ABSTRACT
Diagnostic tests are evolving with betterment of technology, quest for patient safety with less invasive medicine, and evolution of new diseases. It is important to assess diagnostic accuracy of a new test, and clinical impact of introduction of new test on outcomes and cost. A diagnostic study is planned for the index test based on place of new test in diagnostic pathway (screening, triage, diagnostic or add-on test) and established information of the test. A reference standard is used to classify population into diseased and healthy, and the discriminating ability of index test is measured. A sample size is calculated for expected sensitivity/specificity, margin of error and prevalence of disease in population. For dichotomous outcomes, sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and likelihood ratio are used to describe diagnostic accuracy. Efforts should be made to avoid common forms of bias including spectrum bias and partial verification bias, and blinding of observers should preferably be done.
ABSTRACT
RESUMEN Introducción: Especialistas de la Facultad de Psicología de la Universidad de La Habana propusieron el cuestionario sobre Bienestar Humano Personal, Laboral y Social (BHPLS), que se aplicó a 135 trabajadores cubanos de tres grupos sociolaborales. Dada la variedad de respuestas, se impuso un análisis de contenido (AC) para la Pregunta 1 del cuestionario. Objetivo: Proponer e implementar un software que permita la categorización semiautomática en un AC para dicha pregunta. Material y Métodos: Se utilizó el índice de concordancia Kappa para evaluar el acuerdo entre expertos respecto al esquema de categorías. Se implementó un software en el lenguaje de programación Python para cumplir el objetivo, considerando las funcionalidades de softwares similares. Resultados: Se implementó, validó y registró un software "BHPLS data processing-UH®" que permite establecer las categorías, cargar los datos, categorizarlos semiautomáticamente y guardar el resultado, entre otras funcionalidades. La categorización manual con estudiantes de Psicología obtuvo un índice de concordancia Kappa negativo (bajo acuerdo entre expertos), mientras que usando el software propuesto, se alcanzó un Kappa global 0.7871 con p=0.00 (alta concordancia y alta significación estadística). Además, se propuso un algoritmo para la unificación de las categorizaciones de expertos y se ejecutó un Análisis de Correspondencias (ANACOR) sobre la combinación de categorizaciones obtenidas. Conclusiones: Dada la alta concordancia alcanzada, se recomienda el uso del software por su adaptabilidad, facilidad de uso y la "humanización" del AC. El ANACOR permitió observar similitudes entre los grupos sociolaborales. Las funcionalidades del software pueden aplicarse para el procesamiento de asociaciones libres en otros escenarios.
ABSTRACT Introduction: Experts of the Faculty of Psychology of the University of Havana proposed the Personal, Labor and Social Human Well-being questionnaire (BHPLS, in Spanish), that was applied to 135 Cuban workers of three social and occupational groups. Given the variety of responses, a content analysis (CA) was used for Question 1 of the mentioned questionnaire. Objective: To present and implement a software that allows a semi-automatic categorization in a CA used for this question. Material and Methods: The Kappa index test was used to evaluate experts´ agreement with respect to category schemes. We implemented a software with the Python programming language to achieve our objective, considering other similar software functionalities. Results: We implemented, validated and registered the software BHPLS data processing-UH® that allows to set up a categories system, load the collected data, categorize associations in a semi-automatic way, and save the results, among other functionalities. This software was validated by Psychology students and, when they performed the manual categorization, a negative Kappa agreement index (low categorization agreement between experts) was obtained whereas using the proposed software, a global Kappa index of 0.7871 with p=0.00 (high and statistically significant categorization agreement between experts) was obtained. Besides, we proposed a unified algorithm for expert's categorizations, and carried out a Correspondence Analysis (ANACOR) on the basis of the categorizations achieved. Conclusions: According to the high concordance attained, we recommend the software due to its adaptability, ease of use, and "humanization'' of the process. The CA allowed us to observe similarities in social and occupational groups. The software functionalities can be applied for processing free associations in other scenarios.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To optimize the preparation process conditions of fanhuncaoin dry powder for inhalation by orthogonal design. METHODS: Fanhuncaoin dry powder was prepared by spray-drying method. Following spray-drying, particle size analysis was performed by laser diffraction. Resultant powders were characterized using scanning electron microscopy. The aerosolisation performance was determined using twin-stage liquid impinger. And moisture content was examined by thermogravimetric analysis. The preparation process conditions were optimized with orthogonal design combined with multi-index test. The powder yield, aerodynamic diameter, moisture content and respirable fraction were used as indices for orthogonal design. RESULTS: The results of optimized process parameters were confirmed with atomization pressure of 210 kPa, feed flow rate of 9.1 mL·min-1, aspiration speed of 0.6 m3·min-1 and inlet temperature of 130℃. As a result, 51.19% yield, 2.92 μm aerodynamic diameter, 4.18% moisture content and 54.45% respirable fraction are obtained by the optimal process conditions. CONCLUSION: Orthogonal design combined with multi-index test can be used to optimize the preparation process of fanhuncaoin dry powder for inhalation.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To optimize the overall desirability of orthogonal design sith multi index evaluations. Methods:Four multi index evaluations were applied to optimize the overall desirability of an orthogonal design,and their results wer analyzed. Results:According to the optimum conditions,there was no difference among the four multi index evaluations. Conclusion:multi index test can be used to represent the most desirable variables in experimental design.