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Simple Scoring System (simple + scoring_system)
Selected AbstractsVirtual microscopy: An educator's tool for the enhancement of cytotechnology students' locator skillsDIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 6 2008Jimmie Stewart III M.D. Abstract Virtual microscopy (VM) is being utilized as an educational tool in many areas of pathology. The aim of this study is to analyze the locator and diagnostic skills of cytotechnology students by using the Aperio T3 ScanScope®, and examine VM's viability as an educational tool in cytotechnology. Ten validated cytology slides were digitized and reviewed by three senior cytotechnologist instructors. Each technologist made annotations indicating diagnostic areas on the virtual slide. A subset of the slides was used for locator skill evaluation. Cytotechnology students examined a pristine copy of the virtual slide and made annotations for comparison to those made by experienced instructors. Annotations of the subset were then scored based on the degree of correlation between students and cytotechnologists. A cytopathologist performed a final review of the students' marks; points were then added or subtracted based on this interpretation. Students were graded based on their correlation to senior cytotechnologists. A statistical analysis using modified interrater calculations ranked the students as to locator ability, producing illuminating results. This study shows that VM has promise as a cytotechnology educational tool by allowing the instructor to evaluate students' locator and diagnostic abilities. We have attempted to implement a simple scoring system for evaluation of locator skills where students are compared versus expert cytotechnologists. We anticipate further technological improvements as the products mature. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2008;36:363,368. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Who Should Be Screened for Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis?JOURNAL OF NEUROIMAGING, Issue 2 2001Experience From the Western New York Stroke Screening Program ABSTRACT Objective. Identification of significant asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (ACAS) is important because of the stroke-risk reduction observed with carotid endarterectomy. The authors developed and validated a simple scoring system based on routinely available information to identify persons at high risk for ACAS using data collected during a community health screening program at various sites in western New York. A total of 1331 unselected volunteers without previous stroke, transient ischemic attack, or carotid artery surgery were evaluated by personal interview and duplex ultrasound. The main outcome measure was carotid artery stenosis >60% by duplex ultrasound. In the derivation set (n= 887), 4 variables were significantly associated with ACAS >60%: age >65 years (odds ratio [OR] = 4.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.6,6.7), current smoking (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.2,3.5), coronary artery disease (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.5,3.9), and hypercholesterolemia (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.2,2.9). Three risk groups (low, intermediate, and high) were defined on the basis of total risk score assigned on the basis of the strength of association. The scheme effectively stratified the validation set (n= 444); the likelihood ratio and posttest probability for ACAS in the high-risk group were 3.0 and 35%, respectively, and in the intermediate and low-risk groups were 1.4 and 20% and 0.4 and 7%, respectively. Routinely available information can be used to identify persons in the community at high risk for ACAS. Doppler ultrasound screening in this subgroup may prove to be cost-effective and have an effect on stroke-free survival. [source] Early breastfeeding cessation: validation of a prognostic breastfeeding scoreACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 5 2007Hanne Kronborg Abstract Aim: To validate a simple breastfeeding score to identify mothers who stop breastfeeding within 4 months after birth. Methods: Two independent cohorts of Danish mothers in 1999 and 2004 with 4 months of follow-up on breastfeeding duration were used. The breastfeeding score was developed from 471 mothers' responses to a questionnaire in 1999 and based on duration of schooling, previous breastfeeding experience, self-efficacy, and mother's confidence in ability to produce milk. The 2004 cohort consisting of 723 mothers was used to validate the score. Results: A breastfeeding score of 7 or higher classified 45% of the mothers in the 2004 cohort as being at risk of breastfeeding cessation. With this cut-point the sensitivity was 70% and the specificity 71%. Among primipara the cut-point gave a sensitivity of 76% and a specificity of 54% and classified 60% to be in the risk group. Among multipara the corresponding figures were 66%, 81% and 34%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve was 0.78. Conclusion: The breastfeeding score based on a simple scoring system derived from four risk factors was capable of predicting the breastfeeding duration in an independent sample. It may help health professionals to identify mothers at risk of breastfeeding cessation before 4 months. [source] Developing standard approaches for recording and assessing river hydromorphology: the role of the European Committee for Standardization (CEN)AQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS, Issue S1 2010Philip J. Boon Abstract 1. Over the last 20 years the concept of ,freshwater quality' has expanded to incorporate a range of physical, chemical, hydromorphological and biological characteristics. In Europe, this process has been given greater impetus by the EC Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the requirement for Member States to assess and monitor a comprehensive suite of freshwater features. 2. Assessments of river hydromorphology are needed not only for implementing the WFD but also for nature conservation purposes, such as monitoring the condition of Special Areas of Conservation under the EC Habitats Directive and helping in the management and restoration of rivers. At present there are few detailed methods available in Europe for assessing river hydromorphology, and standard approaches are urgently required. 3. The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) works to promote voluntary technical harmonization in Europe in conjunction with worldwide bodies and its European partners. The production of a CEN standard for assessing the hydromorphological features of rivers began in September 1999 and culminated in the production of EN 14614 in November 2004. 4. EN 14614 is a ,guidance standard' that provides a framework of general principles and sets out which aspects of river hydromorphology should be assessed, how to plan and conduct field surveys, how results should be interpreted and presented, and ways of applying quality assurance procedures. 5. A second CEN standard on river hydromorphology has recently been published. Using simple scoring systems, this will enable the extent of hydromorphological modification to river channels, banks, riparian zones and floodplains to be recorded and assessed consistently. 6. CEN standards encourage European collaboration and provide a framework which other countries can use to develop their own assessment methods. However, ways need to be found to streamline the process of standardization and to ensure that published standards influence the work of researchers, environmental regulators and policy makers. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | ||||||||||