Combining principles of Cognitive Load Theory and diagnostic error analysis for designing job aids: Effects on motivation and diagnostic performance in a process control task.

PubMed

Kluge, Annette; Grauel, Britta; Burkolter, Dina

2013-03-01

Two studies are presented in which the design of a procedural aid and the impact of an additional decision aid for process control were assessed. In Study 1, a procedural aid was developed that avoids imposing unnecessary extraneous cognitive load on novices when controlling a complex technical system. This newly designed procedural aid positively affected germane load, attention, satisfaction, motivation, knowledge acquisition and diagnostic speed for novel faults. In Study 2, the effect of a decision aid for use before the procedural aid was investigated, which was developed based on an analysis of diagnostic errors committed in Study 1. Results showed that novices were able to diagnose both novel faults and practised faults, and were even faster at diagnosing novel faults. This research contributes to the question of how to optimally support novices in dealing with technical faults in process control. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society. All rights reserved.

Technical report series on global modeling and data assimilation. Volume 1: Documentation of the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) General Circulation Model, version 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Suarez, Max J. (Editor); Takacs, Lawrence L.; Molod, Andrea; Wang, Tina

1994-01-01

This technical report documents Version 1 of the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) General Circulation Model (GCM). The GEOS-1 GCM is being used by NASA's Data Assimilation Office (DAO) to produce multiyear data sets for climate research. This report provides a documentation of the model components used in the GEOS-1 GCM, a complete description of model diagnostics available, and a User's Guide to facilitate GEOS-1 GCM experiments.

[Digital electroencephalography in brain death diagnostics : Technical requirements and results of a survey on the compatibility with medical guidelines of digital EEG systems from providers in Germany].

PubMed

Walter, U; Noachtar, S; Hinrichs, H

2018-02-01

The guidelines of the German Medical Association and the German Society for Clinical Neurophysiology and Functional Imaging (DGKN) require a high procedural and technical standard for electroencephalography (EEG) as an ancillary method for diagnosing the irreversible cessation of brain function (brain death). Nowadays, digital EEG systems are increasingly being applied in hospitals. So far it is unclear to what extent the digital EEG systems currently marketed in Germany meet the guidelines for diagnosing brain death. In the present article, the technical und safety-related requirements for digital EEG systems and the EEG documentation for diagnosing brain death are described in detail. On behalf of the DGKN, the authors sent out a questionnaire to all identified distributors of digital EEG systems in Germany with respect to the following technical demands: repeated recording of the calibration signals during an ongoing EEG recording, repeated recording of all electrode impedances during an ongoing EEG recording, assessability of intrasystem noise and galvanic isolation of measurement earthing from earthing conductor (floating input). For 15 of the identified 20 different digital EEG systems the specifications were provided by the distributors (among them all distributors based in Germany). All of these EEG systems are provided with a galvanic isolation (floating input). The internal noise can be tested with all systems; however, some systems do not allow repeated recording of the calibration signals and/or the electrode impedances during an ongoing EEG recording. The majority but not all of the currently available digital EEG systems offered for clinical use are eligible for use in brain death diagnostics as per German guidelines.

INTRA-UNDULATOR MEASUREMENTS AT VISA FEL.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

MUROKH,A.; FRIGOLA,P.; ET AL

2000-08-13

We describe a diagnostics system developed, to measure exponential gain properties and the electron beam dynamics inside the strong focusing 4-m long undulator for the VISA (Visible to Infrared SASE Amplifier) FEL. The technical challenges included working inside the small undulator gap, optimizing the electron beam diagnostics in the high background environment of the spontaneous undulator radiation, multiplexing and transporting the photon beam. Initial results are discussed.

Intra-undulator measurements at VISA FEL

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Murokh, A; Frigola, P; Pellegrini, C

2000-08-10

We describe a diagnostics system developed, to measure exponential gain properties and the electron beam dynamics inside the strong focusing 4-m long undulator for the VISA (Visible to Infrared SASE Amplifier) FEL. The technical challenges included working inside the small undulator gap, optimizing the electron beam diagnostics in the high background environment of the spontaneous undulator radiation, multiplexing and transporting the photon beam. Initial results are discussed.

Department of Cybernetic Acoustics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

The development of the theory, instrumentation and applications of methods and systems for the measurement, analysis, processing and synthesis of acoustic signals within the audio frequency range, particularly of the speech signal and the vibro-acoustic signal emitted by technical and industrial equipments treated as noise and vibration sources was discussed. The research work, both theoretical and experimental, aims at applications in various branches of science, and medicine, such as: acoustical diagnostics and phoniatric rehabilitation of pathological and postoperative states of the speech organ; bilateral ""man-machine'' speech communication based on the analysis, recognition and synthesis of the speech signal; vibro-acoustical diagnostics and continuous monitoring of the state of machines, technical equipments and technological processes.

DMS augmented monitoring and diganosis application (DMS AMDA) prototype

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Patterson-Hine, F. A.; Boyd, Mark A.; Iverson, David L.; Donnell, Brian; Lauritsen, Janet; Doubek, Sharon; Gibson, Jim; Monahan, Christine; Rosenthal, Donald A.

1993-01-01

The Data Management System Augmented Monitoring and Diagnosis Application (DMS AMDA) is currently under development at NASA Ames Research Center (ARC). It will provide automated monitoring and diagnosis capabilities for the Space Station Freedom (SSF) Data Management System (DMS) in the Control Center Complex (CCC) at NASA Johnson Space Center. Several advanced automation applications are under development for use in the CCC for other SSF subsystems. The DMS AMDA, however, is the first application to utilize digraph failure analysis techniques and the Extended Realtime FEAT (ERF) application as the core of its diagnostic system design, since the other projects were begun before the digraph tools were available. Model-based diagnosis and expert systems techniques will provide additional capabilities and augment ERF where appropriate. Utilization of system knowledge captured in the design phase of a system in digraphs should result in both a cost savings and a technical advantage during implementation of the diagnostic software. This paper addresses both the programmatic and technical considerations of this approach, and describes the software design and initial prototyping effort.

The prediction of the residual life of electromechanical equipment based on the artificial neural network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhukovskiy, Yu L.; Korolev, N. A.; Babanova, I. S.; Boikov, A. V.

2017-10-01

This article is devoted to the prediction of the residual life based on an estimate of the technical state of the induction motor. The proposed system allows to increase the accuracy and completeness of diagnostics by using an artificial neural network (ANN), and also identify and predict faulty states of an electrical equipment in dynamics. The results of the proposed system for estimation the technical condition are probability technical state diagrams and a quantitative evaluation of the residual life, taking into account electrical, vibrational, indirect parameters and detected defects. Based on the evaluation of the technical condition and the prediction of the residual life, a decision is made to change the control of the operating and maintenance modes of the electric motors.

Assisting Adult Higher Education via Personal Computer: Technology and Distance Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Spradley, Evelyn

1993-01-01

Thomas Edison State College (New Jersey) has developed a computer-assisted distance learning system to make undergraduate study more accessible, efficient, and effective for nontraditional students. The three main components: an infrastructure to provide varied technical services; an independent study course system; and diagnostic, online pretests…

Congenital rubella syndrome surveillance in Honduras.

PubMed

Molina, Ida Berenice; Mendoza, Lourdes Otilia; Palma, María Aparicia

2011-09-01

Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) surveillance was established in Honduras to determine the scope of the problem and assess the impact of vaccination. Implementation of the surveillance system required the drafting of national CRS epidemiological surveillance guidelines, the development of a laboratory diagnostic method, and training of physicians, nurses, and microbiologists in the Honduran hospital network and social security system on CRS surveillance guidelines. Honduras' experience with the surveillance of other vaccine-preventable diseases facilitated the implementation of hospital-based CRS surveillance. The surveillance system operates in 23 of the 25 public hospitals that offer services to children and at 2 social security hospitals; the private sector has not been integrated into this system. Clinical and technical staff, including representatives from various disciplines such as pediatrics, neonatology, general medicine, epidemiology, nursing, and microbiology, participate in the hospital network, as well as follow up on cases in accordance with the standardized guidelines, depending on their areas of expertise. Implementation of the CRS surveillance system requires technical guidelines, laboratory diagnostic capacity, and trained multidisciplinary human resources for its systematization and operation.

The current and ideal state of anatomic pathology patient safety.

PubMed

Raab, Stephen Spencer

2014-01-01

An anatomic pathology diagnostic error may be secondary to a number of active and latent technical and/or cognitive components, which may occur anywhere along the total testing process in clinical and/or laboratory domains. For the pathologist interpretive steps of diagnosis, we examine Kahneman's framework of slow and fast thinking to explain different causes of error in precision (agreement) and in accuracy (truth). The pathologist cognitive diagnostic process involves image pattern recognition and a slow thinking error may be caused by the application of different rationally-constructed mental maps of image criteria/patterns by different pathologists. This type of error is partly related to a system failure in standardizing the application of these maps. A fast thinking error involves the flawed leap from image pattern to incorrect diagnosis. In the ideal state, anatomic pathology systems would target these cognitive error causes as well as the technical latent factors that lead to error.

Expanding the PACS archive to support clinical review, research, and education missions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Honeyman-Buck, Janice C.; Frost, Meryll M.; Drane, Walter E.

1999-07-01

Designing an image archive and retrieval system that supports multiple users with many different requirements and patterns of use without compromising the performance and functionality required by diagnostic radiology is an intellectual and technical challenge. A diagnostic archive, optimized for performance when retrieving diagnostic images for radiologists needed to be expanded to support a growing clinical review network, the University of Florida Brain Institute's demands for neuro-imaging, Biomedical Engineering's imaging sciences, and an electronic teaching file. Each of the groups presented a different set of problems for the designers of the system. In addition, the radiologists did not want to see nay loss of performance as new users were added.

Diagnostic Testing Package DX v 2.0 Technical Specification. Methodology Project.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McArthur, David

This paper contains the technical specifications, schematic diagrams, and program printout for a computer software package for the development and administration of diagnostic tests. The second version of the Diagnostic Testing Package DX consists of a PASCAL-based set of modules located in two main programs: (1) EDITTEST creates, modifies, and…

Assessment of Literature Related to Combustion Appliance Venting Systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rapp, V. H.; Less, B. D.; Singer, B. C.

In many residential building retrofit programs, air tightening to increase energy efficiency is often constrained by safety concerns with naturally vented combustion appliances. Tighter residential buildings more readily depressurize when exhaust equipment is operated, making combustion appliances more prone to backdraft or spill combustion exhaust into the living space. Several measures, such as installation guidelines, vent sizing codes, and combustion safety diagnostics, are in place with the intent to prevent backdrafting and combustion spillage, but the diagnostics conflict and the risk mitigation objective is inconsistent. This literature review summarizes the metrics and diagnostics used to assess combustion safety, documents theirmore » technical basis, and investigates their risk mitigations. It compiles information from the following: codes for combustion appliance venting and installation; standards and guidelines for combustion safety diagnostics; research evaluating combustion safety diagnostics; research investigating wind effects on building depressurization and venting; and software for simulating vent system performance.« less

[Update to ISO 15189:2012, and future prospects].

PubMed

Shimoda, Katsuji; Kubono, Katsuo

2014-06-01

ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standard bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing international standards is normally carried out through ISO technical committees. ISO 15189 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 212, clinical laboratory testing, and in vitro diagnostic test systems. This third edition replaces the second edition (ISO 15189:2007), which was technically revised. Medical laboratory services are essential for patient care and, therefore, have to be available to meet the needs of all patients and the clinical personnel responsible for the care of those patients.

Advances in addressing technical challenges of point-of-care diagnostics in resource-limited settings

PubMed Central

Wang, ShuQi; Lifson, Mark A.; Inci, Fatih; Liang, Li-Guo; Sheng, Ye-Feng; Demirci, Utkan

2016-01-01

The striking prevalence of HIV, TB and malaria, as well as outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases, such as influenza A (H7N9), Ebola and MERS, poses great challenges for patient care in resource-limited settings (RLS). However, advanced diagnostic technologies cannot be implemented in RLS largely due to economic constraints. Simple and inexpensive point-of-care (POC) diagnostics, which rely less on environmental context and operator training, have thus been extensively studied to achieve early diagnosis and treatment monitoring in non-laboratory settings. Despite great input from material science, biomedical engineering and nanotechnology for developing POC diagnostics, significant technical challenges are yet to be overcome. Summarized here are the technical challenges associated with POC diagnostics from a RLS perspective and the latest advances in addressing these challenges are reviewed. PMID:26777725

A new beam emission polarimetry diagnostic for measuring the magnetic field line angle at the plasma edge of ASDEX Upgrade.

PubMed

Viezzer, E; Dux, R; Dunne, M G

2016-11-01

A new edge beam emission polarimetry diagnostic dedicated to the measurement of the magnetic field line angle has been installed on the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak. The new diagnostic relies on the motional Stark effect and is based on the simultaneous measurement of the polarization direction of the linearly polarized π (parallel to the electric field) and σ (perpendicular to the electric field) lines of the Balmer line D α . The technical properties of the system are described. The calibration procedures are discussed and first measurements are presented.

A new beam emission polarimetry diagnostic for measuring the magnetic field line angle at the plasma edge of ASDEX Upgrade

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Viezzer, E., E-mail: eleonora.viezzer@ipp.mpg.de, E-mail: eviezzer@us.es; Department of Atomic, Molecular, and Nuclear Physics, University of Seville, Avda. Reina Mercedes, 41012 Seville; Dux, R.

2016-11-15

A new edge beam emission polarimetry diagnostic dedicated to the measurement of the magnetic field line angle has been installed on the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak. The new diagnostic relies on the motional Stark effect and is based on the simultaneous measurement of the polarization direction of the linearly polarized π (parallel to the electric field) and σ (perpendicular to the electric field) lines of the Balmer line D{sub α}. The technical properties of the system are described. The calibration procedures are discussed and first measurements are presented.

Biomedical effects of low-power laser controlled by electroacupuncture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalenchits, Nadezhda I.; Nicolaenko, Andrej A.; Shpilevoj, Boris N.

1997-12-01

The methods and technical facilities of testing the biomedical effects caused by the influence of low-power laser radiation in the process of laser therapy are presented. Described studies have been conducted by means of the complex of fireware facilities consisting of the system of electroacupuncture diagnostics (EA) and a system of laser therapy on the basis of multichannel laser and magneto-laser devices. The task of laser therapy was concluded in undertaking acupuncture anaesthetization, achievement of antioedemic and dispersional actions, raising tone of musculus and nervous system, normalization of immunity factors under the control of system EA. The 82 percent to 95 percent agreement of the result of an electroacupuncture diagnostics with clinical diagnoses were achieved.

Theoretical aspects of diagnostics of car as mechatronic system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goncharov, A. E.; Bondarenko, E. V.; Krasnoshtanov, S. Yu

2018-03-01

The article describes transformation of mechanical systems of automobiles into mechatronic ones due to application of electronic control systems. To assess the relationship of mechanical and electronic components of the mechatronic systems with regard to their technical states, the method of equivalent elements was employed. A mathematical model of changes in the technical state of equivalent elements was developed. It allowed us to present changes in operation capacity in a graphic form. The analytical model is used to ensure operating capacity potential stability for the mechatronic system. For this purpose, new resources were identified with regard to the information ‘field’. Therefore, a new approach to the systematization of knowledge about mechatronic transport systems (D-C-R-E system) is required. The D-C-R-E system is examined as a separate unit. The article describes Information unit formation based on the physical component of the D-C-R-E system and external information which is collected and processed in the Information Diagnostic Center (IDC). Using probability theory and Boolean algebra methods, the authors obtained a logistic model describing information relations between elements of the upgraded D-C-R-E system and contribution of each component to the road safety protection. The logistic model helped formulate main IDC tasks. Implementation of those tasks was transformed into the logical sequence of data collection and analysis in the IDC. That approach predetermined development of the multi-level diagnosing system which made it possible to put in order existing and improved image identification methods and algorithms and to create a diagnosing method for mechatronic systems of cars which reduces labor content and increases accuracy. That approach can help assess the technical state of vehicles with characteristics of mechatronic systems and their transport and environmental safety.

Conversion of paper-based technical manuals to interactive electronic technical manuals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuo, Mu-Hsing

1999-12-01

An IETM is intended to be the functional equivalent of a paper-based Technical Manual (TM), and in most cases a total replacement for paper manual. In this paper, we will describe some of document image understanding technologies applied to the conversion of paper-based TMs to IETMs. Using these advanced technologies allow us to convert paper-based TMs to class 1/2 IETMs. However, these were not sufficient for an automated integrated logistics support system in the ROC Department of Defense. An advanced IETM system is therefore required. Such class 4/5 like IETM system could provide intelligent display of information and other user applications such as diagnostics, intelligent design and manufacturing, or computer-managed training. The author has developed some of the advanced functions, and examples will be shown to demonstrate the new aspect of IETMs.

Multiparametric prostate MRI: technical conduct, standardized report and clinical use.

PubMed

Manfredi, Matteo; Mele, Fabrizio; Garrou, Diletta; Walz, Jochen; Fütterer, Jurgen J; Russo, Filippo; Vassallo, Lorenzo; Villers, Arnauld; Emberton, Mark; Valerio, Massimo

2018-02-01

Multiparametric prostate MRI (mp-MRI) is an emerging imaging modality for diagnosis, characterization, staging, and treatment planning of prostate cancer (PCa). The technique, results reporting, and its role in clinical practice have been the subject of significant development over the last decade. Although mp-MRI is not yet routinely used in the diagnostic pathway, almost all urological guidelines have emphasized the potential role of mp-MRI in several aspects of PCa management. Moreover, new MRI sequences and scanning techniques are currently under evaluation to improve the diagnostic accuracy of mp-MRI. This review presents an overview of mp-MRI, summarizing the technical applications, the standardized reporting systems used, and their current roles in various stages of PCa management. Finally, this critical review also reports the main limitations and future perspectives of the technique.

Nailfold capillaroscopy microscopy - an interdisciplinary appraisal.

PubMed

Klein-Weigel, Peter Franz; Sunderkötter, Cord; Sander, Oliver

2016-09-01

Nailfold capillaroscopy is a method of great diagnostic value in the differential diagnosis of primary versus secondary Raynaud´s phenomenon, of systemic sclerosis versus other so called connective tissue diseases and of additional diagnostic value in other entities. Rheumatologists, dermatologists, and angiologists in Germany have convened in an interdisciplinary working group in which they synergistically combined their expertise to develop a common nomenclature and standards for the technical performance of nailfold capillary microscopy. The article gives an overview of historical and technical aspects of capillaroscopy, morphologic findings, and disease-specific patterns. It also provides a critical appraisal of its significance in the diagnosis and sequelae of these interdisciplinarily-managed diseases including its performance in children and gives an excursion in the potential perspectives of capillaroscopy in less common indications.

System engineering of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhatia, Ravinder; Marti, Javier; Sugimoto, Masahiro; Sramek, Richard; Miccolis, Maurizio; Morita, Koh-Ichiro; Arancibia, Demián.; Araya, Andrea; Asayama, Shin'ichiro; Barkats, Denis; Brito, Rodrigo; Brundage, William; Grammer, Wes; Haupt, Christoph; Kurlandczyk, Herve; Mizuno, Norikazu; Napier, Peter; Pizarro, Eduardo; Saini, Kamaljeet; Stahlman, Gretchen; Verzichelli, Gianluca; Whyborn, Nick; Yagoubov, Pavel

2012-09-01

The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) will be composed of 66 high precision antennae located at 5000 meters altitude in northern Chile. This paper will present the methodology, tools and processes adopted to system engineer a project of high technical complexity, by system engineering teams that are remotely located and from different cultures, and in accordance with a demanding schedule and within tight financial constraints. The technical and organizational complexity of ALMA requires a disciplined approach to the definition, implementation and verification of the ALMA requirements. During the development phase, System Engineering chairs all technical reviews and facilitates the resolution of technical conflicts. We have developed analysis tools to analyze the system performance, incorporating key parameters that contribute to the ultimate performance, and are modeled using best estimates and/or measured values obtained during test campaigns. Strict tracking and control of the technical budgets ensures that the different parts of the system can operate together as a whole within ALMA boundary conditions. System Engineering is responsible for acceptances of the thousands of hardware items delivered to Chile, and also supports the software acceptance process. In addition, System Engineering leads the troubleshooting efforts during testing phases of the construction project. Finally, the team is conducting System level verification and diagnostics activities to assess the overall performance of the observatory. This paper will also share lessons learned from these system engineering and verification approaches.

GUIDON-WATCH: A Graphic Interface for Viewing a Knowledge-Based System. Technical Report #14.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Richer, Mark H.; Clancey, William J.

This paper describes GUIDON-WATCH, a graphic interface that uses multiple windows and a mouse to allow a student to browse a knowledge base and view reasoning processes during diagnostic problem solving. The GUIDON project at Stanford University is investigating how knowledge-based systems can provide the basis for teaching programs, and this…

Monitoring Student Progress and Publicising the Results. Information Bank Number 1270.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, D. T. L.

Arguing that assessments of student progress describe the consequences of the interaction of the multitude of elements that make up the educational system, this paper examines the three-tiered assessment system used at Redhill Technical College (RTC), in Surrey, England, to fulfill diagnostic and motivational functions for the college as a whole.…

Final design of thermal diagnostic system in SPIDER ion source

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Brombin, M., E-mail: matteo.brombin@igi.cnr.it; Dalla Palma, M.; Pasqualotto, R.

The prototype radio frequency source of the ITER heating neutral beams will be first tested in SPIDER test facility to optimize H{sup −} production, cesium dynamics, and overall plasma characteristics. Several diagnostics will allow to fully characterise the beam in terms of uniformity and divergence and the source, besides supporting a safe and controlled operation. In particular, thermal measurements will be used for beam monitoring and system protection. SPIDER will be instrumented with mineral insulated cable thermocouples, both on the grids, on other components of the beam source, and on the rear side of the beam dump water cooled elements.more » This paper deals with the final design and the technical specification of the thermal sensor diagnostic for SPIDER. In particular the layout of the diagnostic, together with the sensors distribution in the different components, the cables routing and the conditioning and acquisition cubicles are described.« less

Final design of thermal diagnostic system in SPIDER ion source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brombin, M.; Dalla Palma, M.; Pasqualotto, R.; Pomaro, N.

2016-11-01

The prototype radio frequency source of the ITER heating neutral beams will be first tested in SPIDER test facility to optimize H- production, cesium dynamics, and overall plasma characteristics. Several diagnostics will allow to fully characterise the beam in terms of uniformity and divergence and the source, besides supporting a safe and controlled operation. In particular, thermal measurements will be used for beam monitoring and system protection. SPIDER will be instrumented with mineral insulated cable thermocouples, both on the grids, on other components of the beam source, and on the rear side of the beam dump water cooled elements. This paper deals with the final design and the technical specification of the thermal sensor diagnostic for SPIDER. In particular the layout of the diagnostic, together with the sensors distribution in the different components, the cables routing and the conditioning and acquisition cubicles are described.

The Method of Fundamental Solutions using the Vector Magnetic Dipoles for Calculation of the Magnetic Fields in the Diagnostic Problems Based on Full-Scale Modelling Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bakhvalov, Yu A.; Grechikhin, V. V.; Yufanova, A. L.

2016-04-01

The article describes the calculation of the magnetic fields in the problems diagnostic of technical systems based on the full-scale modeling experiment. Use of gridless fundamental solution method and its variants in combination with grid methods (finite differences and finite elements) are allowed to considerably reduce the dimensionality task of the field calculation and hence to reduce calculation time. When implementing the method are used fictitious magnetic charges. In addition, much attention is given to the calculation accuracy. Error occurs when wrong choice of the distance between the charges. The authors are proposing to use vector magnetic dipoles to improve the accuracy of magnetic fields calculation. Examples of this approacharegiven. The article shows the results of research. They are allowed to recommend the use of this approach in the method of fundamental solutions for the full-scale modeling tests of technical systems.

An intelligent tutoring system for space shuttle diagnosis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, William B.; Norton, Jeffrey E.; Duncan, Phillip C.

1988-01-01

An Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS) transcends conventional computer-based instruction. An ITS is capable of monitoring and understanding student performance thereby providing feedback, explanation, and remediation. This is accomplished by including models of the student, the instructor, and the expert technician or operator in the domain of interest. The space shuttle fuel cell is the technical domain for the project described below. One system, Microcomputer Intelligence for Technical Training (MITT), demonstrates that ITS's can be developed and delivered, with a reasonable amount of effort and in a short period of time, on a microcomputer. The MITT system capitalizes on the diagnostic training approach called Framework for Aiding the Understanding of Logical Troubleshooting (FAULT) (Johnson, 1987). The system's embedded procedural expert was developed with NASA's C-Language Integrated Production (CLIP) expert system shell (Cubert, 1987).

A Survey of Health Management User Objectives Related to Diagnostic and Prognostic Metrics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wheeler, Kevin R.; Kurtoglu, Tolga; Poll, Scott D.

2010-01-01

One of the most prominent technical challenges to effective deployment of health management systems is the vast difference in user objectives with respect to engineering development. In this paper, a detailed survey on the objectives of different users of health management systems is presented. These user objectives are then mapped to the metrics typically encountered in the development and testing of two main systems health management functions: diagnosis and prognosis. Using this mapping, the gaps between user goals and the metrics associated with diagnostics and prognostics are identified and presented with a collection of lessons learned from previous studies that include both industrial and military aerospace applications.

[Mathematical model of technical equipment of a clinical-diagnostic laboratory].

PubMed

Bukin, S I; Busygin, D V; Tilevich, M E

1990-01-01

The paper is concerned with the problems of technical equipment of standard clinico-diagnostic laboratories (CDL) in this country. The authors suggest a mathematic model that may minimize expenditures for laboratory studies. The model enables the following problems to be solved: to issue scientifically-based recommendations for technical equipment of CDL; to validate the medico-technical requirements for newly devised items; to select the optimum types of uniform items; to define optimal technical decisions at the stage of the design; to determine the lab assistant's labour productivity and the cost of some investigations; to compute the medical laboratory engineering requirement for treatment and prophylactic institutions of this country.

Time-Motion Analysis of Four Automated Systems for the Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae by Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing.

PubMed

Williams, James A; Eddleman, Laura; Pantone, Amy; Martinez, Regina; Young, Stephen; Van Der Pol, Barbara

2014-08-01

Next-generation diagnostics for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are available on semi- or fully-automated platforms. These systems require less hands-on time than older platforms and are user friendly. Four automated systems, the ABBOTT m2000 system, Becton Dickinson Viper System with XTR Technology, Gen-Probe Tigris DTS system, and Roche cobas 4800 system, were evaluated for total run time, hands-on time, and walk-away time. All of the systems evaluated in this time-motion study were able to complete a diagnostic test run within an 8-h work shift, instrument setup and operation were straightforward and uncomplicated, and walk-away time ranged from approximately 90 to 270 min in a head-to-head comparison of each system. All of the automated systems provide technical staff with increased time to perform other tasks during the run, offer easy expansion of the diagnostic test menu, and have the ability to increase specimen throughput. © 2013 Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening.

Propulsion Controls and Diagnostics Research in Support of NASA Aeronautics and Exploration Mission Programs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garg, Sanjay

2011-01-01

The Controls and Dynamics Branch (CDB) at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Glenn Research Center (GRC) in Cleveland, Ohio, is leading and participating in various projects in partnership with other organizations within GRC and across NASA, the U.S. aerospace industry, and academia to develop advanced propulsion controls and diagnostics technologies that will help meet the challenging goals of NASA programs under the Aeronautics Research and Exploration Systems Missions. This paper provides a brief overview of the various CDB tasks in support of the NASA programs. The programmatic structure of the CDB activities is described along with a brief overview of each of the CDB tasks including research objectives, technical challenges, and recent accomplishments. These tasks include active control of propulsion system components, intelligent propulsion diagnostics and control for reliable fault identification and accommodation, distributed engine control, and investigations into unsteady propulsion systems.

Selecting Students at Risk of Academic Difficulties

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cummings, Kelli D.; Smolkowski, Keith

2015-01-01

This paper aims to translate for practitioners the principles and methods for evaluating screening measures in education, including benchmark goals and cut points, from our technical manuscript "Evaluation of Diagnostic Systems: The Selection of Students at Risk of Academic Difficulties" (this issue). We offer a brief description of…

Strategic Explanations for a Diagnostic Consultation System. Technical Report #8.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hasling, Diane Warner; And Others

This paper examines the problem of automatic explanation of reasoning, or the ability of a program to discuss what it is doing in some understandable way, particularly as part of an expert system. An introduction presents a general framework in which to view explanation and reviews some of the research in this area. This is followed by a…

An adaptive toolkit for image quality evaluation in system performance test of digital breast tomosynthesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Guozhi; Petrov, Dimitar; Marshall, Nicholas; Bosmans, Hilde

2017-03-01

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is a relatively new diagnostic imaging modality for women. Currently, various models of DBT systems are available on the market and the number of installations is rapidly increasing. EUREF, the European Reference Organization for Quality Assured Breast Screening and Diagnostic Services, has proposed a preliminary Guideline - protocol for the quality control of the physical and technical aspects of digital breast tomosynthesis systems, with an ultimate aim of providing limiting values guaranteeing proper performance for different applications of DBT. In this work, we introduce an adaptive toolkit developed in accordance with this guideline to facilitate the process of image quality evaluation in DBT performance test. This toolkit implements robust algorithms to quantify various technical parameters of DBT images and provides a convenient user interface in practice. Each test is built into a separate module with configurations set corresponding to the European guideline, which can be easily adapted to different settings and extended with additional tests. This toolkit largely improves the efficiency for image quality evaluation of DBT. It is also going to evolve with the development of protocols in quality control of DBT systems.

From telepathology to virtual pathology institution: the new world of digital pathology.

PubMed

Kayser, K; Kayser, G; Radziszowski, D; Oehmann, A

Telepathology has left its childhood. Its technical development is mature, and its use for primary (frozen section) and secondary (expert consultation) diagnosis has been expanded to a great amount. This is in contrast to a virtual pathology laboratory, which is still under technical constraints. Similar to telepathology, which can also be used for e-learning and e-training in pathology, as exemplarily is demonstrated on Digital Lung Pathology (Klaus.Kayser@charite.de) at least two kinds of virtual pathology laboratories will be implemented in the near future: a) those with distributed pathologists and distributed (> or = 1) laboratories associated to individual biopsy stations/surgical theatres, and b) distributed pathologists (usually situated in one institution) and a centralized laboratory, which digitizes complete histological slides. Both scenarios are under intensive technical investigations. The features of virtual pathology comprise a virtual pathology institution (mode a) that accepts a complete case with the patient's history, clinical findings, and (pre-selected) images for first diagnosis. The diagnostic responsibility is that of a conventional institution. The Internet serves as platform for information transfer, and an open server such as the iPATH (http://telepath.patho.unibas.ch) for coordination and performance of the diagnostic procedure. The size and number of transferred images have to be limited, and usual different magnifications have to be used. The sender needs to possess experiences in image sampling techniques, which present with the most significant information. A group of pathologists is "on duty", or selects one member for a predefined duty period. The diagnostic statement of the pathologist(s) on duty is retransmitted to the sender with full responsibility. The first experiences of a virtual pathology institution group working with the iPATH server working with a small hospital of the Salomon islands are promising. A centralized virtual pathology institution (mode b) depends upon the digitalization of a complete slide, and the transfer of large sized images to different pathologists working in one institution. The technical performance of complete slide digitalization is still under development. Virtual pathology can be combined with e-learning and e-training, that will serve for a powerful daily-work-integrated pathology system. At present, e-learning systems are "stand-alone" solutions distributed on CD or via Internet. A characteristic example is the Digital Lung Pathology CD, which includes about 60 different rare and common lung diseases with some features of electronic communication. These features include access to scientific library systems (PubMed), distant measurement servers (EuroQuant), automated immunohisto-chemistry measurements, or electronic journals (Elec J Pathol Histol, www.pathology-online.org). It combines e-learning and e-training with some acoustic support. A new and complete database based upon this CD will combine e-learning and e-teaching with the actual workflow in a virtual pathology institution (mode a). The technological problems are solved and do not depend upon technical constraints such as slide scanning systems. At present, telepathology serves as promoter for a complete new landscape in diagnostic pathology, the so-called virtual pathology institution. Industrial and scientific efforts will probably allow an implementation of this technique within the next two years with exciting diagnostic and scientific perspectives.

Benchmarking Gas Path Diagnostic Methods: A Public Approach

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simon, Donald L.; Bird, Jeff; Davison, Craig; Volponi, Al; Iverson, R. Eugene

2008-01-01

Recent technology reviews have identified the need for objective assessments of engine health management (EHM) technology. The need is two-fold: technology developers require relevant data and problems to design and validate new algorithms and techniques while engine system integrators and operators need practical tools to direct development and then evaluate the effectiveness of proposed solutions. This paper presents a publicly available gas path diagnostic benchmark problem that has been developed by the Propulsion and Power Systems Panel of The Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP) to help address these needs. The problem is coded in MATLAB (The MathWorks, Inc.) and coupled with a non-linear turbofan engine simulation to produce "snap-shot" measurements, with relevant noise levels, as if collected from a fleet of engines over their lifetime of use. Each engine within the fleet will experience unique operating and deterioration profiles, and may encounter randomly occurring relevant gas path faults including sensor, actuator and component faults. The challenge to the EHM community is to develop gas path diagnostic algorithms to reliably perform fault detection and isolation. An example solution to the benchmark problem is provided along with associated evaluation metrics. A plan is presented to disseminate this benchmark problem to the engine health management technical community and invite technology solutions.

New developments in digital pathology: from telepathology to virtual pathology laboratory.

PubMed

Kayser, Klaus; Kayser, Gian; Radziszowski, Dominik; Oehmann, Alexander

2004-01-01

To analyse the present status and future development of computerized diagnostic pathology in terms of work-flow integrative telepathology and virtual laboratory. Telepathology has left its childhood. The technical development of telepathology is mature, in contrast to that of virtual pathology. Two kinds of virtual pathology laboratories are emerging: a) those with distributed pathologists and distributed (>=1) laboratories associated to individual biopsy stations/surgical theatres, and b) distributed pathologists working in a centralized laboratory. Both are under technical development. Telepathology can be used for e-learning and e-training in pathology, as exemplarily demonstrated on Digital Lung Pathology Pathology (www.pathology-online.org). A virtual pathology institution (mode a) accepts a complete case with the patient's history, clinical findings, and (pre-selected) images for first diagnosis. The diagnostic responsibility is that of a conventional institution. The internet serves as platform for information transfer, and an open server such as the iPATH (http://telepath.patho.unibas.ch) for coordination and performance of the diagnostic procedure. The size of images has to be limited, and usual different magnifications have to be used. A group of pathologists is "on duty", or selects one member for a predefined duty period. The diagnostic statement of the pathologist(s) on duty is retransmitted to the sender with full responsibility. First experiences of a virtual pathology institution group working with the iPATH server (Dr. L. Banach, Dr. G. Haroske, Dr. I. Hurwitz, Dr. K. Kayser, Dr. K.D. Kunze, Dr. M. Oberholzer,) working with a small hospital of the Salomon islands are promising. A centralized virtual pathology institution (mode b) depends upon the digitalisation of a complete slide, and the transfer of large sized images to different pathologists working in one institution. The technical performance of complete slide digitalisation is still under development and does not completely fulfil the requirements of a conventional pathology institution at present. VIRTUAL PATHOLOGY AND E-LEARNING: At present, e-learning systems are "stand-alone" solutions distributed on CD or via internet. A characteristic example is the Digital Lung Pathology CD (www.pathology-online.org), which includes about 60 different rare and common lung diseases and internet access to scientific library systems (PubMed), distant measurement servers (EuroQuant), or electronic journals (Elec J Pathol Histol). A new and complete data base based upon this CD will combine e-learning and e-teaching with the actual workflow in a virtual pathology institution (mode a). The technological problems are solved and do not depend upon technical constraints such as slide scanning systems. Telepathology serves as promotor for a new landscape in diagnostic pathology, the so-called virtual pathology institution. Industrial and scientific efforts will probably allow an implementation of this technique within the next two years.

A new diagnostic method for separating airborne and structureborne noise radiated by plates with applications for propeller driven aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcgary, Michael C.

1988-01-01

The anticipated application of advanced turboprop propulsion systems is expected to increase the interior noise of future aircraft to unacceptably high levels. The absence of technically and economically feasible noise source-path diagnostic tools has been a prime obstacle in the development of efficient noise control treatments for propeller-driven aircraft. A new diagnostic method that permits the separation and prediction of the fully coherent airborne and structureborne components of the sound radiated by plates or thin shells has been developed. Analytical and experimental studies of the proposed method were performed on an aluminum plate. The results of the study indicate that the proposed method could be used in flight, and has fewer encumbrances than the other diagnostic tools currently available.

The Environmental Qualification Specification as a Technical Management Tool,

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-11-01

CommuentI The dwell test for fatigue of the isolation system in a container is intended to be an accelerated test, in order to save test time and...diagnostic purposes * Response computation is not the only possible design approach. In the development of control system or servomechanism theory , emphasis...seldom aborts a mission in the same way as a complete failure of any function, and properly influences system effectiveness through a different type of

Addressing the challenges of diagnostics demand and supply: insights from an online global health discussion platform.

PubMed

Engel, Nora; Wachter, Keri; Pai, Madhukar; Gallarda, Jim; Boehme, Catharina; Celentano, Isabelle; Weintraub, Rebecca

2016-01-01

Several barriers challenge development, adoption and scale-up of diagnostics in low and middle income countries. An innovative global health discussion platform allows capturing insights from the global health community on factors driving demand and supply for diagnostics. We conducted a qualitative content analysis of the online discussion 'Advancing Care Delivery: Driving Demand and Supply of Diagnostics' organised by the Global Health Delivery Project (GHD) (http://www.ghdonline.org/) at Harvard University. The discussion, driven by 12 expert panellists, explored what must be done to develop delivery systems, business models, new technologies, interoperability standards, and governance mechanisms to ensure that patients receive the right diagnostic at the right time. The GHD Online (GHDonline) platform reaches over 19 000 members from 185 countries. Participants (N=99) in the diagnostics discussion included academics, non-governmental organisations, manufacturers, policymakers, and physicians. Data was coded and overarching categories analysed using qualitative data analysis software. Participants considered technical characteristics of diagnostics as smaller barriers to effective use of diagnostics compared with operational and health system challenges, such as logistics, poor fit with user needs, cost, workforce, infrastructure, access, weak regulation and political commitment. Suggested solutions included: health system strengthening with patient-centred delivery; strengthened innovation processes; improved knowledge base; harmonised guidelines and evaluation; supply chain innovations; and mechanisms for ensuring quality and capacity. Engaging and connecting different actors involved with diagnostic development and use is paramount for improving diagnostics. While the discussion participants were not representative of all actors involved, the platform enabled a discussion between globally acknowledged experts and physicians working in different countries.

Technical challenges in the construction of the steady-state stellarator Wendelstein 7-X

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bosch, H.-S.; Wolf, R. C.; Andreeva, T.; Baldzuhn, J.; Birus, D.; Bluhm, T.; Bräuer, T.; Braune, H.; Bykov, V.; Cardella, A.; Durodié, F.; Endler, M.; Erckmann, V.; Gantenbein, G.; Hartmann, D.; Hathiramani, D.; Heimann, P.; Heinemann, B.; Hennig, C.; Hirsch, M.; Holtum, D.; Jagielski, J.; Jelonnek, J.; Kasparek, W.; Klinger, T.; König, R.; Kornejew, P.; Kroiss, H.; Krom, J. G.; Kühner, G.; Laqua, H.; Laqua, H. P.; Lechte, C.; Lewerentz, M.; Maier, J.; McNeely, P.; Messiaen, A.; Michel, G.; Ongena, J.; Peacock, A.; Pedersen, T. S.; Riedl, R.; Riemann, H.; Rong, P.; Rust, N.; Schacht, J.; Schauer, F.; Schroeder, R.; Schweer, B.; Spring, A.; Stäbler, A.; Thumm, M.; Turkin, Y.; Wegener, L.; Werner, A.; Zhang, D.; Zilker, M.; Akijama, T.; Alzbutas, R.; Ascasibar, E.; Balden, M.; Banduch, M.; Baylard, Ch.; Behr, W.; Beidler, C.; Benndorf, A.; Bergmann, T.; Biedermann, C.; Bieg, B.; Biel, W.; Borchardt, M.; Borowitz, G.; Borsuk, V.; Bozhenkov, S.; Brakel, R.; Brand, H.; Brown, T.; Brucker, B.; Burhenn, R.; Buscher, K.-P.; Caldwell-Nichols, C.; Cappa, A.; Cardella, A.; Carls, A.; Carvalho, P.; Ciupiński, Ł.; Cole, M.; Collienne, J.; Czarnecka, A.; Czymek, G.; Dammertz, G.; Dhard, C. P.; Davydenko, V. I.; Dinklage, A.; Drevlak, M.; Drotziger, S.; Dudek, A.; Dumortier, P.; Dundulis, G.; Eeten, P. v.; Egorov, K.; Estrada, T.; Faugel, H.; Fellinger, J.; Feng, Y.; Fernandes, H.; Fietz, W. H.; Figacz, W.; Fischer, F.; Fontdecaba, J.; Freund, A.; Funaba, T.; Fünfgelder, H.; Galkowski, A.; Gates, D.; Giannone, L.; García Regaña, J. M.; Geiger, J.; Geißler, S.; Greuner, H.; Grahl, M.; Groß, S.; Grosman, A.; Grote, H.; Grulke, O.; Haas, M.; Haiduk, L.; Hartfuß, H.-J.; Harris, J. H.; Haus, D.; Hein, B.; Heitzenroeder, P.; Helander, P.; Heller, R.; Hidalgo, C.; Hildebrandt, D.; Höhnle, H.; Holtz, A.; Holzhauer, E.; Holzthüm, R.; Huber, A.; Hunger, H.; Hurd, F.; Ihrke, M.; Illy, S.; Ivanov, A.; Jablonski, S.; Jaksic, N.; Jakubowski, M.; Jaspers, R.; Jensen, H.; Jenzsch, H.; Kacmarczyk, J.; Kaliatk, T.; Kallmeyer, J.; Kamionka, U.; Karaleviciu, R.; Kern, S.; Keunecke, M.; Kleiber, R.; Knauer, J.; Koch, R.; Kocsis, G.; Könies, A.; Köppen, M.; Koslowski, R.; Koshurinov, J.; Krämer-Flecken, A.; Krampitz, R.; Kravtsov, Y.; Krychowiak, M.; Krzesinski, G.; Ksiazek, I.; Kubkowska, M.; Kus, A.; Langish, S.; Laube, R.; Laux, M.; Lazerson, S.; Lennartz, M.; Li, C.; Lietzow, R.; Lohs, A.; Lorenz, A.; Louche, F.; Lubyako, L.; Lumsdaine, A.; Lyssoivan, A.; Maaßberg, H.; Marek, P.; Martens, C.; Marushchenko, N.; Mayer, M.; Mendelevitch, B.; Mertens, Ph.; Mikkelsen, D.; Mishchenko, A.; Missal, B.; Mizuuchi, T.; Modrow, H.; Mönnich, T.; Morizaki, T.; Murakami, S.; Musielok, F.; Nagel, M.; Naujoks, D.; Neilson, H.; Neubauer, O.; Neuner, U.; Nocentini, R.; Noterdaeme, J.-M.; Nührenberg, C.; Obermayer, S.; Offermanns, G.; Oosterbeek, H.; Otte, M.; Panin, A.; Pap, M.; Paquay, S.; Pasch, E.; Peng, X.; Petrov, S.; Pilopp, D.; Pirsch, H.; Plaum, B.; Pompon, F.; Povilaitis, M.; Preinhaelter, J.; Prinz, O.; Purps, F.; Rajna, T.; Récsei, S.; Reiman, A.; Reiter, D.; Remmel, J.; Renard, S.; Rhode, V.; Riemann, J.; Rimkevicius, S.; Riße, K.; Rodatos, A.; Rodin, I.; Romé, M.; Roscher, H.-J.; Rummel, K.; Rummel, Th.; Runov, A.; Ryc, L.; Sachtleben, J.; Samartsev, A.; Sanchez, M.; Sano, F.; Scarabosio, A.; Schmid, M.; Schmitz, H.; Schmitz, O.; Schneider, M.; Schneider, W.; Scheibl, L.; Scholz, M.; Schröder, G.; Schröder, M.; Schruff, J.; Schumacher, H.; Shikhovtsev, I. V.; Shoji, M.; Siegl, G.; Skodzik, J.; Smirnow, M.; Speth, E.; Spong, D. A.; Stadler, R.; Sulek, Z.; Szabó, V.; Szabolics, T.; Szetefi, T.; Szökefalvi-Nagy, Z.; Tereshchenko, A.; Thomsen, H.; Thumm, M.; Timmermann, D.; Tittes, H.; Toi, K.; Tournianski, M.; Toussaint, U. v.; Tretter, J.; Tulipán, S.; Turba, P.; Uhlemann, R.; Urban, J.; Urbonavicius, E.; Urlings, P.; Valet, S.; Van Eester, D.; Van Schoor, M.; Vervier, M.; Viebke, H.; Vilbrandt, R.; Vrancken, M.; Wauters, T.; Weissgerber, M.; Weiß, E.; Weller, A.; Wendorf, J.; Wenzel, U.; Windisch, T.; Winkler, E.; Winkler, M.; Wolowski, J.; Wolters, J.; Wrochna, G.; Xanthopoulos, P.; Yamada, H.; Yokoyama, M.; Zacharias, D.; Zajac, J.; Zangl, G.; Zarnstorff, M.; Zeplien, H.; Zoletnik, S.; Zuin, M.

2013-12-01

The next step in the Wendelstein stellarator line is the large superconducting device Wendelstein 7-X, currently under construction in Greifswald, Germany. Steady-state operation is an intrinsic feature of stellarators, and one key element of the Wendelstein 7-X mission is to demonstrate steady-state operation under plasma conditions relevant for a fusion power plant. Steady-state operation of a fusion device, on the one hand, requires the implementation of special technologies, giving rise to technical challenges during the design, fabrication and assembly of such a device. On the other hand, also the physics development of steady-state operation at high plasma performance poses a challenge and careful preparation. The electron cyclotron resonance heating system, diagnostics, experiment control and data acquisition are prepared for plasma operation lasting 30 min. This requires many new technological approaches for plasma heating and diagnostics as well as new concepts for experiment control and data acquisition.

Measurements and Diagnostics of Diamond Films and Coatings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miyoshi, Kazuhisa; Wu, Richard L. C.

1999-01-01

The commercial potential of chemical-vapor-deposited (CVD) diamond films has been established and a number of applications have been identified through university, industry, and government research studies. This paper discusses the methodologies used for property measurement and diagnostic of CVD diamond films and coatings. Measurement and diagnostic techniques studied include scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, stylus profilometry, x-ray diffraction, electron diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, Rutherford backscattering, elastic recoil spectroscopy, and friction examination. Each measurement and diagnostic technique provides unique information. A combination of techniques can provide the technical information required to understand the quality and properties of CVD diamond films, which are important to their application in specific component systems and environments. In this study the combination of measurement and diagnostic techniques was successfully applied to correlate deposition parameters and resultant diamond film composition, crystallinity, grain size, surface roughness, and coefficient of friction.

