Her current research work is in the area of case-based reasoning for formulating polyurethane materials using fuzzy logic, genetic algorithms, and neural networks.
For the purpose of illustration only, let us consider three key authors in the area of case study; Merriam, Stake and Yin, in terms of where they might theoretically position case study within a qualitative-quantitative continuum.
The practically complete participation rate and the comparable catchment areas of cases and controls contributed to reduce any potential selection bias.
Sarkosyl-insoluble material was prepared as described (Goedert et al., 1992) from brain areas of cases number 2 (11 areas), number 5 (nine areas), number 14 (eight areas), number 17 (nine areas), number 20 (nine areas) and number 21 (eight areas).
As for other possible sources of bias, the catchment areas of cases and controls were comparable, and participation was almost complete, since less than 5% of cases and controls refused the interview.
Among the strengths of our study are the large data set, the similar catchment areas of cases and controls and the satisfactory validity and reproducibility of information collected on dietary habits (Franceschi et al, 1993, 1995; Decarli et al, 1996).
However, two types of PrPres have been detected separately in some brain areas of cases of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) [ 33- 36], which were associated with different immunohistochemical features (diffuse PrPSc deposits or plaques) that may result in different digestion properties with proteinase K [ 36].
Fecal specimens were collected from captured animals and from food storage and preparation areas of case and neighboring households.
EIRA controls have been randomly selected to represent the population in the areas of case recruitment and to match the cases by sex, age and area of residence.
