• Title/Summary/Keyword: screening and identifying

Search Result 192, Processing Time 0.029 seconds

Pre-earthquake fuzzy logic and neural network based rapid visual screening of buildings

  • Moseley, V.J.;Dritsos, S.E.;Kolaksis, D.L.
    • Structural Engineering and Mechanics
    • /
    • v.27 no.1
    • /
    • pp.77-97
    • /
    • 2007
  • When assessing buildings that may collapse during a large earthquake, conventional rapid visual screening procedures generally provide good results when identifying buildings for further investigation. Unfortunately, their accuracy at identify buildings at risk is not so good. In addition, there appears to be little room for improvement. This paper investigates an alternative screening procedure based on fuzzy logic and artificial neural networks. Two databases of buildings damaged during the Athens earthquake of 1999 are used for training purposes. Extremely good results are obtained from one database and not so good results are obtained from the second database. This finding illustrates the importance of specifically collecting data tailored to the requirements of the fuzzy logic based rapid visual screening procedure. In general, results demonstrate that the trained fuzzy logic based rapid visual screening procedure represents a marked improvement when identifying buildings at risk. In particular, when smaller percentages of the buildings with high damage scores are extracted for further investigation, the proposed fuzzy screening procedure becomes more efficient. This paper shows that the proposed procedure has a significant optimisation potential, is worth pursuing and, to this end, a strategy that outlines the future development of the fuzzy logic based rapid visual screening procedure is proposed.

Factors Affecting Cancer Screening Intention and Behavior of the Korean Elderly

  • Kim, Hee-Jung;Yim, Hyun-Woo;Kim, Nam-Cho
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
    • /
    • v.15 no.19
    • /
    • pp.8461-8467
    • /
    • 2014
  • Background: In this study we investigated factors influencing cancer screening intention and behavior to develop measures to increase the rate of cancer screening in the Korean elderly. Materials and Methods: Participants included 425 elderly subjects 65 years of age or older from D city, South Korea. The health behavior characteristics and cancer screening-related and theory of planned behavior (TPB) factors influencing the participant attitudes on cancer screening were examined to identify determinants significantly affecting cancer screening intentions and behavior. Results: Predictive factors influencing cancer screening behavior included smoking, exercise, cancer concerns, preference for the type of cancer screening, prior experience with the National Cancer Screening Program, perception of the National Cancer Screening Program, behavioral control with respect to cancer screening and cancer screening intentions. The factors influencing cancer screening behavior were different from those for cancer screening intentions. Conclusions: Increasing the cancer screening intentions of the elderly is necessary to raise the rates of cancer screening. Additionally, identifying the inhibitory factors that serve as obstacles to cancer screening in the elderly and changing screening intentions into actual screening behavior is necessary. This study provides a reference for developing and applying policy measures and intervention strategies to increase the cancer screening rates of the elderly in Korea.

Development of a Simple Screening Test for Identifying Korean Elderly at Risk of Undernutrition (한국 노인의 영양부족위험 진단을 위한 간이조사표의 개발)

  • 김기남;현태선;이정원
    • Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
    • /
    • v.5 no.3
    • /
    • pp.475-483
    • /
    • 2000
  • The develop a simple screening test for identifying Korean elderly at risk of undernutrition, the data of the health-related habits, dietary behaviors and nutrient intakes of the elderly in Chongju were analyzed. Two risk indicators, mean adequacy ratio (MAR) and the respondents perceived health, were used to detect the undernutrition risk of the elderly. In order to select a list of questions for the test, factors a affecting nutritional status and items investigated in previous nutrition surveys of the elderly were considered, and 21 questions were primarily selected. A multiple regression and stepwise regression analysis were used to take out the weak predictors of poor nutrient intake, and to give item weights to the strong predictors, and a list of 17 questions was finally adopted. To determine the cut-point of the test score, sensitivity, and positive predictive values were calculated. The Simple Screening Test developed in this study is a brief, easily scored tool to predict poor nutrient intake and the perceived health status of the elderly. The test may provide a basis of further comprehensive nutritional assessment or intervention planning, if necessary, for those who are diagnosed ad "high risk". The test, however, needs to be independently validated by other groups of individuals.dividuals.

  • PDF

Evaluation of the Validity of a Simple Screening Test Developed for Identifying Korean Elderly at Risk of Undernutrition (우리 나라 노인의 영양부족위험 진단을 위해 개발된 간이조사표의 타당성 평가)