Technical Performance Measurement, Earned Value, and Risk Management: An Integrated Diagnostic Tool for Program Management

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-06-01

time, the monkey would eventually produce the collected works of Shakespeare . Unfortunately for the analogist, systems, even live ones, do not work...limited his simulated computer monkey to producing, in a single random step, the sentence uttered by Polonius in the play Hamlet : “Methinks it is

Toward Intelligent Systems for Testing. Technical Report LSP-1.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lesgold, Alan; And Others

This report illustrates one way in which the technologies of testing might combine with cognitive science techniques to help steer instruction. Steering testing is brief diagnostic testing that steers, or individualizes, the course of instruction. Steering testing uses simple heuristics for reasoning about the level of a student's competence in a…

[No exchange of information without technology : modern infrastructure in radiology].

PubMed

Hupperts, H; Hermann, K-G A

2014-01-01

Modern radiology cannot accomplish the daily numbers of examinations without supportive technology. Even though technology seems to be becoming increasingly more indispensable, business continuity should be ensured at any time and if necessary even with a limited technical infrastructure by business continuity management. An efficient information security management system forms the basis. The early radiology information systems were islands of information processing. A modern radiology department must be able to be modularly integrated into an informational network of a bigger organization. The secondary use of stored data for clinical decision-making support poses new challenges for the integrity of the data or systems because medical knowledge is displayed and provided in a context of treatment. In terms of imaging the creation and distribution radiology services work in a fully digital manner which is often different for radiology reports. Legally secure electronic diagnostic reports require a complex technical infrastructure; therefore, diagnostic findings still need to be filed as a paper document. The internal exchange and an improved dose management can be simplified by systems which continuously and automatically record the doses and thus provide the possibility of permanent analysis and reporting. Communication between patient and radiologist will gain ongoing importance. Intelligent use of technology will convey this to the radiologist and it will facilitate the understanding of the information by the patient.

Application of nanotechnology in miniaturized systems and its use for advanced analytics and diagnostics - an updated review.

PubMed

Sandetskaya, Natalia; Allelein, Susann; Kuhlmeier, Dirk

2013-12-01

A combination of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems and nanoscale structures allows for the creation of novel miniaturized devices, which broaden the boundaries of the diagnostic approaches. Some materials possess unique properties at the nanolevel, which are different from those in bulk materials. In the last few years these properties became a focus of interest for many researchers, as well as methods of production, design and operation of the nanoobjects. Intensive research and development work resulted in numerous inventions exploiting nanotechnology in miniaturized systems. Modern technical and laboratory equipment allows for the precise control of such devices, making them suitable for sensitive and accurate detection of the analytes. The current review highlights recent patents in the field of nanotechnology in microdevices, applicable for medical, environmental or food analysis. The paper covers the structural and functional basis of such systems and describes specific embodiments in three principal branches: application of nanoparticles, nanofluidics, and nanosensors in the miniaturized systems for advanced analytics and diagnostics. This overview is an update of an earlier review article.

Biologics industry challenges for developing diagnostic tests for the National Veterinary Stockpile.

PubMed

Hardham, J M; Lamichhane, C M

2013-01-01

Veterinary diagnostic products generated ~$3 billion US dollars in global sales in 2010. This industry is poised to undergo tremendous changes in the next decade as technological advances move diagnostic products from the traditional laboratory-based and handheld immunologic assays towards highly technical, point of care devices with increased sensitivity, specificity, and complexity. Despite these opportunities for advancing diagnostic products, the industry continues to face numerous challenges in developing diagnostic products for emerging and foreign animal diseases. Because of the need to deliver a return on the investment, research and development dollars continue to be focused on infectious diseases that have a negative impact on current domestic herd health, production systems, or companion animal health. Overcoming the administrative, legal, fiscal, and technological barriers to provide veterinary diagnostic products for the National Veterinary Stockpile will reduce the threat of natural or intentional spread of foreign diseases and increase the security of the food supply in the US.

Percutaneous foot joint needle placement using a C-arm flat-panel detector CT.

PubMed

Wiewiorski, Martin; Takes, Martin Thanh Long; Valderrabano, Victor; Jacob, Augustinus Ludwig

2012-03-01

Image guidance is valuable for diagnostic injections in foot orthopaedics. Flat-detector computed tomography (FD-CT) was implemented using a C-arm, and the system was tested for needle guidance in foot joint injections. FD-CT-guided joint infiltration was performed in 6 patients referred from the orthopaedic department for diagnostic foot injections. All interventions were performed utilising a flat-panel fluoroscopy system utilising specialised image guidance and planning software. Successful infiltration was defined by localisation of contrast media depot in the targeted joint. The pre- and post-interventional numeric analogue scale (NAS) pain score was assessed. All injections were technically successful. Contrast media deposit was documented in all targeted joints. Significant relief of symptoms was noted by all 6 participants. FD-CT-guided joint infiltration is a feasible method for diagnostic infiltration of midfoot and hindfoot joints. The FD-CT approach may become an alternative to commonly used 2D-fluoroscopically guidance.

Development of technology for creating intelligent control systems for power plants and propulsion systems for marine robotic systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iakovleva, E. V.; Momot, B. A.

2017-10-01

The object of this study is to develop a power plant and an electric propulsion control system for autonomous remotely controlled vessels. The tasks of the study are as follows: to assess remotely controlled vessels usage reasonability, to define the requirements for this type of vessel navigation. In addition, the paper presents the analysis of technical diagnostics systems. The developed electric propulsion control systems for vessels should provide improved reliability and efficiency of the propulsion complex to ensure the profitability of remotely controlled vessels.

Objective for monitoring the corona discharge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Obrezkov, Andrey; Rodionov, Andrey Yu.; Pisarev, Viktor N.; Chivanov, Alexsey N.; Baranov, Yuri P.; Korotaev, Valery V.

2016-04-01

Remote optoelectronic probing is one of the most actual aspects of overhead electric line maintenances. By installing such systems on a helicopter (for example) it becomes possible to monitor overhead transmission line status and to search damaged parts of the lines. Thermal and UV-cameras are used for more effective diagnostic. UV-systems are fitted with filters, that attenuate visible spectrum, which is an undesired type of signal. Also these systems have a wide view angle for better view and proper diagnostics. For even more effectiveness, it is better to use several spectral channels: like UV and IR. Such spectral selection provides good noise reduction. Experimental results of spectral parameters of the wide view angle multispectral objective for such systems are provided in this report. There is also data on point spread function, UV and IR scattering index data and technical requirements for detectors.

Method for Evaluating Information to Solve Problems of Control, Monitoring and Diagnostics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vasil'ev, V. A.; Dobrynina, N. V.

2017-06-01

The article describes a method for evaluating information to solve problems of control, monitoring and diagnostics. It is necessary for reducing the dimensionality of informational indicators of situations, bringing them to relative units, for calculating generalized information indicators on their basis, ranking them by characteristic levels, for calculating the efficiency criterion of a system functioning in real time. The design of information evaluation system has been developed on its basis that allows analyzing, processing and assessing information about the object. Such object can be a complex technical, economic and social system. The method and the based system thereof can find a wide application in the field of analysis, processing and evaluation of information on the functioning of the systems, regardless of their purpose, goals, tasks and complexity. For example, they can be used to assess the innovation capacities of industrial enterprises and management decisions.

Feasibility Investigation on the Development of a Structural Damage Diagnostic and Monitoring System for Rocket Engines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shen, Ji Y.; Sharpe, Lonnie, Jr.

1998-01-01

The research activity for this project is mainly to investigate the necessity and feasibility to develop a structural health monitoring system for rocket engines, and to carry out a research plan for further development of the system. More than one hundred technical papers have been searched and reviewed during the period. We concluded after this investigation that adding a new module in NASA's existing automated diagnostic system to monitor the healthy condition of rocket engine structures is a crucial task, and it's possible to develop such a system based upon the vibrational-based nondestructive damage assessment techniques. A number of such techniques have been introduced. Their advantages and disadvantages are also discussed. A global research plan has been figured out. As the first step of the overall research plan, a proposal for the next fiscal year has been submitted.

Psychometric properties of the motor diagnostics in the German football talent identification and development programme.

PubMed

HÖner, Oliver; Votteler, Andreas; Schmid, Markus; Schultz, Florian; Roth, Klaus

2015-01-01

The utilisation of motor performance tests for talent identification in youth sports is discussed intensively in talent research. This article examines the reliability, differential stability and validity of the motor diagnostics conducted nationwide by the German football talent identification and development programme and provides reference values for a standardised interpretation of the diagnostics results. Highly selected players (the top 4% of their age groups, U12-U15) took part in the diagnostics at 17 measurement points between spring 2004 and spring 2012 (N = 68,158). The heterogeneous test battery measured speed abilities and football-specific technical skills (sprint, agility, dribbling, ball control, shooting, juggling). For all measurement points, the overall score and the speed tests showed high internal consistency, high test-retest reliability and satisfying differential stability. The diagnostics demonstrated satisfying factorial-related validity with plausible and stable loadings on the two empirical factors "speed" and "technical skills". The score, and the technical skills dribbling and juggling, differentiated the most among players of different performance levels and thus showed the highest criterion-related validity. Satisfactory psychometric properties for the diagnostics are an important prerequisite for a scientifically sound rating of players' actual motor performance and for the future examination of the prognostic validity for success in adulthood.

Laser technologies in ophthalmic surgery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Atezhev, V. V.; Barchunov, B. V.; Vartapetov, S. K.; Zav'yalov, A. S.; Lapshin, K. E.; Movshev, V. G.; Shcherbakov, I. A.

2016-08-01

Excimer and femtosecond lasers are widely used in ophthalmology to correct refraction. Laser systems for vision correction are based on versatile technical solutions and include multiple hard- and software components. Laser characteristics, properties of laser beam delivery system, algorithms for cornea treatment, and methods of pre-surgical diagnostics determine the surgical outcome. Here we describe the scientific and technological basis for laser systems for refractive surgery developed at the Physics Instrumentation Center (PIC) at the Prokhorov General Physics Institute (GPI), Russian Academy of Sciences.

Electric scooter pilot project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Slanina, Zdenek; Dedek, Jan; Golembiovsky, Matej

2016-09-01

This article describes the issue of electric scooter development for educational and demonstration purposes on the Technical University of Ostrava. Electric scooter is equipped with a brushless motor with permanent magnets and engine controller, measuring and monitoring system for speed regulation, energy flow control and both online and off-line data analysis, visualization system for real-time diagnostics and battery management with balancing modules system. Implemented device brings a wide area for the following scientific research. This article also includes some initial test results and electric vehicles experiences.

JANNAF 35th Combustion Subcommittee and 17th Propulsion Systems Hazards Subcommittee Meeting: Joint Sessions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fry, Ronald S. (Editor); Gannaway, Mary T. (Editor); Rognan, Melanie (Editor)

1998-01-01

This publication is a compilation of 15 unclassified/unlimited technical papers presented at the 1998 meeting of the Joint Army-Navy-NASA-Air Force (JANNAF) Combustion Subcommittee (CS) and Propulsion Systems Hazards Subcommittee (PSHS) held jointly with the Airbreathing Propulsion Subcommittee (APS). The meeting was held on 7 - 11 December 1 998 at Raytheon Systems Company and the Marriott Hotel, Tucson, AZ. Topics covered include advanced ingredients and reaction kinetics in solid propellants and experimental diagnostic techniques.

User acceptability--a critical success factor for picture archiving and communication system implementation.

PubMed

Crivianu-Gaita, D; Babyn, P; Gilday, D; O'Brien, B; Charkot, E

2000-05-01

The Department of Diagnostic Imaging at the Hospital for Sick Children (HSC), Toronto, implemented a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) during the last year. This report describes our experience from the point of view of user acceptability. Based on objective data, the following key success factors were identified: user involvement in PACS planning, training, technical support, and rollout of pilot projects. Although technical factors are critical and must be addressed, the main conclusion of our study is that other nontechnical factors need to be recognized and resolved. Recognition of the importance of these factors to user acceptance and clear communication and consultation will help reduce negative user attitudes and increase the chance of a successful PACS implementation.

Left Superior Vena Cava Draining Into Left Atrium in Tetralogy of Fallot-Four Cases of a Rare Association.

PubMed

Ramman, Tarun Raina; Dutta, Nilanjan; Chowdhuri, Kuntal Roy; Agrawal, Sunny; Girotra, Sumir; Azad, Sushil; Radhakrishnan, Sitaraman; Iyer, Parvathi Unninayar; Iyer, Krishna Subramony

2018-01-01

Persistent left superior vena cava is a common congenital anomaly of the thoracic venous system. Left superior vena cava draining into left atrium is a malformation of sinus venosus and caval system. The anomaly may be a cause of unexplained hypoxia even in adults. It may give rise to various diagnostic and technical challenges during cardiac catheterization and open-heart surgery. It is often detected serendipitously during diagnostic workup. Isolated left superior vena cava opening into left atrium is very commonly associated with other congenital heart defects. But tetralogy of Fallot is very rarely associated with persistent left superior vena cava which drains into left atrium. We report four such cases who underwent surgical correction successfully.

Flexible Vesiculovasoscopy Using a Microoptical System in a Human Cadaver Model: An Experimental Approach for Atraumatic Endoscopy of the Seminal Tract.

PubMed

Schlager, Daniel; Maas, Moritz; Hein, Simon; Adams, Fabian; Schoenthaler, Martin; Wetterauer, Ulrich; Diemer, Thorsten; Weidner, Wolfgang; Miernik, Arkadiusz

2016-08-01

The most common pathologies of the seminal tract are persistent hematospermia, seminal vesicle stones, and seminal duct obstruction. Endoscopic diagnostic work-up of the seminal tract is impeded by complex anatomy and lack of technical equipment. To date, there is no standardized endoscopic approach. The purpose of this study was to investigate the applicability and feasibility of a flexible microoptical device for atraumatic endoscopy of the seminal tract in a male human cadaver. The transurethral endoscopic examination was performed on a male cadaver. No premortal interventions or diseases of the genitourinary tract had been reported. The seminal orifice was identified via cystoscopy and accessed by the Seldinger technique using a hydrophilic guidewire and ureteral catheter. Retrograde endoscopic inspection of the distal seminal tract was performed using a miniaturized flexible endoscope. An antegrade endoscopic inspection of the seminal tract was carried out via high scrotal access to the vas deferens. Structures of the seminal tract, such as the ejaculatory duct, seminal vesicles, and distal portion of the ductus deferentes, were visualized using the miniaturized endoscope. Image quality allowed identification of anatomical structures and characterization of tissue properties. The technical limitations we observed involved the system's maneuverability. Initial results of this novel endoscopic approach to the seminal tract using a flexible microoptical system are encouraging. However, considerable anatomical limitations of the targeted organs necessitate further refinements of the technical equipment. This approach might improve diagnostics and treatment of genitourinary diseases. Future surgical techniques may include intraseminal laser therapy or endoocclusion to monitor fertility in men.

About increasing informativity of diagnostic system of asynchronous electric motor by extracting additional information from values of consumed current parameter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhukovskiy, Y.; Korolev, N.; Koteleva, N.

2018-05-01

This article is devoted to expanding the possibilities of assessing the technical state of the current consumption of asynchronous electric drives, as well as increasing the information capacity of diagnostic methods, in conditions of limited access to equipment and incompleteness of information. The method of spectral analysis of the electric drive current can be supplemented by an analysis of the components of the current of the Park's vector. The research of the hodograph evolution in the moment of appearance and development of defects was carried out using the example of current asymmetry in the phases of an induction motor. The result of the study is the new diagnostic parameters of the asynchronous electric drive. During the research, it was proved that the proposed diagnostic parameters allow determining the type and level of the defect. At the same time, there is no need to stop the equipment and taky it out of service for repair. Modern digital control and monitoring systems can use the proposed parameters based on the stator current of an electrical machine to improve the accuracy and reliability of obtaining diagnostic patterns and predicting their changes in order to improve the equipment maintenance systems. This approach can also be used in systems and objects where there are significant parasitic vibrations and unsteady loads. The extraction of useful information can be carried out in electric drive systems in the structure of which there is a power electric converter.

Scientific and technical complex for modeling, researching and testing of rocket-space vehicles’ electric power installations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bezruchko, Konstantin; Davidov, Albert

2009-01-01

In the given article scientific and technical complex for modeling, researching and testing of rocket-space vehicles' power installations which was created in Power Source Laboratory of National Aerospace University "KhAI" is described. This scientific and technical complex gives the opportunity to replace the full-sized tests on model tests and to reduce financial and temporary inputs at modeling, researching and testing of rocket-space vehicles' power installations. Using the given complex it is possible to solve the problems of designing and researching of rocket-space vehicles' power installations efficiently, and also to provide experimental researches of physical processes and tests of solar and chemical batteries of rocket-space complexes and space vehicles. Scientific and technical complex also allows providing accelerated tests, diagnostics, life-time control and restoring of chemical accumulators for rocket-space vehicles' power supply systems.

Ultrasonographic diagnosis of early pregnancy in cattle using different ultrasound systems.

PubMed

Racewicz, Przemysław; Sickinger, Marlene; Włodarek, Jan; Jaśkowski, Jędrzej M

2016-06-16

To evaluate the efficiency of different ultrasound devices in achieving an early diagnosis of pregnancy in dairy herds. A total of 1976 Holstein Friesian cows and heifers were artificially inseminated (AI) according to the herd manager's regime. Pregnancy diagnostics were performed between day 26 and 35 after AI using six different types of ultrasound systems (linear vs. sector scanners). Manual rectal palpation between day 45 and 60 after AI was used as the gold standard for pregnancy diagnostics. Sensitivity (SENS), specificity (SPEC), positive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) and diagnostic accuracy (ACC) of the diagnostic measures were determined. Average SENS was 82% (range 67.7-95.2%) with a mean SPEC of 73% (range 50.0-81.0%). ACC was 78.2% with a minimum of 64.6% and a maximum of 89.4%, depending on the ultrasound system. The PPV (ratio of the number of pregnant cows with a positive examination result to the number of cows actually pregnant) was 80.8% (range 59.1-88.1%), whereas the NPV (defined as the ratio of the number of cows correctly diagnosed negative to the number of cows actually open) was 74.4% (72.3-91.9%). Significant differences for these parameters were found depending on the ultrasound system used (p ≤ 0.01; Cramer's V. = 0.14). Regardless of the ultrasound device used, early pregnancy diagnostics between day 26 and 35 show a moderate diagnostic efficiency. Comparing the accuracy of the different devices, there may be a significant influence of type and technical parameters. Even though ultrasound systems with mechanical sector probes are not as convenient to use as systems with linear probes, according to this study, sector scanners are a reasonable alternative.

Assessment of Characteristic Function Modulus of Vibroacoustic Signal Given a Limit State Parameter of Diagnosed Equipment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kostyukov, V. N.; Naumenko, A. P.; Kudryavtseva, I. S.

2018-01-01

Improvement of distinguishing criteria, determining defects of machinery and mechanisms, by vibroacoustic signals is a recent problem for technical diagnostics. The work objective is assessment of instantaneous values by methods of statistical decision making theory and risk of regulatory values of characteristic function modulus. The modulus of the characteristic function is determined given a fixed parameter of the characteristic function. It is possible to determine the limits of the modulus, which correspond to different machine’s condition. The data of the modulus values are used as diagnostic features in the vibration diagnostics and monitoring systems. Using such static decision-making methods as: minimum number of wrong decisions, maximum likelihood, minimax, Neumann-Pearson characteristic function modulus limits are determined, separating conditions of a diagnosed object.

Marketability requirements for fault detection and diagnostics in commercial buildings

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Heinemeier, K.H.

Fault Detection and Diagnostics (FDD) is a technology that has a great potential for improving performance and reducing energy consumed in commercial buildings, and is rapidly becoming feasible for the buildings sector. Scientists have developed algorithms for FDD, and are making plans for field-testing and demonstration of these methods in real buildings. These efforts will provide a sound technical basis for FDD product offerings. FDD has the potential to dramatically improve the quality of operation of buildings. However, progress on technical issues is only one step towards implementing FDD in the market. FDD cannot be expected to have a majormore » impact on buildings unless market issues are addressed. Many questions will have to be answered regarding the users of FDD systems, the usability of the product, the market for FDD, and the nature of possible FDD offerings. It is crucial to consider marketing issues in parallel with the more technical issues. Constraints and opportunities that will be faced in marketing the products must be recognized early in technology development, and addressed and integrated into designs to ensure an appropriate system design. This paper identified a number of key questions that will arise in addressing marketability issues. These questions will have to be answered individually by technology developers and entities intending to market FDD. This paper presents some of the considerations that must go into the answering the questions, and provides a framework for analyzing the market requirements.« less

Identification of mine rescue equipment reduction gears technical condition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gerike, B. L.; Klishin, V. I.; Kuzin, E. G.

2017-09-01

The article presents the reasons for adopting intelligent service of mine belt conveyer drives concerning evaluation of their technical condition based on the diagnostic techniques instead of regular preventative maintenance. The article reveals the diagnostic results of belt conveyer drive reduction gears condition taking into account the parameters of lubricating oil, vibration and temperature. Usage of a complex approach to evaluate technical conditions allows reliability of the forecast to be improved, which makes it possible not only to prevent accidental breakdowns and eliminate unscheduled downtime, but also to bring sufficient economic benefits through reduction of the term and scope of work during overhauls.

JT9D engine diagnostics. Task 2: Feasibility study of measuring in-service flight loads. [747 aircraft performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kafka, P. G.; Skibo, M. A.; White, J. L.

1977-01-01

The feasibility of measuring JT9D propulsion system flight inertia loads on a 747 airplane is studied. Flight loads background is discussed including the current status of 747/JT9D loads knowledge. An instrumentation and test plan is formulated for an airline-owned in-service airplane and the Boeing-owned RA001 test airplane. Technical and cost comparisons are made between these two options. An overall technical feasibility evaluation is made and a cost summary presented. Conclusions and recommendations are presented in regard to using existing inertia loads data versus conducting a flight test to measure inertia loads.

Design of the 2D electron cyclotron emission imaging instrument for the J-TEXT tokamak.

PubMed

Pan, X M; Yang, Z J; Ma, X D; Zhu, Y L; Luhmann, N C; Domier, C W; Ruan, B W; Zhuang, G

2016-11-01

A new 2D Electron Cyclotron Emission Imaging (ECEI) diagnostic is being developed for the J-TEXT tokamak. It will provide the 2D electron temperature information with high spatial, temporal, and temperature resolution. The new ECEI instrument is being designed to support fundamental physics investigations on J-TEXT including MHD, disruption prediction, and energy transport. The diagnostic contains two dual dipole antenna arrays corresponding to F band (90-140 GHz) and W band (75-110 GHz), respectively, and comprises a total of 256 channels. The system can observe the same magnetic surface at both the high field side and low field side simultaneously. An advanced optical system has been designed which permits the two arrays to focus on a wide continuous region or two radially separate regions with high imaging spatial resolution. It also incorporates excellent field curvature correction with field curvature adjustment lenses. An overview of the diagnostic and the technical progress including the new remote control technique are presented.

Design of the 2D electron cyclotron emission imaging instrument for the J-TEXT tokamak

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pan, X. M.; Yang, Z. J., E-mail: yangzj@hust.edu.cn; Ma, X. D.

2016-11-15

A new 2D Electron Cyclotron Emission Imaging (ECEI) diagnostic is being developed for the J-TEXT tokamak. It will provide the 2D electron temperature information with high spatial, temporal, and temperature resolution. The new ECEI instrument is being designed to support fundamental physics investigations on J-TEXT including MHD, disruption prediction, and energy transport. The diagnostic contains two dual dipole antenna arrays corresponding to F band (90-140 GHz) and W band (75-110 GHz), respectively, and comprises a total of 256 channels. The system can observe the same magnetic surface at both the high field side and low field side simultaneously. An advancedmore » optical system has been designed which permits the two arrays to focus on a wide continuous region or two radially separate regions with high imaging spatial resolution. It also incorporates excellent field curvature correction with field curvature adjustment lenses. An overview of the diagnostic and the technical progress including the new remote control technique are presented.« less

Creating of structure of facts for the knowledge base of an expert system for wind power plant's equipment diagnosis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duer, Stanisław; Wrzesień, Paweł; Duer, Radosław

2017-10-01

This article describes rules and conditions for making a structure (a set) of facts for an expert knowledge base of the intelligent system to diagnose Wind Power Plants' equipment. Considering particular operational conditions of a technical object, that is a set of Wind Power Plant's equipment, this is a significant issue. A structural model of Wind Power Plant's equipment is developed. Based on that, a functional - diagnostic model of Wind Power Plant's equipment is elaborated. That model is a basis for determining primary elements of the object structure, as well as for interpreting a set of diagnostic signals and their reference signals. The key content of this paper is a description of rules for building of facts on the basis of developed analytical dependence. According to facts, their dependence is described by rules for transferring of a set of pieces of diagnostic information into a specific set of facts. The article consists of four chapters that concern particular issues on the subject.

In situ damage monitoring in vibration mechanics: diagnostics and predictive maintenance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basseville, M.; Benveniste, A.; Gach-Devauchelle, B.; Goursat, M.; Bonnecase, D.; Dorey, P.; Prevosto, M.; Olagnon, M.

1993-09-01

A system identification approach is presented for damage monitoring in vibration mechanics. Identification, detection, and diagnostics are performed using accelerometer measurements from the system at work so that the excitation is not controlled, usually not observed and may involve turbulent phenomena. Targeted applications include power engineering (rotating machines, core and pipes of nuclear power plants), civil engineering (large buildings subject to hurricanes or earthquakes, bridges, dams, offshore structures), aeronautics (wings and other structures subject to strength), automobile, rail transportation etc. The method is illustrated by a laboratory example, and the results of 3 years industrial usage. This paper is a progress report on a 10 year project involving three people almost permanently. We describe here the whole approach but omit the technical details which are available in previous papers.

Turbine Engine Diagnostics System Study

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-10-01

objective of this report. Tehnical pNW Decuanfmesln Page 1. Ropro. 1/ 2. ,ornm.o Acceosioa No. 3 . o.p.ifteCatalog Me. DOT/FAA/CT-91/16 4. Titeo en. depeI 0o...Safety Information Service, Springfield, Performance Virginia 22161 I9. seewrity Clossa. too *is ,pw#) 3 . 0 n4 .i. (*#A pop) ,g. 21. me. of eeoc...1. INTRODUCTION 1 2. BACKGROUND 2 3 . PHASE I TECHNICAL OBJECTIVES 4 4. SYSTEM SURVEY 7 4.1 Literature Search 7 4.2 Industry Survey 10 4.3 Technology

"You Will": Technology, Magic, and the Cultural Contexts of Technical Communication.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kitalong, Karla Saari

2000-01-01

Provides some background on the use of magical language in technical contexts, gives examples of magical discourse in technology advertisements and newsmagazine articles, and proposes a technical communication pedagogy of media analysis. Notes that the proposed pedagogy involves students conducting diagnostic critiques of media texts and affords…

Building Diagnostic Market Deployment - Final Report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Katipamula, S.; Gayeski, N.

2012-04-30

Operational faults are pervasive across the commercial buildings sector, wasting energy and increasing energy costs by up to about 30% (Mills 2009, Liu et al. 2003, Claridge et al. 2000, Katipamula and Brambley 2008, and Brambley and Katipamula 2009). Automated fault detection and diagnostic (AFDD) tools provide capabilities essential for detecting and correcting these problems and eliminating the associated energy waste and costs. The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Building Technology Program (BTP) has previously invested in developing and testing of such diagnostic tools for whole-building (and major system) energy use, air handlers, chillers, cooling towers, chilled-water distribution systems, andmore » boilers. These diagnostic processes can be used to make the commercial buildings more energy efficient. The work described in this report was done as part of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between the U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and KGS Building LLC (KGS). PNNL and KGS both believe that the widespread adoption of AFDD tools will result in significant reduction to energy and peak energy consumption. The report provides an introduction and summary of the various tasks performed under the CRADA. The CRADA project had three major focus areas: (1) Technical Assistance for Whole Building Energy Diagnostician (WBE) Commercialization, (2) Market Transfer of the Outdoor Air/Economizer Diagnostician (OAE), and (3) Development and Deployment of Automated Diagnostics to Improve Large Commercial Building Operations. PNNL has previously developed two diagnostic tools: (1) whole building energy (WBE) diagnostician and (2) outdoor air/economizer (OAE) diagnostician. WBE diagnostician is currently licensed non-exclusively to one company. As part of this CRADA, PNNL developed implementation documentation and provided technical support to KGS to implement the tool into their software suite, Clockworks. PNNL also provided validation data sets and the WBE software tool to validate the KGS implementation. OAE diagnostician automatically detects and diagnoses problems with outdoor air ventilation and economizer operation for air handling units (AHUs) in commercial buildings using data available from building automation systems (BASs). As part of this CRADA, PNNL developed implementation documentation and provided technical support to KGS to implement the tool into their software suite. PNNL also provided validation data sets and the OAE software tool to validate the KGS implementation. Finally, as part of this CRADA project, PNNL developed new processes to automate parts of the re-tuning process and transfer those process to KGS for integration into their software product. The transfer of DOE-funded technologies will transform the commercial buildings sector by making buildings more energy efficient and also reducing the carbon footprint from the buildings. As part of the CRADA with PNNL, KGS implemented the whole building energy diagnostician, a portion of outdoor air economizer diagnostician and a number of measures that automate the identification of re-tuning measures.« less

Research and development studies for MHD/coal power flow train components. Technical progress report, 1 September 1979-31 August 1980

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bloom, M. H.

1980-01-01

The aim of this program is to contribute to certain facets of the development of the MHD/coal power system, and particularly the CDIF of DOE with regard to its flow train. Consideration is given specifically to the electrical power take-off, the diagnostic and instrumentation systems, the combustor and MHD channel technology, and electrode alternatives. Within the constraints of the program, high priorities were assigned to the problems of power take-off and the related characteristics of the MHD channel, and to the establishment of a non-intrusive, laser-based diagnostic system. The next priority was given to the combustor modeling and to amore » significantly improved analysis of particle combustion. Separate abstracts were prepared for nine of the ten papers included. One paper was previously included in the data base. (WHK)« less

Characterization and Developmental History of Problem Solving Methods in Medicine

PubMed Central

Harbort, Robert A.

1980-01-01

The central thesis of this paper is the importance of the framework in which information is structured. It is technically important in the design of systems; it is also important in guaranteeing that systems are usable by clinicians. Progress in medical computing depends on our ability to develop a more quantitative understanding of the role of context in our choice of problem solving techniques. This in turn will help us to design more flexible and responsive computer systems. The paper contains an overview of some models of knowledge and problem solving methods, a characterization of modern diagnostic techniques, and a discussion of skill development in medical practice. Diagnostic techniques are examined in terms of how they are taught, what problem solving methods they use, and how they fit together into an overall theory of interpretation of the medical status of a patient.

Development of Wireless Subsurface Microsensors for Health Monitoring of Thermal Protection Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pallix, Joan; Milos, Frank; Arnold, James O. (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

Low cost access to space is a primary goal for both NASA and the U.S. aerospace industry. Integrated subsystem health diagnostics is an area where major improvements have been identified for potential implementation into the design of new reusable launch vehicles (RLVS) in order to reduce life cycle costs, increase safety margins and improve mission reliability. A number of efforts are underway to use existing and emerging technologies to establish new methods for vehicle health monitoring on operational vehicles as well as X-vehicles. This paper summarizes a joint effort between several NASA centers and industry partners to develop rapid wireless diagnostic tools for failure management and long-term TPS performance monitoring of thermal protection systems (TPS) on future RLVS. An embedded wireless microsensor suite is being designed to allow rapid subsurface TPS health monitoring and damage assessment. This sensor suite will consist of both passive overlimit sensors and sensors for continuous parameter monitoring in flight. The on-board diagnostic system can be used to radio in maintenance requirements before landing and the data could also be used to assist in design validation for X-vehicles. For a 3rd generation vehicle, wireless diagnostics should be at a stage of technical development that will allow use for intelligent feedback systems for guidance and navigation control applications and can also serve as feedback for TPS that can intelligently adapt to its environment.

Aptahistochemistry in diagnostic pathology: technical scrutiny and feasibility.

PubMed

Bukari, Bakhtiar A; Citartan, Marimuthu; Ch'ng, Ewe Seng; Bilibana, Mawethu P; Rozhdestvensky, Timofey; Tang, Thean-Hock

2017-05-01

Antibodies have been the workhorse for diagnostic immunohistochemistry to specifically interrogate the expression of certain protein to aid in histopathological diagnosis. This review introduces another dimension of histochemistry that employs aptamers as the core tool, the so-called aptahistochemistry. Aptamers are an emerging class of molecular recognition elements that could recapitulate the roles of antibodies. The many advantageous properties of aptamers suited for this diagnostic platform are scrutinized. An in-depth discussion on the technical aspects of aptahistochemistry is provided with close step-by-step comparison to the more familiarized immunohistochemical procedures, namely functionalization of the aptamer as a probe, antigen retrieval, optimization with emphasis on incubation parameters and visualization methods. This review offers rationales to overcome the anticipated challenges in transition from immunohistochemistry to aptahistochemistry, which is deemed feasible for an average diagnostic pathology laboratory.

Initial results of the FUSION-X-US prototype combining 3D automated breast ultrasound and digital breast tomosynthesis.

PubMed

Schaefgen, Benedikt; Heil, Joerg; Barr, Richard G; Radicke, Marcus; Harcos, Aba; Gomez, Christina; Stieber, Anne; Hennigs, André; von Au, Alexandra; Spratte, Julia; Rauch, Geraldine; Rom, Joachim; Schütz, Florian; Sohn, Christof; Golatta, Michael

2018-06-01

To determine the feasibility of a prototype device combining 3D-automated breast ultrasound (ABVS) and digital breast tomosynthesis in a single device to detect and characterize breast lesions. In this prospective feasibility study, the FUSION-X-US prototype was used to perform digital breast tomosynthesis and ABVS in 23 patients with an indication for tomosynthesis based on current guidelines after clinical examination and standard imaging. The ABVS and tomosynthesis images of the prototype were interpreted separately by two blinded experts. The study compares the detection and BI-RADS® scores of breast lesions using only the tomosynthesis and ABVS data from the FUSION-X-US prototype to the results of the complete diagnostic workup. Image acquisition and processing by the prototype was fast and accurate, with some limitations in ultrasound coverage and image quality. In the diagnostic workup, 29 solid lesions (23 benign, including three cases with microcalcifications, and six malignant lesions) were identified. Using the prototype, all malignant lesions were detected and classified as malignant or suspicious by both investigators. Solid breast lesions can be localized accurately and fast by the Fusion-X-US system. Technical improvements of the ultrasound image quality and ultrasound coverage are needed to further study this new device. The prototype combines tomosynthesis and automated 3D-ultrasound (ABVS) in one device. It allows accurate detection of malignant lesions, directly correlating tomosynthesis and ABVS data. The diagnostic evaluation of the prototype-acquired data was interpreter-independent. The prototype provides a time-efficient and technically reliable diagnostic procedure. The combination of tomosynthesis and ABVS is a promising diagnostic approach.

Enormous knowledge base of disease diagnosis criteria.

PubMed

Xiao, Z H; Xiao, Y H; Pei, J H

1995-01-01

One of the problems in the development of the medical knowledge systems is the limitations of the system's knowledge. It is a common expectation to increase the number of diseases contained in a system. Using a high density knowledge representation method designed by us, we have developed the Enormous Knowledge Base of Disease Diagnosis Criteria (EKBDDC). It contains diagnostic criteria of 1,001 diagnostic entities and describes nearly 4,000 items of diagnostic indicators. It is the core of a huge medical project--the Electronic-Brain Medical Erudite (EBME). This enormous knowledge base was implemented initially on a low-cost popular microcomputer, which can aid in the prompting of typical disease and in teaching of diagnosis. The knowledge base is easy to expand. One of the main goals of EKBDDC is to increase the number of diseases included in it as far as possible using a low-cost computer with a comparatively small storage capacity. For this, we have designed a high density knowledge representation method. Criteria of various diagnostic entities are respectively stored in different records of the knowledge base. Each diagnostic entity corresponds to a diagnostic criterion data set; each data set consists of some diagnostic criterion data values (Table 1); each data is composed of two parts: integer and decimal; the integral part is the coding number of the given diagnostic information, and the decimal part is the diagnostic value of this information to the disease indicated by corresponding record number. For example, 75.02: the integer 75 is the coding number of "hemorrhagic skin rash"; the decimal 0.02 is the diagnostic value of this manifestation for diagnosing allergic purpura. TABULAR DATA, SEE PUBLISHED ABSTRACT. The algebraic sum method, a special form of the weighted summation, is adopted as mathematical model. In EKBDDC, the diagnostic values, which represent the significance of the disease manifestations for diagnosing corresponding diseases, were determined empirically. It is of a great economical, practical, and technical significance to realize enormous knowledge bases of disease diagnosis criteria on a low-cost popular microcomputer. This is beneficial for the developing countries to popularize medical informatics. To create the enormous international computer-aided diagnosis system, one may jointly develop the unified modules of disease diagnosis criteria used to "inlay" relevant computer-aided diagnosis systems. It is just like assembling a house using prefabricated panels.

Technical Highlight: NREL Improves Building Energy Simulation Programs Through Diagnostic Testing

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Polly, B.

2012-01-09

This technical highlight describes NREL research to develop Building Energy Simulation Test for Existing Homes (BESTEST-EX) to increase the quality and accuracy of energy analysis tools for the building retrofit market.

Treatment of severe male infertility by micromanipulation-assisted fertilization: an update.

PubMed

Tesarik, Jan; Mendoza, Carmen

2007-01-01

In the past 5-10 years the evolution of micromanipulation-assisted fertilization for the treatment of severe male infertility was marked by the introduction of new technical support, refinement of diagnostic methods for the evaluation of sperm developmental potential, and development of new treatment regimens for the newly discovered abnormalities. The new technical support involves the use of non-contact laser technology to assist micromanipulation for fertilization, the evolution of polarized microscopy-based optical systems to non-invasively detect the position of the meiotic spindle in living human oocytes, and the development of high-magnification optical systems for a better morphological selection of spermatozoa to be used for fertilization. Diagnostic approaches were enriched by commercial availability of kits for the analysis of sperm DNA integrity, leading to the definition of sperm nuclear DNA damage as a distinct cause of male infertility, and by the development of tests, based on heterologous ICSI, for detection of sperm failure to activate oocytes. Several treatment options for these conditions have been proposed and are currently being tested in larger-scale trials. Some technical improvement was also achieved in the field of in vitro maturation of germ cells from men with in vivo maturation arrest, but only a modest clinical improvement resulted from their application. As to the risk for the offspring, recent data are rather reassuring. Except for the risk of transmission of genetically based infertility, no straightforward evidence for a health risk derived from these techniques has been provided. Nevertheless, caution is necessary, particularly concerning the eventual increase in genomic-imprinting abnormalities.

Single-Spin Magnetic Resonance Force Microscopy

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-08-31

computational load and noise outside the passband and generating lock-in (synchronous detection) signals for online diagnostics, system identification... Online . 20. We thank J. Sidles, K. Holczer, and A. Hero for discussions and D. Pearson and M. Sherwood for technical assistance. This work was...Office. Supporting Online Material www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/307/5708/408/ DC1 Materials and Methods Figs. S1 and S2 References 25 October 2004

Maintainer’s Associate Training Instructional Environment: Its Demonstration (MATIE 2)

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-06-01

Force Human Resources Laboratory, Brooks AFB, Texas for their support. We would especially like to thank Capt Kevin Kline, Lt Col Hugh Bums, and Mr...impossible. Thus, technicians need to be able to augment general understanding through use of technical documentation when automiated diagnostic systems...34 which incorporate human -like knowledge of three types: procedural, declarative, and qualitative. Procedural knowledge is that which Is required to

Selection and collection of multi parameter physiological data for cardiac rhythm diagnostic algorithm development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bostock, J.; Weller, P.; Cooklin, M.

2010-07-01

Automated diagnostic algorithms are used in implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD's) to detect abnormal heart rhythms. Algorithms misdiagnose and improved specificity is needed to prevent inappropriate therapy. Knowledge engineering (KE) and artificial intelligence (AI) could improve this. A pilot study of KE was performed with artificial neural network (ANN) as AI system. A case note review analysed arrhythmic events stored in patients ICD memory. 13.2% patients received inappropriate therapy. The best ICD algorithm had sensitivity 1.00, specificity 0.69 (p<0.001 different to gold standard). A subset of data was used to train and test an ANN. A feed-forward, back-propagation network with 7 inputs, a 4 node hidden layer and 1 output had sensitivity 1.00, specificity 0.71 (p<0.001). A prospective study was performed using KE to list arrhythmias, factors and indicators for which measurable parameters were evaluated and results reviewed by a domain expert. Waveforms from electrodes in the heart and thoracic bio-impedance; temperature and motion data were collected from 65 patients during cardiac electrophysiological studies. 5 incomplete datasets were due to technical failures. We concluded that KE successfully guided selection of parameters and ANN produced a usable system and that complex data collection carries greater risk of technical failure, leading to data loss.

[Myofascial pain syndrome--frequent occurrence and often misdiagnosed].

PubMed

Pongratz, D E; Späth, M

1998-09-30

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a very common localized--sometimes also polytopic--painful musculoskeletal condition associated with trigger points, for which, however, diagnostic criteria established in well-designed studies are still lacking. These two facts form the basis for differentiating between MPS and the fibromyalgia syndrome. The difference between trigger points (MPS) and tender points (fibromyalgia) is of central importance--not merely in a linguistic sense. A knowledge of the signs and symptoms typically associated with a trigger point often obviates the need for time-consuming and expensive technical diagnostic measures. The assumption that many cases of unspecific complaints affecting the musculoskeletal system may be ascribed to MPS makes clear the scope for the saving of costs.

Design criteria of the bolometer diagnostic for steady-state operation of the W7-X stellaratora)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, D.; Burhenn, R.; Koenig, R.; Giannone, L.; Grodzki, P. A.; Klein, B.; Grosser, K.; Baldzuhn, J.; Ewert, K.; Erckmann, V.; Hirsch, M.; Laqua, H. P.; Oosterbeek, J. W.

2010-10-01

A bolometric diagnostic system with features necessary for steady-state operation in the superconducting stellarator W7-X was designed. During a pulse length of 1800 s with an ECRH (electron cyclotron resonance heating) power of 10 MW, the components suffer not only from a large thermal load but also from stray radiation of the nonabsorbed isotropic microwaves. This paper gives an overview of the technical problems encountered during the design work and the solutions to individual problems to meet the special requirements in W7-X, e.g., component thermal protection, detector offset thermal drift suppression, as well as a microwave shielding technique.

The modern trends of the evolution laser information technology in oncology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mikov, A. A.; Svirin, V. N.

2008-04-01

Laser-optical information technologies and devices develop since the 70- years at the end of 20 century and are broadly used for diagnostics and treatment of oncological diseases to date. Although such methods as photodynamic therapy (PDT), laser-induce thermotherapy (LITT), fluorescent diagnostics and spectrophotometry already more than 30 years are used for treatment and diagnostics of oncological diseases, nevertheless, they are enough new methods and, as a rule, are used in large scientific centers and medical institutions. This is bound, first of all, with lack of information on modern method of cancer treatment, the absence of widely available laser procedures and corresponding devices in the polyclinics and even in district hospitals, as well as insufficient understanding of application areas, where laser methods has an advantage by comparison, for instance, with beam or chemotherapy. At present day laser methods are fast upcoming direction of the treatment oncological diseases. This is explained by progress in development essentially laser, particularly diode, improvement electronic and computing components and broad introduction software-algorithmic methods of control the undertaking therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. In article are considered new laser methods of the undertaking diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and is shown that introduction multiwave laser radiation for probe and influences on tissue, the different methods of the determination of the functional state of tissues, realization of the on-line diagnostics when carrying out the therapeutic procedures, automatic control systems of the power laser radiation, which depends on state patient tissue, as well as software-algorithmic methods of management session therapeutic and diagnostic procedures greatly raises efficiency of the treatment oncological diseases. On an example of the multipurpose laser therapeutic devices("MLTA") developed and introduced in clinical practice and multipurpose laser diagnostic complexes ("MLDC"), the realizing offered methods, are shown the basic tendencies of development laser methods in oncology, concrete technical decisions and the experimental clinical material showing increase of efficiency of treatment of a cancer at their realization are resulted. It is shown, that realization of the offered methods and technical technologies opens new competitive advantages laser technologies in comparison with beam and chemical-therapy at treatment of oncological diseases.

Methods for Probabilistic Fault Diagnosis: An Electrical Power System Case Study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ricks, Brian W.; Mengshoel, Ole J.

2009-01-01

Health management systems that more accurately and quickly diagnose faults that may occur in different technical systems on-board a vehicle will play a key role in the success of future NASA missions. We discuss in this paper the diagnosis of abrupt continuous (or parametric) faults within the context of probabilistic graphical models, more specifically Bayesian networks that are compiled to arithmetic circuits. This paper extends our previous research, within the same probabilistic setting, on diagnosis of abrupt discrete faults. Our approach and diagnostic algorithm ProDiagnose are domain-independent; however we use an electrical power system testbed called ADAPT as a case study. In one set of ADAPT experiments, performed as part of the 2009 Diagnostic Challenge, our system turned out to have the best performance among all competitors. In a second set of experiments, we show how we have recently further significantly improved the performance of the probabilistic model of ADAPT. While these experiments are obtained for an electrical power system testbed, we believe they can easily be transitioned to real-world systems, thus promising to increase the success of future NASA missions.

Development and improvement of the operating diagnostics systems of NPO CKTI works for turbine of thermal and nuclear power plants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kovalev, I. A.; Rakovskii, V. G.; Isakov, N. Yu.; Sandovskii, A. V.

2016-03-01

The work results on the development and improvement of the techniques, algorithms, and software-hardware of continuous operating diagnostics systems of rotating units and parts of turbine equipment state are presented. In particular, to ensure the full remote service of monitored turbine equipment using web technologies, the web version of the software of the automated systems of vibration-based diagnostics (ASVD VIDAS) was developed. The experience in the automated analysis of data obtained by ASVD VIDAS form the basis of the new algorithm of early detection of such dangerous defects as rotor deflection, crack in the rotor, and strong misalignment of supports. The program-technical complex of monitoring and measuring the deflection of medium pressure rotor (PTC) realizing this algorithm will alert the electric power plant staff during a deflection and indicate its value. This will give the opportunity to take timely measures to prevent the further extension of the defect. Repeatedly, recorded cases of full or partial destruction of shrouded shelves of rotor blades of the last stages of low-pressure cylinders of steam turbines defined the need to develop a version of the automated system of blade diagnostics (ASBD SKALA) for shrouded stages. The processing, analysis, presentation, and backup of data characterizing the mechanical state of blade device are carried out with a newly developed controller of the diagnostics system. As a result of the implementation of the works, the diagnosed parameters determining the operation security of rotating elements of equipment was expanded and the new tasks on monitoring the state of units and parts of turbines were solved. All algorithmic solutions and hardware-software implementations mentioned in the article were tested on the test benches and applied at some power plants.

