This function finds the characteristics of an informative
two-stage hierarchical (Dorfman) decoding process. Characteristics
found include the expected expenditure of the decoding process,
the variance of the expenditure of the decoding process, and the
pooling sensitivity, pooling specificity, pooling positive predictive
value, and pooling negative predictive value for each individual.
Calculations of these characteristics are done using equations
presented in McMahan et al. (2012).
Optimal Dorfman (OD) is an informative Dorfman algorithm in
which the common pool size \(c=c_{opt}\) minimizes
\(E(T^(c))\), the expected number of tests needed to decode
all \(N\) individuals when pools of size \(c\) are used.
Thresholded Optimal Dorfman (TOD) is an informative Dorfman
algorithm in which all \(N\) individuals are partitioned
into two classes, low-risk and high-risk individuals, based
on whether their risk probability falls below or above a
particular threshold value. The threshold can be specified
using the threshold argument or the TOD algorithm can
identify the optimal threshold value. The low-risk individuals
are tested using a optimal common pool size, and high-risk
individuals are tested individually.
Pool-Specific Optimal Dorfman (PSOD) is an informative Dorfman
algorithm in which optimal sizes are determined for each pool.
A total of \(N\) individuals are tested in pools that minimize
the expected number of tests per individual, on a pool-by-pool
basis. If desired, the user can add the constraint of a maximum
allowable pool size, so that each pool will contain no more
than the maximum allowable number of individuals.
All three informative Dorfman procedures described above require
individuals to be ordered from smallest to largest probability
of infection. See McMahan et al. (2012) for additional details
on the implementation of informative two-stage hierarchical
(Dorfman) testing algorithms.