  • 이정원;김경은;김기남;현태선;현화진;박영숙
    • Journal of Nutrition and Health
    • /
    • v.33 no.8
    • /
    • pp.864-872
    • /
    • 2000
  • This study intended to evaluate the validity of the simple nutrition screening test that had been developed with the elderly living in Cheongju as a subject. Nutrition screening score(NSS) and reference standards for nutritional and health status(nutrient intakes, mean adequacy ratio, perceive health, and serum albumin, hematocrit, and hemoglobin) were estimated by using the date obtained in 1996 from the 174 elderly living in Taejon, Statistical analysis showed significant correlations between mean adequacy ratio(MAR) and NSS(r=0.341) and also between NSS and biological indices such as albumin and hematocrit, Around 65-75% of the elderly with perceive health and low level of serum albumin, hemoglobin and hematocrit had NSS$\leq$ll. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values(PPV) were calculated from the crosstabulation of the three categories of NSS(high, moderate, and low nutritional risk) and low categories MAR(< 0.75, undernutrition;$\geq$0.75, normal) to validate the cut-off point for high or low nutritional risk by NSS. It was suggested that point l1 was appropriate as a criterion to determine high risk of undernutrition, but point 16 was better than 17 as criterion to determine low nutritional risk in the Taejon elderly. When point ll was used as a criterion of high nutritional risk, sensitivity, specificity, and PPV are 59.5, 60.5 and 82.1 respectively. When point 16 was used as a criterion of low nutritional risk, sensitivity, specificity, and PPV are 25.6, 95.4, and 64.7%, respectively. In conclusion, nutrition screening test that had been developed can be a simple, easy, and proper instrument to classify the high risk group of undernutrition. A further validation study seems to be required among other groups of individuals for the screening test to the finalized as a more valid instrument identifying Korean elderly at nutrition and health risk(Korean J Nutrition 33(8) : 864-872, 2000)

  • PDF

Barriers to Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening in Singapore: a Mixed Methods Analysis

  • Malhotra, Chetna;Bilger, Marcel;Liu, Joy;Finkelstein, Eric
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
    • /
    • v.17 no.8
    • /
    • pp.3887-3895
    • /
    • 2016
  • Background: In order to increase breast and cervical cancer screening uptake in Singapore, women's perceived barriers to screening need to be identified and overcome. Using data from both focus groups and surveys, we aimed to assess perceived barriers and motivations for breast and cervical cancer screening. Materials and Methods: We conducted 8 focus groups with 64 women, using thematic analysis to identify overarching themes related to women's attitudes towards screening. Based on recurring themes from focus groups, several hypotheses regarding potential barriers and motivations to screen were generated and tested through a national survey of 801 women aged 25-64. Results: Focus group participants had misconceptions related to screening, believing that the procedures were painful. Cost was an issue, as well as efficacy and fatalism. Conclusions: By identifying barriers to and motivators for screening through a mixed-method design that has both nuance and external validity, this study offers valuable suggestions to policymakers to improve breast and cervical cancer screening uptake in Singapore.

Cost-Effectiveness of Voluntary HIV Testing Strategies in a Very Low-Prevalence Country, the Republic of Korea

  • Lee, Young Hwa;Bang, Ji Hwan;Park, Sang Min;Kang, Cho Ryok;Cho, Sung-Il;Oh, Myoung-don;Lee, Jong-Koo
    • Journal of Korean Medical Science
    • /
    • v.33 no.46
    • /
    • pp.304.1-304.7
    • /
    • 2018
  • Background: The Republic of Korea has a very low prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, but the number of new HIV diagnoses has steadily risen, strongly indicating a large number of undetected HIV infections. Thus, it is important for Korean public health authorities to adopt and encourage cost-effective HIV detection tools, such as rapid HIV screening tests. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and rapid tests in a public health center (PHC) setting. Methods: We developed a decision analytic model to assess the per-examinee cost and the cost-effectiveness of identifying HIV patients in a PHC setting using two HIV testing strategies: conventional HIV screening by ELISA versus rapid HIV testing. Analysis was performed in two scenarios: HIV testing in an average-risk population and in a high-risk population. Results: Compared to the ELISA, the rapid test was cost-saving and cost-effective. The per-examinee cost was USD 1.61 with rapid testing versus USD 3.38 with ELISA in an average-risk population, and USD 4.77 with rapid testing versus USD 7.62 with ELISA in a high-risk population. The cost of identifying a previously undiagnosed HIV case was USD 26,974 with rapid testing versus USD 42,237 with ELISA in an average-risk population, and USD 153 with rapid testing versus USD 183 with ELISA in a high-risk population. Conclusion: Rapid testing would be more cost-effective than using conventional ELISA testing for identifying previously undiagnosed HIV-infected cases in Korea, a country with extremely low HIV prevalence.

A Comparisons of Characteristics of Infants Born Prematurely According to Results of Denver II Screening Test (추후 덴버발달스크리닝 결과에 따른 미숙아의 특성 비교)

  • Bang, Kyung-Sook
    • Child Health Nursing Research
    • /
    • v.12 no.3
    • /
    • pp.398-404
    • /
    • 2006
  • Purpose: To investigate the rate of questionable development in infants born prematurely and explore factors affecting developmental delays. Method: The participants were 46 infants born prematurely being seen in one of two urban health centers. A questionnaire and the HOME checklist were used to collect data, and the Korean Denver II developmental screening test was administered. Results: Of the participants 21.7% were classified as having questionable development. The only variable with a significant difference between the two groups was acceptance in the HOME checklist. Psychosocial factors such as mothers' burden, depression, family functioning, and social support were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: An early developmental screening test for prematurely born infants is needed. Also, the childrearing environment was identified as a significant factor in infants' development. These findings suggest that HOME score might be useful for identifying infants at risk for developmental delays and interventions for these infants will probably be more effective if their mothers can provide a more appropriate social environment. Further studies are suggested with larger samples.