Technical Assistance to Developers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rockward, Tommy; Borup, Rodney L.; Garzon, Fernando H.

2012-07-17

This task supports the allowance of technical assistance to fuel-cell component and system developers as directed by the DOE. This task includes testing of novel materials and participation in the further development and validation of single cell test protocols. This task also covers technical assistance to DOE Working Groups, the U.S. Council for Automotive Research (USCAR) and the USCAR/DOE Driving Research and Innovation for Vehicle efficiency and Energy sustainability (U.S. Drive) Fuel Cell Technology Team. Assistance includes technical validation of new fuel cell materials and methods, single cell fuel cell testing to support the development of targets and test protocols,more » and regular advisory participation in other working groups and reviews. This assistance is made available to PEM fuel cell developers by request and DOE Approval. The objectives are to: (1) Support technically, as directed by DOE, fuel cell component and system developers; (2) Assess fuel cell materials and components and give feedback to developers; (3) Assist the DOE Durability Working Group with the development of various new material durability Testing protocols; and (4) Provide support to the U.S. Council for Automotive Research (USCAR) and the USCAR/DOE Fuel Cell Technology Team. FY2012 specific technical objectives are: (1) Evaluate novel MPL materials; (2) Develop of startup/ shutdown protocol; (3) Test the impact of hydrophobic treatment on graphite bi-polar plates; (4) Perform complete diagnostics on metal bi-polar plates for corrosion; and (5) Participate and lead efforts in the DOE Working Groups.« less

[Possibilities of the TruScreen for screening of precancer and cancer of the uterine cervix].

PubMed

Zlatkov, V

2009-01-01

The classic approach of detection of pre-cancer and cancer of uterine cervix includes cytological examination, followed by colposcopy assessment of the detected cytological abnormalities. Real-time devices use in-vivo techniques for the measurement, computerized analysis and classifying of different types of cervical tissues. The aim of the present review is to present the technical characteristics and to discus the diagnostic possibilities of TruScreen-automated optical-electron system for cervical screening. The analysis of the presented in the literature diagnostic value of the method at different grades intraepithelial lesions shows that it has higher sensitivity (67-70%) and lower specificity (81%) in comparison to the Pap test with the following results (45-69% sensitivity and 95% specificity). This makes the method suitable for independent primary screening, as well as for adding the diagnostic assurance of the cytological method.

Dental radiology.

PubMed

Woodward, Tony M

2009-02-01

Dental radiology is the core diagnostic modality of veterinary dentistry. Dental radiographs assist in detecting hidden painful pathology, estimating the severity of dental conditions, assessing treatment options, providing intraoperative guidance, and also serve to monitor success of prior treatments. Unfortunately, most professional veterinary training programs provide little or no training in veterinary dentistry in general or dental radiology in particular. Although a technical learning curve does exist, the techniques required for producing diagnostic films are not difficult to master. Regular use of dental x-rays will increase the amount of pathology detected, leading to healthier patients and happier clients who notice a difference in how their pet feels. This article covers equipment and materials needed to produce diagnostic intraoral dental films. A simplified guide for positioning will be presented, including a positioning "cheat sheet" to be placed next to the dental x-ray machine in the operatory. Additionally, digital dental radiograph systems will be described and trends for their future discussed.

[Pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy of Legionella infections].

PubMed

Lück, P C; Steinert, M

2006-05-01

Legionella species are ubiquitous in aquatic environments. About 50 years ago they entered the engineered (technical) environment, i.e. warm water systems with zones of stagnation. Since that time they represent a hygienic problem. After transmission to humans via aerosols legionellae might cause Legionella pneumonia (legionnaires' disease) or influenza-like respiratory infections (Pontiac fever). Epidemiological data suggest that Legionella strains might differ substantially in their virulence properties. Although the molecular basis is not understood L. pneumophila serogroup 1 especially MAb 3/1-positive strains cause the majority of infections. The main virulence feature is the ability to multiply intracellularly. After uptake into macrophages legionellae multiply in a specialized vacuole and finally lyse their host cells. Several bacterial factors like surface components, secretion systems and iron uptake systems are involved in this process. Since the clinical picture of Legionella pneumonia does not allow differentiation from pneumoniae caused by other pathogens, microbiological diagnostic methods are needed to establish the diagnosis. Cultivation of legionellae from clinical specimens, detection of antigens and DNA in patients' samples and detection of antibodies in serum samples are suitable methods. However, none of the diagnostic tests presently available offers the desired quality with respect to sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, the standard technique is to use several diagnostic tests in parallel. Advantages and disadvantages of the diagnostic procedures are discussed. Therapeutic options for Legionella infections are newer macrolides like azithromycin and chinolones (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and moxifloxacin).

Technical Note: Confirming the prescribed angle of CT localizer radiographs and c-arm projection acquisitions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Szczykutowicz, Timothy P., E-mail: tszczykutowicz@uwhealth.org; Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53705; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706

2016-02-15

Purpose: Accurate CT radiograph angle is not usually important in diagnostic CT. However, there are applications in radiation oncology and interventional radiology in which the orientation of the x-ray source and detector with respect to the patient is clinically important. The authors present a method for measuring the accuracy of the tube/detector assembly with respect to the prescribed tube/detector position for CT localizer, fluoroscopic, and general radiograph imaging using diagnostic, mobile, and c-arm based CT systems. Methods: A mathematical expression relating the x-ray projection of two metal BBs is related to gantry angle. Measurement of the BBs at a prescribedmore » gantry (i.e., c-arm) angle can be obtained and using this relation the prescribed versus actual gantry angle compared. No special service mode or proprietary information is required, only access to projection images is required. Projection images are available in CT via CT localizer radiographs and in the interventional setting via fluorography. Results: The technique was demonstrated on two systems, a mobile CT scanner and a diagnostic CT scanner. The results confirmed a known issue with the mobile scanner and accurately described the CT localizer angle of the diagnostic system tested. Conclusions: This method can be used to quantify gantry angle, which is important when projection images are used for procedure guidance, such as in brachytherapy and interventional radiology applications.« less

WE-G-217BCD-04: Diagnostic Image Quality Evaluation of a Dedicated Extremity Cone- Beam CT Scanner: Pre-Clinical Studies and First Clinical Results.

PubMed

Muhit, A; Zbijewski, W; Stayman, J; Thawait, G; Yorkston, J; Foos, D; Packard, N; Yang, D; Senn, R; Carrino, J; Siewerdsen, J

2012-06-01

To assess the diagnostic performance of a prototype cone-beam CT (CBCT) scanner developed for musculoskeletal extremity imaging. Studies involved controlled observer studies conducted subsequent to rigorous technical assessment as well as patient images from the first clinical trial in imaging the hand and knee. Performance assessment included: 1.) rigorous technical assessment; 2.) controlled observer studies using CBCT images of cadaveric specimens; and 3.) first clinical images. Technical assessment included measurement of spatial resolution (MTF), constrast, and noise (SDNR) versus kVp and dose using standard CT phantoms. Diagnostic performance in comparison to multi- detector CT (MDCT) was assessed in controlled observer studies involving 12 cadaveric hands and knees scanned with and without abnormality (fracture). Observer studies involved five radiologists rating pertinent diagnostics tasks in 9-point preference and 10-point diagnostic satisfaction scales. Finally, the first clinical images from an ongoing pilot study were assessed in terms of diagnostic utility in disease assessment and overall workflow in patient setup. Quantitative assessment demonstrated sub-mm spatial resolution (MTF exceeding 10% out to 15-20 cm-1) and SDNR sufficient for relevant soft-tissue visualization tasks at dose <10 mGy. Observer studies confirmed optimal acquisition techniques and demonstrated superior utility of combined soft-tissue visualization and isotropic spatial resolution in diagnostic tasks. Images from the patient trial demonstrate exquisite contrast and detail and the ability to detect tissue impingement in weight-bearing exams. The prototype CBCT scanner provides isotropic spatial resolution superior to standard-protocol MDCT with soft-tissue visibility sufficient for a broad range of diagnostic tasks in musculoskeletal radiology. Dosimetry and workflow were advantageous in comparison to whole-body MDCT. Multi-mode and weight-bearing capabilities add valuable functionality. An ongoing clinical study further assesses diagnostic utility and defines the role of such technology in the diagnostic arsenal. - Research Grant, Carestream Health - Research Grant, National Institutes of Health 2R01-CA-112163. © 2012 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Pixel-based characterisation of CMOS high-speed camera systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weber, V.; Brübach, J.; Gordon, R. L.; Dreizler, A.

2011-05-01

Quantifying high-repetition rate laser diagnostic techniques for measuring scalars in turbulent combustion relies on a complete description of the relationship between detected photons and the signal produced by the detector. CMOS-chip based cameras are becoming an accepted tool for capturing high frame rate cinematographic sequences for laser-based techniques such as Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence (PLIF) and can be used with thermographic phosphors to determine surface temperatures. At low repetition rates, imaging techniques have benefitted from significant developments in the quality of CCD-based camera systems, particularly with the uniformity of pixel response and minimal non-linearities in the photon-to-signal conversion. The state of the art in CMOS technology displays a significant number of technical aspects that must be accounted for before these detectors can be used for quantitative diagnostics. This paper addresses these issues.

Towards the systematic development of medical networking technology.

PubMed

Faust, Oliver; Shetty, Ravindra; Sree, S Vinitha; Acharya, Sripathi; Acharya U, Rajendra; Ng, E Y K; Poo, Chua Kok; Suri, Jasjit

2011-12-01

Currently, there is a disparity in the availability of doctors between urban and rural areas of developing countries. Most experienced doctors and specialists, as well as advanced diagnostic technologies, are available in urban areas. People living in rural areas have less or sometimes even no access to affordable healthcare facilities. Increasing the number of doctors and charitable medical hospitals or deploying advanced medical technologies in these areas might not be economically feasible, especially in developing countries. We need to mobilize science and technology to master this complex, large scale problem in an objective, logical, and professional way. This can only be achieved with a collaborative effort where a team of experts works on both technical and non-technical aspects of this health care divide. In this paper we use a systems engineering framework to discuss hospital networks which might be solution for the problem. We argue that with the advancement in communication and networking technologies, economically middle class people and even some rural poor have access to internet and mobile communication systems. Thus, Hospital Digital Networking Technologies (HDNT), such as telemedicine, can be developed to utilize internet, mobile and satellite communication systems to connect primitive rural healthcare centers to well advanced modern urban setups and thereby provide better consultation and diagnostic care to the needy people. This paper describes requirements and limitations of the HDNTs. It also presents the features of telemedicine, the implementation issues and the application of wireless technologies in the field of medical networking.

A Diagnostic Marker to Discriminate Childhood Apraxia of Speech From Speech Delay: I. Development and Description of the Pause Marker

PubMed Central

Strand, Edythe A.; Fourakis, Marios; Jakielski, Kathy J.; Hall, Sheryl D.; Karlsson, Heather B.; Mabie, Heather L.; McSweeny, Jane L.; Tilkens, Christie M.; Wilson, David L.

2017-01-01

Purpose The goal of this article (PM I) is to describe the rationale for and development of the Pause Marker (PM), a single-sign diagnostic marker proposed to discriminate early or persistent childhood apraxia of speech from speech delay. Method The authors describe and prioritize 7 criteria with which to evaluate the research and clinical utility of a diagnostic marker for childhood apraxia of speech, including evaluation of the present proposal. An overview is given of the Speech Disorders Classification System, including extensions completed in the same approximately 3-year period in which the PM was developed. Results The finalized Speech Disorders Classification System includes a nosology and cross-classification procedures for childhood and persistent speech disorders and motor speech disorders (Shriberg, Strand, & Mabie, 2017). A PM is developed that provides procedural and scoring information, and citations to papers and technical reports that include audio exemplars of the PM and reference data used to standardize PM scores are provided. Conclusions The PM described here is an acoustic-aided perceptual sign that quantifies one aspect of speech precision in the linguistic domain of phrasing. This diagnostic marker can be used to discriminate early or persistent childhood apraxia of speech from speech delay. PMID:28384779

Global-to-local policy transfer in the introduction of new molecular tuberculosis diagnostics in South Africa.

PubMed

Colvin, C J; Leon, N; Wills, C; van Niekerk, M; Bissell, K; Naidoo, P

2015-11-01

Lack of innovation in diagnostics has contributed to tuberculosis (TB) remaining a global health challenge. It is critical to understand how new diagnostic technologies are translated into policies and how these are implemented. To examine policy transfer for two rapid molecular diagnostic tests, GenoType(®) MDRTBplus and Xpert(®) MTB/RIF, to understand policy development, uptake and implementation in South Africa. A policy transfer analysis framework integrating the key dimensions of policy transfer into one coherent model was used. Two phases of key informant interviews were undertaken with a wide range of stakeholders. Both tests were developed through innovative partnerships and responded to urgent public health needs. GenoType was introduced through a process that was more inclusive than that for Xpert. National policy and planning processes were opaque for both tests. Their implementation, maintenance and expansion suffered from poor communication and coordination, insufficient attention to resource implications, technical challenges and a lack of broader health systems thinking. Our analysis identified the risks and benefits of partnerships for technological innovation, the complex intersections between global and national actors and the impact of health systems on policy transfer, and the risks of rescue- and technology-focused thinking in addressing public health challenges.

Assessment and certification of neonatal incubator sensors through an inferential neural network.

PubMed

de Araújo, José Medeiros; de Menezes, José Maria Pires; Moura de Albuquerque, Alberto Alexandre; da Mota Almeida, Otacílio; Ugulino de Araújo, Fábio Meneghetti

2013-11-15

Measurement and diagnostic systems based on electronic sensors have been increasingly essential in the standardization of hospital equipment. The technical standard IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) 60601-2-19 establishes requirements for neonatal incubators and specifies the calibration procedure and validation tests for such devices using sensors systems. This paper proposes a new procedure based on an inferential neural network to evaluate and calibrate a neonatal incubator. The proposal presents significant advantages over the standard calibration process, i.e., the number of sensors is drastically reduced, and it runs with the incubator under operation. Since the sensors used in the new calibration process are already installed in the commercial incubator, no additional hardware is necessary; and the calibration necessity can be diagnosed in real time without the presence of technical professionals in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Experimental tests involving the aforementioned calibration system are carried out in a commercial incubator in order to validate the proposal.

Assessment and Certification of Neonatal Incubator Sensors through an Inferential Neural Network

PubMed Central

de Araújo Júnior, José Medeiros; de Menezes Júnior, José Maria Pires; de Albuquerque, Alberto Alexandre Moura; Almeida, Otacílio da Mota; de Araújo, Fábio Meneghetti Ugulino

2013-01-01

Measurement and diagnostic systems based on electronic sensors have been increasingly essential in the standardization of hospital equipment. The technical standard IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) 60601-2-19 establishes requirements for neonatal incubators and specifies the calibration procedure and validation tests for such devices using sensors systems. This paper proposes a new procedure based on an inferential neural network to evaluate and calibrate a neonatal incubator. The proposal presents significant advantages over the standard calibration process, i.e., the number of sensors is drastically reduced, and it runs with the incubator under operation. Since the sensors used in the new calibration process are already installed in the commercial incubator, no additional hardware is necessary; and the calibration necessity can be diagnosed in real time without the presence of technical professionals in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Experimental tests involving the aforementioned calibration system are carried out in a commercial incubator in order to validate the proposal. PMID:24248278

CRRES combined radiation and release effects satellite program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Giles, B. L. (Compiler); Mccook, M. A. (Compiler); Mccook, M. W. (Compiler); Miller, G. P. (Compiler)

1995-01-01

The various regions of the magnetosphere-ionosphere system are coupled by flows of charged particle beams and electromagnetic waves. This coupling gives rise to processes that affect both technical and non-technical aspects of life on Earth. The CRRES Program sponsored experiments which were designed to produce controlled and known input to the space environment and the effects were measured with arrays of diagnostic instruments. Large amounts of material were used to modify and perturb the environment in a controlled manner, and response to this was studied. The CRRES and PEGSAT satellites were dual-mission spacecraft with a NASA mission to perform active chemical-release experiments, grouped into categories of tracer, modification, and simulation experiments. Two sounding rocket chemical release campaigns completed the study.

Wildlife mortality investigation and disease research: contributions of the USGS National Wildlife Health Center to endangered species management and recovery

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brand, Christopher J.

2013-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey—National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) provides diagnostic services, technical assistance, applied research, and training to federal, state, territorial, and local government agencies and Native American tribes on wildlife diseases and wildlife health issues throughout the United States and its territories, commonwealth, and freely associated states. Since 1975, >16,000 carcasses and specimens from vertebrate species listed under the Endangered Species Act have been submitted to NWHC for determination of causes of morbidity or mortality or assessment of health/disease status. Results from diagnostic investigations, analyses of the diagnostic database, technical assistance and consultation, field investigation of epizootics, and wildlife disease research by NWHC wildlife disease specialists have contributed importantly to the management and recovery of listed species.

Wildlife mortality investigation and disease research: contributions of the USGS National Wildlife Health Center to endangered species management and recovery.

PubMed

Brand, Christopher J

2013-12-01

The U.S. Geological Survey-National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) provides diagnostic services, technical assistance, applied research, and training to federal, state, territorial, and local government agencies and Native American tribes on wildlife diseases and wildlife health issues throughout the United States and its territories, commonwealth, and freely associated states. Since 1975, >16,000 carcasses and specimens from vertebrate species listed under the Endangered Species Act have been submitted to NWHC for determination of causes of morbidity or mortality or assessment of health/disease status. Results from diagnostic investigations, analyses of the diagnostic database, technical assistance and consultation, field investigation of epizootics, and wildlife disease research by NWHC wildlife disease specialists have contributed importantly to the management and recovery of listed species.

Dental Assisting Program Guide.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Georgia Univ., Athens. Dept. of Vocational Education.

This program guide contains the standard dental assisting curriculum for technical institutes in Georgia. The curriculum encompasses the minimum competencies required for entry-level dental assistants, and includes job skills in the technical areas of preventive dentistry; four-handed dentistry; chairside assisting with emphasis in diagnostics,…

Potential clinical impact of advanced imaging and computer-aided diagnosis in chest radiology: importance of radiologist's role and successful observer study.

PubMed

Li, Feng

2015-07-01

This review paper is based on our research experience in the past 30 years. The importance of radiologists' role is discussed in the development or evaluation of new medical images and of computer-aided detection (CAD) schemes in chest radiology. The four main topics include (1) introducing what diseases can be included in a research database for different imaging techniques or CAD systems and what imaging database can be built by radiologists, (2) understanding how radiologists' subjective judgment can be combined with technical objective features to improve CAD performance, (3) sharing our experience in the design of successful observer performance studies, and (4) finally, discussing whether the new images and CAD systems can improve radiologists' diagnostic ability in chest radiology. In conclusion, advanced imaging techniques and detection/classification of CAD systems have a potential clinical impact on improvement of radiologists' diagnostic ability, for both the detection and the differential diagnosis of various lung diseases, in chest radiology.

Intravital Microscopy Imaging Approaches for Image-Guided Drug Delivery Systems

PubMed Central

Kirui, Dickson K.; Ferrari, Mauro

2016-01-01

Rapid technical advances in the field of non-linear microscopy have made intravital microscopy a vital pre-clinical tool for research and development of imaging-guided drug delivery systems. The ability to dynamically monitor the fate of macromolecules in live animals provides invaluable information regarding properties of drug carriers (size, charge, and surface coating), physiological, and pathological processes that exist between point-of-injection and the projected of site of delivery, all of which influence delivery and effectiveness of drug delivery systems. In this Review, we highlight how integrating intravital microscopy imaging with experimental designs (in vitro analyses and mathematical modeling) can provide unique information critical in the design of novel disease-relevant drug delivery platforms with improved diagnostic and therapeutic indexes. The Review will provide the reader an overview of the various applications for which intravital microscopy has been used to monitor the delivery of diagnostic and therapeutic agents and discuss some of their potential clinical applications. PMID:25901526

The dimensioning and development of hospital electric installations to guarantee the continuity of use of the therapeutic and diagnostic system.

PubMed

Stroili, M; Pavan, E C; Gorela, M; Kenda, F

2015-08-01

The Technical Services and the Medical Administration of the Hospitals of Trieste have been working for years to ensure the optimal functioning of the Medicine, Surgery, Diagnostics and Research services offered to the Patients and to the University in an 800-bed hospital complex, transforming and innovating the buildings and support installations. We have dedicated special attention to the technologies necessary to guarantee the continuity of the power supply to the electromedical devices, increasingly numerous in highly specialized hospitals. We report our electricity consumption and the power of the generator sets and the UPS and our opinion that their power must be related to the overall consumption of the Hospital, with a reserve margin.

RADON DIAGNOSTIC MEASUREMENT GUIDANCE FOR LARGE BUILDINGS - VOLUME 1. TECHNICAL REPORT

EPA Science Inventory

The report discusses the development of radon diagnostic procedures and mitigation strategies applicable to a variety of large non-residential buildings commonly found in Florida. The investigations document and evaluate the nature of radon occurrence and entry mechanisms for rad...

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy: overcoming technical barriers for clinical translation

PubMed Central

Tu, Haohua; Boppart, Stephen A.

2015-01-01

Clinical translation of coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy is of great interest because of the advantages of noninvasive label-free imaging, high sensitivity, and chemical specificity. For this to happen, we have identified and review the technical barriers that must be overcome. Prior investigations have developed advanced techniques (features), each of which can be used to effectively overcome one particular technical barrier. However, the implementation of one or a small number of these advanced features in previous attempts for clinical translation has often introduced more tradeoffs than benefits. In this review, we outline a strategy that would integrate multiple advanced features to overcome all the technical barriers simultaneously, effectively reduce tradeoffs, and synergistically optimize CARS microscopy for clinical translation. The operation of the envisioned system incorporates coherent Raman micro-spectroscopy for identifying vibrational biomolecular markers of disease and single-frequency (or hyperspectral) Raman imaging of these specific biomarkers for real-time in vivo diagnostics and monitoring. An optimal scheme of clinical CARS micro-spectroscopy for thin ex vivo tissues. PMID:23674234

Assessing technical performance in differential gene expression experiments with external spike-in RNA control ratio mixtures.

PubMed

Munro, Sarah A; Lund, Steven P; Pine, P Scott; Binder, Hans; Clevert, Djork-Arné; Conesa, Ana; Dopazo, Joaquin; Fasold, Mario; Hochreiter, Sepp; Hong, Huixiao; Jafari, Nadereh; Kreil, David P; Łabaj, Paweł P; Li, Sheng; Liao, Yang; Lin, Simon M; Meehan, Joseph; Mason, Christopher E; Santoyo-Lopez, Javier; Setterquist, Robert A; Shi, Leming; Shi, Wei; Smyth, Gordon K; Stralis-Pavese, Nancy; Su, Zhenqiang; Tong, Weida; Wang, Charles; Wang, Jian; Xu, Joshua; Ye, Zhan; Yang, Yong; Yu, Ying; Salit, Marc

2014-09-25

There is a critical need for standard approaches to assess, report and compare the technical performance of genome-scale differential gene expression experiments. Here we assess technical performance with a proposed standard 'dashboard' of metrics derived from analysis of external spike-in RNA control ratio mixtures. These control ratio mixtures with defined abundance ratios enable assessment of diagnostic performance of differentially expressed transcript lists, limit of detection of ratio (LODR) estimates and expression ratio variability and measurement bias. The performance metrics suite is applicable to analysis of a typical experiment, and here we also apply these metrics to evaluate technical performance among laboratories. An interlaboratory study using identical samples shared among 12 laboratories with three different measurement processes demonstrates generally consistent diagnostic power across 11 laboratories. Ratio measurement variability and bias are also comparable among laboratories for the same measurement process. We observe different biases for measurement processes using different mRNA-enrichment protocols.

RDHWT/MARIAH II Hypersonic Wind Tunnel Research Program

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-09-01

Diagnostics Dr. Gary Brown – Gas Dynamics Dr. Ihab Girgis – Modeling Dr. Dennis Mansfield – Experimental Ring Technical Services Dr. Leon Ring – Systems...wind tunnel (MSHWT) with Mach 8 to 15, true -temperature flight test capabilities. This research program was initiated in fiscal year (FY) 1998 and is...Force test capabilities that exist today. Performance goals of the MSHWT are true temperature, Mach 8 to 15, dynamic pressure of 500 to 2000 psf (24 to

A matter of accuracy. Nanobiochips in diagnostics and in research: ethical issues as value trade-offs.

PubMed

Le Roux, Ronan

2015-04-01

The paper deals with the introduction of nanotechnology in biochips. Based on interviews and theoretical reflections, it explores blind spots left by technology assessment and ethical investigations. These have focused on possible consequences of increased diffusability of a diagnostic device, neglecting both the context of research as well as increased accuracy, despite it being a more essential feature of nanobiochip projects. Also, rather than one of many parallel aspects (technical, legal and social) in innovation processes, ethics is considered here as a ubiquitous system of choices between sometimes antagonistic values. Thus, the paper investigates what is at stake when accuracy is balanced with other practical values in different contexts. Dramatic nanotechnological increase of accuracy in biochips can raise ethical issues, since it is at odds with other values such as diffusability and reliability. But those issues will not be as revolutionary as is often claimed: neither in diagnostics, because accuracy of measurements is not accuracy of diagnostics; nor in research, because a boost in measurement accuracy is not sufficient to overcome significance-chasing malpractices. The conclusion extends to methodological recommendations.

TU-G-201-01: What Therapy Physicists Need to Know About CT and PET/CT: Terminology and Latest Developments

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hua, C.

This session will update therapeutic physicists on technological advancements and radiation oncology features of commercial CT, MRI, and PET/CT imaging systems. Also described are physicists’ roles in every stage of equipment selection, purchasing, and operation, including defining specifications, evaluating vendors, making recommendations, and optimal and safe use of imaging equipment in radiation oncology environment. The first presentation defines important terminology of CT and PET/CT followed by a review of latest innovations, such as metal artifact reduction, statistical iterative reconstruction, radiation dose management, tissue classification by dual energy CT and spectral CT, improvement in spatial resolution and sensitivity in PET, andmore » potentials of PET/MR. We will also discuss important technical specifications and items in CT and PET/CT purchasing quotes and their impacts. The second presentation will focus on key components in the request for proposal for a MRI simulator and how to evaluate vendor proposals. MRI safety issues in radiation Oncology, including MRI scanner Zones (4-zone design), will be discussed. Basic MR terminologies, important functionalities, and advanced features, which are relevant to radiation therapy, will be discussed. In the third presentation, justification of imaging systems for radiation oncology, considerations in room design and construction in a RO department, shared use with diagnostic radiology, staffing needs and training, clinical/research use cases and implementation, will be discussed. The emphasis will be on understanding and bridging the differences between diagnostic and radiation oncology installations, building consensus amongst stakeholders for purchase and use, and integrating imaging technologies into the radiation oncology environment. Learning Objectives: Learn the latest innovations of major imaging systems relevant to radiation therapy Be able to describe important technical specifications of CT, MRI, and PET/CT Understand the process of budget request, equipment justification, comparisons of technical specifications, site visits, vendor selection, and contract development.« less

TU-G-201-00: Imaging Equipment Specification and Selection in Radiation Oncology Departments

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

NONE

This session will update therapeutic physicists on technological advancements and radiation oncology features of commercial CT, MRI, and PET/CT imaging systems. Also described are physicists’ roles in every stage of equipment selection, purchasing, and operation, including defining specifications, evaluating vendors, making recommendations, and optimal and safe use of imaging equipment in radiation oncology environment. The first presentation defines important terminology of CT and PET/CT followed by a review of latest innovations, such as metal artifact reduction, statistical iterative reconstruction, radiation dose management, tissue classification by dual energy CT and spectral CT, improvement in spatial resolution and sensitivity in PET, andmore » potentials of PET/MR. We will also discuss important technical specifications and items in CT and PET/CT purchasing quotes and their impacts. The second presentation will focus on key components in the request for proposal for a MRI simulator and how to evaluate vendor proposals. MRI safety issues in radiation Oncology, including MRI scanner Zones (4-zone design), will be discussed. Basic MR terminologies, important functionalities, and advanced features, which are relevant to radiation therapy, will be discussed. In the third presentation, justification of imaging systems for radiation oncology, considerations in room design and construction in a RO department, shared use with diagnostic radiology, staffing needs and training, clinical/research use cases and implementation, will be discussed. The emphasis will be on understanding and bridging the differences between diagnostic and radiation oncology installations, building consensus amongst stakeholders for purchase and use, and integrating imaging technologies into the radiation oncology environment. Learning Objectives: Learn the latest innovations of major imaging systems relevant to radiation therapy Be able to describe important technical specifications of CT, MRI, and PET/CT Understand the process of budget request, equipment justification, comparisons of technical specifications, site visits, vendor selection, and contract development.« less

TU-G-201-02: An MRI Simulator From Proposal to Operation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cao, Y.

2015-06-15

This session will update therapeutic physicists on technological advancements and radiation oncology features of commercial CT, MRI, and PET/CT imaging systems. Also described are physicists’ roles in every stage of equipment selection, purchasing, and operation, including defining specifications, evaluating vendors, making recommendations, and optimal and safe use of imaging equipment in radiation oncology environment. The first presentation defines important terminology of CT and PET/CT followed by a review of latest innovations, such as metal artifact reduction, statistical iterative reconstruction, radiation dose management, tissue classification by dual energy CT and spectral CT, improvement in spatial resolution and sensitivity in PET, andmore » potentials of PET/MR. We will also discuss important technical specifications and items in CT and PET/CT purchasing quotes and their impacts. The second presentation will focus on key components in the request for proposal for a MRI simulator and how to evaluate vendor proposals. MRI safety issues in radiation Oncology, including MRI scanner Zones (4-zone design), will be discussed. Basic MR terminologies, important functionalities, and advanced features, which are relevant to radiation therapy, will be discussed. In the third presentation, justification of imaging systems for radiation oncology, considerations in room design and construction in a RO department, shared use with diagnostic radiology, staffing needs and training, clinical/research use cases and implementation, will be discussed. The emphasis will be on understanding and bridging the differences between diagnostic and radiation oncology installations, building consensus amongst stakeholders for purchase and use, and integrating imaging technologies into the radiation oncology environment. Learning Objectives: Learn the latest innovations of major imaging systems relevant to radiation therapy Be able to describe important technical specifications of CT, MRI, and PET/CT Understand the process of budget request, equipment justification, comparisons of technical specifications, site visits, vendor selection, and contract development.« less

A roadmap for the implementation of mHealth innovations for image-based diagnostic support in clinical and public-health settings: a focus on front-line health workers and health-system organizations.

PubMed

Wallis, Lee; Hasselberg, Marie; Barkman, Catharina; Bogoch, Isaac; Broomhead, Sean; Dumont, Guy; Groenewald, Johann; Lundin, Johan; Norell Bergendahl, Johan; Nyasulu, Peter; Olofsson, Maud; Weinehall, Lars; Laflamme, Lucie

2017-06-01

Diagnostic support for clinicians is a domain of application of mHealth technologies with a slow uptake despite promising opportunities, such as image-based clinical support. The absence of a roadmap for the adoption and implementation of these types of applications is a further obstacle. This article provides the groundwork for a roadmap to implement image-based support for clinicians, focusing on how to overcome potential barriers affecting front-line users, the health-care organization and the technical system. A consensual approach was used during a two-day roundtable meeting gathering a convenience sample of stakeholders (n = 50) from clinical, research, policymaking and business fields and from different countries. A series of sessions was held including small group discussions followed by reports to the plenary. Session moderators synthesized the reports in a number of theme-specific strategies that were presented to the participants again at the end of the meeting for them to determine their individual priority. There were four to seven strategies derived from the thematic sessions. Once reviewed and prioritized by the participants some received greater priorities than others. As an example, of the seven strategies related to the front-line users, three received greater priority: the need for any system to significantly add value to the users; the usability of mHealth apps; and the goodness-of-fit into the work flow. Further, three aspects cut across the themes: ease of integration of the mHealth applications; solid ICT infrastructure and support network; and interoperability. Research and development in image-based diagnostic pave the way to making health care more accessible and more equitable. The successful implementation of those solutions will necessitate a seamless introduction into routines, adequate technical support and significant added value.

Overview of Propulsion Controls and Diagnostics Research at NASA Glenn

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garg, Sanjay

2012-01-01

With the increased emphasis on aircraft safety, enhanced performance and affordability, and the need to reduce the environmental impact of aircraft, there are many new challenges being faced by the designers of aircraft propulsion systems. The Controls and Dynamics Branch (CDB) at NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Glenn Research Center (GRC) in Cleveland, Ohio, is leading and participating in various projects in partnership with other organizations within GRC and across NASA, the U.S. aerospace industry, and academia to develop advanced controls and health management technologies that will help meet these challenges through the concept of an Intelligent Engine. CDB conducts propulsion control and diagnostics research in support of various programs and projects under the NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate and the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. The paper first provides an overview of the various research tasks in CDB relative to the NASA programs and projects, and briefly describes the progress being made on each of these tasks. The discussion here is at a high level providing the objectives of the tasks, the technical challenges in meeting the objectives and most recent accomplishments. References are provided for each of the technical tasks for the reader to familiarize themselves with the details.

Fourth Conference on Artificial Intelligence for Space Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Odell, Stephen L. (Compiler); Denton, Judith S. (Compiler); Vereen, Mary (Compiler)

1988-01-01

Proceedings of a conference held in Huntsville, Alabama, on November 15-16, 1988. The Fourth Conference on Artificial Intelligence for Space Applications brings together diverse technical and scientific work in order to help those who employ AI methods in space applications to identify common goals and to address issues of general interest in the AI community. Topics include the following: space applications of expert systems in fault diagnostics, in telemetry monitoring and data collection, in design and systems integration; and in planning and scheduling; knowledge representation, capture, verification, and management; robotics and vision; adaptive learning; and automatic programming.

Performance Comparison of 1.5 T Endorectal Coil MRI with Non-Endorectal Coil 3.0 T MRI in Patients with Prostate Cancer

PubMed Central

Shah, Zarine K.; Elias, Saba N.; Abaza, Ronney; Zynger, Debra L.; DeRenne, Lawrence A.; Knopp, Michael V.; Guo, Beibei; Schurr, Ryan; Heymsfield, Steven B.; Jia, Guang

2015-01-01

Rationale and Objectives To compare prostate morphology, image quality, and diagnostic performance of 1.5 T endorectal coil MRI and 3.0 T non-endorectal coil MRI in patients with prostate cancer. Materials and Methods MR images obtained of 83 patients with prostate cancer using 1.5 T MRI systems with an endorectal coil were compared to images collected from 83 patients with a 3.0 T MRI system. Prostate diameters were measured and image quality was evaluated by one ABR-certified radiologist (Reader 1) and one ABR-certified diagnostic medical physicist (Reader 2). The likelihood of the peripheral zone cancer presence in each sextant and local extent were rated and compared with histopathologic findings. Results Prostate anterior-posterior diameter measured by both readers was significantly shorter with 1.5 T endorectal MRI than with 3.0 T MRI. The overall image quality score difference was significant only for Reader 1. Both readers found that the two MRI systems provided similar diagnostic accuracy in cancer localization, extraprostatic extension, and seminal vesicle involvement. Conclusion Non-endorectal coil 3.0 T MRI provides prostate images that are natural in shape and that have comparable image quality to those obtained at 1.5 T with an endorectal coil, but not superior diagnostic performance. These findings suggest an opportunity exists for improving technical aspects of 3.0 T prostate MRI. PMID:25579637

Transjugular liver biopsy with use of the shark jaw needle: diagnostic yield, complications, and cost-effectiveness.

PubMed

Psooy, B J; Clark, T W; Beecroft, J R; Malatjalian, D

2001-01-01

Obtaining transjugular liver biopsy specimens with use of single-use needle systems is expensive, whereas biopsy specimens obtained with use of reusable needle systems are frequently associated with inadequate core specimens. The authors report their experience with the reusable Cook Shark Jaw biopsy needle, including diagnostic yield, complications, and cost-effectiveness. A retrospective audit was performed of a cohort of 134 patients who underwent 136 transjugular liver biopsies with use of a reusable 16-gauge Shark Jaw needle during a 30-month period. Specimen adequacy and complication rates were assessed and direct costs of expendable components calculated. Cost-effectiveness was expressed as cost-per-successful biopsy. Biopsies were technically successful in 126 of 136 (93%) patients, with diagnostic histologic core specimens obtained in 124 of 126 (98%) patients, for an overall success rate of 91%. Complications included capsular penetration in six (4.4%) patients, cardiac arrhythmia in two (1.5%) patients, and puncture site hematoma or bleeding in 10 (7.4%) patients. Three tract embolizations were performed for capsular penetration. No instances of subcapsular hematoma, hemoperitoneum, or sepsis occurred, and no deaths were attributed to the procedure. The cost of expendable components totaled $103 per biopsy, corresponding to a cost-effectiveness of $113/successful biopsy. Transjugular liver biopsy specimens obtained with use of the Shark Jaw needle have a diagnostic yield comparable to those obtained with use of single-use biopsy systems, at a substantially lower cost with no increase in serious complications.

Real-Time 3D Fluoroscopy-Guided Large Core Needle Biopsy of Renal Masses: A Critical Early Evaluation According to the IDEAL Recommendations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kroeze, Stephanie G. C.; Huisman, Merel; Verkooijen, Helena M.

2012-06-15

Introduction: Three-dimensional (3D) real-time fluoroscopy cone beam CT is a promising new technique for image-guided biopsy of solid tumors. We evaluated the technical feasibility, diagnostic accuracy, and complications of this technique for guidance of large-core needle biopsy in patients with suspicious renal masses. Methods: Thirteen patients with 13 suspicious renal masses underwent large-core needle biopsy under 3D real-time fluoroscopy cone beam CT guidance. Imaging acquisition and subsequent 3D reconstruction was done by a mobile flat-panel detector (FD) C-arm system to plan the needle path. Large-core needle biopsies were taken by the interventional radiologist. Technical success, accuracy, and safety were evaluatedmore » according to the Innovation, Development, Exploration, Assessment, Long-term study (IDEAL) recommendations. Results: Median tumor size was 2.6 (range, 1.0-14.0) cm. In ten (77%) patients, the histological diagnosis corresponded to the imaging findings: five were malignancies, five benign lesions. Technical feasibility was 77% (10/13); in three patients biopsy results were inconclusive. The lesion size of these three patients was <2.5 cm. One patient developed a minor complication. Median follow-up was 16.0 (range, 6.4-19.8) months. Conclusions: 3D real-time fluoroscopy cone beam CT-guided biopsy of renal masses is feasible and safe. However, these first results suggest that diagnostic accuracy may be limited in patients with renal masses <2.5 cm.« less

Molecular malaria diagnostics: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Roth, Johanna M; Korevaar, Daniël A; Leeflang, Mariska M G; Mens, Pètra F

2016-01-01

Accurate diagnosis of malaria is essential for identification and subsequent treatment of the disease. Currently, microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests are the most commonly used diagnostics, next to treatment based on clinical signs only. These tests are easy to deploy, but have a relatively high detection limit. With declining prevalence in many areas, there is an increasing need for more sensitive diagnostics. Molecular tools may be a suitable alternative, although costs and technical requirements currently hamper their implementation in resource limited settings. A range of (near) point-of-care diagnostics is therefore under development, including simplifications in sample preparation, amplification and/or read-out of the test. Accuracy data, in combination with technical characteristics, are essential in determining which molecular test, if any, would be the most promising to be deployed. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the currently available molecular malaria diagnostics, ranging from well-known tests to platforms in early stages of evaluation, and systematically evaluates their published accuracy. No important difference in accuracy was found between the most commonly used PCR-based assays (conventional, nested and real-time PCR), with most of them having high sensitivity and specificity, implying that there are no reasons other than practical ones to choose one technique over the other. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification and other (novel) diagnostics appear to be highly accurate as well, with some offering potential to be used in resource-limited settings.

Pre-examination factors affecting molecular diagnostic test results and interpretation: A case-based approach.

PubMed

Payne, Deborah A; Baluchova, Katarina; Peoc'h, Katell H; van Schaik, Ron H N; Chan, K C Allen; Maekawa, Masato; Mamotte, Cyril; Russomando, Graciela; Rousseau, François; Ahmad-Nejad, Parviz

2017-04-01

Multiple organizations produce guidance documents that provide opportunities to harmonize quality practices for diagnostic testing. The International Organization for Standardization ISO 15189 standard addresses requirements for quality in management and technical aspects of the clinical laboratory. One technical aspect addresses the complexities of the pre-examination phase prior to diagnostic testing. The Committee for Molecular Diagnostics of the International Federation for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (also known as, IFCC C-MD) conducted a survey of international molecular laboratories and determined ISO 15189 to be the most referenced guidance document. In this review, the IFCC C-MD provides case-based examples illustrating the value of select pre-examination processes as these processes relate to molecular diagnostic testing. Case-based examples in infectious disease, oncology, inherited disease and pharmacogenomics address the utility of: 1) providing information to patients and users, 2) designing requisition forms, 3) obtaining informed consent and 4) maintaining sample integrity prior to testing. The pre-examination phase requires extensive and consistent communication between the laboratory, the healthcare provider and the end user. The clinical vignettes presented in this paper illustrate the value of applying select ISO 15189 recommendations for general laboratory to the more specialized area of Molecular Diagnostics. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Propulsion Controls and Diagnostics Research at NASA Glenn Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garg, Sanjay

2007-01-01

With the increased emphasis on aircraft safety, enhanced performance and affordability, and the need to reduce the environmental impact of aircraft, there are many new challenges being faced by the designers of aircraft propulsion systems. Also the propulsion systems required to enable the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Vision for Space Exploration in an affordable manner will need to have high reliability, safety and autonomous operation capability. The Controls and Dynamics Branch (CDB) at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) in Cleveland, Ohio, is leading and participating in various projects in partnership with other organizations within GRC and across NASA, the U.S. aerospace industry, and academia to develop advanced controls and health management technologies that will help meet these challenges through the concept of Intelligent Propulsion Systems. This paper describes the current activities of the CDB under the NASA Aeronautics Research and Exploration Systems Missions. The programmatic structure of the CDB activities is described along with a brief overview of each of the CDB tasks including research objectives, technical challenges, and recent accomplishments. These tasks include active control of propulsion system components, intelligent propulsion diagnostics and control for reliable fault identification and accommodation, distributed engine control, and investigations into unsteady propulsion systems.

Self-diagnostics and home monitoring: exploring new business opportunities.

PubMed

Lewis, T S

1999-03-01

The world is still shrinking. Advances in telecommunications are turning the concept of a global community into a reality. In the medical industry, this has translated into increased self-diagnostics and home monitoring. This article discusses a number of strategies for successful product positioning amidst technical revolution.

Online Monitoring To Enable Improved Diagnostics, Prognostics and Maintenance

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bond, Leonard J.

2011-08-31

Only time will tell what the implications of the Fukushima incident will be. Discussions are on-going with regard to continued operation and life extension of the existing fleet, new build, and the wider policy issues including technologies needed to address spent fuel storage and ensure energy security, and the related desires to provide sustainable energy systems while at the same time limiting greenhouse gas emissions. The science base for advanced diagnostics and prognostics to support its use in nuclear power plants (NPPs) for active components (pumps, valves etc) has been demonstrated. A challenge is enabling adaption of these technologies formore » NPP deployment and the validation of the data from these technologies. Advanced diagnostics, monitoring and prognostics applied to passive structures, which in the USA context of longer term operation is up to 80 years, are being researched. Early laboratory work is demonstrating the potential for these methods, although technical challenges remain. It can be expected that there will be an increased need for and use of on-line monitoring for a wide range of both active and passive systems in all types of nuclear power plants.« less

Topical Meeting on Lasers in Material Diagnostics Held in Albuquerque, New Mexico on 11-12 February 1987. Technical Digest Series. Volume 7

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-10-31

measurement. A cube beam splitter divided incident laser light, I, into two beams , IR and I0, of approximately equal intensity. The reference laser...scattered molecules were found to be strongly dependent on beam kinetic energy. These distributions are markedly non -Boltzmann and indicate that the...satisfy these requirements has been developed. The system, named OBIR for optical beam induced reflectance, is non -destructive and operates at 20C in

[Percutaneous cholangiography: Chiba method, a diagnostic advance].

PubMed

Correia, R A; Sampaio, R N; Soares, A C; Feijó, S G; Pessoa, J B

1979-01-01

Employing percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography by CHIBA method in 15 patients, it was possible to visualize biliary system in 93.3% of the cases. The radiologic diagnostic of KLATSKIN tumor was observed in 2 cases, 4 cases of carcinoma of the papila of VATER, 1 case of carcinoma of the terminal choledochus, 1 case of intrahepatic neoplasia, 1 case of stenosis secondary to choledocal, trauma, and in another it was damaged by subcapsular hepatic leakage of contrast. The complications were minor. In 5 cases the patients had biliary colic at the time of the exam. In 2 cases, signals of baeteremia occurred in the day following the exam, and in 4 cases there was a small subcapsular hepatic leakage of contrast. In one case it was encountered hematoma under the capsule of the liver, during surgery. The diagnosis was confirmed at surgery in 12 cases. We concluded that the simplicity of the technic, its low cost and its diagnostic, accuracy have made it extremely useful.

Climate Model Diagnostic Analyzer Web Service System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, S.; Pan, L.; Zhai, C.; Tang, B.; Kubar, T. L.; Li, J.; Zhang, J.; Wang, W.

2015-12-01

Both the National Research Council Decadal Survey and the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Assessment Report stressed the need for the comprehensive and innovative evaluation of climate models with the synergistic use of global satellite observations in order to improve our weather and climate simulation and prediction capabilities. The abundance of satellite observations for fundamental climate parameters and the availability of coordinated model outputs from CMIP5 for the same parameters offer a great opportunity to understand and diagnose model biases in climate models. In addition, the Obs4MIPs efforts have created several key global observational datasets that are readily usable for model evaluations. However, a model diagnostic evaluation process requires physics-based multi-variable comparisons that typically involve large-volume and heterogeneous datasets, making them both computationally- and data-intensive. In response, we have developed a novel methodology to diagnose model biases in contemporary climate models and implementing the methodology as a web-service based, cloud-enabled, provenance-supported climate-model evaluation system. The evaluation system is named Climate Model Diagnostic Analyzer (CMDA), which is the product of the research and technology development investments of several current and past NASA ROSES programs. The current technologies and infrastructure of CMDA are designed and selected to address several technical challenges that the Earth science modeling and model analysis community faces in evaluating and diagnosing climate models. In particular, we have three key technology components: (1) diagnostic analysis methodology; (2) web-service based, cloud-enabled technology; (3) provenance-supported technology. The diagnostic analysis methodology includes random forest feature importance ranking, conditional probability distribution function, conditional sampling, and time-lagged correlation map. We have implemented the new methodology as web services and incorporated the system into the Cloud. We have also developed a provenance management system for CMDA where CMDA service semantics modeling, service search and recommendation, and service execution history management are designed and implemented.

