Participants (N = 115) performed a computerized task under 3 conditions: no supervision, direct human supervision, and computer monitoring. Differences in performance across groups was evaluated using summary performance measures and detailed analyses of group performance over time. There was a statistically significant difference in performance quality but not performance quantity between the ...

Modern technology provides a great amount of information. But for computer monitoring systems, we need to reduce the number of variables to one or two parameters, which express the quality and/or security of the whole system. This paper presents a principle for synthesizing measurements of multiple system parameters into a single parameter and the different forms of its quality functions, and s...

The laboratory plays a major role in surveillance, including confirming the start and end of an outbreak. Knowing the causative agent for an outbreak informs the development of response strategies and management plans for a public health event. However, issues and challenges may arise that limit the effectiveness or efficiency of laboratories in surveillance. This case study applies a systemati...

Free or low-cost sources of unstructured information, such as Internet news and online discussion sites, provide detailed local and near real-time data on disease outbreaks, even in countries that lack traditional public health surveillance. To improve public health surveillance and, ultimately, interventions, we examined 3 primary systems that process event-based outbreak information: Global P...

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare the blood lead levels of apprentices working in lead-related industries with those of non-apprentice controls and to evaluate the influence of such occupational exposure. The study was conducted between October 2004 and June 2005 in Bursa, Turkey. Subjects included 231 apprentices and 252 male controls, age ranging from 14-19 yr old. Inductiv...

Regardless of the exact method employed, the application of statistical process controL SPRTs, or related longitudinal analysis methods can significantly improve the ability to monitor clinical processes and outcomes. Incorporation and adaptation of risk-adjustment and rare events into these methods represent important contributions to their use in health care. Fostering greater and more widesp...