• Title/Summary/Keyword: Screening

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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
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    • v.27 no.1
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    • pp.77-97
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    • 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.

System for Nutrition Counseling and Screening

  • Hong Soon-Myung;Kim Gon
    • Journal of Community Nutrition
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    • v.7 no.4
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    • pp.220-229
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    • 2005
  • The studies on nutrition counseling and screening have been based on stand-alone program. This study introduces the nutrition counseling and screening management system. This system offers convenient user interface and the synthetic results of counseling and screening with various utilities, The system for nutrition counseling and screening consists of the general information of clients, the anthropometry data, the calculation of obesity and body mass index, the state of eating habits, the computation of calorie expenditure, the clinical symptoms, the convenient method for analysis of calorie and nutrients, nutrition prescription and alcoholism screening tests. Having interoperability, these functions preserve the information of clients and manage the historical data. The system inserts, stores and generates the synthetic information of clients, so it is able to provide suitable and efficient counseling to clients. The proposed system gathers various information of clients. With accumulated client data, it does the nutrition education, screening and counseling simultaneously. Managing clients' information connected to database, it can provide systematic and formal information. It is possible for the system to retrieve information and counsel in real time. It is expected that the nutrition counseling management system can improve the national health with animated nutrition counseling. (J Community Nutrition 7(4) : $220\∼229$, 2005)

Determinants analysis of affecting to Health screening among Persons with Disabilities (장애인의 건강검진 수검에 영향을 미치는 요인 분석)

  • Kim, Ye-Soon;Kim, Seon-Yong;Nam, Young-Hee
    • The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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    • v.20 no.2
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    • pp.25-36
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    • 2019
  • Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the factors affecting of health screening among persons with disabilities. Method: The study examines the factors affecting of health screening using over 20 years of age who participated in the 2017 National survey of the disabled data. Subjects were 6,332 person with disabilities over 20 years of age. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, X2-test, multiple logistic regression with the SPSS win 21.0 program. Results: Health screening among persons with disabilities is differentiated with education level, marital status, Subjective House economic status, Health insurance, Economic activity, Type of disability, Grade of disability, Stress recognition, Depressive symptom, Suicidal thinking, Suicidal attempt, and grade of disability. The significant predictors of the health screening were age, Subjective House economic status, Economic activity, and Grade of disability. Conclusion: We should consider age, disability level, and economic level when developing a screening program for people with disabilities. Especially, the development and promotion of the health screening program for persons with disabilities and related education are required.

A Novel Nucleic Lateral Flow Assay for Screening phaR-Containing Bacillus spp.

  • Wint, Nay Yee;Han, Khine Kyi;Yamprayoonswat, Wariya;Ruangsuj, Pattarawan;Mangmool, Supachoke;Promptmas, Chamras;Yasawong, Montri
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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    • v.31 no.1
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    • pp.123-129
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    • 2021
  • Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase is a key enzyme for PHA production in microorganisms. The class IV PHA synthase is composed of two subunits: PhaC and PhaR. The PhaR subunit, which encodes the phaR gene, is only present in class IV PHA synthases. Therefore, the phaR gene is used as a biomarker for bacteria that contain a class IV PHA synthase, such as some Bacillus spp. The phaR gene was developed to screen phaR-containing Bacillus spp. The phaR screening method involved two steps: phaR gene amplification by PCR and phaR amplicon detection using a DNA lateral flow assay. The screening method has a high specificity for phaR-containing Bacillus spp. The lowest amount of genomic DNA of B. thuringiensis ATCC 10792 that the phaR screening method could detect was 10 pg. This novel screening method improves the specificity and sensitivity of phaR gene screening and reduces the time and cost of the screening process, which could enhance the opportunity to discover good candidate PHA producers. Nevertheless, the screening method can certainly be used as a tool to screen phaR-containing Bacillus spp. from environmental samples.

Korean Suicide Risk Screening Tool and its Validity (한국형 자살위험 스크리닝 도구와 타당성)

  • Kim, Jieun;Kang, Eunjeong;Jeong, Jin-Wook;Paik, Jong-Woo
    • The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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    • v.13 no.3
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    • pp.240-250
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    • 2013
  • The early detection of suicidal ideation is essential for the prevention of suicide. This study aimed to develop a brief screening tool that can be easily administered in medical settings. The Suicide Risk Screening Tool was designed for use by physicians to provide a screening process that would be reliable, standardized, quick and feasible to implement. A 2-item screening tool was derived from the Screening for Depression and Thoughts of Suicide in the Norton Sound region of Alaska, USA. The scale was modified to reflect the current situation in Korea including the elimination of the personal identification number, and was labeled the Korean Suicide Risk Screening Tool. Its reliability and applicability for medical setting were examined by explanatory study of 7 clinicians. Its validity was examined among a further 325 patients of four different medical institutions, using the results of interviewer-administered survey included demographic, clinical characteristics, and present mental status as the external criterion. A brief 2-item suicide risk screening tool can be used by mental and non-mental health clinicians to accurately detect suicidality in patients.