Rayleigh Scattering Diagnostics Workshop

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seasholtz, Richard (Compiler)

1996-01-01

The Rayleigh Scattering Diagnostics Workshop was held July 25-26, 1995 at the NASA Lewis Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. The purpose of the workshop was to foster timely exchange of information and expertise acquired by researchers and users of laser based Rayleigh scattering diagnostics for aerospace flow facilities and other applications. This Conference Publication includes the 12 technical presentations and transcriptions of the two panel discussions. The first panel was made up of 'users' of optical diagnostics, mainly in aerospace test facilities, and its purpose was to assess areas of potential applications of Rayleigh scattering diagnostics. The second panel was made up of active researchers in Rayleigh scattering diagnostics, and its purpose was to discuss the direction of future work.

Diagnostic sensitivity of abdominal fat aspiration in cardiac amyloidosis

PubMed Central

Quarta, Candida Cristina; Gonzalez-Lopez, Esther; Gilbertson, Janet A.; Botcher, Nichola; Rowczenio, Dorota; Petrie, Aviva; Rezk, Tamer; Youngstein, Taryn; Mahmood, Shameem; Sachchithanantham, Sajitha; Lachmann, Helen J.; Fontana, Marianna; Whelan, Carol J.; Wechalekar, Ashutosh D.; Hawkins, Philip N.; Gillmore, Julian D.

2017-01-01

Abstract Aims Congo red staining of an endomyocardial biopsy is the diagnostic gold-standard in suspected cardiac amyloidosis (CA), but the procedure is associated with the risk, albeit small, of serious complications, and delay in diagnosis due to the requirement for technical expertise. In contrast, abdominal fat pad fine needle aspiration (FPFNA) is a simple, safe and well-established procedure in systemic amyloidosis, but its diagnostic sensitivity in patients with suspected CA remains unclear. Methods and results We assessed the diagnostic sensitivity of FPFNA in 600 consecutive patients diagnosed with CA [216 AL amyloidosis, 113 hereditary transthyretin (ATTRm), and 271 wild-type transthyretin (ATTRwt) amyloidosis] at our Centre. Amyloid was detected on Congo red staining of FPFNAs in 181/216 (84%) patients with cardiac AL amyloidosis, including 100, 97, and 78% of those with a large, moderate, and small whole-body amyloid burden, respectively, as assessed by serum amyloid P (SAP) component scintigraphy (P < 0.001); the deposits were successfully typed as AL by immunohistochemistry in 102/216 (47%) cases. Amyloid was detected in FPFNAs of 51/113 (45%) patients with ATTRm CA, and only 42/271 (15%) cases with ATTRwt CA. Conclusions FPFNA has reasonable diagnostic sensitivity in cardiac AL amyloidosis, particularly in patients with a large whole-body amyloid burden. Although the diagnostic sensitivity of FPFNA is substantially lower in transthyretin CA, particularly ATTRwt, it may nevertheless sometimes obviate the need for endomyocardial biopsy. PMID:28605421

[Medical expert systems and clinical needs].

PubMed

Buscher, H P

1991-10-18

The rapid expansion of computer-based systems for problem solving or decision making in medicine, the so-called medical expert systems, emphasize the need for reappraisal of their indication and value. Where specialist knowledge is required, in particular where medical decisions are susceptible to error these systems will probably serve as a valuable support. In the near future computer-based systems should be able to aid the interpretation of findings of technical investigations and the control of treatment, especially where rapid reactions are necessary despite the need of complex analysis of investigated parameters. In the distant future complete support of diagnostic procedures from the history to final diagnosis is possible. It promises to be particularly attractive for the diagnosis of seldom diseases, for difficult differential diagnoses, and in the decision making in the case of expensive, risky or new diagnostic or therapeutic methods. The physician needs to be aware of certain dangers, ranging from misleading information up to abuse. Patient information depends often on subjective reports and error-prone observations. Although basing on problematic knowledge computer-born decisions may have an imperative effect on medical decision making. Also it must be born in mind that medical decisions should always combine the rational with a consideration of human motives.

The Use of Virtual Reality Simulation to Improve Technical Skill in the Undergraduate Medical Imaging Student

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gunn, Therese; Jones, Lee; Bridge, Pete; Rowntree, Pam; Nissen, Lisa

2018-01-01

In recent years, simulation has increasingly underpinned the acquisition of pre-clinical skills by undergraduate medical imaging (diagnostic radiography) students. This project aimed to evaluate the impact of an innovative virtual reality (VR) learning environment on the development of technical proficiency by students. The study assessed the…

International Students in the Scientific and Technical Writing Class.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Constantinides, Janet C.

A course sequence for teaching the forms and formats of scientific and technical writing to English as a second language (ESL) learners is described. The first assignment, a letter of application, serves as a diagnostic indication of the student's ability. The second assignment, a narrative, is designed to define the importance of audience and…

Dynamic Assessment: One Approach and Some Initial Data. Technical Report No. 361.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Campione, Joseph C.; Brown, Ann L.

In an effort to validate dynamic assessment methods influenced by Vygotsky's (1978) definition of zones of proximal development (an indicator of readiness), three sets of experiments addressed two goals: the development of diagnostic assessment methods and the use of diagnostic results to guide the design of instructional programs. The first two…

Research Support for the Instructional Strategy Diagnostic Profile. Technical Report No. 3

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Merrill, M. David; And Others

By using a taxonomy of instructional strategy variables, an Instructional Strategy Diagnostic Profile (ISDP) was developed which can be used either to determine a judged index of instructional effectiveness for a previously designed instructional product or to guide the design and development of a new instructional product. Existing experimental…

User Ratings of Instructional Activities: Diagnostic and Prescriptive Reading Instruction, Summer, 1974. Technical Report No. 6.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Marion, Rodger; And Others

The Appalachian Education Satellite Project (AESP) is designed to apply communications satellite technology to the task of improving education in Appalachia. Data were gathered about attitudinal responses of the students, site coordinators, and college faculty consultants to the various components of the course Diagnostic and Prescriptive Reading…

Addressing Barriers to the Development and Adoption of Rapid Diagnostic Tests in Global Health.

PubMed

Miller, Eric; Sikes, Hadley D

Immunochromatographic rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have demonstrated significant potential for use as point-of-care diagnostic tests in resource-limited settings. Most notably, RDTs for malaria have reached an unparalleled level of technological maturity and market penetration, and are now considered an important complement to standard microscopic methods of malaria diagnosis. However, the technical development of RDTs for other infectious diseases, and their uptake within the global health community as a core diagnostic modality, has been hindered by a number of extant challenges. These range from technical and biological issues, such as the need for better affinity agents and biomarkers of disease, to social, infrastructural, regulatory and economic barriers, which have all served to slow their adoption and diminish their impact. In order for the immunochromatographic RDT format to be successfully adapted to other disease targets, to see widespread distribution, and to improve clinical outcomes for patients on a global scale, these challenges must be identified and addressed, and the global health community must be engaged in championing the broader use of RDTs.

Addressing Barriers to the Development and Adoption of Rapid Diagnostic Tests in Global Health

PubMed Central

Miller, Eric; Sikes, Hadley D.

2015-01-01

Immunochromatographic rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have demonstrated significant potential for use as point-of-care diagnostic tests in resource-limited settings. Most notably, RDTs for malaria have reached an unparalleled level of technological maturity and market penetration, and are now considered an important complement to standard microscopic methods of malaria diagnosis. However, the technical development of RDTs for other infectious diseases, and their uptake within the global health community as a core diagnostic modality, has been hindered by a number of extant challenges. These range from technical and biological issues, such as the need for better affinity agents and biomarkers of disease, to social, infrastructural, regulatory and economic barriers, which have all served to slow their adoption and diminish their impact. In order for the immunochromatographic RDT format to be successfully adapted to other disease targets, to see widespread distribution, and to improve clinical outcomes for patients on a global scale, these challenges must be identified and addressed, and the global health community must be engaged in championing the broader use of RDTs. PMID:26594252

[Case histories and other stories in the multimedia era... but was there something else?...].

PubMed

Kohler, Hans-Peter

2010-12-01

The multimedia era is fascinating and limitless! The advances in the field of consumer and entertainment electronics are impressive. Our private as well as business life is very much accompanied and influenced by numerous technical gadgets. These advancements should have many positive implications on our clinical work. Do they? Using modern personal computers and clinic information systems (CIS) the access to patients' data, the prescription of drugs, or x-ray diagnostics on high-resolution laptop screens became as easy as pie. This affects the doctor-patient relationship but also the communication between physicians and nurses. Computers also affect our daily clinical work and therefore the treatment of our patients. Do our patients take benefit from these technical achievements? Does the use of clinic information systems positively influence diagnosis, treatment and finally patient outcome but also doctors' performances? What has really changed in the last couples of years? The present article tries to critically review these major changes in patient care.

Continuous-flow automation and hemolysis index: a crucial combination.

PubMed

Lippi, Giuseppe; Plebani, Mario

2013-04-01

A paradigm shift has occurred in the role and organization of laboratory diagnostics over the past decades, wherein consolidation or networking of small laboratories into larger factories and point-of-care testing have simultaneously evolved and now seem to favorably coexist. There is now evidence, however, that the growing implementation of continuous-flow automation, especially in closed systems, has not eased the identification of hemolyzed specimens since the integration of preanalytical and analytical workstations would hide them from visual scrutiny, with an inherent risk that unreliable test results may be released to the stakeholders. Along with other technical breakthroughs, the new generation of laboratory instrumentation is increasingly equipped with systems that can systematically and automatically be tested for a broad series of interferences, the so-called serum indices, which also include the hemolysis index. The routine implementation of these technical tools in clinical laboratories equipped with continuous-flow automation carries several advantages and some drawbacks that are discussed in this article.

Multidisciplinary molecular diagnostics: the 9th European meeting on molecular diagnostics.

PubMed

Loonen, Anne J M; Schuurman, Rob; van den Brule, Adriaan J C

2016-01-01

This report presents a summary of the 9th European Meeting on Molecular Diagnostics held in Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 14-16 October 2015. This 3-day conference covered many relevant topics in the field of molecular diagnostics in humans, including infectious disease, oncology, outbreak management, population-based cancer screening, standardization and quality control, chronic diseases and pharmacogenetics. Beyond these different areas, shared values are new technologies and novel technical and clinical applications. Approximately 450 participants, the majority coming from European countries, attended the meeting. Besides high quality scientific presentations, more than 35 diagnostic companies presented their latest innovations, altogether in an informal and inspiring scientific ambience.

A novel data processing technique for image reconstruction of penumbral imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Hongwei; Li, Hongyun; Xu, Zeping; Song, Guzhou; Zhang, Faqiang; Zhou, Lin

2011-06-01

CT image reconstruction technique was applied to the data processing of the penumbral imaging. Compared with other traditional processing techniques for penumbral coded pinhole image such as Wiener, Lucy-Richardson and blind technique, this approach is brand new. In this method, the coded aperture processing method was used for the first time independent to the point spread function of the image diagnostic system. In this way, the technical obstacles was overcome in the traditional coded pinhole image processing caused by the uncertainty of point spread function of the image diagnostic system. Then based on the theoretical study, the simulation of penumbral imaging and image reconstruction was carried out to provide fairly good results. While in the visible light experiment, the point source of light was used to irradiate a 5mm×5mm object after diffuse scattering and volume scattering. The penumbral imaging was made with aperture size of ~20mm. Finally, the CT image reconstruction technique was used for image reconstruction to provide a fairly good reconstruction result.

infoRAD: computers for clinical practice and education in radiology. Teleradiology, information transfer, and PACS: implications for diagnostic imaging in the 1990s.

PubMed

Schilling, R B

1993-05-01

Picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) provide image viewing at diagnostic, reporting, consultation, and remote workstations; archival on magnetic or optical media by means of short- or long-term storage devices; communications by means of local or wide area networks or public communication services; and integrated systems with modality interfaces and gateways to health care facilities and departmental information systems. Research indicates three basic needs for image and report management: (a) improved communication and turnaround time between radiologists and other imaging specialists and referring physicians, (b) fast reliable access to both current and previously obtained images and reports, and (c) space-efficient archival support. Although PACS considerations are much more complex than those associated with single modalities, the same basic purchase criteria apply. These criteria include technical leadership, image quality, throughput, life cost (eg, initial cost, maintenance, upgrades, and depreciation), and total service. Because a PACS takes much longer to implement than a single modality, the customer and manufacturer must develop a closer working relationship than has been necessary in the past.

Laser beam delivery at ELI-NP

DOE PAGES

Ursescu, Daniel; Cheriaux, G.; Audebert, P.; ...

2017-01-01

The Laser Beam Delivery (LBD) system technical design report covers the interface between the High Power Laser System (HPLS) and the experiments, together with the pulse quality management. Here, the laser transport part of the LBD has a number of subsystems as follows: the beam transport lines for the six main outputs of HPLS, the additional short and long pulses and the synchronization system including the timing of the laser pulses with the Gamma Beam System (GBS) and the experiments on femtosecond timescale. Pulse quality management, discussed further here, consist in the generation and delivery of multiple HPLS pulses, coherentmore » combining of the HPLS arms, laser pulse diagnostics on target, laser beam dumps, shutters and output energy adaption.« less

Modern problems concerned with ensuring safe operation of heat-generating and mechanical equipment in extending its lifetime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rezinskikh, V. F.; Grin', E. A.

2013-01-01

The problem concerned with safe and reliable operation of ageing heat-generating and mechanical equipment of thermal power stations is discussed. It is pointed out that the set of relevant regulatory documents serves as the basis for establishing an efficient equipment diagnostic system. In this connection, updating the existing regulatory documents with imparting the required status to them is one of top-priority tasks. Carrying out goal-oriented scientific research works is a necessary condition for solving this problem as well as other questions considered in the paper that are important for ensuring reliable performance of equipment operating for a long period of time. In recent years, the amount of such works has dropped dramatically, although the need for them is steadily growing. Unbiased assessment of the technical state of equipment that has been in operation for a long period of time is an important aspect in solving the problem of ensuring reliable and safe operation of thermal power stations. Here, along with the quality of diagnostic activities, monitoring of technical state performed on the basis of an analysis of statistical field data and results of operational checks plays an important role. The need to concentrate efforts taken in the mentioned problem areas is pointed out, and it is indicated that successful implementation of the outlined measures requires proper organization and efficient operation of a system for managing safety in the electric power industry.

[The development and evaluation of software to verify diagnostic accuracy].

PubMed

Jensen, Rodrigo; de Moraes Lopes, Maria Helena Baena; Silveira, Paulo Sérgio Panse; Ortega, Neli Regina Siqueira

2012-02-01

This article describes the development and evaluation of software that verifies the accuracy of diagnoses made by nursing students. The software was based on a model that uses fuzzy logic concepts, including PERL, the MySQL database for Internet accessibility, and the NANDA-I 2007-2008 classification system. The software was evaluated in terms of its technical quality and usability through specific instruments. The activity proposed in the software involves four stages in which students establish the relationship values between nursing diagnoses, defining characteristics/risk factors and clinical cases. The relationship values determined by students are compared to those of specialists, generating performance scores for the students. In the evaluation, the software demonstrated satisfactory outcomes regarding the technical quality and, according to the students, helped in their learning and may become an educational tool to teach the process of nursing diagnosis.

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency's Technical Nuclear Forensics Research and Development Program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Franks, J.

2015-12-01

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) Technical Nuclear Forensics (TNF) Research and Development (R&D) Program's overarching goal is to design, develop, demonstrate, and transition advanced technologies and methodologies that improve the interagency operational capability to provide forensics conclusions after the detonation of a nuclear device. This goal is attained through the execution of three focus areas covering the span of the TNF process to enable strategic decision-making (attribution): Nuclear Forensic Materials Exploitation - Development of targeted technologies, methodologies and tools enabling the timely collection, analysis and interpretation of detonation materials.Prompt Nuclear Effects Exploitation - Improve ground-based capabilities to collect prompt nuclear device outputs and effects data for rapid, complementary and corroborative information.Nuclear Forensics Device Characterization - Development of a validated and verified capability to reverse model a nuclear device with high confidence from observables (e.g., prompt diagnostics, sample analysis, etc.) seen after an attack. This presentation will outline DTRA's TNF R&D strategy and current investments, with efforts focusing on: (1) introducing new technical data collection capabilities (e.g., ground-based prompt diagnostics sensor systems; innovative debris collection and analysis); (2) developing new TNF process paradigms and concepts of operations to decrease timelines and uncertainties, and increase results confidence; (3) enhanced validation and verification (V&V) of capabilities through technology evaluations and demonstrations; and (4) updated weapon output predictions to account for the modern threat environment. A key challenge to expanding these efforts to a global capability is the need for increased post-detonation TNF international cooperation, collaboration and peer reviews.

Technical Advances in Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)-Guided Tissue Acquisition for Pancreatic Cancers: How Can We Get the Best Results with EUS-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration?

PubMed Central

Kedia, Prashant; Gaidhane, Monica

2013-01-01

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is one of the least invasive and most effective modality in diagnosing pancreatic adenocarcinoma in solid pancreatic lesions, with a higher diagnostic accuracy than cystic tumors. EUS-FNA has been shown to detect tumors less than 3 mm, due to high spatial resolution allowing the detection of very small lesions and vascular invasion, particularly in the pancreatic head and neck, which may not be detected on transverse computed tomography. Furthermore, this minimally invasive procedure is often ideal in the endoscopic procurement of tissue in patients with unresectable tumors. While EUS-FNA has been increasingly used as a diagnostic tool, most studies have collectively looked at all primary pancreatic solid lesions, including lymphomas and pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms, whereas very few studies have examined the diagnostic utility of EUS-FNA of pancreatic ductal carcinoma only. As with any novel and advanced endoscopic procedure that may incorporate several practices and approaches, endoscopists have adopted diverse techniques to improve the tissue procurement practice and increase diagnostic accuracy. In this article, we present a review of literature to date and discuss currently practiced EUS-FNA technique, including indications, technical details, equipment, patient selection, and diagnostic accuracy. PMID:24143320

Advanced Diagnostics for Reacting Flows

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-06-01

TECHNICAL DISCUSSION: 1. Infrared-PLIF Imaging Diagnostics using Vibrational Transitions IR-PLIF allows for imaging a group of molecular species important...excitation of IR-active vibrational modes with imaging of the subsequent vibrational fluorescence. Quantitative interpretation requires knowledge of...the vibrational energy transfer processes, and hence in recent years we have been developing models for infrared fluorescence. During the past year

Structural Equation Modeling Diagnostics Using R Package Semdiag and EQS

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yuan, Ke-Hai; Zhang, Zhiyong

2012-01-01

Yuan and Hayashi (2010) introduced 2 scatter plots for model and data diagnostics in structural equation modeling (SEM). However, the generation of the plots requires in-depth understanding of their underlying technical details. This article develops and introduces an R package semdiag for easily drawing the 2 plots. With a model specified in EQS…

Flexible opto-electronics enabled microfluidics systems with cloud connectivity for point-of-care micronutrient analysis.

PubMed

Lee, Stephen; Aranyosi, A J; Wong, Michelle D; Hong, Ji Hyung; Lowe, Jared; Chan, Carol; Garlock, David; Shaw, Scott; Beattie, Patrick D; Kratochvil, Zachary; Kubasti, Nick; Seagers, Kirsten; Ghaffari, Roozbeh; Swanson, Christina D

2016-04-15

In developing countries, the deployment of medical diagnostic technologies remains a challenge because of infrastructural limitations (e.g. refrigeration, electricity), and paucity of health professionals, distribution centers and transportation systems. Here we demonstrate the technical development and clinical testing of a novel electronics enabled microfluidic paper-based analytical device (EE-μPAD) for quantitative measurement of micronutrient concentrations in decentralized, resource-limited settings. The system performs immune-detection using paper-based microfluidics, instrumented with flexible electronics and optoelectronic sensors in a mechanically robust, ultrathin format comparable in size to a credit card. Autonomous self-calibration, plasma separation, flow monitoring, timing and data storage enable multiple devices to be run simultaneously. Measurements are wirelessly transferred to a mobile phone application that geo-tags the data and transmits it to a remote server for real time tracking of micronutrient deficiencies. Clinical tests of micronutrient levels from whole blood samples (n=95) show comparable sensitivity and specificity to ELISA-based tests. These results demonstrate instantaneous acquisition and global aggregation of diagnostics data using a fully integrated point of care system that will enable rapid and distributed surveillance of disease prevalence and geographical progression. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The Technical Problems of Anti-theft Diagnostics in a Traction Network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mikulski, Jerzy; Młynczak, Jakub

2012-02-01

The paper presents an analysis of traction lines theft in the Katowice division of the Railroad Development Company (Zakład Linii Kolejowych - ZLK) as well as the principles for the anti-theft protection system, currently in development. The problem of theft is a very important issue concerning the safety of rail transportation. It is also a significant economic problem, as the cost of recreating a stolen network is very high. Moreover, the Administrator of the infrastructure bears the cost of compensation for any delays in train schedules.

[Differential diagnosis of polyarthritis pain syndrome of the locomotor apparatus].

PubMed

Menninger, H

1998-02-28

Widespread pain syndromes of the musculoskeletal system present to general practitioners, internists, neurologists and orthopedic surgeons every day. The syndromes may result both from organic diseases (inflammatory joint diseases, rheumatic manifestations of organ diseases) as well as dysfunctional syndromes, the latter including mainly biomechanically induced syndromes and fibromyalgia. The approach is predominantly clinically oriented and requires laboratory means or technical procedures only in a limited extend. The duration of history, the recognition of synovitis and of myofascial trigger points or of integumental tender points allow in most patients to achieve appropriate diagnostic criteria.

Research at ITER towards DEMO: Specific reactor diagnostic studies to be carried out on ITER

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Krasilnikov, A. V.; Kaschuck, Y. A.; Vershkov, V. A.

2014-08-21

In ITER diagnostics will operate in the very hard radiation environment of fusion reactor. Extensive technology studies are carried out during development of the ITER diagnostics and procedures of their calibration and remote handling. Results of these studies and practical application of the developed diagnostics on ITER will provide the direct input to DEMO diagnostic development. The list of DEMO measurement requirements and diagnostics will be determined during ITER experiments on the bases of ITER plasma physics results and success of particular diagnostic application in reactor-like ITER plasma. Majority of ITER diagnostic already passed the conceptual design phase and representmore » the state of the art in fusion plasma diagnostic development. The number of related to DEMO results of ITER diagnostic studies such as design and prototype manufacture of: neutron and γ–ray diagnostics, neutral particle analyzers, optical spectroscopy including first mirror protection and cleaning technics, reflectometry, refractometry, tritium retention measurements etc. are discussed.« less

Research at ITER towards DEMO: Specific reactor diagnostic studies to be carried out on ITER

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krasilnikov, A. V.; Kaschuck, Y. A.; Vershkov, V. A.; Petrov, A. A.; Petrov, V. G.; Tugarinov, S. N.

2014-08-01

In ITER diagnostics will operate in the very hard radiation environment of fusion reactor. Extensive technology studies are carried out during development of the ITER diagnostics and procedures of their calibration and remote handling. Results of these studies and practical application of the developed diagnostics on ITER will provide the direct input to DEMO diagnostic development. The list of DEMO measurement requirements and diagnostics will be determined during ITER experiments on the bases of ITER plasma physics results and success of particular diagnostic application in reactor-like ITER plasma. Majority of ITER diagnostic already passed the conceptual design phase and represent the state of the art in fusion plasma diagnostic development. The number of related to DEMO results of ITER diagnostic studies such as design and prototype manufacture of: neutron and γ-ray diagnostics, neutral particle analyzers, optical spectroscopy including first mirror protection and cleaning technics, reflectometry, refractometry, tritium retention measurements etc. are discussed.

Current audiological diagnostics

PubMed Central

Hoth, Sebastian; Baljić, Izet

2017-01-01

Today’s audiological functional diagnostics is based on a variety of hearing tests, whose large number takes account of the variety of malfunctions of a complex sensory organ system and the necessity to examine it in a differentiated manner and at any age of life. The objective is to identify nature and origin of the hearing loss and to quantify its extent as far as necessary to dispose of the information needed to initiate the adequate medical (conservative or operational) treatment or the provision with technical hearing aids or prostheses. Moreover, audiometry provides the basis for the assessment of impairment and handicap as well as for the calculation of the degree of disability. In the present overview, the current state of the method inventory available for practical use is described, starting from basic diagnostics over to complex special techniques. The presentation is systematically grouped in subjective procedures, based on psychoacoustic exploration, and objective methods, based on physical measurements: preliminary hearing tests, pure tone threshold, suprathreshold processing of sound intensity, directional hearing, speech understanding in quiet and in noise, dichotic hearing, tympanogram, acoustic reflex, otoacoustic emissions and auditory evoked potentials. Apart from a few still existing gaps, this method inventory covers the whole spectrum of all clinically relevant functional deficits of the auditory system. PMID:29279727

Research and development studies for MHD/coal power flow train components. Part II. Diagnostics and instrumentation MHD channel combutor. Progres report. [Flow calculations for combustors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bloom, M.H.; Lederman, S.; Sforza, P.

1980-01-01

This is Part II of the Technical Progress Report on Tasks II-IV of the subject contract. It deals sequentially with Diagnostics and Instrumentation, the MHD Channel and the Combustor. During this period, a significant effort has gone into establishing a schematic design of a laser diagnostic system which can be applied to the flow-train of the MHD system, and to acquiring, assembling and shaking down a laboratory set-up upon which a prototype can be based. With further reference to the MHD Channel, a model analysis has been initiated of the two-dimensional MHD boundary layer between two electrodes in the limitmore » of small magnetic Reynolds numbers with negligible effect of the flow on the applied magnetic field. An objective of this model study is the assessment of variations in initial conditions on the boundary layer behavior. Finally, the problem of combustion modeling has been studied on an initial basis. The open reports on this subject depict a high degree of empiricism, centering attention on global behavior mainly. A quasi-one-dimensional model code has been set-up to check some of the existing estimates. Also a code for equilibrium combustion has been activated.« less

Diagnostic X-ray sources-present and future

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Behling, Rolf; Grüner, Florian

2018-01-01

This paper compares very different physical principles of X-ray production to spur ideation. Since more than 120 years, bremsstrahlung from X-ray tubes has been the workhorse of medical diagnostics. Generated by X-ray segments comprised of X-ray tubes and high-voltage generators in the various medical systems, X-ray photons in the spectral range between about 16 keV and 150 keV deliver information about anatomy and function of human patients and in pre-clinical animal studies. Despite of strides to employ the wave nature of X-rays as phase sensitive means, commercial diagnostic X-ray systems available until the time of writing still rely exclusively on measuring the attenuation and scattering of X-rays by matter. Significant activities in research aim at building highly brilliant short pulse X-ray sources, based on e.g. synchrotron radiation, free electron lasers and/or laser wake-field acceleration of electrons followed by wiggling with magnetic structures or Thomson scattering in bunches of light. While both approaches, non-brilliant and brilliant sources, have different scope of application, we speculate that a combination may expand the efficacy in medical application. At this point, however, severe technical and commercial difficulties hinder closing this gap. This article may inspire further development and spark innovation in this important field.

Visual method for detecting critical damage in railway contact strips

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Judek, S.; Skibicki, J.

2018-05-01

Ensuring an uninterrupted supply of power in the electric traction is vital for the safety of this important transport system. For this purpose, monitoring and diagnostics of the technical condition of the vehicle’s power supply elements are becoming increasingly common. This paper presents a new visual method for detecting contact strip damage, based on measurement and analysis of the movement of the overhead contact line (OCL) wire. A measurement system configuration with a 2D camera was proposed. The experimental method has shown that contact strips damage can be detected by transverse displacement signal analysis. It has been proven that the velocity signal numerically established on that basis has a comparable level in the case of identical damage, regardless of its location on the surface of the contact strip. The proposed method belongs to the group of contact-less measurements, so it does not require interference with the structure of the catenary network nor the mounting of sensors in its vicinity. Measurement of displacements of the contact wire in 2D space makes it possible to combine the functions of existing diagnostic stands assessing the correctness of the mean contact force control adjustment of the current collector with the elements of the contact strip diagnostics, which involves detecting their damage which may result in overhead contact line rupture.

Temperature Control Diagnostics for Sample Environments

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Santodonato, Louis J; Walker, Lakeisha MH; Church, Andrew J

2010-01-01

In a scientific laboratory setting, standard equipment such as cryocoolers are often used as part of a custom sample environment system designed to regulate temperature over a wide range. The end user may be more concerned with precise sample temperature control than with base temperature. But cryogenic systems tend to be specified mainly in terms of cooling capacity and base temperature. Technical staff at scientific user facilities (and perhaps elsewhere) often wonder how to best specify and evaluate temperature control capabilities. Here we describe test methods and give results obtained at a user facility that operates a large sample environmentmore » inventory. Although this inventory includes a wide variety of temperature, pressure, and magnetic field devices, the present work focuses on cryocooler-based systems.« less

[Contribution to the establishment of quality assurance in five medical microbiology departments in Togo].

PubMed

Katawa, G; Kpotsra, A; Karou, D S; Eklou, M; Tayi, K E; de Souza, C

2011-02-01

In Togo, as in many other developing countries, there is a lack of data on quality control and assurance of laboratories. The present study aimed to access for the quality management system in five medical bacteriology laboratories in Togo. The study was conducted from May to August 2006. Data were recorded by an audit on the reliability of results and the technical organization of laboratories. The standard ISO 15189:2003, the Togolese guide of good laboratory practices (GBEA-Togo) and the WHO medical bacteriology standards were used as references. The results of the audit showed a lack of culture media in laboratories, inappropriate choice of culture media, partial identification of some microorganisms, variability of identification procedures, a lack of diagnostic reagents and an inability to identify some potentially pathogenic bacteria. Concerning the technical organization of laboratories, compliance average ranging from 25.8 to 54.8 % was recorded. This indicates a limited organization of such laboratories. The issue of this study showed that laboratories must be equipped, their technical organization should be improved and they must establish a program of equipment maintenance.

Important technical parameters are not presented in reports of intraoral digital radiography in endodontic treatment: recommendations for future studies.

PubMed

Konishi, Masaru; Lindh, Christina; Nilsson, Mats; Tanimoto, Keiji; Rohlin, Madeleine

2012-08-01

The aims of this study were to review the literature on intraoral digital radiography in endodontic treatment with focus on technical parameters and to propose recommendations for improving the quality of reports in future publications. Two electronic databases were searched. Titles and abstracts were selected according to preestablished criteria. Data were extracted using a model of image acquisition and interpretation. The literature search yielded 233 titles and abstracts; 61 reports were read in full text. Recent reports presented technical parameters more thoroughly than older reports. Most reported important parameters for the x-ray unit, but for image interpretation only about one-half of the publications cited resolution of the display system and fewer than one-half bit depth of the graphics card. The methodologic quality of future publications must be improved to permit replication of studies and comparison of results between studies in dental digital radiography. Our recommendations can improve the quality of studies on diagnostic accuracy. Copyright © 2012 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Diagnostic sensitivity of abdominal fat aspiration in cardiac amyloidosis.

PubMed

Quarta, Candida Cristina; Gonzalez-Lopez, Esther; Gilbertson, Janet A; Botcher, Nichola; Rowczenio, Dorota; Petrie, Aviva; Rezk, Tamer; Youngstein, Taryn; Mahmood, Shameem; Sachchithanantham, Sajitha; Lachmann, Helen J; Fontana, Marianna; Whelan, Carol J; Wechalekar, Ashutosh D; Hawkins, Philip N; Gillmore, Julian D

2017-06-21

Congo red staining of an endomyocardial biopsy is the diagnostic gold-standard in suspected cardiac amyloidosis (CA), but the procedure is associated with the risk, albeit small, of serious complications, and delay in diagnosis due to the requirement for technical expertise. In contrast, abdominal fat pad fine needle aspiration (FPFNA) is a simple, safe and well-established procedure in systemic amyloidosis, but its diagnostic sensitivity in patients with suspected CA remains unclear. We assessed the diagnostic sensitivity of FPFNA in 600 consecutive patients diagnosed with CA [216 AL amyloidosis, 113 hereditary transthyretin (ATTRm), and 271 wild-type transthyretin (ATTRwt) amyloidosis] at our Centre. Amyloid was detected on Congo red staining of FPFNAs in 181/216 (84%) patients with cardiac AL amyloidosis, including 100, 97, and 78% of those with a large, moderate, and small whole-body amyloid burden, respectively, as assessed by serum amyloid P (SAP) component scintigraphy (P < 0.001); the deposits were successfully typed as AL by immunohistochemistry in 102/216 (47%) cases. Amyloid was detected in FPFNAs of 51/113 (45%) patients with ATTRm CA, and only 42/271 (15%) cases with ATTRwt CA. FPFNA has reasonable diagnostic sensitivity in cardiac AL amyloidosis, particularly in patients with a large whole-body amyloid burden. Although the diagnostic sensitivity of FPFNA is substantially lower in transthyretin CA, particularly ATTRwt, it may nevertheless sometimes obviate the need for endomyocardial biopsy. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.

[Evaluation of quality of HIV diagnostic procedures in Poland].

PubMed

Parczewski, Miłosz; Madaliński, Kazimierz; Leszczyszyn-Pynka, Magdalena; Boroń-Kaczmarska, Anna

2010-01-01

The aim of this work was quality assessment of HIV diagnostic procedures in Poland, including human and technical resources as well as laboratory practice. Sixty questionnaires were distributed among diagnostic centers to obtain qualitative data. Basing on the survey data serological control using coded panels of HIV-1/2 samples was performed. Thirty-one filled questionnaires were received (50.8%). Surveyed laboratories perform from 350 to 5500 serological screening tests per year. In most of laboratories fourth generation assays are available, while Blood Donation Centers screen the blood both with serological assays and by HIV-RNA detection. Sanitary and Epidemiological Stations and academic laboratories hold the ISO/IEC 17025 or IS0 9001:2001 accreditation, five of the surveyed centers participate in Labquality assurance and two in Quality Control in Molecular Diagnostics programs. Data of control serological testing were received from 21 centers. In the quality control assessment 194 analyses were performed with 91 true negative, 2 false negative, 96 true positive and 5 false positive results. False negative rate of % and false positive rate of 5.2% was noted for this study. Currently, virtually no guidelines related to the HIV-diagnostics quality assurance and control in Poland are in delineated. Development of the national unified quality control system, basing on the central institution is highly desirable. National certification within the frames of the quality control and assurance program should be mandatory for all the diagnostic labs, and aim at improvement of reliability of the result distributed among clinicians and patients.

Recent Scientific Evidence and Technical Developments in Cardiovascular Computed Tomography.

PubMed

Marcus, Roy; Ruff, Christer; Burgstahler, Christof; Notohamiprodjo, Mike; Nikolaou, Konstantin; Geisler, Tobias; Schroeder, Stephen; Bamberg, Fabian

2016-05-01

In recent years, coronary computed tomography angiography has become an increasingly safe and noninvasive modality for the evaluation of the anatomical structure of the coronary artery tree with diagnostic benefits especially in patients with a low-to-intermediate pretest probability of disease. Currently, increasing evidence from large randomized diagnostic trials is accumulating on the diagnostic impact of computed tomography angiography for the management of patients with acute and stable chest pain syndrome. At the same time, technical advances have substantially reduced adverse effects and limiting factors, such as radiation exposure, the amount of iodinated contrast agent, and scanning time, rendering the technique appropriate for broader clinical applications. In this work, we review the latest developments in computed tomography technology and describe the scientific evidence on the use of cardiac computed tomography angiography to evaluate patients with acute and stable chest pain syndrome. Copyright © 2016 Sociedad Española de Cardiología. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Where's the Psychology? A Commentary on "Unique Characteristics of Diagnostic Classification Models: A Comprehensive Review of the Current State-of-the-Art"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leighton, Jacqueline P.

2008-01-01

In this commentary, the author asks the analogous question, "where's the psychology?" Not because the authors of the focus article "Unique Characteristics of Diagnostic Classification Models: A Comprehensive Review of the Current State-of-the-Art" have not provided a solid review of the technical aspects of Diagnostic…

Development of GEM detector for plasma diagnostics application: simulations addressing optimization of its performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chernyshova, M.; Malinowski, K.; Kowalska-Strzęciwilk, E.; Czarski, T.; Linczuk, P.; Wojeński, A.; Krawczyk, R. D.

2017-12-01

The advanced Soft X-ray (SXR) diagnostics setup devoted to studies of the SXR plasma emissivity is at the moment a highly relevant and important for ITER/DEMO application. Especially focusing on the energy range of tungsten emission lines, as plasma contamination by W and its transport in the plasma must be understood and monitored for W plasma-facing material. The Gas Electron Multiplier, with a spatial and energy-resolved photon detecting chamber, based SXR radiation detection system under development by our group may become such a diagnostic setup considering and solving many physical, technical and technological aspects. This work presents the results of simulations aimed to optimize a design of the detector's internal chamber and its performance. The study of the effect of electrodes alignment allowed choosing the gap distances which maximizes electron transmission and choosing the optimal magnitudes of the applied electric fields. Finally, the optimal readout structure design was identified suitable to collect a total formed charge effectively, basing on the range of the simulated electron cloud at the readout plane which was in the order of ~ 2 mm.

Fault tolerance analysis and applications to microwave modules and MMIC's

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boggan, Garry H.

A project whose objective was to provide an overview of built-in-test (BIT) considerations applicable to microwave systems, modules, and MMICs (monolithic microwave integrated circuits) is discussed. Available analytical techniques and software for assessing system failure characteristics were researched, and the resulting investigation provides a review of two techniques which have applicability to microwave systems design. A system-level approach to fault tolerance and redundancy management is presented in its relationship to the subsystem/element design. An overview of the microwave BIT focus from the Air Force Integrated Diagnostics program is presented. The technical reports prepared by the GIMADS team were reviewed for applicability to microwave modules and components. A review of MIMIC (millimeter and microwave integrated circuit) program activities relative to BIT/BITE is given.

Malignancy rates and diagnostic performance of the Bosniak classification for the diagnosis of cystic renal lesions in computed tomography - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Sevcenco, Sabina; Spick, Claudio; Helbich, Thomas H; Heinz, Gertraud; Shariat, Shahrokh F; Klingler, Hans C; Rauchenwald, Michael; Baltzer, Pascal A

2017-06-01

To systematically review the literature on the Bosniak classification system in CT to determine its diagnostic performance to diagnose malignant cystic lesions and the prevalence of malignancy in Bosniak categories. A predefined database search was performed from 1 January 1986 to 18 January 2016. Two independent reviewers extracted data on malignancy rates in Bosniak categories and several covariates using predefined criteria. Study quality was assessed using QUADAS-2. Meta-analysis included data pooling, subgroup analyses, meta-regression and investigation of publication bias. A total of 35 studies, which included 2,578 lesions, were investigated. Data on observer experience, inter-observer variation and technical CT standards were insufficiently reported. The pooled rate of malignancy increased from Bosniak I (3.2 %, 95 % CI 0-6.8, I 2  = 5 %) to Bosniak II (6 %, 95 % CI 2.7-9.3, I 2  = 32 %), IIF (6.7 %, 95 % CI 5-8.4, I 2  = 0 %), III (55.1 %, 95 % CI 45.7-64.5, I 2  = 89 %) and IV (91 %, 95 % CI 87.7-94.2, I 2  = 36). Several study design-related influences on malignancy rates and subsequent diagnostic performance indices were identified. The Bosniak classification is an accurate tool with which to stratify the risk of malignancy in renal cystic lesions. • The Bosniak classification can accurately rule out malignancy. • Specificity remains moderate at 74 % (95 % CI 64-82). • Follow-up examinations should be considered in Bosniak IIF and Bosniak II cysts. • Data on the influence of reader experience and inter-reader variability are insufficient. • Technical CT standards and publication year did not influence diagnostic performance.

[Improving malaria management through Rapid Diagnostic Tests: appropriation by providers communities (Sénégal)].

PubMed

Faye, S L

2012-08-01

Introduced in the public health services in Senegal since 2007, Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) are a new technical opportunity for clinical diagnosis of malaria. We analyze how different categories of caregivers, who are the providers, assume appropriation of their professional practices. Similarly, we document, from the analysis of their application for care, attitudes of recipients towards RDTs. The results show a time lag between the uses of this tool and the recommendations. RDTs have a recognized epidemiological usefulness. However, their positive integration requires a change in behaviors that caregivers and recipients are not always willing to assume. Indeed, the architecture, working conditions and applications for care influence the modes of appropriation of this technical innovation.

Software Tools to Support the Assessment of System Health

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Melcher, Kevin J.

2013-01-01

This presentation provides an overview of three software tools that were developed by the NASA Glenn Research Center to support the assessment of system health: the Propulsion Diagnostic Method Evaluation Strategy (ProDIMES), the Systematic Sensor Selection Strategy (S4), and the Extended Testability Analysis (ETA) tool. Originally developed to support specific NASA projects in aeronautics and space, these software tools are currently available to U.S. citizens through the NASA Glenn Software Catalog. The ProDiMES software tool was developed to support a uniform comparison of propulsion gas path diagnostic methods. Methods published in the open literature are typically applied to dissimilar platforms with different levels of complexity. They often address different diagnostic problems and use inconsistent metrics for evaluating performance. As a result, it is difficult to perform a one ]to ]one comparison of the various diagnostic methods. ProDIMES solves this problem by serving as a theme problem to aid in propulsion gas path diagnostic technology development and evaluation. The overall goal is to provide a tool that will serve as an industry standard, and will truly facilitate the development and evaluation of significant Engine Health Management (EHM) capabilities. ProDiMES has been developed under a collaborative project of The Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP) based on feedback provided by individuals within the aircraft engine health management community. The S4 software tool provides a framework that supports the optimal selection of sensors for health management assessments. S4 is structured to accommodate user ]defined applications, diagnostic systems, search techniques, and system requirements/constraints. One or more sensor suites that maximize this performance while meeting other user ]defined system requirements that are presumed to exist. S4 provides a systematic approach for evaluating combinations of sensors to determine the set or sets of sensors that optimally meet the performance goals and the constraints. It identifies optimal sensor suite solutions by utilizing a merit (i.e., cost) function with one of several available optimization approaches. As part of its analysis, S4 can expose fault conditions that are difficult to diagnose due to an incomplete diagnostic philosophy and/or a lack of sensors. S4 was originally developed and applied to liquid rocket engines. It was subsequently used to study the optimized selection of sensors for a simulation ]based aircraft engine diagnostic system. The ETA Tool is a software ]based analysis tool that augments the testability analysis and reporting capabilities of a commercial ]off ]the ]shelf (COTS) package. An initial diagnostic assessment is performed by the COTS software using a user ]developed, qualitative, directed ]graph model of the system being analyzed. The ETA Tool accesses system design information captured within the model and the associated testability analysis output to create a series of six reports for various system engineering needs. These reports are highlighted in the presentation. The ETA Tool was developed by NASA to support the verification of fault management requirements early in the Launch Vehicle process. Due to their early development during the design process, the TEAMS ]based diagnostic model and the ETA Tool were able to positively influence the system design by highlighting gaps in failure detection, fault isolation, and failure recovery.

Technical Needs for Prototypic Prognostic Technique Demonstration for Advanced Small Modular Reactor Passive Components

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Meyer, Ryan M.; Coble, Jamie B.; Hirt, Evelyn H.

2013-05-17

This report identifies a number of requirements for prognostics health management of passive systems in AdvSMRs, documents technical gaps in establishing a prototypical prognostic methodology for this purpose, and describes a preliminary research plan for addressing these technical gaps. AdvSMRs span multiple concepts; therefore a technology- and design-neutral approach is taken, with the focus being on characteristics that are likely to be common to all or several AdvSMR concepts. An evaluation of available literature is used to identify proposed concepts for AdvSMRs along with likely operational characteristics. Available operating experience of advanced reactors is used in identifying passive components thatmore » may be subject to degradation, materials likely to be used for these components, and potential modes of degradation of these components. This information helps in assessing measurement needs for PHM systems, as well as defining functional requirements of PHM systems. An assessment of current state-of-the-art approaches to measurements, sensors and instrumentation, diagnostics and prognostics is also documented. This state-of-the-art evaluation, combined with the requirements, may be used to identify technical gaps and research needs in the development, evaluation, and deployment of PHM systems for AdvSMRs. A preliminary research plan to address high-priority research needs for the deployment of PHM systems to AdvSMRs is described, with the objective being the demonstration of prototypic prognostics technology for passive components in AdvSMRs. Greater efficiency in achieving this objective can be gained through judicious selection of materials and degradation modes that are relevant to proposed AdvSMR concepts, and for which significant knowledge already exists. These selections were made based on multiple constraints including the analysis performed in this document, ready access to laboratory-scale facilities for materials testing and measurement, and potential synergies with other national laboratory and university partners.« less

Bringing the pregnancy test home from the hospital.

PubMed

Robinson, Joan H

2016-10-01

This paper explores the settlement process of one of the most common home diagnostic tools currently in use, the home pregnancy test. The controversial new device appeared to threaten the jurisdiction of both doctors and Food and Drug Administration regulations, while it aligned with the women's health movement's goals. But this study finds a more nuanced narrative: one of boundaries and positions that at once were blurry, later shifted, and were ultimately aligned without compromising the credibility of doctors or the legal system. To understand this process, the roles of court decisions and regulations are explained by stages of juris-technical accordance. In this case, rather than restricting technological innovation, legal innovation provided pathways for widespread acceptance of the home pregnancy test by various groups. As more tools move from expert users to layperson users, this paper demonstrates the utility of examining existing juris-technical assemblages as we consider the future of self-monitoring and self-diagnosis.

Use of diagnostic accuracy as a metric for evaluating laboratory proficiency with microarray assays using mixed-tissue RNA reference samples.

PubMed

Pine, P S; Boedigheimer, M; Rosenzweig, B A; Turpaz, Y; He, Y D; Delenstarr, G; Ganter, B; Jarnagin, K; Jones, W D; Reid, L H; Thompson, K L

2008-11-01

Effective use of microarray technology in clinical and regulatory settings is contingent on the adoption of standard methods for assessing performance. The MicroArray Quality Control project evaluated the repeatability and comparability of microarray data on the major commercial platforms and laid the groundwork for the application of microarray technology to regulatory assessments. However, methods for assessing performance that are commonly applied to diagnostic assays used in laboratory medicine remain to be developed for microarray assays. A reference system for microarray performance evaluation and process improvement was developed that includes reference samples, metrics and reference datasets. The reference material is composed of two mixes of four different rat tissue RNAs that allow defined target ratios to be assayed using a set of tissue-selective analytes that are distributed along the dynamic range of measurement. The diagnostic accuracy of detected changes in expression ratios, measured as the area under the curve from receiver operating characteristic plots, provides a single commutable value for comparing assay specificity and sensitivity. The utility of this system for assessing overall performance was evaluated for relevant applications like multi-laboratory proficiency testing programs and single-laboratory process drift monitoring. The diagnostic accuracy of detection of a 1.5-fold change in signal level was found to be a sensitive metric for comparing overall performance. This test approaches the technical limit for reliable discrimination of differences between two samples using this technology. We describe a reference system that provides a mechanism for internal and external assessment of laboratory proficiency with microarray technology and is translatable to performance assessments on other whole-genome expression arrays used for basic and clinical research.

