (Ti2AlNb), and gamma (TiAl) classes of alloys

Cultural Consensus on Salmon Fisheries and Ecology in the Copper River, Alaska

This study assessed levels of agreement in knowledge and opinions about salmon fisheries and ecology of the Copper River, Alaska, in three user groups: the Ahtna, an Alaska Native people indigenous to the upper river; commercial fishers who fish at the mouth of the river; and fishery managers and biologists with jurisdiction over the entire watershed. We anticipated that cultural background, academic training, long-term experience on the water, and spatial focus would be reflected in each group’s knowledge and opinions. Cultural consensus analysis showed agreement within each group, similar opinions between commercial fishers and managers and biologists, and distinct Ahtna opinions. Managers and biologists were the most cohesive group; they related to the entire watershed and relied on quantitative information as the basis for fisheries management. Ahtna focused on the upper river and incorporated observed long-term sociocultural, economic, and environmental changes into their opinions about the fisheries. Commercial fishers focused on the lower river and had strong familiarity with scientific principles of fisheries management. The similar views of commercial fishers and managers and biologists may result from the fact that commercial fishers’ economic success also depends on their understanding of fisheries management. To respond to socioeconomic and ecological sustainability issues, fisheries management would benefit from recognizing these perspectives and promoting participation of all stakeholder groups and effective communication among them.Cette étude a permis d’évaluer les degrés d’accord en matière de connaissances et d’opinions sur l’écologie et la pêche au saumon de la rivière Copper, en Alaska, chez trois groupes d’utilisateurs : les Ahtna, peuple autochtone de l’Alaska natif du haut de la rivière; les pêcheurs commerciaux qui pêchent à l’embouchure de la rivière; et les gestionnaires et biologistes des pêches qui ont compétence sur l’ensemble du bassin versant. Nous nous attendions à ce que les connaissances et les opinions de chaque groupe soient rattachées aux antécédents culturels, à l’expérience académique, à l’expérience à long terme de la pêche et l’orientation spatiale. L’analyse du consensus culturel a permis de démontrer un accord au sein de chaque groupe, des opinions similaires entre les pêcheurs commerciaux et les biologistes-gestionnaires, et des opinions distinctes chez les Ahtna. Les biologistes-gestionnaires ont constitué le groupe le plus cohérent. Ils comprenaient l’ensemble du bassin versant et s’appuyaient sur des données quantitatives pour gérer les pêches. Pour leur part, les Ahtna se concentraient sur le haut de la rivière et tenaient compte, dans leurs opinions au sujet des pêches, des changements socioculturels, économiques et environnementaux observés à long terme. Les pêcheurs commerciaux se concentraient sur le bas de la rivière et connaissaient bien les principes scientifiques de la gestion des pêches. Les points de vue similaires des pêcheurs commerciaux et des biologistes-gestionnaires peuvent découler du fait que la réussite financière des pêcheurs commerciaux dépend aussi de leur compréhension de la gestion des pêches. Pour répondre aux questions de durabilité écologique et socioéconomique, la gestion des pêches pourrait bénéficier de la reconnaissance de ces perspectives, puis promouvoir la participation de tous les groupes d’intervenants de même que des communications efficaces entre eux

Very Long Term Oxidation of Titanium Aluminides Investigated

Titanium aluminides (TiAl) are of great interest for intermediate-temperature (600 to 850 C) aerospace and power-generation applications because they offer significant weight savings over today's nickel alloys. TiAl alloys are being investigated for low-pressure turbine blade applications, exhaust nozzle components, and compressor cases in advanced subsonic and supersonic engines. Significant progress has been made in understanding the fundamental aspects of the oxidation behavior of binary TiAl alloys. However, most of this work has concentrated on short term (<1000 hr), high-temperature (900 to 1000 C) exposures. Also, there is not much data available in the literature regarding the oxidation behavior of the quaternary and higher order engineering alloys. This is especially true for the very long term, low-temperature conditions likely to be experienced during aerospace applications. An investigation at the NASA Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field was undertaken to characterize the long-term oxidation behavior of various model and advanced titanium aluminides for periods up to 7000 hr at 704 C in air using a high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscope. Also, a unique surface treatment technique developed to improve the oxidation resistance of TiAl was evaluated. The alloys included in this investigation are listed in the table. The table also shows typical alloy compositions and the specific weight changes and scale thickness measured for each alloy after exposure to 700 C for 7000 hr in air

Measuring the indirect effect: Voter initiatives and legislative production in the American states

Accepted ManuscriptRecent research has identified important policy differences between voter initiative states and pure representative states despite a lack of enough observable voter initiative campaigns to explain the policy differences. This paper investigates the indirect effects of the voter initiative process on legislative production by estimating the number of bill enacted in the American states. The results indicate that legislators in voter initiative states enact more legislation as the difficulty in qualifying a voter initiative for the ballot decreases, as the legislature is less able to alter the effects of successful voter initiatives, and as the average number of voter initiatives that appear on the ballot increases. These results provide some statistical evidence of the indirect effect of the voter initiative and are consistent with the theory that policy differences in voter initiative states are the result of the indirect effect of the voter initiative process.Randolph, G.M. (2010). Measuring the indirect effect: Voter initiatives and legislative production in the American states. Public Finance Review, 38(6), 762-786

Phase II evaluation of dasatinib in the treatment of recurrent or persistent epithelial ovarian or primary peritoneal carcinoma: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

OBJECTIVES: Preclinical data suggest an important role for the sarcoma proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase (SRC) in the oncogenesis of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) or primary peritoneal carcinoma (PPC). The Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) conducted a Phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dasatinib, an oral SRC-family inhibitor in EOC/PPC, and explored biomarkers for possible association with clinical outcome. METHODS: Eligible women had measurable, recurrent or persistent EOC/PPC and had received one or two prior regimens which must have contained a platinum and a taxane. Patients were treated with 100mg orally daily of dasatinib continuously until progression of disease or adverse effects prevented further treatment. Primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS)≥6months and response rate. Serial plasma samples were assayed for multiple biomarkers. Circulating free DNA was quantified as were circulating tumor and endothelial cells. RESULTS: Thirty-five (35) patients were enrolled in a two-stage sequential design. Of the 34 eligible and evaluable patients, 20.6% (90% confidence interval: 10.1%, 35.2%) had a PFS≥6months; there were no objective responses. Grade 3-4 toxicities were gastrointestinal (mostly nausea and emesis; n=4), pulmonary (dyspnea and/or pleural effusion; n=4) and pain (n=5), and infrequent instances of anemia, malaise, insomnia, rash, and central nervous system hemorrhage. Lack of clinical activity limited any correlation of biomarkers with outcome. CONCLUSION: Dasatinib has minimal activity as a single-agent in patients with recurrent EOC/PPC

A phase II evaluation of nanoparticle, albumin-bound (nab) paclitaxel in the treatment of recurrent or persistent platinum-resistant ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer: A Gynecologic Oncology Group Study

Nab-paclitaxel is a novel Cremophor®-free nanoparticle of albumin-stabilized paclitaxel, which has favorable efficacy and toxicity characteristics relative to other solvent-based taxanes, such as paclitaxel and docetaxel