Factors Associated with Decisions to Attend Cervical Cancer Screening among Women Aged 30-60 Years in Chatapadung Contracting Medical Unit, Thailand

  • Budkaew, Jiratha;Chumworathayi, Bandit
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.15 no.12
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    • pp.4903-4907
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    • 2014
  • Background: This study aimed to identify factors associated with women's decisions to attend cervical cancer screening and to explore those linked with intention to attend in the coming year and to continue regular screening. Materials and Methods: A community based case-control study was conducted among woman 30-60 years of age in catchment area of Chatapadung Contracting Medical Unit (CCMU), networking of Khon Kaen Center Hospital, Thailand. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data, and in-depth interviews were then performed to explore in greater detail. Results: There were 195 participants. Only one third (32.3 %) had been screened for cervical cancer within the past 5 years. Some 67.7% reported that they had not been screened because they had no abnormal symptoms, single marital status, and no children. Only 10.6% of those never had screening intent to be screened within the next 12 months. High family income (adjusted OR=2.16, 95%CI=1.13-4.14), good attitude towards a Pap test (OR=1.87, 95%CI=1.09-4.23), and having received a recommendation from health care providers were important factors associated with decisions to attend cervical cancer screening (OR=1.73, 95%CI=1.01-4.63). From in-depth interviews, there were five reasons of their decisions to attend cervical cancer screening including yearly check-up, postpartum check-up, having abnormal symptom, encouragement by health care providers, and request from workplace. Conclusions: High family income, good attitude towards a Pap test, and receiving proper recommendation by health care providers, were important factors associated with decision to have cervical cancer screening among women 30-60 years old. Trying to enhance these factors and reduce barriers regarding screening, may increase the coverage rate for cervical cancer screening in Thailand.

Newborn screening of inherited metabolic disease in Korea (유전성 대사질환의 신생아 스크리닝)

  • Lee, Dong Hwan
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.49 no.11
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    • pp.1125-1139
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    • 2006
  • In 1991, the Ministry of Health & Social affairs adopted a nationwide service program for neonatal screening of phenylketonuria, galactosemia, maple syrup urine disease, homocystinuria, histidinemia & congenital hypothyroidism for newborns delivered from low class pregnant women registered in health centers. Government decreased the test items from six to two, PKU & congenital hypothyroidism to increase test numbers with same budget from 1995. Government decided to test PKU & hypothyroidism for all newborns from 1997. 78 laboratories wanted to participate for neonatal screening test in 1999. Government didn't decide laboratory center for a certain district and placed responsibility on free competition. Government are planning to test 573,000 newborns from 1998, Government decided to screen 6 items PKU, congenital hypothyroidism, maple syrup urine disese, homocystinuria, galactosemia and congenital adrenal hyperplasia from 2006. 17 laboratores are participating now. The cost of screening test is supported by both the federal government and local government on a 40-60 basis. In case a patient with an inherited metabolic disease is diagnosed by screening of government program, special milk is provided at government's expense. Interlaboratory quality control was started 6 times a year from 1994. According to the government project, 3,707,773 newborns were screened. 86 PKU, 718 congenital hypothyroidism were detected. So incidence of PKU is 1/43,114 and congenital hypothyroidism is 1/4,612. Maeil dairy company produced new special formula for PKU, MMA and PA, MSUD, urea cycle disorder, homocystinuria, isovaleric acidemia from Oct. 1999. The cost benefit of performing screening procedures coupled with treatment has been estimated to be as high as 1.77 times in PKU, 11.11 times in congenital hypothyroidism than cost without screening. We are trying to increase the budget to test all newborns for Tandem mass sereening & Wilson disease from 2008. Now it is a very important problem to decrease laboratory numbers of neonatal screening in Korea. So we are considering 4-5 central laboratories which cover all newborns and are equipped with tandem mass spectrometer & enzyme immunoassay for TSH, 17OHP & enzyme colorimetric assay for galactose.