Supersonics Project: Airport Noise Technical Challenge

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bridges, James E.

2008-01-01

This presentation gives an overview of the work being done under the Airport Noise Technical Challenge portion of the Supersonics Project in the Fundamental Aeronautics Program. The objective of the Challenge is to provide technology (e.g. low noise nozzle concepts) and engineering tools required for a viable supersonic aircraft. To accomplish this we have activities divided into Prediction, Diagnostics, and Engineering elements. Each of the tasks reviewed here have potential applications to work being done at other flight regimes and other aircraft and are of interest to the Acoustics Technical Working Group.

42 CFR 411.351 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... professional and technical components of any diagnostic test or procedure using x-rays, ultrasound...-ray, fluoroscopy, or ultrasound procedures that require the insertion of a needle, catheter, tube, or...

42 CFR 411.351 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... professional and technical components of any diagnostic test or procedure using x-rays, ultrasound...-ray, fluoroscopy, or ultrasound procedures that require the insertion of a needle, catheter, tube, or...

42 CFR 411.351 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... professional and technical components of any diagnostic test or procedure using x-rays, ultrasound...-ray, fluoroscopy, or ultrasound procedures that require the insertion of a needle, catheter, tube, or...

RadPath: A Web-based System for Integrating and Correlating Radiology and Pathology Findings During Cancer Diagnosis.

PubMed

Arnold, Corey W; Wallace, W Dean; Chen, Shawn; Oh, Andrea; Abtin, Fereidoun; Genshaft, Scott; Binder, Scott; Aberle, Denise; Enzmann, Dieter

2016-01-01

The current paradigm of cancer diagnosis involves uncoordinated communication of findings from radiology and pathology to downstream physicians. Discordance between these findings can require additional time from downstream users to resolve, or given incorrect resolution, may adversely impact treatment decisions. To mitigate this problem, we developed a web-based system, called RadPath, for correlating and integrating radiology and pathology reporting. RadPath includes interfaces to our institution's clinical information systems, which are used to retrieve reports, images, and test results that are structured into an interactive compendium for a diagnostic patient case. The system includes an editing interface for physicians, allowing for the inclusion of additional clinical data, as well as the ability to retrospectively correlate and contextualize imaging findings following pathology diagnosis. During pilot deployment and testing over the course of 1 year, physicians at our institution have completed 60 RadPath cases, requiring an average of 128 seconds from a radiologist and an average of 93 seconds from a pathologist per case. Several technical and workflow challenges were encountered during development, including interfacing with diverse clinical information systems, automatically structuring report contents, and determining the appropriate physicians to create RadPath summaries. Reaction to RadPath has been positive, with users valuing the system's ability to consolidate diagnostic information. With the increasing complexity of medicine and the movement toward team-based disease management, there is a need for improved clinical communication and information exchange. RadPath provides a platform for generating coherent and correlated diagnostic summaries in cancer diagnosis with minimal additional effort from physicians. Copyright © 2016 The Association of University Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Selective 3-T MR Neurography-guided Retroperitoneal Genitofemoral Nerve Blocks for the Diagnosis of Genitofemoral Neuralgia.

PubMed

Fritz, Jan; Dellon, A Lee; Williams, Eric H; Rosson, Gedge D; Belzberg, Allan J; Eckhauser, Frederick E

2017-10-01

Purpose To determine if 3-T magnetic resonance (MR) neurography-guided retroperitoneal genitofemoral nerve (GFN) blocks are safe and effective for the diagnosis of genitofemoral neuralgia. Materials and Methods Following institutional review board approval and informed consent, 26 subjects (16 men, 10 women; mean age, 42 years [range, 24-78 years]; mean body mass index, 28 kg/m 2 [range, 20-35 kg/m 2 ]) with intractable groin pain were included. By using a 3-T MR imaging system, intermediate-weighted turbo spin-echo pulse sequences, and MR-conditional needles, diagnostic MR neurography-guided GFN blocks were performed in the retroperitoneum. Outcome variables included technical success, procedure time, complications, and rates of positive and negative GFN blocks in association with therapeutic outcomes. For the assessment of a learning curve, Mann-Whitney test was used. P values ≤ .05 were considered to indicate a statistically significant difference. Results In 26 subjects, 30 retroperitoneal GFN blocks were performed. Twelve (40%) were performed with an anterior needle path, 12 (40%) with a lateral needle path, and six (20%) with a posterior needle path. GFN blocks were technically successful in 24 of 26 (92%) subjects, achieving appropriate scrotal anesthesia. No complications occurred. The time required for a GFN block was 40 minutes (range, 18-67 minutes). The rate of a successful GFN intervention after a positive GFN block was 88% (14 of 16). The rate of a successful intervention of an alternative target after a negative GFN block was 71% (five of seven). Conclusion Selective retroperitoneally directed MR neurography-guided GFN blocks are safe and effective with high technical success and positive effect on surgical decision making in patients with presumed genitofemoral neuralgia. © RSNA, 2017 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Diagnostic Inspection of Pipelines for Estimating the State of Stress in Them

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Subbotin, V. A.; Kolotilov, Yu. V.; Smirnova, V. Yu.; Ivashko, S. K.

2017-12-01

The diagnostic inspection used to estimate the technical state of a pipeline is described. The problems of inspection works are listed, and a functional-structural scheme is developed to estimate the state of stress in a pipeline. Final conclusions regarding the actual loading of a pipeline section are drawn upon a cross analysis of the entire information obtained during pipeline inspection.

Skin prick tests and allergy diagnosis.

PubMed

Antunes, João; Borrego, Luís; Romeira, Ana; Pinto, Paula

2009-01-01

Skin testing remains an essential diagnostic tool in modern allergy practice. A significant variability has been reported regarding technical procedures, interpretation of results and documentation. This review has the aim of consolidating methodological recommendations through a critical analysis on past and recent data. This will allow a better understanding on skin prick test (SPT) history; technique; (contra-) indications; interpretation of results; diagnostic pitfalls; adverse reactions; and variability factors.

The Limpopo Non-Metropolitan Drinking Water Supplier Response to a Diagnostic Tool for Technical Compliance

PubMed Central

Nefale, Avhashoni D.; Kamika, Ilunga; Obi, Chikwelu L.

2017-01-01

Water services providers should supply water that is fit for human consumption, taking into account multi-barrier approaches and technical aspects such as design aspects, operation monitoring, final water quality compliance monitoring, plant monitoring practices, maintenance, and risk management practices. Against this background, this study focused on applying the diagnostic tool for technical compliance as well as assessing the compliance of water treatment plants with management norms. Six plants in the Vhembe District Municipality were selected; the Vondo, Malamulele, Mutshedzi, and Mutale plants (conventional), and the Dzingahe and Tshedza package plants. During the first assessment, four (Malamulele, Mutshedzi, Mutale and Dzingahe) plants scored between 44% and 49% and achieved Class 3 certification, revealing serious challenges requiring immediate intervention. Two water plants (Vondo and Tshedza, scoring 53% and 63%, respectively) were in the Class 2 category, revealing serious challenges requiring attention and improvement. During the second assessment, all plants scored between 63% and 87% (Class 2 category). The greatest improvement (30%) was noted for the Dzingahe and Tshedza plants, followed by the Malamulele plant, while the Mutale, Vondo, and Mutshedzi plants improved their scores by 20%, 17% and 14%, respectively. After corrective actions and re-measurement, no plant complied. It is recommended that Water Services Providers (WSPs) regularly apply the diagnostic tools and water safety plans as developed in order to comply with applicable standards. PMID:28753964

The Limpopo Non-Metropolitan Drinking Water Supplier Response to a Diagnostic Tool for Technical Compliance.

PubMed

Nefale, Avhashoni D; Kamika, Ilunga; Obi, Chikwelu L; Momba, Maggy Nb

2017-07-19

Water services providers should supply water that is fit for human consumption, taking into account multi-barrier approaches and technical aspects such as design aspects, operation monitoring, final water quality compliance monitoring, plant monitoring practices, maintenance, and risk management practices. Against this background, this study focused on applying the diagnostic tool for technical compliance as well as assessing the compliance of water treatment plants with management norms. Six plants in the Vhembe District Municipality were selected; the Vondo, Malamulele, Mutshedzi, and Mutale plants (conventional), and the Dzingahe and Tshedza package plants. During the first assessment, four (Malamulele, Mutshedzi, Mutale and Dzingahe) plants scored between 44% and 49% and achieved Class 3 certification, revealing serious challenges requiring immediate intervention. Two water plants (Vondo and Tshedza, scoring 53% and 63%, respectively) were in the Class 2 category, revealing serious challenges requiring attention and improvement. During the second assessment, all plants scored between 63% and 87% (Class 2 category). The greatest improvement (30%) was noted for the Dzingahe and Tshedza plants, followed by the Malamulele plant, while the Mutale, Vondo, and Mutshedzi plants improved their scores by 20%, 17% and 14%, respectively. After corrective actions and re-measurement, no plant complied. It is recommended that Water Services Providers (WSPs) regularly apply the diagnostic tools and water safety plans as developed in order to comply with applicable standards.

Methodological, technical, and ethical issues of a computerized data system.

PubMed

Rice, C A; Godkin, M A; Catlin, R J

1980-06-01

This report examines some methodological, technical, and ethical issues which need to be addressed in designing and implementing a valid and reliable computerized clinical data base. The report focuses on the data collection system used by four residency based family health centers, affiliated with the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. It is suggested that data reliability and validity can be maximized by: (1) standardizing encounter forms at affiliated health centers to eliminate recording biases and ensure data comparability; (2) using forms with a diagnosis checklist to reduce coding errors and increase the number of diagnoses recorded per encounter; (3) developing uniform diagnostic criteria; (4) identifying sources of error, including discrepancies of clinical data as recorded in medical records, encounter forms, and the computer; and (5) improving provider cooperation in recording data by distributing data summaries which reinforce the data's applicability to service provision. Potential applications of the data for research purposes are restricted by personnel and computer costs, confidentiality considerations, programming related issues, and, most importantly, health center priorities, largely focused on patient care, not research.

The Use of Logistic Model in RUL Assessment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gumiński, R.; Radkowski, S.

2017-12-01

The paper takes on the issue of assessment of remaining useful life (RUL). The goal of the paper was to develop a method, which would enable use of diagnostic information in the task of reducing the uncertainty related to technical risk. Prediction of the remaining useful life (RUL) of the system is a very important task for maintenance strategy. In the literature RUL of an engineering system is defined as the first future time instant in which thresholds of conditions (safety, operational quality, maintenance cost, etc) are violated. Knowledge of RUL offers the possibility of planning the testing and repair activities. Building models of damage development is important in this task. In the presented work, logistic function will be used to model fatigue crack development. It should be remembered that modeling of every phase of damage development is very difficult, yet modeling of every phase of damage separately, especially including on-line diagnostic information is more effective. Particular attention was paid to the possibility of forecasting the occurrence of damage due to fatigue while relying on the analysis of the structure of a vibroacoustic signal.

Supersonic shear imaging for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis and portal hypertension in liver diseases: a meta-analysis.

PubMed

Deng, Han; Qi, Xingshun; Zhang, Tiansong; Qi, Xiaolong; Yoshida, Eric M; Guo, Xiaozhong

2018-01-01

The meta-analysis aimed to summarize the technical success rate of supersonic shear imaging (SSI) and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of liver and spleen stiffness measurement (LSM and SSM) with SSI for the detection of liver fibrosis, portal hypertension, and gastroesophageal varices in liver diseases. PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched. Technical success rate of SSI was pooled. Area under curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Included studies regarding the diagnostic performance of SSI for liver fibrosis, portal hypertension, and esophageal varices numbered 28, 4, and 4 respectively. The pooled technical success rates of LSM and SSM were 95.3% and 75.5%, respectively. The AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of LSM/SSM for different stages of liver fibrosis were 0.85-0.94, 0.7-0.89, and 0.82-0.92, respectively. The AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of LSM were 0.84 (95%CI = 0.8-0.86), 0.79 (95%CI = 0.7-0.85), and 0.82 (95%CI = 0.72-0.88) for clinically significant portal hypertension, 0.85 (95%CI = 0.82-0.88), 0.8 (95%CI = 0.68-0.88), and 0.8 (95%CI = 0.6-0.92) for any varices, and 0.86 (95%CI = 0.83-0.89), 0.86 (95%CI = 0.76-0.92), and 0.61 (95%CI = 0.35-0.83) for high-risk varices, respectively. LSM with SSI had a high diagnostic accuracy for liver fibrosis, but a moderate diagnostic accuracy for portal hypertension and esophageal varices.

Innovative healthcare systems on their way to the market: how to cope with commercialization barriers.

PubMed

Hofmann, Isa

2007-01-01

Healthcare markets and healthcare systems worldwide will be undergoing tremendous changes in the upcoming 5-10 years. We will experience a paradigm shift in the personal awareness and responsibility of disease prevention and health management. Skyrocketing costs, an ageing population and a variety of technical innovations that enhance the quality of life of patients with chronic diseases or suffering from geriatric ailments will open up new horizons for a variety of partly textile based preventative, therapeutic & diagnostic systems, devices & technologies. Mainly these innovations are geared to optimize the patients comfort and concedes more freedom of mobility. However all partners in the healthcare value distribution chain need to cooperate in vue of the patients empowerment to bring innovations quicker to the market and find viable and cost efficient solutions.

Prognostics and Health Management in Nuclear Power Plants: A Review of Technologies and Applications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Coble, Jamie B.; Ramuhalli, Pradeep; Bond, Leonard J.

This report reviews the current state of the art of prognostics and health management (PHM) for nuclear power systems and related technology currently applied in field or under development in other technological application areas, as well as key research needs and technical gaps for increased use of PHM in nuclear power systems. The historical approach to monitoring and maintenance in nuclear power plants (NPPs), including the Maintenance Rule for active components and Aging Management Plans for passive components, are reviewed. An outline is given for the technical and economic challenges that make PHM attractive for both legacy plants through Lightmore » Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) and new plant designs. There is a general introduction to PHM systems for monitoring, fault detection and diagnostics, and prognostics in other, non-nuclear fields. The state of the art for health monitoring in nuclear power systems is reviewed. A discussion of related technologies that support the application of PHM systems in NPPs, including digital instrumentation and control systems, wired and wireless sensor technology, and PHM software architectures is provided. Appropriate codes and standards for PHM are discussed, along with a description of the ongoing work in developing additional necessary standards. Finally, an outline of key research needs and opportunities that must be addressed in order to support the application of PHM in legacy and new NPPs is presented.« less

42 CFR 414.50 - Physician or other supplier billing for diagnostic tests performed or interpreted by a physician...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... section 1833(h)(5)(A) of the Act), if a physician or other supplier bills for the technical component (TC... behalf of the beneficiary) for the TC or PC of the diagnostic test may not exceed the lowest of the... purposes of this paragraph (a)(1) only, with respect to the TC, the performing supplier is the physician...

Diagnostic Yield of Computed Tomography-Guided Coaxial Core Biopsy of Undetermined Masses in the Free Retroperitoneal Space: Single-Center Experience

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Stattaus, Joerg, E-mail: joerg.stattaus@uni-due.de; Kalkmann, Janine, E-mail: janine.kalkmann@uk-essen.de; Kuehl, Hilmar, E-mail: hilmar.kuehl@uni-due.d

2008-09-15

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield of core biopsy in coaxial technique under guidance of computed tomography (CT) for retroperitoneal masses. We performed a retrospective analysis of CT-guided coaxial core biopsies of undetermined masses in the non-organ-bound retroperitoneal space in 49 patients. In 37 cases a 15-G guidance needle with a 16-G semiautomated core biopsy system, and in 12 cases a 16-G guidance needle with an 18-G biopsy system, was used. All biopsies were technically successful. A small hematoma was seen in one case, but no relevant complication occurred. With the coaxial technique, up tomore » 4 specimens were obtained from each lesion (mean, 2.8). Diagnostic accuracy in differentiation between malignant and benign diseases was 95.9%. A specific histological diagnosis could be established in 39 of 42 malignant lesions (92.9%). Correct subtyping of malignant lymphoma according to the WHO classification was possible in 87.0%. Benign lesions were correctly identified in seven cases, although a specific diagnosis could only be made in conjunction with clinical and radiological information. In conclusion, CT-guided coaxial core biopsy provides safe and accurate diagnosis of retroperitoneal masses. A specific histological diagnosis, which is essential for choosing the appropriate therapy, could be established in most cases of malignancy.« less

Technical innovation changes standard radiographic protocols in veterinary medicine: is it necessary to obtain two dorsoproximal-palmarodistal oblique views of the equine foot when using computerised radiography systems?

PubMed

Whitlock, J; Dixon, J; Sherlock, C; Tucker, R; Bolt, D M; Weller, R

2016-05-21

Since the 1950s, veterinary practitioners have included two separate dorsoproximal-palmarodistal oblique (DPr-PaDiO) radiographs as part of a standard series of the equine foot. One image is obtained to visualise the distal phalanx and the other to visualise the navicular bone. However, rapid development of computed radiography and digital radiography and their post-processing capabilities could mean that this practice is no longer required. The aim of this study was to determine differences in perceived image quality between DPr-PaDiO radiographs that were acquired with a computerised radiography system with exposures, centring and collimation recommended for the navicular bone versus images acquired for the distal phalanx but were subsequently manipulated post-acquisition to highlight the navicular bone. Thirty images were presented to four clinicians for quality assessment and graded using a 1-3 scale (1=textbook quality, 2=diagnostic quality, 3=non-diagnostic image). No significant difference in diagnostic quality was found between the original navicular bone images and the manipulated distal phalanx images. This finding suggests that a single DPr-PaDiO image of the distal phalanx is sufficient for an equine foot radiographic series, with appropriate post-processing and manipulation. This change in protocol will result in reduced radiographic study time and decreased patient/personnel radiation exposure. British Veterinary Association.

Development of a model protection and dynamic response monitoring system for the national transonic facility

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Young, Clarence P., Jr.; Balakrishna, S.; Kilgore, W. Allen

1995-01-01

A state-of-the-art, computerized mode protection and dynamic response monitoring system has been developed for the NASA Langley Research Center National Transonic Facility (NTF). This report describes the development of the model protection and shutdown system (MPSS). A technical description of the system is given along with discussions on operation and capabilities of the system. Applications of the system to vibration problems are presented to demonstrate the system capabilities, typical applications, versatility, and investment research return derived from the system to date. The system was custom designed for the NTF but can be used at other facilities or for other dynamic measurement/diagnostic applications. Potential commercial uses of the system are described. System capability has been demonstrated for forced response testing and for characterizing and quantifying bias errors for onboard inertial model attitude measurement devices. The system is installed in the NTF control room and has been used successfully for monitoring, recording and analyzing the dynamic response of several model systems tested in the NTF.

Luminescent characteristics study of Mather-type dense plasma focus and applications to short-wavelength optical pumping. Final technical report, 1 May 1984-30 September 1985

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kim, K.K.

A Mather-type dense plasma focus (MDPF) system was designed, built, and tested specifically to study its luminescent characteristics and to assess its potential as a new light source of high-energy, short-wavelength lasers. The luminescence study of MDPF showed that the conversion efficiency from the electrical input to the optical output energies is at least 50%, up to the time the plasma compression is complete. Using the system, for the first time as an optical pump, laser activities were successfully obtained from a variety of liquid organic dyes. Diagnostic capabilities included an optical multichannel analyzer system complete with a computer control,more » a nitrogen-pumped tunable dye-laser system, a high-speed streak/framing camera, a digital laser energy meter, voltage and current probes, and a computer-based data-acquisition system.« less

Non-invasive diagnostic platforms in management of non-small cell lung cancer: opportunities and challenges

PubMed Central

Pennell, Nathan A.

2017-01-01

Several non-invasive diagnostic platforms are already being incorporated in routine clinical practice in the work up and monitoring of patients with lung cancer. These approaches have great potential to improve patient selection and monitor patients while on therapy, however several challenges exist in clinical validation and standardization of such platforms. In this review, we summarize the current technologies available for non-invasive diagnostic evaluation from the blood of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and discuss the technical and logistical challenges associated incorporating such testing in clinical practice. PMID:29057238

Enrichment of target sequences for next-generation sequencing applications in research and diagnostics.

PubMed

Altmüller, Janine; Budde, Birgit S; Nürnberg, Peter

2014-02-01

Abstract Targeted re-sequencing such as gene panel sequencing (GPS) has become very popular in medical genetics, both for research projects and in diagnostic settings. The technical principles of the different enrichment methods have been reviewed several times before; however, new enrichment products are constantly entering the market, and researchers are often puzzled about the requirement to take decisions about long-term commitments, both for the enrichment product and the sequencing technology. This review summarizes important considerations for the experimental design and provides helpful recommendations in choosing the best sequencing strategy for various research projects and diagnostic applications.

GPR use and activities in the Czech Republic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stryk, Josef; Matula, Radek

2014-05-01

In the field of civil engineering applications in the Czech Republic, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is used particularly for the diagnostics of roads and bridges. There is no producer of GPR in the Czech Republic, sets of different producers are used, particularly Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc. (USA) and MALÅ GeoScience (Sweden). The measurement results are mostly processed by software Radan, Road Doctor Pro, ReflexW and RadEx. The only technical specification in the Czech Republic is TP 233 issued by the Ministry of Transport, which describes the diagnostics of roads by GPR. Apart from a basic description of the method and a measurement system, it mentions possible applications. The only application where accuracy is mentioned is the locating of dowels and tie bars in concrete road pavements, which states that if calibration is performed, the expected depth accuracy is up to 1.0 cm. The following R&D project is currently in progress: New diagnostics methods as a supporting decision tool for maintenance and repair of road pavements - their contribution and ways of their usage (2012-2014) The project aims to test possible non-destructive methods (particularly GPR and laser scanning), make recommendations when and how to use specific methods for individual applications and for changes in technical specifications. The following R&D projects have been recently completed: Position of dowels and tie bars in rigid pavements and importance of their correct placement to pavement performance and service life (2012-2013) The project included an analysis of individual NDT methods used for the location of dowels and tie bars and for testing of their accuracy - GPR, MIT-scan and GPR in combination with a metal detector. Multichannel ground penetrating radar as a tool for monitoring of road and bridge structures (2009-2011) The project included detection of hollow spaces under non-reinforced concrete pavements, detection of excessive amount of water in road construction layers, and measuring of crack depths in road pavements. The concrete structure diagnostics development through the use of WPR (Wall Penetrating Radar) scanner (2008-2010) The project was focused on the development of WPR for non-destructive diagnostics of concrete structures, as an accurate and reliable device for diagnostic survey, even at less easily accessible places. The results of road diagnostics by GPR are still not stored in the Road Database. In 2013, CDV designed a method how to perform assessment of the position of dowels and tie bars in concrete road pavements and the way how to register the measurement results of road layer thicknesses in the Road Database. The comparative measurements of devices used for the measurements of variable parameters of roads are performed according to technical specification of the Ministry of Transport TP 207: Accuracy Experiment. The specification deals with devices measuring surface properties and deflections of road pavements. GPR is not included there. In 2013, CDV designed a method how to perform this experiment for continual measurements of pavement layer thicknesses by GPR on reference road sections. The designed method is based on the first realized comparison measurement of pavement layer thicknesses at two-kilometre asphalt motorway section. 6 Czech companies participated in the comparative measurement. Wider use of GPR method will allow to clarify measurement accuracy for individual applications. The performance of comparative measurements together with issuing of authorization for measurement will guarantee that the measurements on Czech road network are only performed by companies with required knowledge and experience. This work is a contribution to COST Action TU1208, which is supported by the project of Technology Agency of the Czech Republic No. TE01020168: Centre for Effective and Sustainable Transport Infrastructure.

Flexible endoscopes: structure and function. The suction and biopsy channel.

PubMed

Holland, P

2001-01-01

Flexible endoscopes are complex medical instruments that are easily damaged. To maintain the flexible endoscope in optimum working condition, the user must have a thorough understanding of the structure and function of the instrument. This is the second in a series of articles presenting an in-depth look at the care and handling of the flexible endoscope. The first article discussed the air and water system. This article will focus specifically on the suction and biopsy channel system. The flexible endoscope is constructed of several systems that operate simultaneously to produce a highly technical, yet effective diagnostic and therapeutic medical device. These systems include the air and water system, the suction or operating channel system, the mechanical system, the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) elevator system, the optical system, and the electrical system. A review of the internal and external structure of the flexible endoscope and the functions of the channel system, including infection control issues, potential problems and evaluation, and prevention of minor problems to avoid expensive repairs, will be addressed.

Magnetic resonance-compatible robotic and mechatronics systems for image-guided interventions and rehabilitation: a review study.

PubMed

Tsekos, Nikolaos V; Khanicheh, Azadeh; Christoforou, Eftychios; Mavroidis, Constantinos

2007-01-01

The continuous technological progress of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as well as its widespread clinical use as a highly sensitive tool in diagnostics and advanced brain research, has brought a high demand for the development of magnetic resonance (MR)-compatible robotic/mechatronic systems. Revolutionary robots guided by real-time three-dimensional (3-D)-MRI allow reliable and precise minimally invasive interventions with relatively short recovery times. Dedicated robotic interfaces used in conjunction with fMRI allow neuroscientists to investigate the brain mechanisms of manipulation and motor learning, as well as to improve rehabilitation therapies. This paper gives an overview of the motivation, advantages, technical challenges, and existing prototypes for MR-compatible robotic/mechatronic devices.

JANNAF 35th Combustion Subcommittee Meeting. Volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fry, Ronald S. (Editor); Gannaway, Mary T. (Editor); Rognan, Melanie (Editor)

1998-01-01

Volume 1, the first of two volumes is a compilation of 63 unclassified/unlimited distribution technical papers presented at the 35th meeting of the Joint Army-Navy-NASA-Air Force (JANNAF) Combustion Subcommittee (CS) held jointly with the 17th Propulsion Systems Hazards Subcommittee (PSHS) and Airbreathing Propulsion Subcommittee (APS). The meeting was held on 7-11 December 1998 at Raytheon Systems Company and the Marriott Hotel, Tucson, AZ. Topics covered include solid gun propellant processing, ignition and combustion, charge concepts, barrel erosion and flash, gun interior ballistics, kinetics and molecular modeling, ETC gun modeling, simulation and diagnostics, and liquid gun propellant combustion; solid rocket motor propellant combustion, combustion instability fundamentals, motor instability, and measurement techniques; and liquid and hybrid rocket combustion.

7T: Physics, safety, and potential clinical applications.

PubMed

Kraff, Oliver; Quick, Harald H

2017-12-01

With more than 60 installed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems worldwide operating at a magnetic field strength of 7T or higher, ultrahigh-field (UHF) MRI has been established as a platform for clinically oriented research in recent years. Profound technical and methodological developments have helped overcome the inherent physical challenges of UHF radiofrequency (RF) signal homogenization in the human body. The ongoing development of dedicated RF coil arrays was pivotal in realizing UHF body MRI, beyond mere brain imaging applications. Another precondition to clinical application of 7T MRI is the safety testing of implants and the establishment of safety concepts. Against this backdrop, 7T MRI and MR spectroscopy (MRS) recently have demonstrated capabilities and potentials for clinical diagnostics in a variety of studies. This article provides an overview of the immanent physical challenges of 7T UHF MRI and discusses recent technical solutions and safety concepts. Furthermore, recent clinically oriented studies are highlighted that span a broad application spectrum from 7T UHF brain to body MRI. 4 Technical Efficacy: Stage 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;46:1573-1589. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

On the climate policy implications of substitutability and flexibility in the economy: An in-depth integrated assessment model diagnostic

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Craxton, Melanie; Merrick, James; Makridis, Christos

This paper conducts an in-depth model diagnostic exercise for two parameters, 1) the elasticity of substitution between the capital/labour aggregate and the energy aggregate in the Integrated Assessment Model (IAM) MERGE's production function and 2) the rate at which new technologies can be deployed within the energy system. We show that in a more complementary world the model's ability to adjust the carbon intensity of its energy sector is more important whereas in a more substitutable world the ability to expand carbon free technologies is of lesser relative importance. The uncertainty in the literature surrounding the elasticity of substitution parameter,more » its interaction with the mechanisms of technical change, and the associated danger of grounding forward-looking analyses in historically based parameters lend support to the importance of such a diagnostic exercise. Building on work from model intercomparison studies, we investigate whether a given model's choice of strategy is primarily a function of the choice of its parameter values or its structure. As a result, a deeper understanding of what drives model behaviour is beneficial to both modellers and the policymakers who utilise their insights and output.« less

Lab on a CD.

PubMed

Madou, Marc; Zoval, Jim; Jia, Guangyao; Kido, Horacio; Kim, Jitae; Kim, Nahui

2006-01-01

In this paper, centrifuge-based microfluidic platforms are reviewed and compared with other popular microfluidic propulsion methods. The underlying physical principles of centrifugal pumping in microfluidic systems are presented and the various centrifuge fluidic functions, such as valving, decanting, calibration, mixing, metering, heating, sample splitting, and separation, are introduced. Those fluidic functions have been combined with analytical measurement techniques, such as optical imaging, absorbance, and fluorescence spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, to make the centrifugal platform a powerful solution for medical and clinical diagnostics and high throughput screening (HTS) in drug discovery. Applications of a compact disc (CD)-based centrifuge platform analyzed in this review include two-point calibration of an optode-based ion sensor, an automated immunoassay platform, multiple parallel screening assays, and cellular-based assays. The use of modified commercial CD drives for high-resolution optical imaging is discussed as well. From a broader perspective, we compare technical barriers involved in applying microfluidics for sensing and diagnostic use and applying such techniques to HTS. The latter poses less challenges and explains why HTS products based on a CD fluidic platform are already commercially available, whereas we might have to wait longer to see commercial CD-based diagnostics.

On the climate policy implications of substitutability and flexibility in the economy: An in-depth integrated assessment model diagnostic

DOE PAGES

Craxton, Melanie; Merrick, James; Makridis, Christos; ...

2017-07-12

This paper conducts an in-depth model diagnostic exercise for two parameters, 1) the elasticity of substitution between the capital/labour aggregate and the energy aggregate in the Integrated Assessment Model (IAM) MERGE's production function and 2) the rate at which new technologies can be deployed within the energy system. We show that in a more complementary world the model's ability to adjust the carbon intensity of its energy sector is more important whereas in a more substitutable world the ability to expand carbon free technologies is of lesser relative importance. The uncertainty in the literature surrounding the elasticity of substitution parameter,more » its interaction with the mechanisms of technical change, and the associated danger of grounding forward-looking analyses in historically based parameters lend support to the importance of such a diagnostic exercise. Building on work from model intercomparison studies, we investigate whether a given model's choice of strategy is primarily a function of the choice of its parameter values or its structure. As a result, a deeper understanding of what drives model behaviour is beneficial to both modellers and the policymakers who utilise their insights and output.« less

[Incidence of nosocomial infections in the Russian Federation].

PubMed

Onishchenko, G G

2008-01-01

In the past 5 years, the incidence rates of nosocomial infections (NI) have been steady-state at a relatively low level of 0.8-0.9 per 1,000 patients. However, this apparent well-being is attributable to a significant underestimate of the cases of NI, an attempt to refer these infections to as intrauterine ones the proportion of which has increased by several times for this period. Nosological entities, such as urinary tract infections, postoperative complications, pneumonias, pyoseptic infections in parturients, are being underestimated now as before. To eliminate serious shortcomings in the prevention of NI, the Russian Consumer Inspectorate has proposed a number of measures: further improvement of NI epidemiological surveillance; introduction of a system for monitoring NI pathogens and their antibiotic resistance; staffing therapeutic-and-prophylactic institutions with hospital epidemiologists; a decrease in the number of invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures; a reduction in the length of hospital stay; blood quarantinization; expansion of the network of centralized sterilization departments and strengthening of control over their work; general introduction of novel highly effective disinfectants and equipment; implementation of measures to protect medical staff; and fortification of the material-and-technical basis of a therapeutic-and-prophylactic institution. The major tasks of combating infectious diseases for 2007-2010 are as follows: the further development of a standard methodological basis in the prevention of infectious and parasitic diseases, which are to revise the current technical regulations and to prepare new ones, sanitary regulations of activities in the implementation of organizational, prophylactic measures against some infectious diseases; to enhance the efficiency of epidemiological surveillance of infectious diseases, by extensively applying new information telecommunication technologies, diagnostic systems based on proteomic, postgenomic, and nanotechnologies, that of monitoring the environment and herd immunity.

Telemedicine-based system for quality management and peer review in radiology.

PubMed

Morozov, Sergey; Guseva, Ekaterina; Ledikhova, Natalya; Vladzymyrskyy, Anton; Safronov, Dmitry

2018-06-01

Quality assurance is the key component of modern radiology. A telemedicine-based quality assurance system helps to overcome the "scoring" approach and makes the quality control more accessible and objective. A concept for quality assurance in radiology is developed. Its realization is a set of strategies, actions, and tools. The latter is based on telemedicine-based peer review of 23,199 computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images. The conception of the system for quality management in radiology represents a chain of actions: "discrepancies evaluation - routine support - quality improvement activity - discrepancies evaluation". It is realized by an audit methodology, telemedicine, elearning, and other technologies. After a year of systemic telemedicine-based peer reviews, the authors have estimated that clinically significant discrepancies were detected in 6% of all cases, while clinically insignificant ones were found in 19% of cases. Most often, problems appear in musculoskeletal records; 80% of the examinations have diagnostic or technical imperfections. The presence of routine telemedicine support and personalized elearning allowed improving the diagnostics quality. The level of discrepancies has decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The telemedicine-based peer review system allows improving radiology departments' network effectiveness. • "Scoring" approach to radiologists' performance assessment must be changed. • Telemedicine peer review and personalized elearning significantly decrease the number of discrepancies. • Teleradiology allows linking all primary-level hospitals to a common peer review network.

What we need to know when performing and interpreting US elastography

PubMed Central

Park, So Hyun; Kim, So Yeon; Suh, Chong Hyun; Lee, Seung Soo; Kim, Kyoung Won; Lee, So Jung; Lee, Moon-Gyu

2016-01-01

According to the increasing need for accurate staging of hepatic fibrosis, the ultrasound (US) elastography techniques have evolved significantly over the past two decades. Currently, US elastography is increasingly used in clinical practice. Previously published studies have demonstrated the excellent diagnostic performance of US elastography for the detection and staging of liver fibrosis. Although US elastography may seem easy to perform and interpret, there are many technical and clinical factors which can affect the results of US elastography. Therefore, clinicians who are involved with US elastography should be aware of these factors. The purpose of this article is to present a brief overview of US techniques with the relevant technology, the clinical indications, diagnostic performance, and technical and biological factors which should be considered in order to avoid misinterpretation of US elastography results. PMID:27729637

Commercial products to preserve specimens for tuberculosis diagnosis: a systematic review.

PubMed

Reeve, B W P; McFall, S M; Song, R; Warren, R; Steingart, K R; Theron, G

2018-07-01

Eliminating tuberculosis in high-burden settings requires improved diagnostic capacity. Important tests such as Xpert® MTB/RIF and culture are often performed at centralised laboratories that are geographically distant from the point of specimen collection. Preserving specimen integrity during transportation, which could affect test performance, is challenging. To conduct a systematic review of commercial products for specimen preservation for a World Health Organization technical consultation. Databases were searched up to January 2018. Methodological quality was assessed using Quality Assessment of Technical Studies, a new technical study quality-appraisal tool, and Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2. Studies were analysed descriptively in terms of the different products, study designs and diagnostic strategies used. Four products were identified from 16 studies: PrimeStore-Molecular-Transport-Medium (PS-MTM), FTA card, GENO•CARD (all for nucleic acid amplification tests [NAATs]) and OMNIgene•SPUTUM (OMS; culture, NAATs). PS-MTM, but not FTA card or GENO•CARD, rendered Mycobacterium tuberculosis non-culturable. OMS reduced Löwenstein-Jensen but not MGIT™ 960™ contamination, led to delayed MGIT time-to-positivity, resulted in Xpert performance similar to cold chain-transported untreated specimens, and obviated the need for N-acetyl-L-cysteine-sodium hydroxide decontamination. Data from paucibacillary specimens were limited. Evidence that a cold chain improves culture was mixed and absent for Xpert. The effect of the product alone could be discerned in only four studies. Limited evidence suggests that transport products result in test performance comparable to that seen in cold chain-transported specimens.

Development of Asset Fault Signatures for Prognostic and Health Management in the Nuclear Industry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vivek Agarwal; Nancy J. Lybeck; Randall Bickford

2014-06-01

Proactive online monitoring in the nuclear industry is being explored using the Electric Power Research Institute’s Fleet-Wide Prognostic and Health Management (FW-PHM) Suite software. The FW-PHM Suite is a set of web-based diagnostic and prognostic tools and databases that serves as an integrated health monitoring architecture. The FW-PHM Suite has four main modules: Diagnostic Advisor, Asset Fault Signature (AFS) Database, Remaining Useful Life Advisor, and Remaining Useful Life Database. This paper focuses on development of asset fault signatures to assess the health status of generator step-up generators and emergency diesel generators in nuclear power plants. Asset fault signatures describe themore » distinctive features based on technical examinations that can be used to detect a specific fault type. At the most basic level, fault signatures are comprised of an asset type, a fault type, and a set of one or more fault features (symptoms) that are indicative of the specified fault. The AFS Database is populated with asset fault signatures via a content development exercise that is based on the results of intensive technical research and on the knowledge and experience of technical experts. The developed fault signatures capture this knowledge and implement it in a standardized approach, thereby streamlining the diagnostic and prognostic process. This will support the automation of proactive online monitoring techniques in nuclear power plants to diagnose incipient faults, perform proactive maintenance, and estimate the remaining useful life of assets.« less

Diagnostic-Photographic Determination of Drag/Lift/Torque Coefficients of High Speed Rigid Body in Water Column

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-01-01

various physical processes such as supercavitation and bubbles. A diagnostic- photographic method is developed in this study to determine the drag...nonlinear dynamics, body and multi-phase fluid interaction, supercavitation , and instability theory. The technical application of the hydrodynamics of...uV U ω= = − ×V e e e ei i , (29) where Eq.(9) is used. For a supercavitation area, a correction factor may be

Dose and risk in diagnostic radiology: How big How little Lecture Number 16

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Webster, E.W.

1992-01-01

This lecture is divided into two parts: dose and risk. The dose segment is technical and noncontroversial since it deals with straightforward measurements or calculations which do not depend on unproven hypotheses. Some conflicting contributions of low dose epidemiological studies to the appraisal of risk are briefly presented. Attention is focused on the following: dose reduction in radiography; dose reduction in fluoroscopy; limitations of dose reduction; estimated radiation risks for diagnostic radiology examinations; excess breast cancer following X-ray examinations for scoliosis; dose-response relation for human mammary cancer; lung cancer from protracted X-irradiation; leukemia and diagnostic X-ray exposure; and thyroid cancermore » after diagnostic dose of I-131.« less

Rapid and sensitive multiplex single-tube nested PCR for the identification of five human Plasmodium species.

PubMed

Saito, Takahiro; Kikuchi, Aoi; Kaneko, Akira; Isozumi, Rie; Teramoto, Isao; Kimura, Masatsugu; Hirasawa, Noriyasu; Hiratsuka, Masahiro

2018-06-01

Malaria is caused by five species of Plasmodium in humans. Microscopy is currently used for pathogen detection, requiring considerable training and technical expertise as the parasites are often difficult to differentiate morphologically. Rapid diagnostic tests are as reliable as microscopy and offer faster diagnoses but possess lower detection limits and are incapable of distinguishing among the parasitic species. To improve global health efforts towards malaria control, a rapid, sensitive, species-specific, and economically viable diagnostic method is needed. In this study, we designed a malaria diagnostic method involving a multiplex single-tube nested PCR targeting Plasmodium mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase III and single-stranded tag hybridization chromatographic printed-array strip. The detection sensitivity was found to be at least 40 times higher than that of agarose gel electrophoresis with ethidium bromide. This system also enables the identification of both single- and mixed-species malaria infections. The assay was validated with 152 Kenyan samples; using nested PCR as the standard, the assay's sensitivity and specificity were 88.7% and 100.0%, respectively. The turnaround time required, from PCR preparation to signal detection, is 90min. Our method should improve the diagnostic speed, treatment efficacy, and control of malaria, in addition to facilitating surveillance within global malaria eradication programs. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Upgrades of edge, divertor and scrape-off layer diagnostics of W7-X for OP1.2

DOE PAGES

Hathiramani, D.; Ali, A.; Anda, G.; ...

2018-02-07

In this work, Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) is the world’s largest superconducting nuclear fusion experiment of the optimized stellarator type. In the first Operation Phase (OP1.1) helium and hydrogen plasmas were studied in limiter configuration. The heating energy was limited to 4 MJ and the main purpose of that campaign was the integral commissioning of the machine and diagnostics, which was achieved very successfully. Already from the beginning a comprehensive set of diagnostics was available to study the plasma. On the path towards high-power, high-performance plasmas, W7-X will be stepwise upgraded from an inertially cooled (OP1.2, limited to 80 MJ) tomore » an actively cooled island divertor (OP2, 10 MW steady-state plasma operation). The machine is prepared for OP1.2 with 10 inertially cooled divertor units, and the experimental campaign has started recently.The paper describes a subset of diagnostics which will be available for OP1.2 to study the plasma edge, divertor and scrape-off layer physics including those already available for OP1.1, plus modifications, upgrades and new systems. In conclusion, the focus of this summary will be on technical and engineering aspects, like feasibility and assembly but also on reliability, thermal loads and shielding against magnetic fields.« less

Diagnostic and therapeutic yield of a patient-controlled portable EEG device with dry electrodes for home-monitoring neurological outpatients-rationale and protocol of the HOMEONE pilot study.

PubMed

Neumann, Thomas; Baum, Anne Katrin; Baum, Ulrike; Deike, Renate; Feistner, Helmut; Hinrichs, Hermann; Stokes, Joseph; Robra, Bernt-Peter

2018-01-01

The HOME ONE study is part of the larger HOME project, which aims to provide evidence of diagnostic and therapeutic yield ("change of management") of a patient-controlled portable EEG device with dry electrodes for the purposes of EEG home-monitoring neurological outpatients. The HOME ONE study is the first step in the process of investigating whether outpatient EEG home-monitoring changes the diagnosis and treatment of patients in comparison to conventional EEG ("change of management"). Both EEG devices (conventional and portable) will be systematically compared via a two-phase intra-individual assessment.In the first phase (pilot study phase), both EEG devices will be used within neurologist practices (all other things being equal). This pilot study (involving 130 patients) will evaluate the technical usability and efficacy of the new portable dry electrode EEG recorder in comparison to conventional EEG devices. Judgements will be based on technical assessments and EEG record examinations of private practitioners and two experienced neurologists (percent of concordant readings and kappa values).The second phase (feasibility study phase) aims to assess patients' acceptability and feasibility of the EEG home-monitoring and will provide insights into the extent diagnostic and therapeutic yields can be expected.For this purpose, a conventional EEG will be recorded in neurologist practices. Thereafter, the practice staff will instruct the patients on how the portable EEG device functions. The patients will subsequently use the devices in their home environment.The evaluation will compare the before and after documented diagnostic findings and the therapeutic consequences of the private practitioners with those of two experienced neurologists. To the best of our knowledge, this will be the first study of its kind to examine new approaches to diagnosing unclear consciousness disorders or other disorders of the CNS or the cardiovascular system through the use of a patient-controlled portable EEG device with dry electrodes for the purpose of home-monitoring neurological outpatients. If the two phases of the HOME ONE study provide sufficient evidence of diagnostic and therapeutic yields, this would justify (indication-specific) full-scale randomized controlled trials or observational studies. DRKS DRKS00012685. Registered 9 August 2017, retrospectively registered.

Video requirements for remote medical diagnosis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, J. G.

1974-01-01

Minimal television system requirements for medical telediagnosis were studied. The experiment was conducted with the aid of a simulated telemedicine system. The first step involved making high quality videotape recordings of actual medical examinations conducted by a skilled nurse under the direction of a physician watching on closed circuit television. These recordings formed the baseline for the study. Next, these videotape recordings were electronically degraded to simulate television systems of less than broadcast quality. Finally, the baseline and degraded video recordings were shown (via a statistically randomized procedure) to a large number of physicians who attempted to reach a correct medical diagnosis and to visually recognize key physical signs for each patient. By careful scoring and analysis of the results of these viewings, the pictorial and diagnostic limitations as a function of technical video characteristics were to be defined.

Enterprise-wide implementation of digital radiography in oral and maxillofacial imaging: the University of Florida Dentistry System.

PubMed

Nair, Madhu K; Pettigrew, James C; Loomis, Jeffrey S; Bates, Robert E; Kostewicz, Stephen; Robinson, Boyd; Sweitzer, Jean; Dolan, Teresa A

2009-06-01

The implementation of digital radiography in dentistry in a large healthcare enterprise setting is discussed. A distinct need for a dedicated dental picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) exists for seamless integration of different vendor products across the system. Complex issues are contended with as each clinical department migrated to a digital environment with unique needs and workflow patterns. The University of Florida has had a dental PACS installed over 2 years ago. This paper describes the process of conversion from film-based imaging from the planning stages through clinical implementation. Dentistry poses many unique challenges as it strives to achieve better integration with systems primarily designed for imaging; however, the technical requirements for high-resolution image capture in dentistry far exceed those in medicine, as most routine dental diagnostic tasks are challenging. The significance of specification, evaluation, vendor selection, installation, trial runs, training, and phased clinical implementation is emphasized.

Medical knowledge packages and their integration into health-care information systems and the World Wide Web.

PubMed

Adlassnig, Klaus-Peter; Rappelsberger, Andrea

2008-01-01

Software-based medical knowledge packages (MKPs) are packages of highly structured medical knowledge that can be integrated into various health-care information systems or the World Wide Web. They have been established to provide different forms of clinical decision support such as textual interpretation of combinations of laboratory rest results, generating diagnostic hypotheses as well as confirmed and excluded diagnoses to support differential diagnosis in internal medicine, or for early identification and automatic monitoring of hospital-acquired infections. Technically, an MKP may consist of a number of inter-connected Arden Medical Logic Modules. Several MKPs have been integrated thus far into hospital, laboratory, and departmental information systems. This has resulted in useful and widely accepted software-based clinical decision support for the benefit of the patient, the physician, and the organization funding the health care system.

