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Protein interaction networks comprise thousands of individual binary links between distinct proteins. Whilst these data have attracted considerable attention and been the focus of many different studies, the networks, their structure, function, and how they change over time are still not fully known. More importantly, there is still considerable uncertainty regarding their size, and the quality of the available data continues to be questioned. Here, we employ statistical models of the experimental sampling process, in particular capture-recapture methods, in order to assess the false discovery rate and size of protein interaction networks. We uses these methods to gauge the ability of different experimental systems to find the true binary interactome. Our model allows us to obtain estimates for the size and false-discovery rate from simple considerations regarding the number of repeatedly interactions, and provides suggestions as to how we can exploit this information in order to reduce the effects of noise in such data. In particular our approach does not require a reference dataset. We estimate that approximately more than half of the true physical interactome has now been sampled in yeast.

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Results of a monitoring program carried out by members of the Refractory Ceramic Fibers Coalition as part of a Consent Agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to measure workplace concentrations of refractory ceramic fiber (RCF) are presented. More than 700 personal monitoring samples were collected and analyzed annually from workers in RCF production and processing plants, as well as from those employed by customers/end users. The data indicate that (i) approximately 90% of time-weighted average (TWA) workplace concentrations are below the industry's recommended exposure guideline of 1 fiber per cubic centimeter TWA; (ii) workplace concentrations vary with functional job category; (iii) concentrations are approximately lognormally distributed; (iv) workplace concentrations are generally decreasing; (v) there are significant differences in workplace concentrations among plants operated by both RCF producers and customers; (vi) equations can be developed to interconvert data analyzed using different measurement techniques and counting rules; (vii) usage of respirators varies with the functional job category of the worker and the average fiber concentration; and (viii) workplace samples differ from those used in animal inhalation experiments in terms of the ratio of respirable particles to fibers.

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The acceleration of managed care activity has made benchmark data on performance especially important. To date, benchmark data on financial and clinical performance in ambulatory surgery have been lacking in both hospital-based and independent, freestanding ambulatory surgery centers. This article discusses tools, empirical data, and strategies to assist financial (and clinical) managers in healthcare organizations critically examine the efficiency of their ambulatory surgery services.

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This paper summarizes interim results of a 5-year workplace monitoring program conducted by firms belonging to the Refractory Ceramic Fibers Coalition (RCFC) pursuant to a Consent Agreement with the U.S. EPA. The exposure monitoring program is part of a model Product Stewardship Program (PSP) developed by RCFC. This paper reviews the refractory ceramic fiber (RCF) industry, findings of animal bioassay and epidemiological investigations, and the regulatory approach used by EPA. The scope, protocols, sample collection budgets, and experimental design of the monitoring program are summarized. In brief, the program will gather 720 time-weighted average (TWA) workplace concentration measurements annually, partitioned among 8 functional job classifications, both from plants that manufacture and from those that process or use RCF. Statistical analyses reveal that: workplace airborne RCF concentration data are approximately log-normally distributed, 93% of workplace TWAs are beneath the industry's recommended exposure guideline of 1 fiber per cubic centimeter (f/cc), there are significant differences in average workplace RCF concentrations among job types, and PSP activities are effective in lowering workplace exposure. Results of this effort provide an interesting illustration of a successful cooperative effort between a responsible industry and regulatory agencies.

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Health reform requires the merging of traditional insurance and health financing tools. At the center of this intersection may be the need for risk adjustment of capitated payments. For ambulatory services ACGs and capitation are but one possible fate for provider payment in a managed care-dominated future. It is the authors' opinion that such an approach fails to meet the demands of risk adjustment as well as other needs related to provider payment under managed care and health reform.

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The authors explain the concept of mediation, outline the mediator's multiple roles in resolving labour-relations disputes, and advocate the use of an innovative technique known as "Med-Arb". The latter combines mediation and voluntary arbitration in resolving collective bargaining impasses. The success of Med-Arb mediation depends upon the dispute's context, the history of past labour relations, and the mediator's expertise in employing suitable strategies. The authors also advocate further research into mediation and its relevance to the health care sector.

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As the recent national election demonstrated, the desire for health care reform emanates from a diverse constituency. The same dynamics that helped foster the growth in ambulatory services--lower costs and improved patient access to emerging technologies--dictate that any significant reforms include an increased role for ambulatory services. The strong correlation between health reform and enhanced ambulatory care generates a need for policy makers to model ambulatory care payment and utilization alternatives accurately. Unless action is taken, these modeling efforts will be significantly hindered by the current status of ambulatory care data. As the nation enters this period of transition and change, it is necessary to consider a lesson learned during the ill-fated voyage of the Titanic. The dimensions of the entire iceberg (i.e., all health care services), not just the portion that is most readily seen (i.e., inpatient services) must be considered. Consequently, enhancement of the capability to collect and analyze ambulatory care data is an essential prerequisite.

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