  • PDF

Research Trends on External Event Identification and Screening Methods for Safety Assessment of Nuclear Power Plant (원자력발전소 안전성 평가를 위한 외부사건 식별 및 선별 방법 연구동향)

  • Kim, Dongchang;Kwag, Shinyoung;Kim, Jitae;Eem, Seunghyun
    • Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
    • /
    • v.18 no.2
    • /
    • pp.252-260
    • /
    • 2022
  • Purpose: As the intensity and frequency of natural hazards are increasing due to climate change, external events that affecting nuclear power plants(NPPs) may increase. NPPs must be protected from external events such as natural hazards and human-induced hazards. External events that may occur in NPPs should be identified, and external events that may affect NPPs should be identified. This study introduces the methodology of identification and screening methods for external events by literature review. Method: The literature survey was conducted on the identification and screening methods of external events for probabilistic safety assessment of NPPs. In addition, the regulations on the identification and screening of external events were investigated. Result: In order to minimize the cost of external event impact analysis of nuclear power plants, research on identifying and screening external events is being conducted. In general, in the identification process, all events that can occur at the NPPs are identified. In the screening process, external events are selected based on qualitative and quantitative criteria in most studies. Conclusions: The process of identifying and screening external events affecting NPPs is becoming important. This paper, summarize on how to identify and screen external events for a probabilistic safety assessment of NPPs. It is judged that research on bounding analysis and conservative analysis methods performed in the quantitative screening process of external events is necessary.

Information Engineering and Workflow Design in a Clinical Decision Support System for Colorectal Cancer Screening in Iran

  • Maserat, Elham;Farajollah, Seiede Sedigheh Seied;Safdari, Reza;Ghazisaeedi, Marjan;Aghdaei, Hamid Asadzadeh;Zali, Mohammad Reza
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
    • /
    • v.16 no.15
    • /
    • pp.6605-6608
    • /
    • 2015
  • Background: Colorectal cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Colorectal cancer screening is an optimal way for reducing of morbidity and mortality and a clinical decision support system (CDSS) plays an important role in predicting success of screening processes. DSS is a computer-based information system that improves the delivery of preventive care services. The aim of this article was to detail engineering of information requirements and work flow design of CDSS for a colorectal cancer screening program. Materials and Methods: In the first stage a screening minimum data set was determined. Developed and developing countries were analyzed for identifying this data set. Then information deficiencies and gaps were determined by check list. The second stage was a qualitative survey with a semi-structured interview as the study tool. A total of 15 users and stakeholders' perspectives about workflow of CDSS were studied. Finally workflow of DSS of control program was designed by standard clinical practice guidelines and perspectives. Results: Screening minimum data set of national colorectal cancer screening program was defined in five sections, including colonoscopy data set, surgery, pathology, genetics and pedigree data set. Deficiencies and information gaps were analyzed. Then we designed a work process standard of screening. Finally workflow of DSS and entry stage were determined. Conclusions: A CDSS facilitates complex decision making for screening and has key roles in designing optimal interactions between colonoscopy, pathology and laboratory departments. Also workflow analysis is useful to identify data reconciliation strategies to address documentation gaps. Following recommendations of CDSS should improve quality of colorectal cancer screening.

Sensitivity of AutoPap Primary Screening System with Location-Guided Screening in Uterine Cervical Cytology (자궁목세포진에서의 AutoPap Primary Screening System with Location-Guided Screening의 민감도 검사)

  • Choi, Jong-Sun;Jang, Hoi-Sook;Kim, Hy-Sook;Chun, Yi-Kyeong;Kim, Hye-Sun;Park, Ji-Young;Park, In-Sou;Hong, Sung-Ran
    • The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
    • /
    • v.14 no.2
    • /
    • pp.60-65
    • /
    • 2003
  • Objective: The sensitivity of the AutoPap Primary Screening System with Location-Guided Screening (AutoPap LGS) for Identifying atypical cells in cervicovaginal smears was evaluated. Methods: Two hundred forty one slides with atypical cervical cytology randomly sampled were rescreened both manually and by the AutoPap LGS. The AutoPap LGS localized the atypical cells as 15 fields of view(FOVs), which were reexamined by manual review. The sensitivity was also evaluated in accordance with the cellularity of the smears. Results: The AutoPap LGS successfully processed 232 out of 241 slides. The sensitivity of the AutoPap LGS identifying the atypical cells in successfully processed slides was 97.4%(226/232). The false negative rate was 2.6%(6/232). There was no false negative case on high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) or squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) smears in the AutoPap LGS. The FOVs localized the diagnostic-atypical cells in 97.8%(221/226). The number of diagnostic-atypical FOVs was increased in higher-degree of atypical cytology. The AutoPap LGS localized the atypical cells in 100% of adequately cellular smears and in 92.5% even in low cellular smears. Conclusion: The AutoPap LGS showed relatively good sensitivity to detect atypical cells. It can be a valuable system to localize atypical cells, especially in HSIL or cancer slides, even in smears with low cellularity.