Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Isabel R. Fulcher, Mary Clisbee, Wesler Lambert, Fernet Renand Leandre, Bethany Hedt-Gauthier
Summary: This study develops a new procedure called LQAS-IMP to address the issue of imperfect diagnostic tests in monitoring health indicators. The results show that the LQAS-IMP procedure improves the accuracy of classification and enhances the effectiveness of system design.
Article
Operations Research & Management Science
Chien-Wei Wu, Armin Darmawan
Summary: The multiple sampling plan (MSP) is a more efficient and cost-saving model compared to single and double sampling plans. However, obtaining the operating characteristic (OC) function for MSP is complex due to the need to consider preceding sample information. This study proposes a modified MSP for variables inspection by considering independence between stages and integrating with the third-generation capability index. A mathematical model with two constraints is established to obtain triple plan parameters that meet specified risk and quality conditions and minimize average sample number (ASN). The proposed model shows higher efficiency and desired protection to stakeholders.
ANNALS OF OPERATIONS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Louise Tina Day, Qazi Sadeq-ur Rahman, Ahmed Ehsanur Rahman, Nahya Salim, K. C. Ashish, Harriet Ruysen, Tazeen Tahsina, Honorati Masanja, Omkar Basnet, Georgia R. Gore-Langton, Sojib Bin Zaman, Josephine Shabani, Anjani Kumar Jha, Vladimir Sergeevich Gordeev, Shafiqul Ameen, Donat Shamba, Bijay Jha, Dorothy Boggs, Tanvir Hossain, Kizito Shirima, Ram Chandra Bastola, Kimberly Peven, Abu Bakkar Siddique, Godfrey Mbaruku, Rajendra Paudel, Angela Baschieri, Aniqa Tasnim Hossain, Stefanie Kong, Asmita Paudel, Anisuddin Ahmed, Simon Cousens, Shams El Arifeen, Joy E. Lawn
Summary: The research assessed the validity of maternal and newborn health-care coverage indicators in five hospitals in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Tanzania, finding that exit surveys had low accuracy for specific clinical interventions, and hospital registers resulted in variable data quality due to lack of standardization.
LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Tze Ping Loh, Sverre Sandberg, Andrea Rita Horvath
Summary: This paper discusses the concept, clinical impact, challenges, and potential solutions for lot-to-lot verification.
CLINICAL CHEMISTRY AND LABORATORY MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
R. Peng, Y. Tong, M. Yang, J. Wang, L. Yang, J. Zhu, Yu Liu, H. Wang, Z. Shi, Ya Liu
Summary: This study used 2019 Global Burden of Disease data to analyze the incidence, prevalence, death, and DALYs of maternal and neonatal disorders. The study found that the global burden of maternal and neonatal disorders remains high, and socioeconomic-related inequality tends to remain unchanged during the study period.
QJM-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Forestry
KaDonna C. Randolph
Summary: Number preference is a potential source of bias in forest inventory, and this study evaluated the presence and factors influencing number preference in U.S. national forest inventory data. Results showed that observations ending with certain digits (ED0,5) occurred more frequently than expected by chance, especially when visually estimated rather than instrumentally measured. Factors such as species class, tree status, and plot-level water depth varied in their effect on number preference. Findings also suggest that some inventory regions may be using a shortcut that results in a higher proportion of certain observations (M-4) among seedling counts.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Luke G. Farrow, Phoebe A. Morton, Rachel Cassidy, Stewart Floyd, W. Colin McRoberts, Donnacha G. Doody, Philip Jordan
Summary: This study compared the performance of passive samplers (PS) with high-frequency sampling (HFS) in two rivers and found that HFS generally yielded higher concentration values than PS. However, PS showed good recovery for very low concentrations.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Charlotte Hung, Natasha Klasios, Xia Zhu, Meg Sedlak, Rebecca Sutton, Chelsea M. Rochman
Summary: Microplastics research focuses on understanding sources, pathways, and occurrence in the environment. It is crucial to determine appropriate sampling methods and follow strict QA/QC measures to ensure accurate estimates of contamination. Comparing different sampling procedures and QA/QC strategies can inform best practices for future environmental assessments.
INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Arturo J. Fernandez
Summary: This study proposes improved lognormal reliability test plans by minimizing the inspection effort based on lognormal failure count data and determining the maximum number of failures tolerated by the decision maker and the necessary number of devices to be tested. The developed methodology provides a best criterion for the acceptability of manufacturing processes and submitted lots.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRODUCTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Edson Servan-Mori, Ileana Heredia-Pi, Diego Cerecero Garcia, Gustavo Nigenda, Sandra G. Sosa-Rubi, Jacqueline A. Seiglie, Rafael Lozano
Summary: This study described the temporal and geographical patterns of maternal health care continuum in Mexico, and identified sociodemographic characteristics affecting the likelihood of receiving such care. Despite significant progress, disparities in coverage still remain. Having social security and higher education level were positively associated with receiving maternal health care continuum.
BULLETIN OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Godwin O. Akaba, Osasuyi Dirisu, Kehinde S. Okunade, Eseoghene Adams, Jane Ohioghame, Obioma O. Obikeze, Emmanuel Izuka, Maryam Sulieman, Michael Edeh
Summary: Access to maternal and newborn child health services in Nigeria was negatively affected during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic due to lockdown measures, transportation difficulties, fear of COVID-19 infection, and the healthcare system's inability to provide necessary conditions for sustained utilization. Alternative measures should be implemented by the government to ensure unhindered access to these services during future pandemics.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
M. Rafiqul Islam, Mehrdad Shahmohammadi Beni, Chor-Yi Ng, Masayasu Miyake, Mahabubur Rahman, Shigeki Ito, Shinichi Gotoh, Taiga Yamaya, Hiroshi Watabe
Summary: The Monte Carlo method is used to simulate proton irradiation of a water-gel phantom in this study. Positron-emitting radionuclides, including C-11, O-15, and N-13, are scored using the Particle and Heavy Ion Transport Code System Monte Carlo code package. The results show an offset distance between the N-13 peak and the actual Bragg peak for different incident proton energies, which is further analyzed using an open-source computer program. Spectral analysis is performed to reconstruct the N-13 Bragg peak, and the obtained results are consistent with Monte Carlo computations. These findings and methodologies are important for future investigations in proton range monitoring for therapeutic applications.
Article
Mathematics, Applied
Arturo J. Fernandez, Carlos J. Perez-Gonzalez, M. Mercedes Suarez-Rancel
Summary: This study presents optimal inspection schemes based on defective counts and prior lot acceptability, aiming to minimize sampling inspection effort and provide appropriate protections. The developed methodology effectively solves the underlying constrained optimization problem and shows robustness in practical applications.
JOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL AND APPLIED MATHEMATICS
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Michelle L. Korte, Habtamu Teklie, Lisanu Taddesse, Bezawit M. Hunegnaw, Getachew Tolera, Meseret Z. Tadesse, Grace J. Chan
Summary: Background Critical to the improvement of maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) in Ethiopia is high-quality research and its effective translation into policy and practice. The HaSET Maternal and Child Health Research Program conducted a mixed methods formative assessment to guide investments in future MNCH research in Ethiopia. The top identified research priorities include improving population coverage of proven interventions, understanding determinants of outcomes, and strengthening health system and workforce capabilities.
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Shih-Wen Liu, Chien-Wei Wu, Yu-Hsiang Tsai
Summary: This study addresses the issue of potentially infinite sampling times in the traditional repetitive group sampling plan by proposing an adjustable inspection scheme based on one-sided capability indices. The plan parameters are determined through an optimization model with non-linear constraints related to quality and risk requirements, and its performance is evaluated, discussed, and compared with other commonly used plans. An example is provided to illustrate the applicability of the proposed plan.
APPLIED MATHEMATICAL MODELLING
(2021)