Diagnostic methods for atmospheric inversions of long-lived greenhouse gases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michalak, Anna M.; Randazzo, Nina A.; Chevallier, Frédéric

2017-06-01

The ability to predict the trajectory of climate change requires a clear understanding of the emissions and uptake (i.e., surface fluxes) of long-lived greenhouse gases (GHGs). Furthermore, the development of climate policies is driving a need to constrain the budgets of anthropogenic GHG emissions. Inverse problems that couple atmospheric observations of GHG concentrations with an atmospheric chemistry and transport model have increasingly been used to gain insights into surface fluxes. Given the inherent technical challenges associated with their solution, it is imperative that objective approaches exist for the evaluation of such inverse problems. Because direct observation of fluxes at compatible spatiotemporal scales is rarely possible, diagnostics tools must rely on indirect measures. Here we review diagnostics that have been implemented in recent studies and discuss their use in informing adjustments to model setup. We group the diagnostics along a continuum starting with those that are most closely related to the scientific question being targeted, and ending with those most closely tied to the statistical and computational setup of the inversion. We thus begin with diagnostics based on assessments against independent information (e.g., unused atmospheric observations, large-scale scientific constraints), followed by statistical diagnostics of inversion results, diagnostics based on sensitivity tests, and analyses of robustness (e.g., tests focusing on the chemistry and transport model, the atmospheric observations, or the statistical and computational framework), and close with the use of synthetic data experiments (i.e., observing system simulation experiments, OSSEs). We find that existing diagnostics provide a crucial toolbox for evaluating and improving flux estimates but, not surprisingly, cannot overcome the fundamental challenges associated with limited atmospheric observations or the lack of direct flux measurements at compatible scales. As atmospheric inversions are increasingly expected to contribute to national reporting of GHG emissions, the need for developing and implementing robust and transparent evaluation approaches will only grow.

Non-invasive diagnostic system and its opto-mechanical probe for combining confocal Raman spectroscopy and optical coherence tomography.

PubMed

Klemes, Jan; Kotzianova, Adela; Pokorny, Marek; Mojzes, Peter; Novak, Jindrich; Sukova, Lada; Demuth, Jaroslav; Vesely, Jaroslav; Sasek, Ladislav; Velebny, Vladimir

2017-11-01

Non-invasive optical diagnostic methods allow important information about studied systems to be obtained in a non-destructive way. Complete diagnosis requires information about the chemical composition as well as the morphological structure of a sample. We report on the development of an opto-mechanical probe that combines Raman spectroscopy (RS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT), two methods that provide all the crucial information needed for a non-invasive diagnosis. The aim of this paper is to introduce the technical design, construction and optimization of a dual opto-mechanical probe combining two in-house developed devices for confocal RS and OCT. The unique benefit of the probe is a gradual acquisition of OCT and RS data, which allows to use the acquired OCT images to pinpoint locations of interest for RS measurements. The parameters and the correct functioning of the probe were verified by RS scanning of various samples (silicon wafer and ex vivo tissue) based on their OCT images - lateral as well as depth scanning was performed. Both the OCT and RS systems were developed, optimized and tested with the ultimate aim of verifying the functionality of the probe. Picture: Schematic illustration and visualization of the developed RS-OCT probe. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Leptospirosis Survey of Rodents and Domestic Animals in Ethiopia

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-08-01

bovin --. leptospirosis . Amer. J. Vet. Res. 15, 434. Sulzer, C. R., Harvey, T. W., and Galton, M. M, (1968) Comparison of diagnostic technics for the...U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Technical Inforuation Service AD-A033 991 LEPTOSPIROSIS SURVEY OF RODENTS AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS IN ETHIOPIA NAVAL...34) Domestic animals. Ethiopia. Leptospirosis.Rodents. ien suoy wasa c’r ’ ubtosryds,’C and domestic animals for leptospirosis in 5 sites in western and

Contrast-enhanced spectral mammography in patients with MRI contraindications.

PubMed

Richter, Vivien; Hatterman, Valerie; Preibsch, Heike; Bahrs, Sonja D; Hahn, Markus; Nikolaou, Konstantin; Wiesinger, Benjamin

2017-01-01

Background Contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) is a novel breast imaging technique providing comparable diagnostic accuracy to breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Purpose To show that CESM in patients with MRI contraindications is feasible, accurate, and useful as a problem-solving tool, and to highlight its limitations. Material and Methods A total of 118 patients with MRI contraindications were examined by CESM. Histology was obtained in 94 lesions and used as gold standard for diagnostic accuracy calculations. Imaging data were reviewed retrospectively for feasibility, accuracy, and technical problems. The diagnostic yield of CESM as a problem-solving tool and for therapy response evaluation was reviewed separately. Results CESM was more accurate than mammography (MG) for lesion categorization (r = 0.731, P < 0.0001 vs. r = 0.279, P = 0.006) and for lesion size estimation (r = 0.738 vs. r = 0.689, P < 0.0001). Negative predictive value of CESM was significantly higher than of MG (85.71% vs. 30.77%, P < 0.0001). When used for problem-solving, CESM changed patient management in 2/8 (25%) cases. Superposition artifacts and timing problems affected diagnostic utility in 3/118 (2.5%) patients. Conclusion CESM is a feasible and accurate alternative for patients with MRI contraindications, but it is necessary to be aware of the method's technical limitations.

Cryoradiation sterilization—Contemporary state and outlook

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Talrose, V. L.; Trofimov, V. I.

1995-02-01

The new approach of radiation sterilization — cryoradiosterilization with programmed freezing — was developed for pharmaceutical solutions. Both scientific and technical problems are solved, the results are discussed. Programmed freezing of vials with the drug's solutions provides the high stability of soluted components with biological activity at sterilizing irradiation without significant change of sterilization doses. Physical, chemical, biological and pharmacological properties of a lot of drug solutions for injection satisfy official requirements after cryoradiation sterilization treatment. This method seems to be especially important for the protein systems which could be infected by dangerous viruses (VIH, hepatitis B): blood plasma, diagnostic sera, protein preparations manufactured from donor's blood, etc.

[Psychogenetic neurological disorders in draft age personnel].

PubMed

Akhmetianov, L A; Ovchinnikov, A V

2012-07-01

The tendency of psychogenetic neurological disorders increases with predominance in young persons being students of high schools, students of military, technical and other lyceum was shown. The origin of diseases are psychotraumas (family, work), stress. Also genetic and hereditary factors take place that are indicative for individual rehabilitation organization. The basics of psychosomatic diseases pathogenesis are the disintegration mechanisms in brain structure activity,the disorders of integrative apparatus which provides the relationship between somatic, emotional and vegetative functions. The confirmation of brain work disintegration is achieved by modern computer diagnostic systems. As psychogenic diseases increase the need in methods of computer electroencephalography, evoked potentials, and rheoencephalography application is more actual.

Technical aspects of telepathology with emphasis on future development.

PubMed

Schwarzmann, P; Binder, B; Klose, R

2000-01-01

Pathology undergoes presently changes due to new developments in diagnostic opportunities and cost saving efforts in health care. Out of the wide field of telepathology the paper selects three prototype applications: telepathology in teleeducation, expert advice for preselected details of a slide and finally telepathology for remote diagnosis. The most challenging field for remote diagnosis is the application in the frozen section scenario. The paper starts with the mental experiment to map conventional procedures to counterparts in telepathology. Technical opportunities and economical restrictions of telepathology equipment are discussed with respect to the components: electronic camera, display devices, haptic sensors and displays, available telecommunication channels and telepathology software. As an example and for illustration of the state of the art for an advanced telemicroscopy system able to perform remote frozen section diagnosis, the HISTKOM equipment is presented in more details. The section concerning future developments regards the aspects of the acceptance by tentative users, legal aspects, costs and affordability of equipment, the market for equipment components and the adequate telecommunication services. Further is regarded the mutual influence of properties of existing systems and application experiences gained with them on the next generation of equipment and application software. Conclusions and references close the paper.

Investment alternative: the status quo or PACS?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vanden Brink, John A.; Cywinski, Jozef K.

1990-08-01

While the cost of Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) can be substantial, the cost of continuing with present manual methods may become prohibitive in growing departments as the need for additional space and personnel (both technical and professional) to meet the increasing requirements for all image management activities continues to grow. This will occur simultaneously with increasing pressures on problems of the present system, i.e., lost films, lost revenues, delayed reporting and longer diagnostic cycle times. Present methods of image archiving communication and management i.e. the relationship of procedure volume to VFE requirements for professional and technical personnel, costs of film, film storage space, and other performance factors are analyzed based on the database created by the Technology Marketing Group (TMG) computerized cost analysis model applied to over 50 US hospitals. Also, the model is used to provide the projected cost of present methods of film management for an average US 400 +bed hospital based on ten year growth rate assumptions. TMG PACS Tracking data provides confirmation of staffmg pattern correlation to procedure volume. The data presented in the paper provides a basis for comparing the investment in maintaining the status quo to an investment in PACS.

Wave Phase-Sensitive Transformation of 3d-Straining of Mechanical Fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smirnov, I. N.; Speranskiy, A. A.

2015-11-01

It is the area of research of oscillatory processes in elastic mechanical systems. Technical result of innovation is creation of spectral set of multidimensional images which reflect time-correlated three-dimensional vector parameters of metrological, and\\or estimated, and\\or design parameters of oscillations in mechanical systems. Reconstructed images of different dimensionality integrated in various combinations depending on their objective function can be used as homeostatic profile or cybernetic image of oscillatory processes in mechanical systems for an objective estimation of current operational conditions in real time. The innovation can be widely used to enhance the efficiency of monitoring and research of oscillation processes in mechanical systems (objects) in construction, mechanical engineering, acoustics, etc. Concept method of vector vibrometry based on application of vector 3D phase- sensitive vibro-transducers permits unique evaluation of real stressed-strained states of power aggregates and loaded constructions and opens fundamental innovation opportunities: conduct of continuous (on-line regime) reliable monitoring of turboagregates of electrical machines, compressor installations, bases, supports, pipe-lines and other objects subjected to damaging effect of vibrations; control of operational safety of technical systems at all the stages of life cycle including design, test production, tuning, testing, operational use, repairs and resource enlargement; creation of vibro-diagnostic systems of authentic non-destructive control of anisotropic characteristics of materials resistance of power aggregates and loaded constructions under outer effects and operational flaws. The described technology is revolutionary, universal and common for all branches of engineering industry and construction building objects.

Online Monitoring Technical Basis and Analysis Framework for Emergency Diesel Generators - Interim Report for FY 2013

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Binh T. Pham; Nancy J. Lybeck; Vivek Agarwal

The Light Water Reactor Sustainability program at Idaho National Laboratory is actively conducting research to develop and demonstrate online monitoring capabilities for active components in existing nuclear power plants. Idaho National Laboratory and the Electric Power Research Institute are working jointly to implement a pilot project to apply these capabilities to emergency diesel generators and generator step-up transformers. The Electric Power Research Institute Fleet-Wide Prognostic and Health Management Software Suite will be used to implement monitoring in conjunction with utility partners: Braidwood Generating Station (owned by Exelon Corporation) for emergency diesel generators, and Shearon Harris Nuclear Generating Station (owned bymore » Duke Energy Progress) for generator step-up transformers. This report presents monitoring techniques, fault signatures, and diagnostic and prognostic models for emergency diesel generators. Emergency diesel generators provide backup power to the nuclear power plant, allowing operation of essential equipment such as pumps in the emergency core coolant system during catastrophic events, including loss of offsite power. Technical experts from Braidwood are assisting Idaho National Laboratory and Electric Power Research Institute in identifying critical faults and defining fault signatures associated with each fault. The resulting diagnostic models will be implemented in the Fleet-Wide Prognostic and Health Management Software Suite and tested using data from Braidwood. Parallel research on generator step-up transformers was summarized in an interim report during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012.« less

Development of a non-contact diagnostic tool for high power lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simmons, Jed A.; Guttman, Jeffrey L.; McCauley, John

2016-03-01

High power lasers in excess of 1 kW generate enough Rayleigh scatter, even in the NIR, to be detected by silicon based sensor arrays. A lens and camera system in an off-axis position can therefore be used as a non-contact diagnostic tool for high power lasers. Despite the simplicity of the concept, technical challenges have been encountered in the development of an instrument referred to as BeamWatch. These technical challenges include reducing background radiation, achieving high signal to noise ratio, reducing saturation events caused by particulates crossing the beam, correcting images to achieve accurate beam width measurements, creating algorithms for the removal of non-uniformities, and creating two simultaneous views of the beam from orthogonal directions. Background radiation in the image was reduced by the proper positioning of the back plane and the placement of absorbing materials on the internal surfaces of BeamWatch. Maximizing signal to noise ratio, important to the real-time monitoring of focus position, was aided by increasing lens throughput. The number of particulates crossing the beam path was reduced by creating a positive pressure inside BeamWatch. Algorithms in the software removed non-uniformities in the data prior to generating waist width, divergence, BPP, and M2 results. A dual axis version of BeamWatch was developed by the use of mirrors. By its nature BeamWatch produced results similar to scanning slit measurements. Scanning slit data was therefore taken and compared favorably with BeamWatch results.

Virtual surgery in a (tele-)radiology framework.

PubMed

Glombitza, G; Evers, H; Hassfeld, S; Engelmann, U; Meinzer, H P

1999-09-01

This paper presents telemedicine as an extension of a teleradiology framework through tools for virtual surgery. To classify the described methods and applications, the research field of virtual reality (VR) is broadly reviewed. Differences with respect to technical equipment, methodological requirements and areas of application are pointed out. Desktop VR, augmented reality, and virtual reality are differentiated and discussed in some typical contexts of diagnostic support, surgical planning, therapeutic procedures, simulation and training. Visualization techniques are compared as a prerequisite for virtual reality and assigned to distinct levels of immersion. The advantage of a hybrid visualization kernel is emphasized with respect to the desktop VR applications that are subsequently shown. Moreover, software design aspects are considered by outlining functional openness in the architecture of the host system. Here, a teleradiology workstation was extended by dedicated tools for surgical planning through a plug-in mechanism. Examples of recent areas of application are introduced such as liver tumor resection planning, diagnostic support in heart surgery, and craniofacial surgery planning. In the future, surgical planning systems will become more important. They will benefit from improvements in image acquisition and communication, new image processing approaches, and techniques for data presentation. This will facilitate preoperative planning and intraoperative applications.

The Diagnostic Efficacy of Cone-beam Computed Tomography in Endodontics: A Systematic Review and Analysis by a Hierarchical Model of Efficacy.

PubMed

Rosen, Eyal; Taschieri, Silvio; Del Fabbro, Massimo; Beitlitum, Ilan; Tsesis, Igor

2015-07-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) imaging in endodontics based on a systematic search and analysis of the literature using an efficacy model. A systematic search of the literature was performed to identify studies evaluating the use of CBCT imaging in endodontics. The identified studies were subjected to strict inclusion criteria followed by an analysis using a hierarchical model of efficacy (model) designed for appraisal of the literature on the levels of efficacy of a diagnostic imaging modality. Initially, 485 possible relevant articles were identified. After title and abstract screening and a full-text evaluation, 58 articles (12%) that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed and allocated to levels of efficacy. Most eligible articles (n = 52, 90%) evaluated technical characteristics or the accuracy of CBCT imaging, which was defined in this model as low levels of efficacy. Only 6 articles (10%) proclaimed to evaluate the efficacy of CBCT imaging to support the practitioner's decision making; treatment planning; and, ultimately, the treatment outcome, which was defined as higher levels of efficacy. The expected ultimate benefit of CBCT imaging to the endodontic patient as evaluated by its level of diagnostic efficacy is unclear and is mainly limited to its technical and diagnostic accuracy efficacies. Even for these low levels of efficacy, current knowledge is limited. Therefore, a cautious and rational approach is advised when considering CBCT imaging for endodontic purposes. Copyright © 2015 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Control of Technology Transfer at JPL

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oliver, Ronald

2006-01-01

Controlled Technology: 1) Design: preliminary or critical design data, schematics, technical flow charts, SNV code/diagnostics, logic flow diagrams, wirelist, ICDs, detailed specifications or requirements. 2) Development: constraints, computations, configurations, technical analyses, acceptance criteria, anomaly resolution, detailed test plans, detailed technical proposals. 3) Production: process or how-to: assemble, operated, repair, maintain, modify. 4) Manufacturing: technical instructions, specific parts, specific materials, specific qualities, specific processes, specific flow. 5) Operations: how-to operate, contingency or standard operating plans, Ops handbooks. 6) Repair: repair instructions, troubleshooting schemes, detailed schematics. 7) Test: specific procedures, data, analysis, detailed test plan and retest plans, detailed anomaly resolutions, detailed failure causes and corrective actions, troubleshooting, trended test data, flight readiness data. 8) Maintenance: maintenance schedules and plans, methods for regular upkeep, overhaul instructions. 9) Modification: modification instructions, upgrades kit parts, including software

A Paper-Based Device for Performing Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification with Real-Time Simultaneous Detection of Multiple DNA Targets.

PubMed

Seok, Youngung; Joung, Hyou-Arm; Byun, Ju-Young; Jeon, Hyo-Sung; Shin, Su Jeong; Kim, Sanghyo; Shin, Young-Beom; Han, Hyung Soo; Kim, Min-Gon

2017-01-01

Paper-based diagnostic devices have many advantages as a one of the multiple diagnostic test platforms for point-of-care (POC) testing because they have simplicity, portability, and cost-effectiveness. However, despite high sensitivity and specificity of nucleic acid testing (NAT), the development of NAT based on a paper platform has not progressed as much as the others because various specific conditions for nucleic acid amplification reactions such as pH, buffer components, and temperature, inhibitions from technical differences of paper-based device. Here, we propose a paper-based device for performing loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) with real-time simultaneous detection of multiple DNA targets. We determined the optimal chemical components to enable dry conditions for the LAMP reaction without lyophilization or other techniques. We also devised the simple paper device structure by sequentially stacking functional layers, and employed a newly discovered property of hydroxynaphthol blue fluorescence to analyze real-time LAMP signals in the paper device. This proposed platform allowed analysis of three different meningitis DNA samples in a single device with single-step operation. This LAMP-based multiple diagnostic device has potential for real-time analysis with quantitative detection of 10 2 -10 5 copies of genomic DNA. Furthermore, we propose the transformation of DNA amplification devices to a simple and affordable paper system approach with great potential for realizing a paper-based NAT system for POC testing.

A Paper-Based Device for Performing Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification with Real-Time Simultaneous Detection of Multiple DNA Targets

PubMed Central

Seok, Youngung; Joung, Hyou-Arm; Byun, Ju-Young; Jeon, Hyo-Sung; Shin, Su Jeong; Kim, Sanghyo; Shin, Young-Beom; Han, Hyung Soo; Kim, Min-Gon

2017-01-01

Paper-based diagnostic devices have many advantages as a one of the multiple diagnostic test platforms for point-of-care (POC) testing because they have simplicity, portability, and cost-effectiveness. However, despite high sensitivity and specificity of nucleic acid testing (NAT), the development of NAT based on a paper platform has not progressed as much as the others because various specific conditions for nucleic acid amplification reactions such as pH, buffer components, and temperature, inhibitions from technical differences of paper-based device. Here, we propose a paper-based device for performing loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) with real-time simultaneous detection of multiple DNA targets. We determined the optimal chemical components to enable dry conditions for the LAMP reaction without lyophilization or other techniques. We also devised the simple paper device structure by sequentially stacking functional layers, and employed a newly discovered property of hydroxynaphthol blue fluorescence to analyze real-time LAMP signals in the paper device. This proposed platform allowed analysis of three different meningitis DNA samples in a single device with single-step operation. This LAMP-based multiple diagnostic device has potential for real-time analysis with quantitative detection of 102-105 copies of genomic DNA. Furthermore, we propose the transformation of DNA amplification devices to a simple and affordable paper system approach with great potential for realizing a paper-based NAT system for POC testing. PMID:28740546

Mitigation of biofouling using coatings: Year 2. Quarterly progress report No. 1. Calspan report 6782-M-5

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Meyer, A.E.; King, R.W.

1982-01-15

Objectives of this project are to evaluate benefits associated with control of the surface energetic properties of materials used in heat exchangers; and to identify preferred ranges of these surface conditions that minimize deposits of biological fouling known to deteriorate heat exchange efficiencies in seawater, brackish water, and freshwater systems. The technical approach employed uses special diagnostic plates in novel flow cells where fluid flow conditions can be well-controlled, modifying the surface chemistry and surface energy of the plates with very thin coatings and examining the earliest events of biofouling caused by macromolecules and microbial organisms. For the present phasemore » of the project (Year 2), attention will be focussed on biofouling in a freshwater/brackish water system.« less

Model-based reasoning in SSF ECLSS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, J. K.; Williams, George P. W., Jr.

1992-01-01

The interacting processes and reconfigurable subsystems of the Space Station Freedom Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) present a tremendous technical challenge to Freedom's crew and ground support. ECLSS operation and problem analysis is time-consuming for crew members and difficult for current computerized control, monitoring, and diagnostic software. These challenges can be at least partially mitigated by the use of advanced techniques such as Model-Based Reasoning (MBR). This paper will provide an overview of MBR as it is being applied to Space Station Freedom ECLSS. It will report on work being done to produce intelligent systems to help design, control, monitor, and diagnose Freedom's ECLSS. Specifically, work on predictive monitoring, diagnosability, and diagnosis, with emphasis on the automated diagnosis of the regenerative water recovery and air revitalization processes will be discussed.

Simulator-Based Angiography and Endovascular Neurosurgery Curriculum: A Longitudinal Evaluation of Performance Following Simulator-Based Angiography Training.

PubMed

Pannell, J Scott; Santiago-Dieppa, David R; Wali, Arvin R; Hirshman, Brian R; Steinberg, Jeffrey A; Cheung, Vincent J; Oveisi, David; Hallstrom, Jon; Khalessi, Alexander A

2016-08-29

This study establishes performance metrics for angiography and neuroendovascular surgery procedures based on longitudinal improvement in individual trainees with differing levels of training and experience. Over the course of 30 days, five trainees performed 10 diagnostic angiograms, coiled 10 carotid terminus aneurysms in the setting of subarachnoid hemorrhage, and performed 10 left middle cerebral artery embolectomies on a Simbionix Angio Mentor™ simulator. All procedures were nonconsecutive. Total procedure time, fluoroscopy time, contrast dose, heart rate, blood pressures, medications administered, packing densities, the number of coils used, and the number of stent-retriever passes were recorded. Image quality was rated, and the absolute value of technically unsafe events was recorded. The trainees' device selection, macrovascular access, microvascular access, clinical management, and the overall performance of the trainee was rated during each procedure based on a traditional Likert scale score of 1=fail, 2=poor, 3=satisfactory, 4=good, and 5=excellent. These ordinal values correspond with published assessment scales on surgical technique. After performing five diagnostic angiograms and five embolectomies, all participants demonstrated marked decreases in procedure time, fluoroscopy doses, contrast doses, and adverse technical events; marked improvements in image quality, device selection, access scores, and overall technical performance were additionally observed (p < 0.05). Similarly, trainees demonstrated marked improvement in technical performance and clinical management after five coiling procedures (p < 0.05). However, trainees with less prior experience deploying coils continued to experience intra-procedural ruptures up to the eighth embolization procedure; this observation likely corresponded with less tactile procedural experience to an exertion of greater force than appropriate for coil placement. Trainees across all levels of training and prior experience demonstrated a significant performance improvement after completion of our simulator curriculum consisting of five diagnostic angiograms, five embolectomy cases, and 10 aneurysm coil embolizations.

Design of New Procedures for Diagnosing Prevalent Diseases Using a Low-Cost Telemicroscopy System.

PubMed

Prieto-Egido, Ignacio; González-Escalada, Alba; García-Giganto, Víctor; Martínez-Fernández, Andrés

2016-11-01

Currently, the diagnosis of prevalent diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, or diarrheal diseases in rural areas of developing countries requires the displacement of the patient from their community health post to their reference health center or to ship a sample. This delays diagnosis and the treatment of disease. Conduct research to develop a new method for rapid low-cost diagnosis of prevalent diseases in rural areas of developing countries (malaria, tuberculosis, parasitic infections, vaginal infections, and cervical cancer). The study was divided into three phases. The first related to the drafting and validating of new protocols for the preparation of samples that should be adapted to be carried out in areas without power and with little trained personnel. The second phase consisted of developing a telemicroscopy system looking for low cost, software compatibility, and technical quality. Finally, the third phase evaluated the system as a diagnostic tool using direct observation with a conventional microscope as the gold standard. The validation of the new protocols showed that 100% of the vaginal swabs were processed correctly when using direct smear, while they were only 86.3% correct when using Gram stain; 68.3% of fecal samples were correctly processed using Kinyoun stain; 61.7% of blood samples when using thin film; and 83.8% when using thick film. Phase 2 permitted the development of a low-cost (<$250) and low-power (<15 W) telemicroscopy system that allows real-time consultation between health technicians and specialists. Finally, phase 3 proved that there was no difference between the diagnostics obtained by direct observation in a microscope and those ones obtained through the new telemicroscopy system. This study has verified the effectiveness of the telemicroscopy system as a diagnostic tool, given the complete agreement between the diagnoses made with it and those made with the gold standard.

A practical guide to epidemiological practice and standards in the identification and validation of diagnostic markers using a bladder cancer example.

PubMed

Behrens, T; Bonberg, N; Casjens, S; Pesch, B; Brüning, T

2014-01-01

Technical advances to analyze biological markers have generated a plethora of promising new marker candidates for early detection of cancer. However, in subsequent analyses only few could be successfully validated as being predictive, clinically useful, or effective. This failure is partially due to rapid publication of results that were detected in early stages of biomarker research. Methodological considerations are a major concern when carrying out molecular epidemiological studies of diagnostic markers to avoid errors that increase the potential for bias. Although guidelines for conducting studies and reporting of results have been published to improve the quality of marker studies, their planning and execution still need to be improved. We will discuss different sources of bias in study design, handling of specimens, and statistical analysis to illustrate possible pitfalls associated with marker research, and present legal, ethical, and technical considerations associated with storage and handling of specimens. This article presents a guide to epidemiological standards in marker research using bladder cancer as an example. Because of the possibility to detect early cancer stages due to leakage of molecular markers from the target organ or exfoliation of tumor cells into the urine, bladder cancer is particularly useful to study diagnostic markers. To improve the overall quality of marker research, future developments should focus on networks of studies and tissue banks according to uniform legal, ethical, methodological, and technical standards. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Computational Proteomics in the Post-Identification Era. Guest Editors: Martin Eisenacher and Christian Stephan. © 2013.

Diagnostics of heavy mining equipment during the scheduled preventive maintenance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drygin, M. Yu; Kuryshkin, N. P.

2018-01-01

Intensification of production, economic globalization and dramatic downgrade of the workers’ professional skills lead to unacceptable technical state of heavy mining equipment. Equipment maintenance outage reaches 84 % of the total downtime, of which emergency maintenance takes up to 36 % of time, that excesses 429 hours per year fr one excavator. It is shown that yearly diagnostics using methods of non-destructive check allows to reduce emergency downtime by 47 %, and 55 % of revealed defects can be eliminated without breaking the technological cycle of the equipment.

Statistical analysis of Turbine Engine Diagnostic (TED) field test data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taylor, Malcolm S.; Monyak, John T.

1994-11-01

During the summer of 1993, a field test of turbine engine diagnostic (TED) software, developed jointly by U.S. Army Research Laboratory and the U.S. Army Ordnance Center and School, was conducted at Fort Stuart, GA. The data were collected in conformance with a cross-over design, some of whose considerations are detailed. The initial analysis of the field test data was exploratory, followed by a more formal investigation. Technical aspects of the data analysis insights that were elicited are reported.

Immunohistochemistry: forging the links between immunology and pathology.

PubMed

Haines, Deborah M; West, Keith H

2005-10-18

The technique of immunohistochemical staining allows the visualization of epitopes in situ in histological tissue sections. A series of innovations in the methods and reagents and the introduction of mechanization have enhanced the ease and technical reliability of this technique resulting in widespread application in veterinary diagnostics and research. This brief overview will highlight some of the applications for immunohistochemical staining with an emphasis on the use of the technique in diagnostic veterinary medicine, particularly for the detection of infectious disease agents.

That Somber Specter: Rubella.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gebert, John

1984-01-01

Describes North Central Technical Institute's special programs for students with vision or hearing impairments focusing on the one-month career exploration program; daily living skills instruction; diagnostic, counseling, and support services; and job placement. Examines common misconceptions about hearing/vision impaired people. (DMM)

PACS for Bhutan: a cost effective open source architecture for emerging countries.

PubMed

Ratib, Osman; Roduit, Nicolas; Nidup, Dechen; De Geer, Gerard; Rosset, Antoine; Geissbuhler, Antoine

2016-10-01

This paper reports the design and implementation of an innovative and cost-effective imaging management infrastructure suitable for radiology centres in emerging countries. It was implemented in the main referring hospital of Bhutan equipped with a CT, an MRI, digital radiology, and a suite of several ultrasound units. They lacked the necessary informatics infrastructure for image archiving and interpretation and needed a system for distribution of images to clinical wards. The solution developed for this project combines several open source software platforms in a robust and versatile archiving and communication system connected to analysis workstations equipped with a FDA-certified version of the highly popular Open-Source software. The whole system was implemented on standard off-the-shelf hardware. The system was installed in three days, and training of the radiologists as well as the technical and IT staff was provided onsite to ensure full ownership of the system by the local team. Radiologists were rapidly capable of reading and interpreting studies on the diagnostic workstations, which had a significant benefit on their workflow and ability to perform diagnostic tasks more efficiently. Furthermore, images were also made available to several clinical units on standard desktop computers through a web-based viewer. • Open source imaging informatics platforms can provide cost-effective alternatives for PACS • Robust and cost-effective open architecture can provide adequate solutions for emerging countries • Imaging informatics is often lacking in hospitals equipped with digital modalities.

Full range line-field parallel swept source imaging utilizing digital refocusing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fechtig, Daniel J.; Kumar, Abhishek; Drexler, Wolfgang; Leitgeb, Rainer A.

2015-12-01

We present geometric optics-based refocusing applied to a novel off-axis line-field parallel swept source imaging (LPSI) system. LPSI is an imaging modality based on line-field swept source optical coherence tomography, which permits 3-D imaging at acquisition speeds of up to 1 MHz. The digital refocusing algorithm applies a defocus-correcting phase term to the Fourier representation of complex-valued interferometric image data, which is based on the geometrical optics information of the LPSI system. We introduce the off-axis LPSI system configuration, the digital refocusing algorithm and demonstrate the effectiveness of our method for refocusing volumetric images of technical and biological samples. An increase of effective in-focus depth range from 255 μm to 4.7 mm is achieved. The recovery of the full in-focus depth range might be especially valuable for future high-speed and high-resolution diagnostic applications of LPSI in ophthalmology.

Real-time multimedia communications in medical emergency - the CONCERTO project solution.

PubMed

Martini, Maria G; Iacobelli, Lorenzo; Bergeron, Cyril; Hewage, Chaminda T; Panza, Gianmarco; Piri, Esa; Vehkapera, Janne; Amon, Peter; Mazzotti, Matteo; Savino, Ketty; Bokor, Laszlo

2015-01-01

The management of medical emergency, in particular cardiac emergency, requests prompt intervention and the possibility to communicate in real time from the emergency area / ambulance to the hospital as much diagnostic information as possible about the patient. This would enable a prompt emergency diagnosis and operation and the possibility to prepare the appropriate actions in the suitable hospital department. To address this scenario, the CONCERTO European project proposed a wireless communication system based on a novel cross-layer architecture, including the integration of building blocks for medical media content fusion, delivery and access. This paper describes the proposed system architecture, outlining the developed components and mechanisms, and the evaluation of the proposed system, carried out in a hospital with the support of medical staff. The technical results and the feedback received highlight the impact of the CONCERTO approach in the healthcare domain, in particular in enabling a prompt and reliable diagnosis in challenging medical emergency scenarios.

Medical and surgical evaluation and care of illness in space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Siegel, John H.

1994-01-01

This report summarizes the work done on the contract NAG9-567, which was activated at the New Jersey Medical School-UMDNJ in April 1992 and carried on during the 1992-93 year to the present 1993-94 year which was terminated in May 1994. The initial examination stage was completed of an interactive program for the recording of physical and physiologic injury information obtained from examination of an injured person, who might be an astronaut sustaining traumatic injury, due to a burn or physical trauma, either in space or in an earth bound training environment. In this report three aspects will be discussed: 1) a description of the system of diagnostic examination graphics, 2) a description of the organization of the therapeutic advisory systems with a demonstration of two specific modules, and 3) a brief technical description of the organization of the programming system carried out on a UNIX based work station using a WINDOWS environment.

Type-specific detection of herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 using the cobas® HSV 1 and 2 test on the cobas® 4800 platform.

PubMed

Van Der Pol, Barbara

2016-11-01

HSV-1 and HSV-2 are among the most common causes of sexually transmitted infections (stis) globally. these infections are strongly associated with increased risk of hiv acquisition and rare, but devastating, neonatal disease. available treatment options can reduce HSV transmission and improve quality of life. accurate diagnosis early in disease can improve patient management. Areas covered: This paper describes the clinical manifestations of HSV infection often used for clinical diagnostic purposes. The paper then describes the evolution of laboratory diagnostic assays. Serology, culture and molecular diagnostics are described since all are currently in use. The features and performance characteristics of the cobas 4800 HSV1 and HSV2 Test (cobas HSV) on the cobas 4800® system (cobas 4800) are described in detail. Expert commentary: Diagnosis of HSV has historically been unreliable or technically difficult, but the availability of molecular assays such as the cobas HSV test for detection and typing of herpes can improve our ability to correctly manage this disease. Utilization of tools such as the cobas HSV assay may help shorten the time to accurate diagnosis and treatment thus potentially reducing the risk of transmission and the global burden of HSV.

Separation of airborne and structureborne noise radiated by plates constructed of conventional and composite materials with applications for prediction of interior noise paths in propeller driven aircraft. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcgary, M. C.

1986-01-01

The anticipated application of advanced turboprop propulsion systems and use of composite materials in primary structure is expected to increase the interior noise of future aircraft to unacceptability high levels. The absence of technically and economically feasible noise source-path diagnostic tools has been a primer obstacle in the development of efficient noise control treatments for propeller driven aircraft. A new diagnostic method which permits the separation and prediction of the fully coherent airborne and structureborne components of the sound radiated by plates or thin shells has been developed. Analytical and experimental studies of the proposed method were performed on plates constructed of both conventional and composite materials. The results of the study indicate that the proposed method can be applied to a variety of aircraft materials, could be used in flight, and has fewer encumbrances than the other diagnostic tools currently available. The study has also revealed that the noise radiation of vibrating plates in the low frequency regime due to combined airborne and structureborne inputs possesses a strong synergistic nature. The large influence of the interaction between the airborne and structureborne terms has been hitherto ignored by researchers of aircraft interior noise problems.

Silverleaf: An Experimental Series in Support of Nightshade

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Danielson, Jeremy; Bauer, Amy L.

2016-12-23

In this series, a prototype package was designed and fielded to address a major technical risk of Nightshade: A comprehensive suite of drives and diagnostics must fit within a small space. In addition, this series satisfies a milestone for the project.

A multichannel visible spectroscopy system for the ITER-like W divertor on EAST.

PubMed

Mao, Hongmin; Ding, Fang; Luo, Guang-Nan; Hu, Zhenhua; Chen, Xiahua; Xu, Feng; Yang, Zhongshi; Chen, Jingbo; Wang, Liang; Ding, Rui; Zhang, Ling; Gao, Wei; Xu, Jichan; Wu, Chengrui

2017-04-01

To facilitate long-pulse high power operation, an ITER-like actively cooled tungsten (W) divertor was installed in Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) to replace the original upper graphite divertor in 2014. A dedicated multichannel visible spectroscopic diagnostic system has been accordingly developed for the characterization of the plasma and impurities in the W divertor. An array of 22 lines-of-sight (LOSs) provides a profile measurement of the light emitted from the plasma along upper outer divertor, and the other 17 vertical LOSs view the upper inner divertor, achieving a 13 mm poloidal resolution in both regions. The light emitted from the plasma is collected by a specially designed optical lens assembly and then transferred to a Czerny-Turner spectrometer via 40 m quartz fibers. At the end, the spectra dispersed by the spectrometer are recorded with an Electron-Multiplying Charge Coupled Device (EMCCD). The optical throughput and quantum efficiency of the system are optimized in the wavelength range 350-700 nm. The spectral resolution/coverage can be adjusted from 0.01 nm/3 nm to 0.41 nm/140 nm by switching the grating with suitable groove density. The frame rate depends on the setting of LOS number in EMCCD and can reach nearly 2 kHz for single LOS detection. The light collected by the front optical lens can also be divided and partly transferred to a photomultiplier tube array with specified bandpass filter, which can provide faster sampling rates by up to 200 kHz. The spectroscopic diagnostic is routinely operated in EAST discharges with absolute optical calibrations applied before and after each campaign, monitoring photon fluxes from impurities and H recycling in the upper divertor. This paper presents the technical details of the diagnostic and typical measurements during EAST discharges.

A multichannel visible spectroscopy system for the ITER-like W divertor on EAST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mao, Hongmin; Ding, Fang; Luo, Guang-Nan; Hu, Zhenhua; Chen, Xiahua; Xu, Feng; Yang, Zhongshi; Chen, Jingbo; Wang, Liang; Ding, Rui; Zhang, Ling; Gao, Wei; Xu, Jichan; Wu, Chengrui

2017-04-01

To facilitate long-pulse high power operation, an ITER-like actively cooled tungsten (W) divertor was installed in Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) to replace the original upper graphite divertor in 2014. A dedicated multichannel visible spectroscopic diagnostic system has been accordingly developed for the characterization of the plasma and impurities in the W divertor. An array of 22 lines-of-sight (LOSs) provides a profile measurement of the light emitted from the plasma along upper outer divertor, and the other 17 vertical LOSs view the upper inner divertor, achieving a 13 mm poloidal resolution in both regions. The light emitted from the plasma is collected by a specially designed optical lens assembly and then transferred to a Czerny-Turner spectrometer via 40 m quartz fibers. At the end, the spectra dispersed by the spectrometer are recorded with an Electron-Multiplying Charge Coupled Device (EMCCD). The optical throughput and quantum efficiency of the system are optimized in the wavelength range 350-700 nm. The spectral resolution/coverage can be adjusted from 0.01 nm/3 nm to 0.41 nm/140 nm by switching the grating with suitable groove density. The frame rate depends on the setting of LOS number in EMCCD and can reach nearly 2 kHz for single LOS detection. The light collected by the front optical lens can also be divided and partly transferred to a photomultiplier tube array with specified bandpass filter, which can provide faster sampling rates by up to 200 kHz. The spectroscopic diagnostic is routinely operated in EAST discharges with absolute optical calibrations applied before and after each campaign, monitoring photon fluxes from impurities and H recycling in the upper divertor. This paper presents the technical details of the diagnostic and typical measurements during EAST discharges.

Assessing the dose values received by patients during conventional radiography X-ray examinations and the technical condition of the equipment used for this purpose.

PubMed

Bekas, Marcin; Pachocki, Krzysztof A; Waśniewska, Elżbieta; Bogucka, Dagmara; Magiera, Andrzej

2014-01-01

X-ray examination is associated with patient exposure to ionizing radiation. Dose values depend on the type of medical procedure used, the X-ray unit technical condition and exposure conditions selected. The aim of this study was to determine the dose value received by patients during certain conventional radiography X-ray examinations and to assess the technical condition of medical equipment used for this purpose. The study covered the total number of 118 conventional diagnostic X-ray units located in the Masovian Voivodeship. The methodology used to assess the conventional diagnostic X-ray unit technical condition and the measurement of the radiation dose rate received by patients are based on test procedures developed by the Department of Radiation Protection and Radiobiology of the National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene (Warszawa, Poland) accredited for compliance with PN-EN 17025 standard by the Polish Centre for Accreditation. It was found that 84.7% of X-ray units fully meet the criteria set out in the Polish legislation regarding the safe use of ionizing radiation in medicine, while 15.3% of the units do not meet some of them. The broadest dose value range was recorded for adult patients. Particularly, during lateral (LATl) lumbar spine radiography the recorded entrance surface dose (ESD) values ranged from 283.5 to 7827 µGy (mean: 2183.3 µGy). It is absolutely necessary to constantly monitor the technical condition of all X-ray units, because it affects population exposure to ionizing radiation. Furthermore, it is essential to raise radiographers' awareness of the effects that ionizing radiation exposure can have on the human body.

Advancing the education in molecular diagnostics: the IFCC-Initiative "Clinical Molecular Biology Curriculum" (C-CMBC); a ten-year experience.

PubMed

Lianidou, Evi; Ahmad-Nejad, Parviz; Ferreira-Gonzalez, Andrea; Izuhara, Kenji; Cremonesi, Laura; Schroeder, Maria-Eugenia; Richter, Karin; Ferrari, Maurizio; Neumaier, Michael

2014-09-25

Molecular techniques are becoming commonplace in the diagnostic laboratory. Their applications influence all major phases of laboratory medicine including predisposition/genetic risk, primary diagnosis, therapy stratification and prognosis. Readily available laboratory hardware and wetware (i.e. consumables and reagents) foster rapid dissemination to countries that are just establishing molecular testing programs. Appropriate skill levels extending beyond the technical procedure are required for analytical and diagnostic proficiency that is mandatory in molecular genetic testing. An international committee (C-CMBC) of the International Federation for Clinical Chemistry (IFCC) was established to disseminate skills in molecular genetic testing in member countries embarking on the respective techniques. We report the ten-year experience with different teaching and workshop formats for beginners in molecular diagnostics. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Air Breathing Propulsion Controls and Diagnostics Research at NASA Glenn Under NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Programs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garg, Sanjay

2014-01-01

This lecture will provide an overview of the aircraft turbine engine control research at NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Glenn Research Center (GRC). A brief introduction to the engine control problem is first provided with a description of the current state-of-the-art control law structure. A historical aspect of engine control development since the 1940s is then provided with a special emphasis on the contributions of GRC. The traditional engine control problem has been to provide a means to safely transition the engine from one steady-state operating point to another based on the pilot throttle inputs. With the increased emphasis on aircraft safety, enhanced performance and affordability, and the need to reduce the environmental impact of aircraft, there are many new challenges being faced by the designers of aircraft propulsion systems. The Controls and Dynamics Branch (CDB) at GRC is leading and participating in various projects in partnership with other organizations within GRC and across NASA, other government agencies, the U.S. aerospace industry, and academia to develop advanced propulsion controls and diagnostics technologies that will help meet the challenging goals of NASA programs under the Aeronautics Research Mission. The second part of the lecture provides an overview of the various CDB technology development activities in aircraft engine control and diagnostics, both current and some accomplished in the recent past. The motivation for each of the research efforts, the research approach, technical challenges and the key progress to date are summarized. The technologies to be discussed include system level engine control concepts, gas path diagnostics, active component control, and distributed engine control architecture. The lecture will end with a futuristic perspective of how the various current technology developments will lead to an Intelligent and Autonomous Propulsion System requiring none to very minimum pilot interface, interfacing directly with the flight management system to determine its mode of operation, and providing personalized engine control to optimize its performance given the current condition and mission objectives.

Diagnostic accuracy of 22/25-gauge core needle in endoscopic ultrasound-guided sampling: systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Oh, Hyoung-Chul; Kang, Hyun; Lee, Jae Young; Choi, Geun Joo; Choi, Jung Sik

2016-11-01

To compare the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided core needle aspiration with that of standard fine-needle aspiration by systematic review and meta-analysis. Studies using 22/25-gauge core needles, irrespective of comparison with standard fine needles, were comprehensively reviewed. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and summary receiver operating characteristic curves for the diagnosis of malignancy were used to estimate the overall diagnostic efficiency. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and DOR of the core needle for the diagnosis of malignancy were 0.88 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84 to 0.90), 0.99 (95% CI, 0.96 to 1), and 167.37 (95% CI, 65.77 to 425.91), respectively. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and DOR of the standard needle were 0.84 (95% CI, 0.79 to 0.88), 1 (95% CI, 0.97 to 1), and 130.14 (95% CI, 34.00 to 495.35), respectively. The area under the curve of core and standard needle in the diagnosis of malignancy was 0.974 and 0.955, respectively. The core and standard needle were comparable in terms of pancreatic malignancy diagnosis. There was no significant difference in procurement of optimal histologic cores between core and standard needles (risk ratio [RR], 0.545; 95% CI, 0.187 to 1.589). The number of needle passes for diagnosis was significantly lower with the core needle (standardized mean difference, -0.72; 95% CI, -1.02 to -0.41). There were no significant differences in overall complications (RR, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.34 to 4.62) and technical failure (RR, 5.07; 95% CI, 0.68 to 37.64). Core and standard needles were comparable in terms of diagnostic accuracy, technical performance, and safety profile.

Preliminary clinical report of flexible videoarthroscopy in diagnostic knee and hip arthroscopy.

PubMed

Bouaicha, Samy; Dora, Claudio; Puskas, Gabor J; Koch, Peter P; Wirth, Stephan H; Meyer, Dominik C

2012-01-01

Compared to rigid arthroscopic optics, a flexible camera system offers theoretically significant advantages: It has the potential to adapt to the naturally curved surface of joints, to move within the joint without stress to the cartilage or capsule and thereby to reduce the number of portals needed. Former studies evaluated flexible fiberoptic systems which were insufficient regarding image resolution. This is the first report on a new flexible videoendoscope with the so called "chip-on-the-tip" technology used in human joints. With a plasma sterilized 3.9 diameter flexible video endoscopy system (Visera ENF V, OLYMPUS) commonly used in diagnostic rhino-laryngoscopy, we performed preliminary testing in cadaveric knee joints. After successful feasibility testing we utilized the tool in two qualitative diagnostic knee and five hip arthroscopies in combination with conventional rigid 30° and 70° arthroscopes (STORZ). Qualitative evaluation showed superior visualisation of the posterior aspects of the knee joint as insertion of the posterior medial and lateral meniscal horn, tibial insertion of the posterior cruciate ligament and the posterolateral capsulo-ligamentous corner with acceptable image resolution and clarity compared to the rigid arthroscope. In the hip, it was possible to pass around the femoral neck, avoiding additional portals. There seemed to be virtually no risk for cartilage damage at all. Difficulties of the system were scope handling, navigation and orientation within the joint as well as potential damage to the tool itself. This is to our knowledge the first report on flexible videoarthroscopy. Some of the expectations were met, such as to reach virtually every corner the joint with minimal risk for the cartilage or other joint structures and with acceptable image quality. However, there are many significant disadvantages which question the routine use of such a videoendoscopic system with its present technical features. © 2012 – IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved

Technical Note: Development of a combined molecular breast imaging/ultrasound system for diagnostic evaluation of MBI-detected lesions.

