Site Information (site + information)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Incorporating linguistic, probabilistic, and possibilistic information in a risk-based approach for ranking contaminated sites

INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2010
Kejiang Zhang
Abstract Different types of uncertain information,linguistic, probabilistic, and possibilistic,exist in site characterization. Their representation and propagation significantly influence the management of contaminated sites. In the absence of a framework with which to properly represent and integrate these quantitative and qualitative inputs together, decision makers cannot fully take advantage of the available and necessary information to identify all the plausible alternatives. A systematic methodology was developed in the present work to incorporate linguistic, probabilistic, and possibilistic information into the Preference Ranking Organization METHod for Enrichment Evaluation (PROMETHEE), a subgroup of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methods for ranking contaminated sites. The identification of criteria based on the paradigm of comparative risk assessment provides a rationale for risk-based prioritization. Uncertain linguistic, probabilistic, and possibilistic information identified in characterizing contaminated sites can be properly represented as numerical values, intervals, probability distributions, and fuzzy sets or possibility distributions, and linguistic variables according to their nature. These different kinds of representation are first transformed into a 2-tuple linguistic representation domain. The propagation of hybrid uncertainties is then carried out in the same domain. This methodology can use the original site information directly as much as possible. The case study shows that this systematic methodology provides more reasonable results. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2010;6:711,724. © 2010 SETAC [source]


The quality of patient-orientated Internet information on oral lichen planus: a pilot study

JOURNAL OF EVALUATION IN CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 5 2010
Pía López-Jornet PhD MD DDS
Abstract Objective, This study examines the accessibility and quality Web pages related with oral lichen planus. Methods, Sites were identified using two search engines (Google and Yahoo!) and the search terms ,oral lichen planus' and ,oral lesion lichenoid'. The first 100 sites in each search were visited and classified. The web sites were evaluated for content quality by using the validated DISCERN rating instrument. JAMA benchmarks and ,Health on the Net' seal (HON). Results, A total of 109 000 sites were recorded in Google using the search terms and 520 000 in Yahoo! A total of 19 Web pages considered relevant were examined on Google and 20 on Yahoo! As regards the JAMA benchmarks, only two pages satisfied the four criteria in Google (10%), and only three (15%) in Yahoo! As regards DISCERN, the overall quality of web site information was poor, no site reaching the maximum score. In Google 78.94% of sites had important deficiencies, and 50% in Yahoo!, the difference between the two search engines being statistically significant (P = 0.031). Only five pages (17.2%) on Google and eight (40%) on Yahoo! showed the HON code. Conclusion, Based on our review, doctors must assume primary responsibility for educating and counselling their patients. [source]


Requests for information by family and friends of cancer patients calling the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service

PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 8 2006
Lila J. Finney Rutten
Abstract Purpose: To characterize their information needs, we examined the main topics of inquiry and discussion (subjects of interaction, SOI) of calls made by family and friends of cancer patients to the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service's (CIS) 1-800-4-CANCER telephone information service and summarized differences by sociodemographic characteristics. Design and analysis: Data from 26 789 family or friends of cancer patients calling the CIS between September 2002 and August 2003 were analyzed. Frequencies, ,2's, and logistic regressions were conducted to ascertain sample characteristics and sociodemographic correlates of each SOI. Results and conclusions: The greatest proportion of calls concerned specific treatment information (54.9%) and general cancer site information (36.9%). Calls about specific treatment information were more likely among Asians, Hawaiian Natives, and Pacific Islanders (OR=1.23, 1.04,1.45), and those with higher education (OR=1.21, 1.18,1.25). As age increased, the odds of calls about specific treatment information also increased (OR=1.05, 1.03,1.07). Females (OR=0.78, 0.72,0.84), Hispanics (OR=0.77, 0.67,0.89), African-Americans (OR=0.68, 0.61,0.76), and American-Indians and Alaskan Natives (OR=0.74, 0.58,0.93) were less likely to inquire about specific treatment information. Inquiries about general cancer site information were more likely among females (OR=1.14, 1.06,1.23) and less likely among younger callers (OR=0.95, 0.93,0.97) and African-Americans (OR=0.87, 0.78,0.98). Differences in inquiries made by sociodemographic subgroups can inform the CIS' and other cancer-related organizations' efforts to develop and disseminate cancer information for family and friends of cancer patients. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


A data integration framework to support Triad projects

REMEDIATION, Issue 1 2004
Jim Mack
Cost-effective and efficient site remediation and scientifically defensible decisions require site characterizations that are representative of site conditions. The Triad conceptual site model (CSM) is at the center of a continually improving site characterization process that begins during systematic planning and ends after the last data are developed. To gain the full benefit and greatest cost-effectiveness, the process of CSM refinement should be performed in real time. Thus, the use of collaborative data is critical for evolving and maturing the CSM. In the field, through the use of all available data that are of known quality, a skilled and experienced field team can collect sufficient site information to mature the CSM in a timely manner. To facilitate the planning and execution of such a process, an easily understandable framework is needed to structure data quality that supports scientifically defensible decisions and efficient projects. This article explores such a framework. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]