Effectiveness of Interventions to Increase Screening for Gastric and Colorectal Cancer in Korea

  • Hong, Nam Soo;Kam, Sin
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.15 no.21
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    • pp.9147-9151
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    • 2014
  • Public health centers in Korea play an important role at the community level in encouraging residents to participate in cancer screening, usually by sending reminders in the mail and by making phone calls. However, there have not been any studies on the effectiveness of these interventions by public health centers in Korea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate this question. The study was limited to male subjects aged 50-59 years living in one district of Daegu, Korea. A total of 923 subjects were selected for the study among the target population for gastric and colorectal cancer screening as part of the National Cancer Screening Program in 2012. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of four groups: control, postal intervention, telephone intervention, and telephone and postal intervention. Three months after the interventions, the results were confirmed by the National Health Insurance Corporation. Logistic regression analyses were performed to find differences in participation rates in cancer screening for each group. Men who received telephone and postal intervention were most likely (40.5%) to undergo gastric cancer screening, in comparison to the men who received telephone intervention only (31.7%), postal intervention only (22.2%) and those in the control group (17.9%). Also, men who received telephone and postal intervention were most likely (27.8%) to participate in colorectal cancer screening, followed by the men who received telephone intervention only (24.3%), postal intervention only (16.5%), and men in the control group (13.5%). Combined telephone and postal intervention and telephone only intervention as well produced significantly increased rates of participation in cancer screening in comparison to the control group. There was no significant difference, however, between the postal intervention only and control groups for either colorectal or gastric cancer screening.

Electronic Risk Assessment System as an Appropriate Tool for the Prevention of Cancer: a Qualitative Study

  • Amoli, Amir hossein Javan;Maserat, Elham;Safdari, Reza;Zali, Mohammad Reza
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.16 no.18
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    • pp.8595-8598
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    • 2016
  • Background: Decision making modalities for screening for many cancer conditions and different stages have become increasingly complex. Computer-based risk assessment systems facilitate scheduling and decision making and support the delivery of cancer screening services. The aim of this article was to survey electronic risk assessment system as an appropriate tool for the prevention of cancer. Materials and Methods: A qualitative design was used involving 21 face-to-face interviews. Interviewing involved asking questions and getting answers from exclusive managers of cancer screening. Of the participants 6 were female and 15 were male, and ages ranged from 32 to 78 years. The study was based on a grounded theory approach and the tool was a semi-structured interview. Results: Researchers studied 5 dimensions, comprising electronic guideline standards of colorectal cancer screening, work flow of clinical and genetic activities, pathways of colorectal cancer screening and functionality of computer based guidelines and barriers. Electronic guideline standards of colorectal cancer screening were described in the s3 categories of content standard, telecommunications and technical standards and nomenclature and classification standards. According to the participations' views, workflow and genetic pathways of colorectal cancer screening were identified. Conclusions: The study demonstrated an effective role of computer-guided consultation for screening management. Electronic based systems facilitate real-time decision making during a clinical interaction. Electronic pathways have been applied for clinical and genetic decision support, workflow management, update recommendation and resource estimates. A suitable technical and clinical infrastructure is an integral part of clinical practice guidline of screening. As a conclusion, it is recommended to consider the necessity of architecture assessment and also integration standards.

Adapting the Australian System: Is an Organised Screening Program Feasible in Malaysia? - An Overview of the Cervical Cancer Screening in Both Countries

  • Abdul Rashid, Rima Marhayu;Dahlui, Maznah;Mohamed, Majdah;Gertig, Dorota
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.14 no.3
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    • pp.2141-2146
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    • 2013
  • Cervical cancer is the third most common form of cancer that strikes Malaysian women. The National Cancer Registry in 2006 and 2007 reported that the age standardized incidence (ASR) of cervical cancer was 12.2 and 7.8 per 100,000 women, respectively. The cumulative risk of developing cervical cancer for a Malaysian woman is 0.9 for 74 years. Among all ethnic groups, the Chinese experienced the highest incidence rate in 2006, followed by Indians and Malays. The percentage cervical cancer detected at stage I and II was 55% (stage I: 21.0%, stage II: 34.0%, stage III: 26.0% and stage IV: 19.0%). Data from Ministry of Health Malaysia (2006) showed a 58.9% estimated coverage of pap smear screening conducted among those aged 30-49 years. Only a small percentage of women aged 50-59 and 50-65 years old were screened, 14% and 13.8% coverage, respectively. Incidence of cervical cancer was highest (71.6%) among those in the 60-65 age group (MOH, 2003). Currently, there is no organized population-based screening program available for the whole of Malaysia. A pilot project was initiated in 2006, to move from opportunistic cervical screening of women who attend antenatal and postnatal visits to a population based approach to be able to monitor the women through the screening pathway and encourage women at highest risk to be screened. The project was modelled on the screening program in Australia with some modifications to suit the Malaysian setting. Substantial challenges have been identified, particularly in relation to information systems for call and recall of women, as well as laboratory reporting and quality assurance. A cost-effective locally-specific approach to organized screening, that will provide the infrastructure for increasing participation in the cervical cancer screening program, is urgently required.