PubMed

O'Connor, Michael K; Morrow, Melissa M; Tran, Thuy; Hruska, Carrie B; Conners, Amy L; Hunt, Katie N

2017-02-01

The purpose of this study was to perform a pilot evaluation of an integrated molecular breast imaging/ultrasound (MBI/US) system designed to enable, in real-time, the registration of US to MBI and diagnostic evaluation of breast lesions detected on MBI. The MBI/US system was constructed by modifying an existing dual-head cadmium zinc telluride (CZT)-based MBI gamma camera. The upper MBI detector head was replaced with a mesh panel, which allowed an ultrasound probe to access the breast. An optical tracking system was used to monitor the location of the ultrasound transducer, referenced to the MBI detector. The lesion depth at which ultrasound was targeted was estimated from analysis of previously acquired dual-head MBI datasets. A software tool was developed to project the US field of view onto the current MBI image. Correlation of lesion location between both modalities with real-time MBI/US scanning was confirmed in a breast phantom model and assessed in 12 patients with a breast lesion detected on MBI. Combined MBI/US scanning allowed for registration of lesions detected on US and MBI as validated in phantom experiments. In patient studies, successful registration was achieved in 8 of 12 (67%) patients, with complete registration achieved in seven and partial registration achieved in one patient. In 4 of 12 (37%) patients, lesion registration was not achieved, partially attributed to uncertainty in lesion depth estimates from MBI. The MBI/US system enabled successful registration of US to MBI in over half of patients studied in this pilot evaluation. Future studies are needed to determine if real-time, registered US imaging of MBI-detected lesions may obviate the need to proceed to more expensive procedures such as contrast-enhanced breast MRI for diagnostic workup or biopsy of MBI findings. © 2016 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

News from the Biological Stain Commission.

PubMed

Lyon, H O; Kiernan, J A

2008-12-01

In the three earlier editions of News from the Biological Stain Commission (BSC), under the heading of "Regulatory affairs," the BSC's International Affairs Committee reported on the work of Technical Committee 212, Clinical Laboratory Testing and in Vitro Diagnostic Test Systems of the International Standards Organization (ISO/TC 212) and its working groups, WG 1, WG 2 and WG 3. In this issue of News from the BSC, H.O. Lyon provides information from the annual meeting of ISO/TC 212 that took place June 2-4, 2008 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. In addition, under the heading of "Certification," J.A. Kiernan examines the certification procedure for thionine used by the BSC laboratory in Rochester, NY.

National NIF Diagnostic Program Fiscal Year 2002 Second Quarter Report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

MacGowan, B

Since October 2001 the development of the facility diagnostics for NIF has been funded by the NIF Director through the National NIF Diagnostic Program (NNDP). The current emphasis of the NNDP is on diagnostics for the early NIF quad scheduled to be available for experiment commissioning in FY03. During the past six months the NNDP has set in place processes for funding diagnostics, developing requirements for diagnostics, design reviews and monthly status reporting. Those processes are described in an interim management plan for diagnostics (''National NIF Diagnostic Program Interim Plan'', NIF-0081315, April 2002) and a draft Program Execution Plan (''Programmore » Execution Plan for the National NlF Diagnostic Program'', NIF-0072083, October 2001) and documents cited therein. Work has been funded at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Bechtel Nevada at Los Alamos and Santa Barbara. There are no major technical risks with the early diagnostics. The main concerns relate to integration of the diagnostics into the facility, all such issues are being worked. This report is organized to show the schedule and budget status and a summary of Change Control Board actions for the past six months. The following sections then provide short descriptions of the status of each diagnostic. Where design reviews or requirements documents are cited, the documents are available on the Diagnostics file server or on request.« less

The PRISM project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guilyardi, E.

2003-04-01

The European Union's PRISM infrastructure project (PRogram for Integrated earth System Modelling) aims at designing a flexible environment to easily assemble and run Earth System Models (http://prism.enes.org). Europe's widely distributed modelling expertise is both a strength and a challenge. Recognizing this, the PRISM project aims at developing an efficient shared modelling software infrastructure for climate scientists, providing them with an opportunity for greater focus on scientific issues, including the necessary scientific diversity (models and approaches). The proposed PRISM system includes 1) the use - or definition - and promotion of scientific and technical standards to increase component modularity, 2) an end-to-end software environment (coupler, user interface, diagnostics) to launch, monitor and analyze complex Earth System Models built around the existing and future community models, 3) testing and quality standards to ensure HPC performance on a variety of platforms and 4) community wide inputs and requirements capture in all stages of system specifications and design through user/developers meetings, workshops and thematic schools. This science driven project, led by 22 institutes* and started December 1st 2001, benefits from a unique gathering of scientific and technical expertise. More than 30 models (both global and regional) have expressed interest to be part of the PRISM system and 6 types of components have been identified: atmosphere, atmosphere chemistry, land surface, ocean, sea ice and ocean biochemistry. Progress and overall architecture design will be presented. * MPI-Met (Coordinator), KNMI (co-coordinator), MPI-M&D, Met Office, University of Reading, IPSL, Meteo-France, CERFACS, DMI, SMHI, NERSC, ETH Zurich, INGV, MPI-BGC, PIK, ECMWF, UCL-ASTR, NEC, FECIT, SGI, SUN, CCRLE

An audit questionnaire that examines specifically the management of technical activities clauses in ISO 15189.

PubMed

Hartley, T F

2010-01-01

The aim of this study was to design an audit questionnaire that focuses on the management of the technical activities in a Diagnostic Pathology Laboratory. The ISO 15189 Standard is written in such a way that it continually moves back and forth from topics where the auditor needs to question bench level staff, to topics where the auditor needs to question Technical Management Staff. This makes for a disjointed audit process - both Bench Staff and Technical Managers are repeatedly interrupted. The solution was to do a clause by clause analysis of the Standard and assign the major responsibility for the compliance to each clause to either Technical Managers or Bench Staff. The Clauses were then grouped under four topic headings regardless of whether they were a Section 4 or Section 5 Clause. Two questionnaires have emerged - the one described in this work and one directed primarily towards the activities of bench staff. There are 95 questions and it takes approximately two hours to complete.

[Definition of the Diagnosis Osteomyelitis-Osteomyelitis Diagnosis Score (ODS)].

PubMed

Schmidt, H G K; Tiemann, A H; Braunschweig, R; Diefenbeck, M; Bühler, M; Abitzsch, D; Haustedt, N; Walter, G; Schoop, R; Heppert, V; Hofmann, G O; Glombitza, M; Grimme, C; Gerlach, U-J; Flesch, I

2011-08-01

The disease "osteomyelitis" is characterised by different symptoms and parameters. Decisive roles in the development of the disease are played by the causative bacteria, the route of infection and the individual defense mechanisms of the host. The diagnosis is based on different symptoms and findings from the clinical history, clinical symptoms, laboratory results, diagnostic imaging, microbiological and histopathological analyses. While different osteomyelitis classifications have been published, there is to the best of our knowledge no score that gives information how sure the diagnosis "osteomyelitis" is in general. For any scientific study of a disease a valid definition is essential. We have developed a special osteomyelitis diagnosis score for the reliable classification of clinical, laboratory and technical findings. The score is based on five diagnostic procedures: 1) clinical history and risk factors, 2) clinical examination and laboratory results, 3) diagnostic imaging (ultrasound, radiology, CT, MRI, nuclear medicine and hybrid methods), 4) microbiology, and 5) histopathology. Each diagnostic procedure is related to many individual findings, which are weighted by a score system, in order to achieve a relevant value for each assessment. If the sum of the five diagnostic criteria is 18 or more points, the diagnosis of osteomyelitis can be viewed as "safe" (diagnosis class A). Between 8-17 points the diagnosis is "probable" (diagnosis class B). Less than 8 points means that the diagnosis is "possible, but unlikely" (class C diagnosis). Since each parameter can score six points at a maximum, a reliable diagnosis can only be achieved if at least 3 parameters are scored with 6 points. The osteomyelitis diagnosis score should help to avoid the false description of a clinical presentation as "osteomyelitis". A safe diagnosis is essential for the aetiology, treatment and outcome studies of osteomyelitis. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

PROBLEMS OF CYBERNETICS AND SPACE MEDICINE (in Russian)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Parin, V.V.; Baevskii, R.M.

1963-01-01

Problems of cybernetics are discussed with reference to space medicine. The information theory is widely used for solving the problems relevant to radiotelemetric transmission of biological data. Construction of devices for automatic medical control of the condition of the crew of the space ship has a direct bearing to electron diagnostic machines. Mathematical methods and the computing technic are used for analyzing experimental evidence. The theory of automatic regulation was applied for modeling physiological reactions, for developing closed ecological systems, and for solving the problems of driving space ships. The problems bearing on the modifications undergone by the information inmore » the brain are of primary importance for the study of the effect of the space flight conditions upon the efficiency of man, the activity of his nervous system and of his analyzers. (P.C.H.)« less

Interventional articular and para-articular knee procedures

PubMed Central

Lalam, Radhesh K; Winn, Naomi

2016-01-01

The knee is a common area of the body to undergo interventional procedures. This article discusses image-guided interventional issues specific to the knee area. The soft tissues in and around the knee are frequently affected by sport-related injuries and often need image-guided intervention. This article details the specific technical issues related to intervention in these soft tissues, including the iliotibial tract, fat pads, patellar tendon and other tendons, bursae and the meniscus. Most often, simple procedures such as injection and aspiration are performed without image guidance. Rarely image-guided diagnostic arthrography and therapeutic joint injections are necessary. The technique, indications and diagnostic considerations for arthrography are discussed in this article. Primary bone and soft-tissue tumours may involve the knee and adjacent soft tissues. Image-guided biopsies are frequently necessary for these lesions; this article details the technical issues related to image-guided biopsy around the knee. A number of newer ablation treatments are now available, including cryoablation, high-frequency ultrasound and microwave ablation. Radiofrequency ablation, however, still remains the most commonly employed ablation technique. The indications, technical and therapeutic considerations related to the application of this technique around the knee are discussed here. Finally, we briefly discuss some newer, but as of yet, unproven image-guided interventions for osteochondral lesions and Brodie's abscess. PMID:26682669

ISHM-oriented adaptive fault diagnostics for avionics based on a distributed intelligent agent system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Jiuping; Zhong, Zhengqiang; Xu, Lei

2015-10-01

In this paper, an integrated system health management-oriented adaptive fault diagnostics and model for avionics is proposed. With avionics becoming increasingly complicated, precise and comprehensive avionics fault diagnostics has become an extremely complicated task. For the proposed fault diagnostic system, specific approaches, such as the artificial immune system, the intelligent agents system and the Dempster-Shafer evidence theory, are used to conduct deep fault avionics diagnostics. Through this proposed fault diagnostic system, efficient and accurate diagnostics can be achieved. A numerical example is conducted to apply the proposed hybrid diagnostics to a set of radar transmitters on an avionics system and to illustrate that the proposed system and model have the ability to achieve efficient and accurate fault diagnostics. By analyzing the diagnostic system's feasibility and pragmatics, the advantages of this system are demonstrated.

Ultrasound Elastography and MR Elastography for Assessing Liver Fibrosis: Part 2, Diagnostic Performance, Confounders, and Future Directions

PubMed Central

Tang, An; Cloutier, Guy; Szeverenyi, Nikolaus M.; Sirlin, Claude B.

2016-01-01

OBJECTIVE The purpose of the article is to review the diagnostic performance of ultrasound and MR elastography techniques for detection and staging of liver fibrosis, the main current clinical applications of elastography in the abdomen. CONCLUSION Technical and instrument-related factors and biologic and patient-related factors may constitute potential confounders of stiffness measurements for assessment of liver fibrosis. Future developments may expand the scope of elastography for monitoring liver fibrosis and predict complications of chronic liver disease. PMID:25905762

Supersonics--Airport Noise

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bridges, James

2007-01-01

At this, the first year-end meeting of the Fundamental Aeronautics Program, an overview of the Airport Noise discipline of the Supersonics Project leads the presentation of technical plans and achievements in this area of the Project. The overview starts by defining the Technical Challenges targeted by Airport Noise efforts, and the Approaches planned to meet these challenges. These are fleshed out in Elements, namely Prediction, Diagnostics, and Engineering, and broken down into Tasks. The Tasks level is where individual researchers' work is defined and from whence the technical presentations to follow this presentation come. This overview also presents the Milestones accomplished to date and to be completed in the next year. Finally, the NASA Research Announcement cooperative agreement activities are covered and tied to the Tasks and Milestones.

Molecular Diagnostic Analysis of Outbreak Scenarios

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Morsink, M. C.; Dekter, H. E.; Dirks-Mulder, A.; van Leeuwen, W. B.

2012-01-01

In the current laboratory assignment, technical aspects of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are integrated in the context of six different bacterial outbreak scenarios. The "Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus Sequence" (ERIC) PCR was used to analyze different outbreak scenarios. First, groups of 2-4 students determined optimal…

[Clinical Application of Non-invasive Diagnostic Tests for Liver Fibrosis].

PubMed

Shin, Jung Woo; Park, Neung Hwa

2016-07-25

The diagnostic assessment of liver fibrosis is an important step in the management of patients with chronic liver diseases. Liver biopsy is considered the gold standard to assess necroinflammation and fibrosis. However, recent technical advances have introduced numerous serum biomarkers and imaging tools using elastography as noninvasive alternatives to biopsy. Serum markers can be direct or indirect markers of the fibrosis process. The elastography-based studies include transient elastography, acoustic radiation force imaging, supersonic shear wave imaging and magnetic resonance elastography. As accumulation of clinical data shows that noninvasive tests provide prognostic information of clinical relevance, non-invasive diagnostic tools have been incorporated into clinical guidelines and practice. Here, the authors review noninvasive tests for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis.

Loeffler 4.0: Diagnostic Metagenomics.

PubMed

Höper, Dirk; Wylezich, Claudia; Beer, Martin

2017-01-01

A new world of possibilities for "virus discovery" was opened up with high-throughput sequencing becoming available in the last decade. While scientifically metagenomic analysis was established before the start of the era of high-throughput sequencing, the availability of the first second-generation sequencers was the kick-off for diagnosticians to use sequencing for the detection of novel pathogens. Today, diagnostic metagenomics is becoming the standard procedure for the detection and genetic characterization of new viruses or novel virus variants. Here, we provide an overview about technical considerations of high-throughput sequencing-based diagnostic metagenomics together with selected examples of "virus discovery" for animal diseases or zoonoses and metagenomics for food safety or basic veterinary research. © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Taking stock of monitoring and evaluation systems in the health sector: findings from Rwanda and Uganda.

PubMed

Holvoet, Nathalie; Inberg, Liesbeth

2014-07-01

In the context of sector-wide approaches and the considerable funding being put into the health sectors of low-income countries, the need to invest in well-functioning national health sector monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems is widely acknowledged. Regardless of the approach adopted, an important first step in any strategy for capacity development is to diagnose the quality of existing systems or arrangements, taking into account both the supply and demand sides of M&E. As no standardized M&E diagnostic instrument currently exists, we first invested in the development of an assessment tool for sector M&E systems. To counter the criticism that M&E is often narrowed down to a focus on technicalities, our diagnostic tool assesses the quality of M&E systems according to six dimensions: (i) policy; (ii) quality of indicators and data (collection) and methodology; (iii) organization (further divided into iiia: structure and iiib: linkages); (iv) capacity; (v) participation of non-government actors and (vi) M&E outputs: quality and use. We subsequently applied the assessment tool to the health sector M&E systems of Rwanda and Uganda, and this article provides a comparative overview of the main research findings. Our research may have important implications for policy, as both countries receive health sector (budget) support in relation to which M&E system diagnosis and improvement are expected to be high on the agenda. The findings of our assessments indicate that, thus far, the health sector M&E systems in Rwanda and Uganda can at best be diagnosed as 'fragmentary', with some stronger and weaker elements. Published by Oxford University Press in association with The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine © The Author 2013; all rights reserved.

Aircraft Turbine Engine Control Research at NASA Glenn Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garg, Sanjay

2013-01-01

This paper provides an overview of the aircraft turbine engine control research at the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC). A brief introduction to the engine control problem is first provided with a description of the state-of-the-art control law structure. A historical aspect of engine control development since the 1940s is then provided with a special emphasis on the contributions of GRC. With the increased emphasis on aircraft safety, enhanced performance, and affordability, as well as the need to reduce the environmental impact of aircraft, there are many new challenges being faced by the designers of aircraft propulsion systems. The Controls and Dynamics Branch (CDB) at GRC is leading and participating in various projects to develop advanced propulsion controls and diagnostics technologies that will help meet the challenging goals of NASA Aeronautics Research Mission programs. The rest of the paper provides an overview of the various CDB technology development activities in aircraft engine control and diagnostics, both current and some accomplished in the recent past. The motivation for each of the research efforts, the research approach, technical challenges, and the key progress to date are summarized.

Lesion detection performance: comparative analysis of low-dose CT data of the chest on two hybrid imaging systems.

PubMed

Jessop, Maryam; Thompson, John D; Coward, Joanne; Sanderud, Audun; Jorge, José; de Groot, Martijn; Lança, Luís; Hogg, Peter

2015-03-01

Incidental findings on low-dose CT images obtained during hybrid imaging are an increasing phenomenon as CT technology advances. Understanding the diagnostic value of incidental findings along with the technical limitations is important when reporting image results and recommending follow-up, which may result in an additional radiation dose from further diagnostic imaging and an increase in patient anxiety. This study assessed lesions incidentally detected on CT images acquired for attenuation correction on two SPECT/CT systems. An anthropomorphic chest phantom containing simulated lesions of varying size and density was imaged on an Infinia Hawkeye 4 and a Symbia T6 using the low-dose CT settings applied for attenuation correction acquisitions in myocardial perfusion imaging. Twenty-two interpreters assessed 46 images from each SPECT/CT system (15 normal images and 31 abnormal images; 41 lesions). Data were evaluated using a jackknife alternative free-response receiver-operating-characteristic analysis (JAFROC). JAFROC analysis showed a significant difference (P < 0.0001) in lesion detection, with the figures of merit being 0.599 (95% confidence interval, 0.568, 0.631) and 0.810 (95% confidence interval, 0.781, 0.839) for the Infinia Hawkeye 4 and Symbia T6, respectively. Lesion detection on the Infinia Hawkeye 4 was generally limited to larger, higher-density lesions. The Symbia T6 allowed improved detection rates for midsized lesions and some lower-density lesions. However, interpreters struggled to detect small (5 mm) lesions on both image sets, irrespective of density. Lesion detection is more reliable on low-dose CT images from the Symbia T6 than from the Infinia Hawkeye 4. This phantom-based study gives an indication of potential lesion detection in the clinical context as shown by two commonly used SPECT/CT systems, which may assist the clinician in determining whether further diagnostic imaging is justified. © 2015 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Inc.

Aircraft Turbine Engine Control Research at NASA Glenn Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garg, Sanjay

2014-01-01

This lecture will provide an overview of the aircraft turbine engine control research at NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Glenn Research Center (GRC). A brief introduction to the engine control problem is first provided with a description of the current state-of-the-art control law structure. A historical aspect of engine control development since the 1940s is then provided with a special emphasis on the contributions of GRC. The traditional engine control problem has been to provide a means to safely transition the engine from one steady-state operating point to another based on the pilot throttle inputs. With the increased emphasis on aircraft safety, enhanced performance and affordability, and the need to reduce the environmental impact of aircraft, there are many new challenges being faced by the designers of aircraft propulsion systems. The Controls and Dynamics Branch (CDB) at GRC is leading and participating in various projects in partnership with other organizations within GRC and across NASA, other government agencies, the U.S. aerospace industry, and academia to develop advanced propulsion controls and diagnostics technologies that will help meet the challenging goals of NASA programs under the Aeronautics Research Mission. The second part of the lecture provides an overview of the various CDB technology development activities in aircraft engine control and diagnostics, both current and some accomplished in the recent past. The motivation for each of the research efforts, the research approach, technical challenges and the key progress to date are summarized. The technologies to be discussed include system level engine control concepts, gas path diagnostics, active component control, and distributed engine control architecture. The lecture will end with a futuristic perspective of how the various current technology developments will lead to an Intelligent and Autonomous Propulsion System requiring none to very minimum pilot interface, interfacing directly with the flight management system to determine its mode of operation, and providing personalized engine control to optimize its performance given the current condition and mission objectives.

Point of care investigations in pediatric care to improve health care in rural areas.

PubMed

Walia, Kamini

2013-07-01

The good quality laboratory services in developing countries are often limited to major urban centers. As a result, many commercially available high-quality diagnostic tests for infectious diseases are neither accessible nor affordable to patients in the rural areas. Health facilities in rural areas are compromised and this limits the usability and performance of the best medical diagnostic technologies in rural areas as they are designed for air-conditioned laboratories, refrigerated storage of chemicals, a constant supply of calibrators and reagents, stable electrical power, highly trained personnel and rapid transportation of samples. The advent of new technologies have allowed miniaturization and integration of complex functions, which has made it possible for sophisticated diagnostic tools to move out of the developed-world laboratory in the form of a "point of care"(POC) tests. Many diagnostic tests are being developed using these platforms. However, the challenge is to develop diagnostics which are inexpensive, rugged and well suited to the medical and social contexts of the developing world and do not compromise on accuracy and reliability. The already available POC tests which are reliable and affordable, like for HIV infection, malaria, syphilis, and some neglected tropical diseases, and POC tests being developed for other diseases if correctly used and effectively regulated after rigorous evaluation, have the potential to make a difference in clinical management and improve surveillance. In order to use these tests effectively they would need to be supported by technically competent manpower, availability of good-quality reagents, and healthcare providers who value and are able to interpret laboratory results to guide treatment; and a system for timely communication between the laboratory and the healthcare provider. Strengthening the laboratories at the rural level can enable utilization of these diagnostics for improving the diagnosis and management of infectious diseases among children which require prompt treatment and thus, considerably reduce morbidity and mortality among the pediatric age group.

Taking Care of the Small Computer: A Guide for Librarians.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Williams, Gene

1986-01-01

Describes how to identify microcomputer problems and determine whether the services of a technician are required by troubleshooting, or using a process of elimination, without needing a technical background or special tools. Prevention methods and the use of diagnostic programs are also explained. (EM)

21 CFR 212.1 - What are the meanings of the technical terms used in these regulations?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

..., numbers, or symbols from which the complete history of the production, processing, packing, holding, and... is used for providing dual photon positron emission tomographic diagnostic images. The definition.... Production means the manufacturing, compounding, processing, packaging, labeling, reprocessing, repacking...

21 CFR 212.1 - What are the meanings of the technical terms used in these regulations?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

..., numbers, or symbols from which the complete history of the production, processing, packing, holding, and... is used for providing dual photon positron emission tomographic diagnostic images. The definition.... Production means the manufacturing, compounding, processing, packaging, labeling, reprocessing, repacking...

21 CFR 212.1 - What are the meanings of the technical terms used in these regulations?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

..., numbers, or symbols from which the complete history of the production, processing, packing, holding, and... is used for providing dual photon positron emission tomographic diagnostic images. The definition.... Production means the manufacturing, compounding, processing, packaging, labeling, reprocessing, repacking...

Field guide to Intermountain rushes

Treesearch

Emerenciana G. Hurd; Sherel Goodrich; Nancy L. Shaw

1994-01-01

This guide provides technical descriptions of 23 lntermountain rushes (Juncus spp.), including the common and several less abundant species. Line drawings and color or black and white photos illustrate diagnostic characteristics of each species. An illustrated morphology and a glossary acquaint the layperson with terminology used to classify rushes....

A design and implementation methodology for diagnostic systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, Linda J. F.

1988-01-01

A methodology for design and implementation of diagnostic systems is presented. Also discussed are the advantages of embedding a diagnostic system in a host system environment. The methodology utilizes an architecture for diagnostic system development that is hierarchical and makes use of object-oriented representation techniques. Additionally, qualitative models are used to describe the host system components and their behavior. The methodology architecture includes a diagnostic engine that utilizes a combination of heuristic knowledge to control the sequence of diagnostic reasoning. The methodology provides an integrated approach to development of diagnostic system requirements that is more rigorous than standard systems engineering techniques. The advantages of using this methodology during various life cycle phases of the host systems (e.g., National Aerospace Plane (NASP)) include: the capability to analyze diagnostic instrumentation requirements during the host system design phase, a ready software architecture for implementation of diagnostics in the host system, and the opportunity to analyze instrumentation for failure coverage in safety critical host system operations.

Introduction to the SPARC Reanalysis Intercomparison Project (S-RIP) and overview of the reanalysis systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fujiwara, Masatomo; Wright, Jonathon S.; Manney, Gloria L.; Gray, Lesley J.; Anstey, James; Birner, Thomas; Davis, Sean; Gerber, Edwin P.; Harvey, V. Lynn; Hegglin, Michaela I.; Homeyer, Cameron R.; Knox, John A.; Krüger, Kirstin; Lambert, Alyn; Long, Craig S.; Martineau, Patrick; Molod, Andrea; Monge-Sanz, Beatriz M.; Santee, Michelle L.; Tegtmeier, Susann; Chabrillat, Simon; Tan, David G. H.; Jackson, David R.; Polavarapu, Saroja; Compo, Gilbert P.; Dragani, Rossana; Ebisuzaki, Wesley; Harada, Yayoi; Kobayashi, Chiaki; McCarty, Will; Onogi, Kazutoshi; Pawson, Steven; Simmons, Adrian; Wargan, Krzysztof; Whitaker, Jeffrey S.; Zou, Cheng-Zhi

2017-01-01

The climate research community uses atmospheric reanalysis data sets to understand a wide range of processes and variability in the atmosphere, yet different reanalyses may give very different results for the same diagnostics. The Stratosphere-troposphere Processes And their Role in Climate (SPARC) Reanalysis Intercomparison Project (S-RIP) is a coordinated activity to compare reanalysis data sets using a variety of key diagnostics. The objectives of this project are to identify differences among reanalyses and understand their underlying causes, to provide guidance on appropriate usage of various reanalysis products in scientific studies, particularly those of relevance to SPARC, and to contribute to future improvements in the reanalysis products by establishing collaborative links between reanalysis centres and data users. The project focuses predominantly on differences among reanalyses, although studies that include operational analyses and studies comparing reanalyses with observations are also included when appropriate. The emphasis is on diagnostics of the upper troposphere, stratosphere, and lower mesosphere. This paper summarizes the motivation and goals of the S-RIP activity and extensively reviews key technical aspects of the reanalysis data sets that are the focus of this activity. The special issue The SPARC Reanalysis Intercomparison Project (S-RIP) in this journal serves to collect research with relevance to the S-RIP in preparation for the publication of the planned two (interim and full) S-RIP reports.

A Response to Factory Closings: A Career Development Approach.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Deady, John; White, Winifred Parker

This report describes the Career Planning Center, formerly the Institute for Vocational Readiness program, run by the Student Services Division of the Milwaukee Area Technical College. It briefly describes services offered by the center which are focused around a comprehensive diagnostic approach, offering students help in developing a positive…

New Testing Methods to Assess Technical Problem-Solving Ability.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hambleton, Ronald K.; And Others

Tests to assess problem-solving ability being provided for the Air Force are described, and some details on the development and validation of these computer-administered diagnostic achievement tests are discussed. Three measurement approaches were employed: (1) sequential problem solving; (2) context-free assessment of fundamental skills and…

Federal Funds and State Interests: A Proposal for Governing the NAEP.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Doyle, Denis P.

1983-01-01

Informational, diagnostic, prescriptive functions of National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) are best served by governance structure composed of federal, state, and local members and a standing technical advisory board. Structure protects NAEP from undue federal influence and special interest groups, builds bridges to educators and…

Use of Classification Agreement Analyses to Evaluate RTI Implementation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

VanDerHeyden, Amanda

2010-01-01

RTI as a framework for decision making has implications for the diagnosis of specific learning disabilities. Any diagnostic tool must meet certain standards to demonstrate that its use leads to predictable decisions with minimal risk. Classification agreement analyses are described as optimal for demonstrating the technical adequacy of RTI…

Engineering and Technical Efforts to Design and Construct a 10 MW gyrotron Laboratory

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-01-18

coupling coefficients are proptional to the square of the effective electric field at the beam. The effective electric field, Es, is given in...develop- ed to alleviate shorts in the body current beam diagnostic and baking constraints that previous o-ring designs have experienced. The prototype

Project Trade Related Reading Packets for Disabled Readers. Final Report 1984-85.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davis, Beverly; Woodruff, Nancy S.

A comprehensive, shop-related curriculum was developed for special needs students who are severely disabled readers. The basic approach of the curriculum was to provide individualized diagnostic-prescriptive materials that correlate basic reading skills and the required vocational and technical concepts. Trade-related packets were written for…

Left spermatic vein retrograde sclerosis: comparison between sclerosant agent injection through a diagnostic catheter versus through an occluding balloon catheter.

PubMed

Basile, Antonio; Failla, Giovanni; La Vignera, Sandro; Condorelli, Rosita Angela; Calogero, Aldo; Vicari, Enzo; Granata, Antonio; Mundo, Elena; Caltabiano, Giuseppe; Pizzarelli, Marco; Messina, Martina; Scavone, Giovanni; Lanzafame, Franz; Iezzi, Roberto; Tsetis, Dimitrios

2015-05-01

The aim of this study was to compare the technical success between left spermatic vein (LSV) scleroembolisation achieved with the injection of sclerosant through a diagnostic catheter and through an occluding balloon (OB), in the treatment of male varicocele. From January 2012 to September 2013, we prospectively enrolled 100 patients with left varicocele and an indication for LSV scleroembolisation related to symptoms or spermiogram anomalies; patients were randomised to two groups (we wrote a list of 100 lines assigned casually with A or B and each patient was consecutively allocated to group A or B on the basis of this list). Patients in group A underwent injection of the sclerosing agent through an angiographic diagnostic catheter (free catheter technique) and patients in group B through an OB catheter (OB technique). In cases of incomplete occlusion of the LSV, the procedure was completed with coils. Total occlusion of the LSV at post-treatment phlebography during a Valsalva manoeuvre before any coil embolisation was considered a technical success. The rate of complications was also evaluated. The Fischer's test was used for statistical analysis. We evaluated a total of 90 patients because five patients for each group were not included in the statistical analysis owing to technical problems or complications. In group A we had a technical success of 75.6 versus 93.4 % in group B, and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.003); in particular, we had to complete the embolisation with insertion of coils in 11 cases (24.4 %) in group A, and in three cases in group B (6.6 %). In group A, LSV rupture occurred in four cases (8 %) so the procedure was completed by sclerosant injection through the OB located distally to the lesion. These patients were not considered for evaluation. In another case, a high flow shunt towards the inferior vena cava was detected, so the patient underwent OB injection to stop the flow to the shunt, and was not included for statistical evaluation. In group B, vein rupture with contrast leakage was noted in six cases (12 %); nonetheless, all the procedures were completed because the OB was positioned distally to the vessel tear, obviating any retrograde leakage of sclerosant. In group B, in five cases (10 %), we were unable to advance the OB though the LSV ostium so the procedures were completed with the diagnostic catheter and not considered for statistical evaluation. On the basis of our data, the embolisation of the LSV obtained by injecting the sclerosant through an OB rather than through a diagnostic catheter seems to be more effective in achieving total vein embolisation, as well as allowing a controlled injection of sclerosant even in cases of vein rupture.

Stacked, Filtered Multi-Channel X-Ray Diode Array

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

MacNeil, Lawrence P.; Dutra, Eric C.; Raphaelian, Mark

2015-08-01

This system meets the need for a low-cost, robust X-ray diode array to use for experiments in hostile environments on multiple platforms, and for experiments utilizing forces that may destroy the diode(s). Since these uses require a small size with a minimal single line-of-sight, a parallel array often cannot be used. So a stacked, filtered multi-channel X-ray diode array was developed that was called the MiniXRD. The design was modeled, built, and tested at National Security Technologies, LLC (NSTec) Livermore Operations (LO) to determine fundamental characteristics. Then, several different systems were fielded as ancillary “ridealong” diagnostics at several national facilitiesmore » to allow us to iteratively improve the design and usability. Presented here are design considerations and experimental results. This filtered diode array is currently at Technical Readiness Level (TRL) 6.« less

High-Definition Optical Velocimetry: A New Diagnostic Paradigm for Nuclear Security

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Daykin, E; Diaz, A; Gallegos, C

This slide-show describes work done to address the challenge of high-definition optical velocimetry with hundred(s) of high-fidelity velocity vs. time measurements. After a review of the historical context and a general technical description of how optical velocimetry, particularly photonic Doppler velocimetry, works, the innovation of multiplexed photonic Doppler velocimetry (MPDV) is described as implemented with commercially available telecom products and dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM). High amplification of small signals allows for laser-safe operations. The authors have evaluated and leveraged telecom components– optical amplifiers, wavelength multiplexers, and seed lasers–to provide an economical, compact and rugged approach to system architecture. Fouriermore » transform data analysis is seen to be robust and capable of discriminating simultaneous data traces recorded onto a single digitizer channel. The authors successfully fielded demonstration MPDV system on shock driven experiments.« less

Telemedicine: a cautious welcome.

PubMed Central

Wootton, R.

1996-01-01

Telemedicine is a major new development. Having become technically and economically feasible, it deserves proper investigation. Rushing into equipment purchase, however, is almost certain to prove counterproductive. Face to face contact is fundamental to health care and enthusiasts of telemedicine should recognise that it is not as good as the real thing (and unlikely ever to be). However, constraints on time and resources will make face to face consultation increasingly expensive, and telemedicine has the potential to produce major efficiencies in the diagnostic process. The goal of current research is therefore to marry medicine with technology, capitalising on the advantages of telemedicine and producing a robust system that delivers an acceptable service at an appropriate price. Images p1375-a p1375-b p1376-a PMID:8956707

Enhanced surveillance program FY97 accomplishments. Progress report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mauzy, A.; Laake, B.

1997-10-01

This annual report is one volume of the Enhanced Surveillance Program (ESP) FY97 Accomplishments. The complete accomplishments report consists of 11 volumes. Volume 1 includes an ESP overview and a summary of selected unclassified FY97 program highlights. Volume 1 specifically targets a general audience, reflecting about half of the tasks conducted in FY97 and emphasizing key program accomplishments and contributions. The remaining volumes of the accomplishments report are classified, organized by program focus area, and present in technical detail the progress achieved in each of the 104 FY97 program tasks. Focus areas are as follows: pits; high explosives; organics; dynamics;more » diagnostics; systems; secondaries; nonnuclear materials; nonnuclear components; and Surveillance Test Program upgrades.« less

Challenges and opportunities for structural DNA nanotechnology

PubMed Central

Pinheiro, Andre V.; Han, Dongran; Shih, William M.; Yan, Hao

2012-01-01

DNA molecules have been used to build a variety of nanoscale structures and devices over the past 30 years, and potential applications have begun to emerge. But the development of more advanced structures and applications will require a number of issues to be addressed, the most significant of which are the high cost of DNA and the high error rate of self-assembly. Here we examine the technical challenges in the field of structural DNA nanotechnology and outline some of the promising applications that could be developed if these hurdles can be overcome. In particular, we highlight the potential use of DNA nanostructures in molecular and cellular biophysics, as biomimetic systems, in energy transfer and photonics, and in diagnostics and therapeutics for human health. PMID:22056726

12th IAEA Technical Meeting on Energetic Particles in Magnetic Confinement Systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Berk, Herbert L.; Breizman, Boris N.

2014-02-21

The 12th IAEA Technical Meeting on Energetic Particles in Magnetic Confinement Systems took place in Austin, Texas (7–11 September 2011). This meeting was organized jointly with the 5th IAEA Technical Meeting on Theory of Plasma Instabilities (5–7 September 2011). The two meetings shared one day (7 September 2011) with presentations relevant to both groups. Some of the work reported at these meetings was then published in a special issue of Nuclear Fusion [Nucl. Fusion 52 (2012)]. Summaries of the Energetic Particle Conference presentations were given by Kazuo Toi and Boris Breizman. They respectively discussed the experimental and theoretical progress presentedmore » at the meeting. Highlights of this meeting include the tremendous progress that has been achieved in the development of diagnostics that enables the ‘viewing’ of internal fluctuations and allows comparison with theoretical predictions, as demonstrated, for example, in the talks of P. Lauber and M. Osakabe. The need and development of hardened diagnostics in the severe radiation environment, such as those that will exist in ITER, was discussed in the talks of V. Kiptily and V.A. Kazakhov. In theoretical studies, much of the effort is focused on nonlinear phenomena. For example, detailed comparison of theory and experiment on D-III-D on the n = 0 geodesic mode was reported in separate papers by R. Nazikian and G. Fu. A large number of theoretical papers were presented on wave chirping including a paper by B.N. Breizman, which notes that wave chirping from a single frequency may emanate continuously once marginal stability conditions have been established. Another area of wide interest was the detailed study of alpha orbits in a burning plasma, where losses can come from symmetry breaking due to finite coil number or magnetic field imperfections introduced by diagnostic or test modules. An important area of development, covered by M.A. Hole and D.A. Spong, is concerned with the self-consistent treatment of the induced fields that accounts for toroidally asymmetric MHD response. In addition, a significant number of studies focused on understanding nonlinear behavior by means of computer simulation of energetic particle driven instability. An under-represented area of investigation was the study of electron runaway formation during major tokamak disruptions. It was noted in an overview by S. Putvinski that electron energies in the 10–20 MeV range is to be expected during projected major disruptions in ITER and that reliable methods for mitigation of the runaway process needs to be developed. Significant recent work in the field of the disruption induced electron runaway, which was reported by J. Riemann, had been submitted to Physics of Plasmas [3]. Overall it is clear that reliable mitigation of electron runaway is an extremely important topic that is in need of better understanding and solutions.« less

Amplion, Inc.

PubMed

Taylor, Seth; Carroll, Adam; Lord, Jessi

2016-07-01

Amplion, Inc. (OR, USA) is focused on progressing the primary drivers of precision medicine. Focused on enabling the front end of the healthcare value chain, pharmaceutical developers and diagnostic test developers, Amplion zeros in on the research and market components that will make precision medicine a reality. With BiomarkerBase™, Amplion's flagship product, Amplion provides evidence-based biomarker information that support the key strategic decisions pharmaceutical and diagnostic developers need to make to be successful in the emerging world of precision medicine. A passion for saving lives and improving patient outcomes using precision medicine inspires Amplion's product BiomarkerBase™. A unique combination of hard science and data science positions Amplion to surface the relationships of biomarkers and clinical evidence that gives pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies unique insight into the technical realities and market opportunities provided by biomarkers.

Diagnostic Approach to Pediatric Spine Disorders.

PubMed

Rossi, Andrea; Martinetti, Carola; Morana, Giovanni; Severino, Mariasavina; Tortora, Domenico

2016-08-01

Understanding the developmental features of the pediatric spine and spinal cord, including embryologic steps and subsequent growth of the osteocartilaginous spine and contents is necessary for interpretation of the pathologic events that may affect the pediatric spine. MR imaging plays a crucial role in the diagnostic evaluation of patients suspected of harboring spinal abnormalities, whereas computed tomography and ultrasonography play a more limited, complementary role. This article discusses the embryologic and developmental anatomy features of the spine and spinal cord, together with some technical points and pitfalls, and the most common indications for pediatric spinal MR imaging. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The laboratory diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis

PubMed Central

Money, Deborah

2005-01-01

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an extremely common health problem for women. In addition to the troublesome symptoms often associated with a disruption in the balance of vaginal flora, BV is associated with adverse gynecological and pregnancy outcomes. Although not technically a sexually transmitted infection, BV is a sexually associated condition. Diagnostic tests include real-time clinical/microbiological diagnosis, and the current gold standard, the standardized evaluation of morphotypes on Gram stain analysis. The inappropriate use of vaginal culture can be misleading. Future developments into molecular-based diagnostics will be important to further understand this complex endogenous flora disruption. PMID:18159532

EQUAL-quant: an international external quality assessment scheme for real-time PCR.

PubMed

Ramsden, Simon C; Daly, Sarah; Geilenkeuser, Wolf-Jochen; Duncan, Graeme; Hermitte, Fabienne; Marubini, Ettore; Neumaier, Michael; Orlando, Claudio; Palicka, Vladimir; Paradiso, Angelo; Pazzagli, Mario; Pizzamiglio, Sara; Verderio, Paolo

2006-08-01

Quantitative gene expression analysis by real-time PCR is important in several diagnostic areas, such as the detection of minimum residual disease in leukemia and the prognostic assessment of cancer patients. To address quality assurance in this technically challenging area, the European Union (EU) has funded the EQUAL project to develop methodologic external quality assessment (EQA) relevant to diagnostic and research laboratories among the EU member states. We report here the results of the EQUAL-quant program, which assesses standards in the use of TaqMan probes, one of the most widely used assays in the implementation of real-time PCR. The EQUAL-quant reagent set was developed to assess the technical execution of a standard TaqMan assay, including RNA extraction, reverse transcription, and real-time PCR quantification of target DNA copy number. The multidisciplinary EQA scheme included 137 participating laboratories from 29 countries. We demonstrated significant differences in performance among laboratories, with 20% of laboratories reporting at least one result lacking in precision and/or accuracy according to the statistical procedures described. No differences in performance were observed for the >10 different testing platforms used by the study participants. This EQA scheme demonstrated both the requirement and demand for external assessment of technical standards in real-time PCR. The reagent design and the statistical tools developed within this project will provide a benchmark for defining acceptable working standards in this emerging technology.

Development of an intelligent diagnostic system for reusable rocket engine control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anex, R. P.; Russell, J. R.; Guo, T.-H.

1991-01-01

A description of an intelligent diagnostic system for the Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME) is presented. This system is suitable for incorporation in an intelligent controller which implements accommodating closed-loop control to extend engine life and maximize available performance. The diagnostic system architecture is a modular, hierarchical, blackboard system which is particularly well suited for real-time implementation of a system which must be repeatedly updated and extended. The diagnostic problem is formulated as a hierarchical classification problem in which the failure hypotheses are represented in terms of predefined data patterns. The diagnostic expert system incorporates techniques for priority-based diagnostics, the combination of analytical and heuristic knowledge for diagnosis, integration of different AI systems, and the implementation of hierarchical distributed systems. A prototype reusable rocket engine diagnostic system (ReREDS) has been implemented. The prototype user interface and diagnostic performance using SSME test data are described.

New and improved tuberculosis diagnostics: evidence, policy, practice, and impact.

PubMed

Pai, Madhukar; Minion, Jessica; Steingart, Karen; Ramsay, Andrew

2010-05-01

The aim is to summarize the evidence base for tuberculosis (TB) diagnostics, review recent policies on TB diagnostics, and discuss issues such as how evidence is translated into policy, limitations of the existing evidence base, and challenges involved in translating policies into impact. Case detection continues to be a major obstacle to global TB control. Fortunately, due to an unprecedented level of interest, funding, and activity, the new diagnostics pipeline for TB has rapidly expanded. There have been several new policies and guidelines on TB diagnostics. However, there are major gaps in the existing pipeline (e.g. lack of a point-of-care test) and the evidence base is predominantly made up of research studies of test accuracy. With the availability of new diagnostics and supporting policies, the next major step is translation of policy into practice. The impact of new tests will depend largely on the extent of their introduction and acceptance into the global public sector. This will itself depend in part on policy decisions by international technical agencies and national TB programs. With the engagement of all key stakeholders, we will need to translate evidence-based policies into epidemiological and public health impact.

Integrated Electronic Health Record Database Management System: A Proposal.

PubMed

Schiza, Eirini C; Panos, George; David, Christiana; Petkov, Nicolai; Schizas, Christos N

2015-01-01

eHealth has attained significant importance as a new mechanism for health management and medical practice. However, the technological growth of eHealth is still limited by technical expertise needed to develop appropriate products. Researchers are constantly in a process of developing and testing new software for building and handling Clinical Medical Records, being renamed to Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems; EHRs take full advantage of the technological developments and at the same time provide increased diagnostic and treatment capabilities to doctors. A step to be considered for facilitating this aim is to involve more actively the doctor in building the fundamental steps for creating the EHR system and database. A global clinical patient record database management system can be electronically created by simulating real life medical practice health record taking and utilizing, analyzing the recorded parameters. This proposed approach demonstrates the effective implementation of a universal classic medical record in electronic form, a procedure by which, clinicians are led to utilize algorithms and intelligent systems for their differential diagnosis, final diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Wide-field and high-resolution optical imaging for early detection of oral neoplasia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pierce, Mark C.; Schwarz, Richard A.; Rosbach, Kelsey; Roblyer, Darren; Muldoon, Tim; Williams, Michelle D.; El-Naggar, Adel K.; Gillenwater, Ann M.; Richards-Kortum, Rebecca

2010-02-01

Current procedures for oral cancer screening typically involve visual inspection of the entire tissue surface at risk under white light illumination. However, pre-cancerous lesions can be difficult to distinguish from many benign conditions when viewed under these conditions. We have developed wide-field (macroscopic) imaging system which additionally images in cross-polarized white light, narrowband reflectance, and fluorescence imaging modes to reduce specular glare, enhance vascular contrast, and detect disease-related alterations in tissue autofluorescence. We have also developed a portable system to enable high-resolution (microscopic) evaluation of cellular features within the oral mucosa in situ. This system is a wide-field epi-fluorescence microscope coupled to a 1 mm diameter, flexible fiber-optic imaging bundle. Proflavine solution was used to specifically label cell nuclei, enabling the characteristic differences in N/C ratio and nuclear distribution between normal, dysplastic, and cancerous oral mucosa to be quantified. This paper discusses the technical design and performance characteristics of these complementary imaging systems. We will also present data from ongoing clinical studies aimed at evaluating diagnostic performance of these systems for detection of oral neoplasia.

Heartbeat OCT: in vivo intravascular megahertz-optical coherence tomography

PubMed Central

Wang, Tianshi; Pfeiffer, Tom; Regar, Evelyn; Wieser, Wolfgang; van Beusekom, Heleen; Lancee, Charles T.; Springeling, Geert; Krabbendam, Ilona; van der Steen, Antonius F.W.; Huber, Robert; van Soest, Gijs

2015-01-01

Cardiac motion artifacts, non-uniform rotational distortion and undersampling affect the image quality and the diagnostic impact of intravascular optical coherence tomography (IV-OCT). In this study we demonstrate how these limitations of IV-OCT can be addressed by using an imaging system that we called “Heartbeat OCT”, combining a fast Fourier Domain Mode Locked laser, fast pullback, and a micromotor actuated catheter, designed to examine a coronary vessel in less than one cardiac cycle. We acquired in vivo data sets of two coronary arteries in a porcine heart with both Heartbeat OCT, working at 2.88 MHz A-line rate, 4000 frames/s and 100 mm/s pullback speed, and with a commercial system. The in vivo results show that Heartbeat OCT provides faithfully rendered, motion-artifact free, fully sampled vessel wall architecture, unlike the conventional IV-OCT data. We present the Heartbeat OCT system in full technical detail and discuss the steps needed for clinical translation of the technology. PMID:26713214

Comparison of EUS-guided tissue acquisition using two different 19-gauge core biopsy needles: a multicenter, prospective, randomized, and blinded study

PubMed Central

DeWitt, John; Cho, Chang-Min; Lin, Jingmei; Al-Haddad, Mohammad; Canto, Marcia Irene; Salamone, Ashley; Hruban, Ralph H.; Messallam, Ahmed A.; Khashab, Mouen A.

