Optimisation of the T-square sampling method to estimate population sizes.

Population size and density estimates are needed to plan resource requirements and plan health related interventions. Sampling frames are not always available necessitating surveys using non-standard household sampling methods. These surveys are time-consuming, difficult to validate, and their implementation could be optimised. Here, we discuss an example of an optimisation procedure for rapid population estimation using T-Square sampling which has been used recently to estimate population sizes in emergencies. A two-stage process was proposed to optimise the T-Square method wherein the first stage optimises the sample size and the second stage optimises the pathway connecting the sampling points. The proposed procedure yields an optimal solution if the distribution of households is described by a spatially homogeneous Poisson process and can be sub-optimal otherwise. This research provides the first step in exploring how optimisation techniques could be applied to survey designs thereby providing more timely and accurate information for planning interventions

Stochastic signal analysis of thermally induced vestibular electronystagmograms

Imperial Users onl

Assessing framing assumptions in quantitative health impact assessments: a housing intervention example.

Health impact assessment (HIA) is often used to determine ex ante the health impact of an environmental policy or an environmental intervention. Underpinning any HIA is the framing assumption, which defines the causal pathways mapping environmental exposures to health outcomes. The sensitivity of the HIA to the framing assumptions is often ignored. A novel method based on fuzzy cognitive map (FCM) is developed to quantify the framing assumptions in the assessment stage of a HIA, and is then applied to a housing intervention (tightening insulation) as a case-study. Framing assumptions of the case-study were identified through a literature search of Ovid Medline (1948-2011). The FCM approach was used to identify the key variables that have the most influence in a HIA. Changes in air-tightness, ventilation, indoor air quality and mould/humidity have been identified as having the most influence on health. The FCM approach is widely applicable and can be used to inform the formulation of the framing assumptions in any quantitative HIA of environmental interventions. We argue that it is necessary to explore and quantify framing assumptions prior to conducting a detailed quantitative HIA during the assessment stage

HAK ASASI PEREMPUAN DALAM HUKUM KELUARGA BERBASIS AL -QUR’AN

The conclusion of this article is that the human right of women in law.The perspective of the koran is a basic right inheren in women as a gift from God related to norm s and laws that  protect women as individual sosial beings and the spritual dimension. Individual women’s right in family law are the right to the right to the opportunity to gain education  and achievement, right related to marriege and khulu right and enheritance right. While women’s right as social beings is the right of women to have the opportunity to take part in a balanced manner in the domestic and public sphere, namely the right to work the right to become the leader of entrepreneurial right, security rights, fan comfort in the  workplace and social media  including getting a healty environment. As well as  women’s right as a spritual dimension women also have  the right as a spritual dimension women also have the right to worship according to religios  provisions and with the dosire and ability no one can deprive women of their right to worship

Budgetary policies and available actions: a generalisation of decision rules for allocation and research decisions

The allocation problem in health care can be characterised as a mathematical programming problem but attempts to incorporate uncertainty in costs and effect have suffered from important limitations. A two stage stochastic mathematical programming formulation is developed and applied to a numerical example to explore and demonstrate the implications of this more general and comprehensive approach. The solution to the allocation problem for different budgets, budgetary policies, and available actions are then demonstrated. This analysis is used to evaluate different budgetary policies and examine the adequacy of standard decision rules in cost-effectiveness analysis. The research decision is then considered alongside the allocation problem. This more general formulation demonstrates that the value of further research depends on: i) the budgetary policy in place; ii) the realisations revealed during the budget period; iii) remedial actions that may be available; and iv) variability in parameters values.

Oil. The Geopolitics of Oil and Iraq

The author deals only with the recent developments that will shape the destiny of Iraq and determine whether it will remain a unified country or disintegrate. He is not optimistic