Review of Generalized Linear Models and Extensions by Hardin and Hilbe

The new book Hardin and Hilbe (Stata Press, 2001) is reviewed. Copyright 2001 by Stata Corporation

A method for obtaining practical flutter-suppression control laws using results of optimal control theory

The results of optimal control theory are used to synthesize a feedback filter. The feedback filter is used to force the output of the filtered frequency response to match that of a desired optimal frequency response over a finite frequency range. This matching is accomplished by employing a nonlinear programing algorithm to search for the coefficients of the feedback filter that minimize the error between the optimal frequency response and the filtered frequency response. The method is applied to the synthesis of an active flutter-suppression control law for an aeroelastic wind-tunnel model. It is shown that the resulting control law suppresses flutter over a wide range of subsonic Mach numbers. This is a promising method for synthesizing practical control laws using the results of optimal control theory

Parameters behind "nonparametric" statistics: Kendall's tau,Somers' D and median differences

So-called nonparametric statistical methods are often in fact based o

Clinical genetics and the problem with unqualified confidentiality.

In his article “A Defense of Unqualified Medical Confidentiality,” Kipnis provides a persuasive argument as to why maintaining unqualified confidentiality is the most effective way of preventing harm to third parties in the health-care setting (Kipnis 2006). However, difficulties emerge when it is applied to the field of clinical genetics. The familial context of clinical genetics means that routine sharing of information is a fundamental aspect of good clinical practice. We argue that, reflecting this premise of sharing information in clinical genetics, the most effective way to prevent harm to third parties is to advocate a “qualified confidentiality.” In making this claim, we challenge two assertions Kipnis relies upon in his argument for upholding unqualified confidentiality: 1) that unqualified confidentiality combined with attempts at “creative” means to elicit disclosure to at-risk third parties is the most effective way to minimise harm; and 2) that under unqualified confidentiality, individuals will actually become more likely to take responsibility for their own actions and health (Kipnis 2006, 7). We illustrate this challenge with reference to the following Case of The Ill Father: Steve and Jenny separated 10 years ago but still see the same doctor. Their daughter Kate is 16 years old and lives with Jenny, along with a younger brother and sister. Recently, Steve has been diagnosed with a form of bowel cancer called Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), a genetic condition that causes small polyps to develop in the bowel. These polyps develop into cancer if left unchecked but screening and surgical intervention reduces morbidity and mortality. Because Steve carries the FAP gene mutation, Kate has a 50% chance of inheriting it as well. If she knew of this risk, Kate could choose to have a genetic test and if positive, commence annual screening. However, Kate is not aware and Steve has said he does not plan to tell her.This article was written by Dr Ainsley Newson during the time of her employment with the University of Bristol, UK (2006-2012). Self-archived in the Sydney eScholarship Repository with permission of Bristol University, Sept 2014

Clinical genetics and the problem with unqualified confidentiality.

In his article “A Defense of Unqualified Medical Confidentiality,” Kipnis provides a persuasive argument as to why maintaining unqualified confidentiality is the most effective way of preventing harm to third parties in the health-care setting (Kipnis 2006). However, difficulties emerge when it is applied to the field of clinical genetics. The familial context of clinical genetics means that routine sharing of information is a fundamental aspect of good clinical practice. We argue that, reflecting this premise of sharing information in clinical genetics, the most effective way to prevent harm to third parties is to advocate a “qualified confidentiality.” In making this claim, we challenge two assertions Kipnis relies upon in his argument for upholding unqualified confidentiality: 1) that unqualified confidentiality combined with attempts at “creative” means to elicit disclosure to at-risk third parties is the most effective way to minimise harm; and 2) that under unqualified confidentiality, individuals will actually become more likely to take responsibility for their own actions and health (Kipnis 2006, 7). We illustrate this challenge with reference to the following Case of The Ill Father: Steve and Jenny separated 10 years ago but still see the same doctor. Their daughter Kate is 16 years old and lives with Jenny, along with a younger brother and sister. Recently, Steve has been diagnosed with a form of bowel cancer called Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), a genetic condition that causes small polyps to develop in the bowel. These polyps develop into cancer if left unchecked but screening and surgical intervention reduces morbidity and mortality. Because Steve carries the FAP gene mutation, Kate has a 50% chance of inheriting it as well. If she knew of this risk, Kate could choose to have a genetic test and if positive, commence annual screening. However, Kate is not aware and Steve has said he does not plan to tell her.This article was written by Dr Ainsley Newson during the time of her employment with the University of Bristol, UK (2006-2012). Self-archived in the Sydney eScholarship Repository with permission of Bristol University, Sept 2014

Whither Authenticity?

The discipline of Bioethics, being the amalgam that it is, features myriad concepts, theories, and approaches. Singh adds another dimension to the field, with her sensitive and penetrating investigation into parents' perceptions of Ritalin use. One concept Singh uses in her analysis is that of authenticity. She applies Abbey's earlier conception of an ethics of authenticity to describe it as the “self's sense of its own uniqueness and individuality, and the desire to be true to this self” (Singh 2005). Those who lack the capacity to “lead a life of one's own” (Taylor 1991, 17) are unable to find and create their own authentic selves. Over time, this could lead to feelings of disorientation and disturbance, displacement and alienation (Vadas 1989). Applications of authenticity have become increasingly prevalent in bioethics and are utilised by both deontologists and utilitarians. The concept has been utilized in, for example, discussions of the doctor–patient relationship (Arnason 1994), treatment of persons with dementia (Holm 2001), advance directives (Vollman 2001), and enhancement technologies (Newson, forthcoming). Some of the allure of this kind of concept in bioethics is that it provides academics with a tool for a more nuanced assessment of the issue at hand, albeit with the caveat that it does tend to fall in and out of favour (Welie 1994). More specifically, employing an analysis of authenticity allows one to step back from more traditional, individualistic approaches of liberal bioethics to find new questions that require answering and which can influence debates on what we should do (Welie 1994). Singh, however, has shown that authenticity is a flexible and “inherently relational” concept, inconsistently applied by parents whose definition of authenticity shifts with what is valued in a particular context

Prenatal diagnosis and abortion for congenital abnormalities: is it ethical to provide one without the other?

This target article considers the ethical implications of providing prenatal diagnosis (PND) and antenatal screening services to detect fetal abnormalities in jurisdictions that prohibit abortion for these conditions. This unusual health policy context is common in the Latin American region. Congenital conditions are often untreated or under-treated in developing countries due to limited health resources, leading many women/couples to prefer termination of affected pregnancies. Three potential harms derive from the provision of PND in the absence of legal and safe abortion for these conditions: psychological distress, unjust distribution of burdens between socio-economic classes, and financial burdens for families and society. We present Iran as a comparative case study where recognition of these ethical issues has led to the liberalization of abortion laws for fetuses with thalassemia. We argue that physicians, geneticists and policymakers have an ethical and professional duty of care to advocate for change in order to ameliorate these harms. Keywords: abortion, fetal abnormality, Latin America, prenatal diagnosis, reproductive ethics, womenThis article was written by Dr Ainsley Newson during the time of her employment with the University of Bristol, UK (2006-2012). Self-archived in the Sydney eScholarship Repository with permission of Bristol University, Sept 2014