Causality and Association: The Statistical and Legal Approaches

This paper discusses different needs and approaches to establishing ``causation'' that are relevant in legal cases involving statistical input based on epidemiological (or more generally observational or population-based) information. We distinguish between three versions of ``cause'': the first involves negligence in providing or allowing exposure, the second involves ``cause'' as it is shown through a scientifically proved increased risk of an outcome from the exposure in a population, and the third considers ``cause'' as it might apply to an individual plaintiff based on the first two. The population-oriented ``cause'' is that commonly addressed by statisticians, and we propose a variation on the Bradford Hill approach to testing such causality in an observational framework, and discuss how such a systematic series of tests might be considered in a legal context. We review some current legal approaches to using probabilistic statements, and link these with the scientific methodology as developed here. In particular, we provide an approach both to the idea of individual outcomes being caused on a balance of probabilities, and to the idea of material contribution to such outcomes. Statistical terminology and legal usage of terms such as ``proof on the balance of probabilities'' or ``causation'' can easily become confused, largely due to similar language describing dissimilar concepts; we conclude, however, that a careful analysis can identify and separate those areas in which a legal decision alone is required and those areas in which scientific approaches are useful.Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/07-STS234 the Statistical Science (http://www.imstat.org/sts/) by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org

Energy Efficiency in Manufacturing Facilities: Assessment, Analysis and Implementation

Manufacturing facilities are one among the largest consumers of energy. Efforts to improve energy efficiency are an increasing concern for many manufacturing facility engineering managers. This can be achieved by evaluating energy end uses (e.g., lighting, processing equipment, and heating, air conditioning, and ventilation (HVAC) systems), and by implementing measures to reduce the total amount of energy consumed for one or more of the end uses. Throughout the 40 years of its existence, the US Department of Energy’s Industrial Assessment Center program has developed an array of techniques to improve energy efficiency in industrial facilities. This chapter discusses recommended assessment procedures and observed energy-saving opportunities for some of the most common industrial energy systems. These systems include lighting, compressed air, boilers and steam systems, manufacturing process heating, HVAC, pumps, and fans. Implementation of these assessment recommendations has been demonstrated to increase efficiency and to thus reduce energy consumption and associated costs. While every manufacturing facility is different, and their component industrial energy systems equally unique, this chapter presents a set of analytical guidelines that can be used as a template by engineering practitioners to evaluate their facility energy use and implement subsequent energy conservation measures

Internal Friction and Vulnerability of Mixed Alkali Glasses

Based on a hopping model we show how the mixed alkali effect in glasses can be understood if only a small fraction c_V ofthe available sites for the mobile ions is vacant. In particular, we reproduce the peculiar behavior of the internal friction and the steep fall (''vulnerability'') of the mobility of the majority ion upon small replacements by the minority ion. The single and mixed alkali internal friction peaks are caused by ion-vacancy and ion-ion exchange processes. If c_V is small, they can become comparable in height even at small mixing ratios. The large vulnerability is explained by a trapping of vacancies induced by the minority ions. Reasonable choices of model parameters yield typical behaviors found in experiments.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Special Considerations in Pediatric Burn Patients Regarding Drug Dosage and Administration

Pediatric burn patients are a high-risk patient population to treat. These patients have altered physiologic function as a result of the burn injury, in addition to their smaller size and developing bodies. This creates unique challenges during treatment. Accommodations for these patients are made through unique drug dosages and routes of administration. When treating pediatric burn patients, properly assessing and treating pain promptly and effectively is of utmost importance. Nurses who utilize accurate and appropriate pain assessment scales will provide the best treatment of pain. Proper assessment allows the patient to receive the correct analgesic regime, ensuring a faster and more comfortable recovery process

Challenges Encountered Using Ophthalmic Anesthetics in Space Medicine

On orbit, ophthalmic anesthetics are used for tonometry and off-nominal corneal examinations. Proparacaine has been flown traditionally. However, the manufacturers recently changed its storage requirements from room temperature storage to refrigerated storage to preserve stability and prolong the shelf-life. Since refrigeration on orbit is not readily available and there were stability concerns about flying proparacaine unrefrigerated, tetracaine was selected as an alternative ophthalmic anesthetic in 2013. We will discuss the challenges encountered flying and using these anesthetics on the International Space Station