A formal evaluation of data flow path selection criteria

A number of path selection criteria have been proposed throughout the years. Unfortunately, little work has been done on comparing these criteria. To determine what would be an effective path selection criterion for revealing errors in programs, we have undertaken an evaluation of these criteria. This paper reports on the results of our evaluation of path selection criteria based on data flow relationships. We show how these criteria relate to each other, thereby demonstrating some of their strengths and weaknesses. In addition, we suggest minor changes to some criteria that improve their performance. We conclude with a discussion of the major limitations of these criteria and directions for future research

In Sickness, Health, and Cyberspace: Protecting the Security of Electronic Private Health Information

The electronic processing of health information provides considerable benefits to patients and health care providers while at the same time creating serious risks to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the data. The Internet provides a conduit for rapid and uncontrolled dispersion and trafficking of illicitly obtained private health information, with far-reaching consequences to unsuspecting victims. To address such threats to electronic private health information, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services enacted the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Security Rule, which thus far has received little attention in legal literature. This Article presents a critique of the Security Rule. It argues that the Rule suffers from several defects relating to its narrow definition of covered entities, the limited scope of information it allows data subjects to obtain about their health information, the vagueness and incompleteness of the Rule\u27s standards and implementation specifications, and the lack of a private cause of action. This Article explores the difficult problem of crafting static regulations to adequately address rapidly changing computer and communications technologies and associated security threats to private health information. In addition, it develops detailed recommendations for improving safeguards for electronically processed health records

In Sickness, Health, and Cyberspace: Protecting the Security of Electronic Private Health Information

The electronic processing of health information provides considerable benefits to patients and health care providers at the same time that it creates serious risks to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the data. The Internet provides a conduit for rapid and uncontrolled dispersion and trafficking of illicitly-obtained private health information, with far-reaching consequences to the unsuspecting victims. In order to address such threats to electronic private health information, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services enacted the HIPAA Security Rule, which thus far has received little attention in the legal literature. This article presents a critique of the Security Rule from both legal and technical perspectives. We argue that the Rule suffers from several defects relating to its narrow definition of “covered entities,” to the limited scope of information it allows data subjects to obtain about their health information, to the vagueness and incompleteness of the Rule’s standards and implementation specifications, and to the lack of a private cause of action. The article explores the difficult problem of crafting static regulations to adequately address rapidly changing computer and communications technologies and associated security threats to private health information. In addition, it develops detailed recommendations for improving safeguards for electronically processed health records

Merged Two-Stage Power Converter With Soft Charging Switched-Capacitor Stage in 180 nm CMOS

In this paper, we introduce a merged two-stage dc-dc power converter for low-voltage power delivery. By separating the transformation and regulation function of a dc-dc power converter into two stages, both large voltage transformation and high switching frequency can be achieved. We show how the switched-capacitor stage can operate under soft charging conditions by suitable control and integration (merging) of the two stages. This mode of operation enables improved efficiency and/or power density in the switched-capacitor stage. A 5-to-1 V, 0.8 W integrated dc-dc converter has been developed in 180 nm CMOS. The converter achieves a peak efficiency of 81%, with a regulation stage switching frequency of 10 MHz.Interconnect Focus Center (United States. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and Semiconductor Research Corporation

Submodule Integrated Distributed Maximum Power Point Tracking for Solar Photovoltaic Applications

This paper explores the benefits of distributed power electronics in solar photovoltaic applications through the use of submodule integrated maximum power point trackers (MPPT). We propose a system architecture that provides a substantial increase in captured energy during partial shading conditions, while at the same time enabling significant overall cost reductions. This is achieved through direct integration of miniature MPPT power converters into existing junction boxes. We describe the design and implementation of a high-efficiency (>;98%) synchronous buck MPPT converter, along with digital control techniques that ensure both local and global maximum power extraction. Through detailed experimental measurements under real-world conditions, we verify the increase in energy capture and quantify the benefits of the architecture.National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Grant 0925147

Integrated CMOS Energy Harvesting Converter with Digital Maximum Power Point Tracking for a Portable Thermophotovoltaic Power Generator

This paper presents an integrated maximum power point tracking system for use with a thermophotovoltaic (TPV) portable power generator. The design, implemented in 0.35 μm CMOS technology, consists of a low-power control stage and a dc-dc boost power stage with soft-switching capability. With a nominal input voltage of 1 V, and an output voltage of 4 V, we demonstrate a peak conversion efficiency under nominal conditions of over 94% (overall peak efficiency over 95%), at a power level of 300 mW. The control stage uses lossless current sensing together with a custom low-power time-based ADC to minimize control losses. The converter employs a fully integrated digital implementation of a peak power tracking algorithm, and achieves a measured tracking efficiency above 98%. A detailed study of achievable efficiency versus inductor size is also presented, with calculated and measured results.Interconnect Focus Center (United States. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and Semiconductor Research Corporation

Drug-Drug Interaction Alerts: Emphasizing the Evidence

Many analysts and users of contemporary clinical decision support ( CDS ) systems have expressed grave concerns about the technology’s efficacy and functionality. Alerts generated by CDS systems are often inaccurate, and an excess of alerts leads some physicians to experience alert fatigue and to turn off CDS altogether. This article formulates recommendations to improve drug-drug interaction (DDI) alerts. The paper comments upon a proposal by Susan Ridgely and Michael Greenberg, who call for the development of a consensus-based clinically significant drug-drug interaction list that could generate limited liability protection for users. We argue that instead of creating a list of always-contraindicated DDIs, experts should develop DDI alerts that offer essential information about DDI risks, supporting evidence, mitigating factors, and appropriate courses of action. Thus, DDI warnings should provide users with concise but comprehensive information. They should not deprive clinicians of discretion, but rather, enable them to make more knowledgeable and effective prescribing decisions. In addition, the article analyzes several other DDI-related issues. It details a process for determining which DDIs should generate alerts in CDS systems. It also examines the extent to which DDI alerts should serve as a basis for liability protection and suggests how data about DDI alert accuracy could be used as evidence in malpractice litigation