Current methods for measuring sti!ness during human arm movements are either limited to one-joint motions, or lead to systematic errors. The technique presented here enables a simple, accurate and unbiased measurement of endpoint sti!ness during multi-joint movements. Using a computer-controlled mechanical interface, the hand is displaced relative to a prediction of the undisturbed trajectory. ...

Synchrotron-based X-ray microbeam measurements were performed on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) features strained by adjacent shallow-trench-isolation (STI). Strain engineering in microelectronic technology represents an important aspect of the enhancement in complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device performance. Because of the complexity of the composite geometry associated with microe...

The Bcr-Abl fusion protein kinase causes chronic myeloid leukemia and is targeted by the signal transduction inhibitor STI-571/Gleevec/imatinib (STI-571). Sequencing of the BCR-ABL gene in patients who have relapsed after STI-571 chemotherapy has revealed a limited set of kinase domain mutations that mediate drug resistance. To obtain a more comprehensive survey of the amino acid substitutions ...

OBJECTIVES In the Netherlands, sexually transmitted infection (STI) care is provided by general practitioners (GPs) as well as by specialised STI centres. Consultations at the STI centres are monitored extensively, but data from the general practice are limited. This study aimed to examine STI consultations in the general practice. DESIGN Prospective observational patient survey. SETTING Ge...

BACKGROUND An estimated 12 million sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are documented in Brazil per year. Given the scope of this public health challenge and the importance of prompt treatment and follow-up counseling to reduce future STI/HIV-related risk behavior, we sought to qualitatively explore STI clinic experiences among individuals diagnosed with STIs via public clinics in Rio de Jan...

BACKGROUND A landmark randomised trial of male circumcision (MC) in Orange Farm, South Africa recently showed a large and significant reduction in risk of HIV infection, reporting MC effectiveness of 61% (95% CI: 34%-77%). Additionally, two further randomised trials of MC in Kisumu, Kenya and Rakai, Uganda were recently stopped early to report 53% and 48% effectiveness, respectively. Since MC m...

Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is a key process enabling shallow trench isolation (STI), which is used in current integrated circuit manufacturing processes to achieve device isolation. Excessive dishing and erosion in STI CMP processes, however, create device yield concerns. This thesis proposes characterization and modeling techniques to address a variety of concerns in STI CMP. Three ma...

INTRODUCTION Approximately 20 million new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diagnosed yearly in the United States costing the healthcare system an estimated $16 billion in direct medical expenses. The presence of other STIs increases the risk of HIV transmission. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has long recommended routine HIV screening for individuals with a diagn...

BACKGROUND Chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis are readily treatable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) which continue to occur at high rates in Australia, particularly among Aboriginal Australians. This study aimed to: explore the extent of variation in delivery of recommended STI screening investigations and counselling within Aboriginal primary health care (PHC) centres; identify the fact...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Partnerships that are discordant by demographic and behavioral characteristics or are concurrent may facilitate transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by bridging sexual networks. GOAL : The goal of this study was to examine if STI risk within partnerships is associated with discordance and concurrency using the partnership as the unit of analysis. ...