2015-01-01

Background and study aims: The optimal core biopsy needle for endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is unknown. The principle aim of this study is to compare outcomes of EUS-fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) with a new 19-gauge EUS histology needle (ProCore, Cook Medical Inc., Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States) to a conventional 19-gauge Tru-Cut biopsy (EUS-TCB) needle (19G, Quick-Core, Cook Medical Inc.). Patients and methods: Patients referred for EUS who require possible histologic biopsy were prospectively randomized to EUS-FNB or EUS-TCB. With the initial needle, ≤ 3 biopsies were obtained until either technical failure or an adequate core was obtained. Patients with suspected inadequate biopsies were crossed over to the other needle and similarly ≤ 3 passes were obtained until adequate cores or technical failure occurred. Technical success, diagnostic histology, accuracy and complication rates were evaluated. Results: Eighty-five patients (mean 58 years; 43 male) were randomized to FNB (n = 44) and TCB (n = 41) with seven patients excluded. Procedure indication, biopsy site, mass size, number of passes, puncture site, overall technical success and adverse events were similar between the two groups. FNB specimens had a higher prevalence of diagnostic histology (85 % vs. 57 %; P = 0.006), accuracy (88 % vs. 62 %; P = 0.02), mean total length (19.4 vs. 4.3 mm; P = 0.001), mean complete portal triads from liver biopsies (10.4 vs. 1.3; P = 0.0004) and required fewer crossover biopsies compared to those of TCB (2 % vs. 65 %; P = 0.0001). Overall technical success and complication rates were comparable. Conclusion: EUS-FNB using a 19-gauge FNB needle is superior to 19-gauge EUS-TCB needle. PMID:26528504

Core-Noise

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hultgren, Lennart S.

2010-01-01

This presentation is a technical progress report and near-term outlook for NASA-internal and NASA-sponsored external work on core (combustor and turbine) noise funded by the Fundamental Aeronautics Program Subsonic Fixed Wing (SFW) Project. Sections of the presentation cover: the SFW system level noise metrics for the 2015, 2020, and 2025 timeframes; the emerging importance of core noise and its relevance to the SFW Reduced-Noise-Aircraft Technical Challenge; the current research activities in the core-noise area, with some additional details given about the development of a high-fidelity combustion-noise prediction capability; the need for a core-noise diagnostic capability to generate benchmark data for validation of both high-fidelity work and improved models, as well as testing of future noise-reduction technologies; relevant existing core-noise tests using real engines and auxiliary power units; and examples of possible scenarios for a future diagnostic facility. The NASA Fundamental Aeronautics Program has the principal objective of overcoming today's national challenges in air transportation. The SFW Reduced-Noise-Aircraft Technical Challenge aims to enable concepts and technologies to dramatically reduce the perceived aircraft noise outside of airport boundaries. This reduction of aircraft noise is critical for enabling the anticipated large increase in future air traffic. Noise generated in the jet engine core, by sources such as the compressor, combustor, and turbine, can be a significant contribution to the overall noise signature at low-power conditions, typical of approach flight. At high engine power during takeoff, jet and fan noise have traditionally dominated over core noise. However, current design trends and expected technological advances in engine-cycle design as well as noise-reduction methods are likely to reduce non-core noise even at engine-power points higher than approach. In addition, future low-emission combustor designs could increase the combustion-noise component. The trend towards high-power-density cores also means that the noise generated in the low-pressure turbine will likely increase. Consequently, the combined result from these emerging changes will be to elevate the overall importance of turbomachinery core noise, which will need to be addressed in order to meet future noise goals.

75 FR 20817 - Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-21

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Industry and Security Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee Notice of Partially Closed Meeting The Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee (ISTAC... Administration on technical questions that affect the level of export controls applicable to information systems...

Health Management Applications for International Space Station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Alena, Richard; Duncavage, Dan

2005-01-01

Traditional mission and vehicle management involves teams of highly trained specialists monitoring vehicle status and crew activities, responding rapidly to any anomalies encountered during operations. These teams work from the Mission Control Center and have access to engineering support teams with specialized expertise in International Space Station (ISS) subsystems. Integrated System Health Management (ISHM) applications can significantly augment these capabilities by providing enhanced monitoring, prognostic and diagnostic tools for critical decision support and mission management. The Intelligent Systems Division of NASA Ames Research Center is developing many prototype applications using model-based reasoning, data mining and simulation, working with Mission Control through the ISHM Testbed and Prototypes Project. This paper will briefly describe information technology that supports current mission management practice, and will extend this to a vision for future mission control workflow incorporating new ISHM applications. It will describe ISHM applications currently under development at NASA and will define technical approaches for implementing our vision of future human exploration mission management incorporating artificial intelligence and distributed web service architectures using specific examples. Several prototypes are under development, each highlighting a different computational approach. The ISStrider application allows in-depth analysis of Caution and Warning (C&W) events by correlating real-time telemetry with the logical fault trees used to define off-nominal events. The application uses live telemetry data and the Livingstone diagnostic inference engine to display the specific parameters and fault trees that generated the C&W event, allowing a flight controller to identify the root cause of the event from thousands of possibilities by simply navigating animated fault tree models on their workstation. SimStation models the functional power flow for the ISS Electrical Power System and can predict power balance for nominal and off-nominal conditions. SimStation uses realtime telemetry data to keep detailed computational physics models synchronized with actual ISS power system state. In the event of failure, the application can then rapidly diagnose root cause, predict future resource levels and even correlate technical documents relevant to the specific failure. These advanced computational models will allow better insight and more precise control of ISS subsystems, increasing safety margins by speeding up anomaly resolution and reducing,engineering team effort and cost. This technology will make operating ISS more efficient and is directly applicable to next-generation exploration missions and Crew Exploration Vehicles.

48 CFR 9.505-1 - Providing systems engineering and technical direction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... engineering and technical direction. 9.505-1 Section 9.505-1 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL... of Interest 9.505-1 Providing systems engineering and technical direction. (a) A contractor that provides systems engineering and technical direction for a system but does not have overall contractual...

48 CFR 9.505-1 - Providing systems engineering and technical direction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... engineering and technical direction. 9.505-1 Section 9.505-1 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL... of Interest 9.505-1 Providing systems engineering and technical direction. (a) A contractor that provides systems engineering and technical direction for a system but does not have overall contractual...

48 CFR 9.505-1 - Providing systems engineering and technical direction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... engineering and technical direction. 9.505-1 Section 9.505-1 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL... of Interest 9.505-1 Providing systems engineering and technical direction. (a) A contractor that provides systems engineering and technical direction for a system but does not have overall contractual...

48 CFR 9.505-1 - Providing systems engineering and technical direction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... engineering and technical direction. 9.505-1 Section 9.505-1 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL... of Interest 9.505-1 Providing systems engineering and technical direction. (a) A contractor that provides systems engineering and technical direction for a system but does not have overall contractual...

48 CFR 9.505-1 - Providing systems engineering and technical direction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... engineering and technical direction. 9.505-1 Section 9.505-1 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL... of Interest 9.505-1 Providing systems engineering and technical direction. (a) A contractor that provides systems engineering and technical direction for a system but does not have overall contractual...

Feasibility test of a UK-scalable electronic system for regular collection of patient-reported outcome measures and linkage with clinical cancer registry data: the electronic Patient-reported Outcomes from Cancer Survivors (ePOCS) system.

PubMed

Ashley, Laura; Jones, Helen; Forman, David; Newsham, Alex; Brown, Julia; Downing, Amy; Velikova, Galina; Wright, Penny

2011-10-26

Cancer survivors can face significant physical and psychosocial challenges; there is a need to identify and predict which survivors experience what sorts of difficulties. As highlighted in the UK National Cancer Survivorship Initiative, routine post-diagnostic collection of patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) is required; to be most informative, PROMs must be linked and analysed with patients' diagnostic and treatment information. We have designed and built a potentially cost-efficient UK-scalable electronic system for collecting PROMs via the internet, at regular post-diagnostic time-points, for linking these data with patients' clinical data in cancer registries, and for electronically managing the associated patient monitoring and communications; the electronic Patient-reported Outcomes from Cancer Survivors (ePOCS) system. This study aims to test the feasibility of the ePOCS system, by running it for 2 years in two Yorkshire NHS Trusts, and using the Northern and Yorkshire Cancer Registry and Information Service. Non-metastatic breast, colorectal and prostate cancer patients (largest survivor groups), within 6 months post-diagnosis, will be recruited from hospitals in the Yorkshire Cancer Network. Participants will be asked to complete PROMS, assessing a range of health-related quality-of-life outcomes, at three time-points up to 15 months post-diagnosis, and subsequently to provide opinion on the ePOCS system via a feedback questionnaire. Feasibility will be examined primarily in terms of patient recruitment and retention rates, the representativeness of participating patients, the quantity and quality of collected PROMs data, patients' feedback, the success and reliability of the underpinning informatics, and the system running costs. If sufficient data are generated during system testing, these will be analysed to assess the health-related quality-of-life outcomes reported by patients, and to explore if and how they relate to disease, treatment and/or individual differences characteristics. There is currently no system in the UK for collecting PROMs online and linking these with patients' clinical data in cancer registries. If feasible, ePOCS has potential to provide an affordable UK-scalable technical platform to facilitate and support longitudinal cohort research, and improve understanding of cancer survivors' experiences. Comprehensive understanding of survivorship difficulties is vital to inform the development and provision of supportive services and interventions.

Technical feasibility, diagnostic yield, and safety of microforceps biopsies during EUS evaluation of pancreatic cystic lesions (with video).

PubMed

Mittal, Chetan; Obuch, Joshua C; Hammad, Hazem; Edmundowicz, Steven A; Wani, Sachin; Shah, Raj J; Brauer, Brian C; Attwell, Augustin R; Kaplan, Jeffrey B; Wagh, Mihir S

2018-05-01

Through-the-needle microforceps are a recent addition to the EUS armamentarium for evaluation of pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs). The main aim of this study was to assess the technical feasibility, diagnostic yield, and safety of EUS-guided microforceps biopsy for PCLs. Our electronic endoscopy database was queried to identify patients who underwent EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA) of PCLs and microforceps biopsies during the same procedure. A biopsy was done on the wall of the cyst with the microforceps through the 19-gauge needle, and cyst fluid was collected for cytology and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels. Adverse events were recorded per published American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy criteria. Twenty-seven patients underwent EUS-FNA and microforceps biopsy of PCLs from February 2016 to July 2017. Fourteen cysts were located in the pancreatic head and/or uncinate, and 13 were located in the body and/or tail region. Microforceps biopsies were technically successful in all cases and provided a pathology diagnosis in 24 of 27 cases (yield 88.9%). Microforceps biopsies diagnosed mucinous cyst in 9 patients (33.3%), serous cystadenoma in 4 (14.8%), neuroendocrine tumor in 1 (3.7%), and benign and/or inflammatory cyst in 10 (37.1%). In 7 patients (26%), microforceps biopsy results drastically changed the diagnosis, providing diagnoses otherwise not suggested by cytology or cyst fluid CEA levels. However, cytology provided a diagnosis of mucinous cyst in 4 cases (14.8%) not detected by microforceps biopsies. No adverse events were noted. Microforceps biopsies were associated with high technical success, and an excellent safety profile and may be a useful adjunctive tool, complementing existing EUS-FNA sampling protocols for PCLs. Copyright © 2018 American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The minimal carcinoma triple stain is superior to commercially available multiplex immunohistochemical stains: breast triple stain and LC/DC breast cocktail.

PubMed

Ginter, Paula S; Varma, Sonal; Liu, Yi-Fang; Shin, Sandra J

2015-12-01

The Minimal Carcinoma (MC) Triple Stain is a tri-chromogen multiplex immunostain (CK7, p63, and E-cadherin) helpful in classifying morphologically ambiguous and/or small carcinomas as either ductal or lobular and/or in situ or invasive. We compared the utility of this stain with two commercially available duplex/multiplex immunostains: Breast Triple Stain (BTS) (Clarient, Aliso Viejo, CA; CK5, p63, and CK8/18) and LC/DC Breast Cocktail (LCDC) (Biocare, Concord, CA; E-cadherin and p120). Ninety-seven mammary carcinomas stained with the MC Triple Stain, BTS, and LCDC were compared. The MC Triple Stain, LCDC, and BTS were diagnostic in 90 (93%) of 97, 82 (85%) of 97, and 85 (88%) of 97 of cases, respectively. All stains showed decreased diagnostic utility due to variability in tissue integrity, quality of the staining, and/or ease of interpretation. In cases where all immunostains were interpretable, the MC Triple Stain yielded the most information. When technically sufficient, all three immunostains demonstrated relative strengths and weaknesses in their ability to provide diagnostic information with the highest consistency and ease of use. Many cases stained with LCDC were technically insufficient due to a suboptimal staining protocol provided by the company. Overall, the MC Triple Stain outperformed BTS and LCDC by more consistently providing more diagnostic information. The MC Triple Stain is a viable alternative to other multiplex immunostains in evaluating small foci of carcinoma, particularly when both the histologic type and extent of disease (in situ vs invasive) require clarification. Copyright© by the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

--No Title--

Science.gov Websites

status of ENSO go to the ENSO Advisory (issued when appropriate) or the latest monthly Climate Diagnostics Bulletin. More technical information on the global patterns of abnormal precipitation and , J. Climate, 5, 577-593). A general description of a warm (ENSO) episode and its composite evolution

Maintenance Work, Maintenance Skills: The Case of a Major Water Company in the UK.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cooke, Fang Lee

2002-01-01

A case study of a British water company found that technological change had only a moderate impact on technical skills but increased the need for diagnostic and information technology skills for the maintenance of electronic equipment. Organizational restructuring increased requirements for functional flexibility and interpersonal skills.…

Education for the Other Side of Gaming

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stone, Michael R.

2006-01-01

In this article, the author talks about gambling and how career and technical education can play a role in gaming education. While the growth of gambling fuels the economy, it can also fuel hidden addiction. Identified by the American Psychiatric Association in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the Mental Disorders as pathological gambling,…

Formative Evaluation Study for AESP Diagnostic and Prescriptive Reading Course. Technical Report Number Three.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bramble, William J., Ed.; Ausness, Claudine, Ed.

The Appalachian Education Satellite Project (AESP) was conceptualized in 1973 (1) to develop courses in reading and career-education instruction for teachers in the Appalachian region, and (2) to determine the feasibility of conducting such courses over a large geographical area via communications satellites. This report describes the formative…

Advancing Diagnostic Skills for Technology and Engineering Undergraduates: A Summary of the Validation Data

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Foster, W. Tad; Shahhosseini, A. Mehran; Maughan, George

2016-01-01

Facilitating student growth and development in diagnosing and solving technical problems remains a challenge for technology and engineering educators. With funding from the National Science Foundation, this team of researchers developed a self-guided, computer-based instructional program to experiment with conceptual mapping as a treatment to…

Computer-Based Simulations for Maintenance Training: Current ARI Research. Technical Report 544.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Knerr, Bruce W.; And Others

Three research efforts that used computer-based simulations for maintenance training were in progress when this report was written: Game-Based Learning, which investigated the use of computer-based games to train electronics diagnostic skills; Human Performance in Fault Diagnosis Tasks, which evaluated the use of context-free tasks to train…

FY2005 Progress Summary and FY2006 Program Plan Statement of Work and Deliverables for Development of High Average Power Diode-Pumped Solid State Lasers, and Complementary Technologies, for Applications in Energy and Defense

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ebbers, C

The primary focus this year was to operate the system with two amplifiers populated with and pumped by eight high power diode arrays. The system was operated for extended run periods which enabled average power testing of components, diagnostics, and controls. These tests were highly successful, with a demonstrated energy level of over 55 joules for 4 cumulative hours at a repetition rate of 10 Hz (average power 0.55 kW). In addition, high average power second harmonic generation was demonstrated, achieving 227 W of 523.5 nm light (22.7 J, 10 Hz, 15 ns, 30 minutes) Plans to achieve higher energymore » levels and average powers are in progress. The dual amplifier system utilizes a 4-pass optical arrangement. The Yb:S-FAP slabs were mounted in aerodynamic aluminum vane structures to allow turbulent helium gas flow across the faces. Diagnostic packages that monitored beam performance were deployed during operation. The laser experiments involved injecting a seed beam from the front end into the system and making four passes through both amplifiers. Beam performance diagnostics monitored the beam on each pass to assess system parameters such as gain and nearfield intensity profiles. This year, an active mirror and wavefront sensor were procured and demonstrated in an off-line facility. The active mirror technology can correct for low order phase distortions at user specified operating conditions (such as repetition rates different than 10 Hz) and is a complementary technology to the static phase plates used in the system for higher order distortions. A picture of the laser system with amplifier No.2 (foreground) and amplifier No.1 (background) is shown in Fig. 1.0.1.1. The control system and diagnostics were recently enhanced for faster processing and allow remote operation of the system. The growth and fabrication of the Yb:S-FAP slabs constituted another major element of our program objectives. Our goal was to produce at least fourteen 4x6 cm2 crystalline slabs. These goals were met. Nine crystal boules were successfully grown to produce 14 slabs. In addition, we have prepared the way to scale the Yb:S-FAP crystals to the next growth diameter (10-inch diameter as opposed to 7-inch diameter). An outside contract was placed with Northrop-Grumman to scaleup the Yb:S-FAP crystal size. The following sections discuss the above accomplishments in more technical detail and are followed by plans and a budget request for FY2006.« less

[Forensic-medical diagnostics of an electrical mark resulting from the injury inflicted by technical electricity in the aqueous environment].

PubMed

Pigolkin, Iu I; Skovorodnikov, S V; Dubrovin, I A

2014-01-01

The objective of the present study was to develop the criteria for forensic-medical diagnostics of an electrical injury inflicted in the aqueous environment based on the characteristics of the electrical mark. The specific morphological features of the electrical injuries inflicted in the aqueous environment that were discovered in the materials available for the forensic medical expertise were analysed taking into consideration the results of the relevant research reported in the forensic medical literature. It was shown that an electrical injury inflicted in the aqueous environment results in the formation of an unusual mark in the form of blisters containing no watery liquid associated with electrogenic oedema in the surrounding tissues. Macroscopic and microscopic studies of the electrical mark failed to reveal the signs of grade III and IV grade thermal burning or thermally affected hair. It is concluded that the consistent characteristics of the electrical mark resulting from the injury inflicted by technical electricity in the aqueous environment include cell lengthening, blister formation inside the corneal layer, and the separation of epidermis from the skin proper.

Communication skills in diagnostic pathology.

PubMed

Lehr, Hans-Anton; Bosman, Fred T

2016-01-01

Communication is an essential element of good medical practice also in pathology. In contrast to technical or diagnostic skills, communication skills are not easy to define, teach, or assess. Rules almost do not exist. In this paper, which has a rather personal character and cannot be taken as a set of guidelines, important aspects of communication in pathology are explored. This includes what should be communicated to the pathologist on the pathology request form, communication between pathologists during internal (interpathologist) consultation, communication around frozen section diagnoses, modalities of communication of a final diagnosis, with whom and how critical and unexpected findings should be communicated, (in-)adequate routes of communication for pathology diagnoses, who will (or might) receive pathology reports, and what should be communicated and how in case of an error or a technical problem. An earlier more formal description of what the responsibilities are of a pathologist as communicator and as collaborator in a medical team is added in separate tables. The intention of the paper is to stimulate reflection and discussion rather than to formulate strict rules.

Status, quality and specific needs of Zika virus (ZIKV) diagnostic capacity and capability in National Reference Laboratories for arboviruses in 30 EU/EEA countries, May 2016

PubMed Central

Mögling, Ramona; Zeller, Hervé; Revez, Joana; Koopmans, Marion; Reusken, Chantal

2017-01-01

With international travel, Zika virus (ZIKV) is introduced to Europe regularly. A country's ability to robustly detect ZIKV introduction and local transmission is important to minimise the risk for a ZIKV outbreak. Therefore, sufficient expertise and diagnostic capacity and capability are required in European laboratories. To assess the capacity, quality, operational specifics (guidelines and algorithms), technical and interpretation issues and other possible difficulties that were related to ZIKV diagnostics in European countries, a questionnaire was conducted among national reference laboratories in 30 countries in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) in May 2016. While the coverage and capacity of ZIKV diagnostics in the EU/EEA national reference laboratories were found to be adequate, the assessment of the quality and needs indicated several crucial points of improvement that will need support at national and EU/EEA level to improve ZIKV preparedness, response and EU/EEA ZIKV surveillance activities. PMID:28920574

From innovation to application: social-ecological context, diagnostics, drugs and integrated control of schistosomiasis.

PubMed

Utzinger, Jürg; N'goran, Eliézer K; Caffrey, Conor R; Keiser, Jennifer

2011-09-01

Compared to malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, schistosomiasis remains a truly neglected tropical disease. Schistosomiasis, perhaps more than any other disease, is entrenched in prevailing social-ecological systems, since transmission is governed by human behaviour (e.g. open defecation and patterns of unprotected surface water contacts) and ecological features (e.g. living in close proximity to suitable freshwater bodies in which intermediate host snails proliferate). Moreover, schistosomiasis is intimately linked with poverty and the disease has spread to previously non-endemic areas as a result of demographic, ecological and engineering transformations. Importantly though, thanks to increased advocacy there is growing awareness, financial and technical support to control and eventually eliminate schistosomiasis as a public health problem at local, regional and global scales. The purpose of this review is to highlight recent progress made in innovation, validation and application of new tools and strategies for research and integrated control of schistosomiasis. First, we explain that schistosomiasis is deeply embedded in social-ecological systems and explore linkages with poverty. We then summarize and challenge global statistics, risk maps and burden estimates of human schistosomiasis. Discovery and development research pertaining to novel diagnostics and drugs forms the centrepiece of our review. We discuss unresolved issues and emerging opportunities for integrated and sustainable control of schistosomiasis and conclude with a series of research needs. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The clinical and technical evaluation of a remote telementored telesonography system during the acute resuscitation and transfer of the injured patient.

PubMed

Dyer, Dianne; Cusden, Jane; Turner, Chris; Boyd, Jeff; Hall, Rob; Lautner, David; Hamilton, Douglas R; Shepherd, Lance; Dunham, Michael; Bigras, Andre; Bigras, Guy; McBeth, Paul; Kirkpatrick, Andrew W

2008-12-01

Ultrasound (US) has an ever increasing scope in the evaluation of trauma, but relies greatly on operator experience. NASA has refined telesongraphy (TS) protocols for traumatic injury, especially in reference to mentoring inexperienced users. We hypothesized that such TS might benefit remote terrestrial caregivers. We thus explored using real-time US and video communication between a remote (Banff) and central (Calgary) site during acute trauma resuscitations. A existing internet link, allowing bidirectional videoconferencing and unidirectional US transmission was used between the Banff and Calgary ERs. Protocols to direct or observe an extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma (EFAST) were adapted from NASA algorithms. A call rota was established. Technical feasibility was ascertained through review of completed checklists. Involved personnel were interviewed with a semistructured interview. In addition to three normal volunteers, 20 acute clinical examinations were completed. Technical challenges requiring solution included initiating US; audio and video communications; image freezing; and US transmission delays. FAST exams were completed in all cases and EFASTs in 14. The critical anatomic features of a diagnostic examination were identified in 98% of all FAST exams and a 100% of all EFASTs that were attempted. Enhancement of clinical care included confirmation of five cases of hemoperitoneum and two pneumothoraces (PTXs), as well as educational benefits. Remote personnel were appreciative of the remote direction particularly when instructions were given sequentially in simple, nontechnical language. The remote real-time guidance or observation of an EFAST using TS appears feasible. Most technical problems were quickly overcome. Further evaluation of this approach and technology is warranted in more remote settings with less experienced personnel.

Radiation dose-reduction strategies in thoracic CT.

PubMed

Moser, J B; Sheard, S L; Edyvean, S; Vlahos, I

2017-05-01

Modern computed tomography (CT) machines have the capability to perform thoracic CT for a range of clinical indications at increasingly low radiation doses. This article reviews several factors, both technical and patient-related, that can affect radiation dose and discusses current dose-reduction methods relevant to thoracic imaging through a review of current techniques in CT acquisition and image reconstruction. The fine balance between low radiation dose and high image quality is considered throughout, with an emphasis on obtaining diagnostic quality imaging at the lowest achievable radiation dose. The risks of excessive radiation dose reduction are also considered. Inappropriately low dose may result in suboptimal or non-diagnostic imaging that may reduce diagnostic confidence, impair diagnosis, or result in repeat examinations incurring incremental ionising radiation exposure. Copyright © 2016 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Upgrade of the infrared camera diagnostics for the JET ITER-like wall divertor.

PubMed

Balboa, I; Arnoux, G; Eich, T; Sieglin, B; Devaux, S; Zeidner, W; Morlock, C; Kruezi, U; Sergienko, G; Kinna, D; Thomas, P D; Rack, M

2012-10-01

For the new ITER-like wall at JET, two new infrared diagnostics (KL9B, KL3B) have been installed. These diagnostics can operate between 3.5 and 5 μm and up to sampling frequencies of ∼20 kHz. KL9B and KL3B image the horizontal and vertical tiles of the divertor. The divertor tiles are tungsten coated carbon fiber composite except the central tile which is bulk tungsten and consists of lamella segments. The thermal emission between lamellae affects the surface temperature measurement and therefore KL9A has been upgraded to achieve a higher spatial resolution (by a factor of 2). A technical description of KL9A, KL9B, and KL3B and cross correlation with a near infrared camera and a two-color pyrometer is presented.

Opportunities and challenges associated with clinical diagnostic genome sequencing: a report of the Association for Molecular Pathology.

PubMed

Schrijver, Iris; Aziz, Nazneen; Farkas, Daniel H; Furtado, Manohar; Gonzalez, Andrea Ferreira; Greiner, Timothy C; Grody, Wayne W; Hambuch, Tina; Kalman, Lisa; Kant, Jeffrey A; Klein, Roger D; Leonard, Debra G B; Lubin, Ira M; Mao, Rong; Nagan, Narasimhan; Pratt, Victoria M; Sobel, Mark E; Voelkerding, Karl V; Gibson, Jane S

2012-11-01

This report of the Whole Genome Analysis group of the Association for Molecular Pathology illuminates the opportunities and challenges associated with clinical diagnostic genome sequencing. With the reality of clinical application of next-generation sequencing, technical aspects of molecular testing can be accomplished at greater speed and with higher volume, while much information is obtained. Although this testing is a next logical step for molecular pathology laboratories, the potential impact on the diagnostic process and clinical correlations is extraordinary and clinical interpretation will be challenging. We review the rapidly evolving technologies; provide application examples; discuss aspects of clinical utility, ethics, and consent; and address the analytic, postanalytic, and professional implications. Copyright © 2012 American Society for Investigative Pathology and the Association for Molecular Pathology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Electromagnetic-Tracked Biopsy under Ultrasound Guidance: Preliminary Results

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hakime, Antoine, E-mail: thakime@yahoo.com; Deschamps, Frederic; Marques De Carvalho, Enio Garcia

2012-08-15

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the accuracy and safety of electromagnetic needle tracking for sonographically guided percutaneous liver biopsies. Methods: We performed 23 consecutive ultrasound-guided liver biopsies for liver nodules with an electromagnetic tracking of the needle. A sensor placed at the tip of a sterile stylet (18G) inserted in a coaxial guiding trocar (16G) used for biopsy was localized in real time relative to the ultrasound imaging plane, thanks to an electromagnetic transmitter and two sensors on the ultrasound probe. This allows for electronic display of the needle tip location and the future needle path overlaid onmore » the real-time ultrasound image. Distance between needle tip position and its electronic display, number of needle punctures, number of needle pull backs for redirection, technical success (needle positioned in the target), diagnostic success (correct histopathology result), procedure time, and complication were evaluated according to lesion sizes, depth and location, operator experience, and 'in-plane' or 'out-of-plane' needle approach. Results: Electronic display was always within 2 mm from the real position of the needle tip. The technical success rate was 100%. A single needle puncture without repuncture was used in all patients. Pull backs were necessary in six patients (26%) to obtain correct needle placement. The overall diagnostic success rate was 91%. The overall true-positive, true-negative, false-negative, and failure rates of the biopsy were 100% (19/19) 100% (2/2), 0% (0/23), and 9% (2/23). The median total procedure time from the skin puncture to the needle in the target was 30 sec (from 5-60 s). Lesion depth and localizations, operator experience, in-plane or out-of-plane approach did not affect significantly the technical, diagnostic success, or procedure time. Even when the tumor size decreased, the procedure time did not increase. Conclusions: Electromagnetic-tracked biopsy is accurate to determine needle tip position and allows fast and accurate needle placement in targeted liver nodules.« less

Molecular imaging of malignant tumor metabolism: whole-body image fusion of DWI/CT vs. PET/CT.

PubMed

Reiner, Caecilia S; Fischer, Michael A; Hany, Thomas; Stolzmann, Paul; Nanz, Daniel; Donati, Olivio F; Weishaupt, Dominik; von Schulthess, Gustav K; Scheffel, Hans

2011-08-01

To prospectively investigate the technical feasibility and performance of image fusion for whole-body diffusion-weighted imaging (wbDWI) and computed tomography (CT) to detect metastases using hybrid positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) as reference standard. Fifty-two patients (60 ± 14 years; 18 women) with different malignant tumor disease examined by PET/CT for clinical reasons consented to undergo additional wbDWI at 1.5 Tesla. WbDWI was performed using a diffusion-weighted single-shot echo-planar imaging during free breathing. Images at b = 0 s/mm(2) and b = 700 s/mm(2) were acquired and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were generated. Image fusion of wbDWI and CT (from PET/CT scan) was performed yielding for wbDWI/CT fused image data. One radiologist rated the success of image fusion and diagnostic image quality. The presence or absence of metastases on wbDWI/CT fused images was evaluated together with the separate wbDWI and CT images by two different, independent radiologists blinded to results from PET/CT. Detection rate and positive predictive values for diagnosing metastases was calculated. PET/CT examinations were used as reference standard. PET/CT identified 305 malignant lesions in 39 of 52 (75%) patients. WbDWI/CT image fusion was technically successful and yielded diagnostic image quality in 73% and 92% of patients, respectively. Interobserver agreement for the evaluation of wbDWI/CT images was κ = 0.78. WbDWI/CT identified 270 metastases in 43 of 52 (83%) patients. Overall detection rate and positive predictive value of wbDWI/CT was 89% (95% CI, 0.85-0.92) and 94% (95% CI, 0.92-0.97), respectively. WbDWI/CT image fusion is technically feasible in a clinical setting and allows the diagnostic assessment of metastatic tumor disease detecting nine of 10 lesions as compared with PET/CT. Copyright © 2011 AUR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Transnasal endoscopy: no gagging no panic!

PubMed Central

Parker, Clare; Alexandridis, Estratios; Plevris, John; O'Hara, James; Panter, Simon

2016-01-01

Background Transnasal endoscopy (TNE) is performed with an ultrathin scope via the nasal passages and is increasingly used. This review covers the technical characteristics, tolerability, safety and acceptability of TNE and also diagnostic accuracy, use as a screening tool and therapeutic applications. It includes practical advice from an ear, nose, throat (ENT) specialist to optimise TNE practice, identify ENT pathology and manage complications. Methods A Medline search was performed using the terms “transnasal”, “ultrathin”, “small calibre”, “endoscopy”, “EGD” to identify relevant literature. Results There is increasing evidence that TNE is better tolerated than standard endoscopy as measured using visual analogue scales, and the main area of discomfort is nasal during insertion of the TN endoscope, which seems remediable with adequate topical anaesthesia. The diagnostic yield has been found to be similar for detection of Barrett's oesophagus, gastric cancer and GORD-associated diseases. There are some potential issues regarding the accuracy of TNE in detecting small early gastric malignant lesions, especially those in the proximal stomach. TNE is feasible and safe in a primary care population and is ideal for screening for upper gastrointestinal pathology. It has an advantage as a diagnostic tool in the elderly and those with multiple comorbidities due to fewer adverse effects on the cardiovascular system. It has significant advantages for therapeutic procedures, especially negotiating upper oesophageal strictures and insertion of nasoenteric feeding tubes. Conclusions TNE is well tolerated and a valuable diagnostic tool. Further evidence is required to establish its accuracy for the diagnosis of early and small gastric malignancies. There is an emerging role for TNE in therapeutic endoscopy, which needs further study. PMID:28839865

NREL Partners with Technical University of Denmark on Renewable Energy

Science.gov Websites

System | Energy Systems Integration Facility | NREL Technical University of Denmark NREL Partners with Technical University of Denmark on Renewable Energy System NREL is working in partnership with the Technical University of Denmark for the Centre for IT-Intelligent Energy Systems in Cities

Magnetohydrodynamic Augmented Propulsion Experiment: I. Performance Analysis and Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Litchford, R. J.; Cole, J. W.; Lineberry, J. T.; Chapman, J. N.; Schmidt, H. J.; Lineberry, C. W.

2003-01-01

The performance of conventional thermal propulsion systems is fundamentally constrained by the specific energy limitations associated with chemical fuels and the thermal limits of available materials. Electromagnetic thrust augmentation represents one intriguing possibility for improving the fuel composition of thermal propulsion systems, thereby increasing overall specific energy characteristics; however, realization of such a system requires an extremely high-energy-density electrical power source as well as an efficient plasma acceleration device. This Technical Publication describes the development of an experimental research facility for investigating the use of cross-field magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) accelerators as a possible thrust augmentation device for thermal propulsion systems. In this experiment,a 1.5-MW(sub e) Aerotherm arc heater is used to drive a 2-MW(sub e) MHD accelerator. The heatsink MHD accelerator is configured as an externally diagonalized, segmented channel, which is inserted into a large-bore, 2-T electromagnet. The performance analysis and engineering design of the flow path are described as well as the parameter measurements and flow diagnostics planned for the initial series of test runs.

Resources planning for radiological incidents management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamid, Amy Hamijah binti Ab.; Rozan, Mohd Zaidi Abd; Ibrahim, Roliana; Deris, Safaai; Yunus, Muhd. Noor Muhd.

2017-01-01

Disastrous radiation and nuclear meltdown require an intricate scale of emergency health and social care capacity planning framework. In Malaysia, multiple agencies are responsible for implementing radiological and nuclear safety and security. This research project focused on the Radiological Trauma Triage (RTT) System. This system applies patient's classification based on their injury and level of radiation sickness. This classification prioritizes on the diagnostic and treatment of the casualties which include resources estimation of the medical delivery system supply and demand. Also, this system consists of the leading rescue agency organization and disaster coordinator, as well as the technical support and radiological medical response teams. This research implemented and developed the resources planning simulator for radiological incidents management. The objective of the simulator is to assist the authorities in planning their resources while managing the radiological incidents within the Internal Treatment Area (ITA), Reception Area Treatment (RAT) and Hospital Care Treatment (HCT) phases. The majority (75%) of the stakeholders and experts, who had been interviewed, witnessed and accepted that the simulator would be effective to resolve various types of disaster and resources management issues.

Digital radiography: optimization of image quality and dose using multi-frequency software.

PubMed

Precht, H; Gerke, O; Rosendahl, K; Tingberg, A; Waaler, D

2012-09-01

New developments in processing of digital radiographs (DR), including multi-frequency processing (MFP), allow optimization of image quality and radiation dose. This is particularly promising in children as they are believed to be more sensitive to ionizing radiation than adults. To examine whether the use of MFP software reduces the radiation dose without compromising quality at DR of the femur in 5-year-old-equivalent anthropomorphic and technical phantoms. A total of 110 images of an anthropomorphic phantom were imaged on a DR system (Canon DR with CXDI-50 C detector and MLT[S] software) and analyzed by three pediatric radiologists using Visual Grading Analysis. In addition, 3,500 images taken of a technical contrast-detail phantom (CDRAD 2.0) provide an objective image-quality assessment. Optimal image-quality was maintained at a dose reduction of 61% with MLT(S) optimized images. Even for images of diagnostic quality, MLT(S) provided a dose reduction of 88% as compared to the reference image. Software impact on image quality was found significant for dose (mAs), dynamic range dark region and frequency band. By optimizing image processing parameters, a significant dose reduction is possible without significant loss of image quality.

Impact of oscillations of shafts on machining accuracy using non-stationary machines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fedorenko, M. A.; Bondarenko, J. A.; Pogonin, A. A.

2018-03-01

The solution of the problem of restoring parts and units of equipment of the large mass and size is possible on the basis of the development of the research base, including the development of models and theoretical relations, revealing complex reasons for causes of damage and equipment failure. This allows one to develop new effective technologies of maintenance and repair, implementation of which ensures the efficiency and durability of the machines. The development of new forms of technical maintenance and repair of equipment, based on a systematic evaluation of its technical condition with the help of modern diagnostic tools can significantly reduce the duration of the downtime.

A diagnostic expert system for aircraft generator control unit (GCU)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ho, Ting-Long; Bayles, Robert A.; Havlicsek, Bruce L.

The modular VSCF (variable-speed constant-frequency) generator families are described as using standard modules to reduce the maintenance cost and to improve the product's testability. A general diagnostic expert system shell that guides troubleshooting of modules or line replaceable units (LRUs) is introduced. An application of the diagnostic system to a particular LRU, the generator control unit (GCU) is reported. The approach to building the diagnostic expert system is first to capture general diagnostic strategy in an expert system shell. This shell can be easily applied to different devices or LRUs by writing rules to capture only additional device-specific diagnostic information from expert repair personnel. The diagnostic system has the necessary knowledge embedded in its programs and exhibits expertise to troubleshoot the GCU.

A Self-Diagnostic System for the M6 Accelerometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Flanagan, Patrick M.; Lekki, John

2001-01-01

The design of a Self-Diagnostic (SD) accelerometer system for the Space Shuttle Main Engine is presented. This retrofit system connects diagnostic electronic hardware and software to the current M6 accelerometer system. This paper discusses the general operation of the M6 accelerometer SD system and procedures for developing and evaluating the SD system. Signal processing techniques using M6 accelerometer diagnostic data are explained. Test results include diagnostic data responding to changing ambient temperature, mounting torque and base mounting impedance.

Molecular diagnosis of microbial aetiologies using SepsiTest™ in the daily routine of a diagnostic laboratory.

PubMed

Haag, Heike; Locher, Franziska; Nolte, Oliver

2013-08-01

A universal PCR and sequencing test, SepsiTest™ (Molzym, Germany) was evaluated for its applicability during daily diagnostic routine in a privately operated laboratory. In total, 96 specimens originating from 66 patients under suspect of infectious endocarditis, infections of joints, encephalitis/meningitis, systemic infections and infections of unknown genesis were PCR analysed and compared to culture results. Samples comprised cultured and non-cultured blood, synovial fluid, synovial tissue, heart valves, pacemakers, spinal tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, and swabs. PCR and culture were concordant in 26 negative and 8 positive cases (51.5%). A group of 25 patients was culture-negative but PCR-positive (37.9%). In at least 14 of these, common and/or rare aetiologies were identified, while for 4 patients the results of 16S PCR could not be unequivocally linked with the underlying disease. Benefits and limitations of the molecular test are discussed with special emphasis on technical and economic issues. In conclusion, SepsiTest™ proved to be a valuable tool for the diagnosis of aetiologies, particularly in cases of culture-negative patients who are under strong suspicion for an infection. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Slit-skin smear in leprosy: lest we forget it!

PubMed

Mahajan, V K

2013-01-01

Diagnosing and classifying leprosy solely on the basis of skin lesions as per WHO operational classification may lead to over or under diagnosis and inadequate treatment particularly of pauci-lesional multibacillary cases with consequent risk of resistance, relapse and progressive horizontal transmission. Announcing elimination of leprosy as public health problem in India under NLEP was probably ambitious aspiration. However, such a strategy is perhaps not justified scientifically at the moment in view of new case detection rate not showing significant decline. The fact remains that it is still highly desirable to provide sustained quality leprosy services to all individuals through general health services and good referral system. Being nearly of 100% specificity when performed expertly, slit-skin smear remains the simplest diagnostic technique available until new cutting-edge diagnostic tools become available for routine bedside use. However, the interest has been declining for learning this simple test among all the persons involved in leprosy work even in the teaching/training institutes. This is perhaps due to confusion over number and sites of smears, and its declining usefulness in WHO recommendations/guidelines. Various technical aspects of slit-skin smear testing are reviewed here keeping in view the need of leprosy workers in referral/teaching institutes.

Recent advances in multiple myeloma: a Korean perspective.

PubMed

Hong, Junshik; Lee, Jae Hoon

2016-09-01

Epidemiologically, multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant disorder of plasma cells with a higher incidence among Western populations than among Asians. However, there is growing evidence of a recent increase in the age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) of MM in Asian countries, particularly Korea. Application of novel agents has resulted in significant improvement of treatment outcomes, and the advances are ongoing with the recent introduction and U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approval of newer agents, including carfilzomib, ixazomib, elotuzumab, and daratumumab. In concert with the technical advances in the cytogenetic and molecular diagnostics of MM, modifications of its diagnosis and staging system have been attempted for better risk stratification. The modified diagnostic criteria from the International Myeloma Working Group in 2014 enabled a strategy of more active treatment for some patients with smoldering MM, with an ultra-high risk of progression, and fine-tuned the definition of end-organ damage, known as CRAB (hypercalcemia, renal insufficiency, anemia, and bone lesions). Considering Korea's trend of aging at an unprecedented rate, we can expect that the ASR of MM will maintain a gradual increase for many years to come; therefore, MM will be a cancer of critical importance from both medical and socioeconomic perspectives in Korea.

Research highlights: increasing paper possibilities.

PubMed

Wu, Chueh-Yu; Adeyiga, Oladunni; Lin, Jonathan; Di Carlo, Dino

2014-09-07

In this issue we highlight three recent papers that demonstrate new strategies to extend the capabilities of paper microfluidics. Paper (a mesh of porous fibers) has a long history as a substrate to perform biomolecular assays. Traditional lateral flow immunoassays (LFAs) are widely used for rapid diagnostic tests, and perform well when a yes or no answer is required and the analyte of interest is at relatively high concentrations. High concentrations are required because usually only a small volume of analyte-containing fluid flows past the detection region, leading to a limited signal. Further, the small pores within paper matrices prevent the use of paper to control the flow of larger particles and cells, limiting the use of paper microfluidics for cell-based diagnostics. The work we highlight addresses these important unmet challenges in paper microfluidics: enriching low concentration analytes to a higher concentration in a smaller volume that can be processed effectively, and using paper to pump flows in larger channels amenable to cells. Applying these new approaches may allow diagnosis of disease states currently technically unachievable using current LFA systems, while maintaining many of the "un-instrumented" advantages of an assay on self-wicking paper.

Betatron radiation based diagnostics for plasma wakefield accelerated electron beams at the SPARC_LAB test facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shpakov, V.; Anania, M. P.; Biagioni, A.; Chiadroni, E.; Cianchi, A.; Curcio, A.; Dabagov, S.; Ferrario, M.; Filippi, F.; Marocchino, A.; Paroli, B.; Pompili, R.; Rossi, A. R.; Zigler, A.

2016-09-01

Recent progress with wake-field acceleration has shown a great potential in providing high gradient acceleration fields, while the quality of the beams remains relatively poor. Precise knowledge of the beam size at the exit from the plasma and matching conditions for the externally injected beams are the key for improvement of beam quality. Betatron radiation emitted by the beam during acceleration in the plasma is a powerful tool for the transverse beam size measurement, being also non-intercepting. In this work we report on the technical solutions chosen at SPARC_LAB for such diagnostics tool, along with expected parameters of betatron radiation.

Current molecular and emerging nanobiotechnology approaches for the detection of microbial pathogens.

PubMed

Theron, Jacques; Eugene Cloete, Thomas; de Kwaadsteniet, Michele

2010-11-01

Waterborne microbial diseases are escalating worldwide increasing the need for powerful and sensitive diagnostics tools. Molecular methodologies, including immunological and nucleic acid-based methods, have only recently been applied in the water sector. Advances in nanotechnology and nanomaterials have opened the door for the development of new diagnostic tools with increased sensitivity and speed, and reduced cost and labor. Quantum dots, flo dots, gold nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, nanowires, and nanocantilevers, with their unique optical and physical properties, have already been applied in nanodiagnostics. Nanobiotechnology, once remaining technical and practical problems has been addressed, will play an important role in the detection of microbial pathogens.

Performance Evaluation of an Automated ELISA System for Alzheimer's Disease Detection in Clinical Routine.

PubMed

Chiasserini, Davide; Biscetti, Leonardo; Farotti, Lucia; Eusebi, Paolo; Salvadori, Nicola; Lisetti, Viviana; Baschieri, Francesca; Chipi, Elena; Frattini, Giulia; Stoops, Erik; Vanderstichele, Hugo; Calabresi, Paolo; Parnetti, Lucilla

2016-07-22

The variability of Alzheimer's disease (AD) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers undermines their full-fledged introduction into routine diagnostics and clinical trials. Automation may help to increase precision and decrease operator errors, eventually improving the diagnostic performance. Here we evaluated three new CSF immunoassays, EUROIMMUNtrademark amyloid-β 1-40 (Aβ1-40), amyloid-β 1-42 (Aβ1-42), and total tau (t-tau), in combination with automated analysis of the samples. The CSF biomarkers were measured in a cohort consisting of AD patients (n = 28), mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n = 77), and neurological controls (OND, n = 35). MCI patients were evaluated yearly and cognitive functions were assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination. The patients clinically diagnosed with AD and MCI were classified according to the CSF biomarkers profile following NIA-AA criteria and the Erlangen score. Technical evaluation of the immunoassays was performed together with the calculation of their diagnostic performance. Furthermore, the results for EUROIMMUN Aβ1-42 and t-tau were compared to standard immunoassay methods (INNOTESTtrademark). EUROIMMUN assays for Aβ1-42 and t-tau correlated with INNOTEST (r = 0.83, p < 0.001 for both) and allowed a similar interpretation of the CSF profiles. The Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40 ratio measured with EUROIMMUN was the best parameter for AD detection and improved the diagnostic accuracy of Aβ1-42 (area under the curve = 0.93). In MCI patients, the Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40 ratio was associated with cognitive decline and clinical progression to AD.The diagnostic performance of the EUROIMMUN assays with automation is comparable to other currently used methods. The variability of the method and the value of the Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40 ratio in AD diagnosis need to be validated in large multi-center studies.

The Feasibility of Classifying Breast Masses Using a Computer-Assisted Diagnosis (CAD) System Based on Ultrasound Elastography and BI-RADS Lexicon.

PubMed

Fleury, Eduardo F C; Gianini, Ana Claudia; Marcomini, Karem; Oliveira, Vilmar

2018-01-01

To determine the applicability of a computer-aided diagnostic system strain elastography system for the classification of breast masses diagnosed by ultrasound and scored using the criteria proposed by the breast imaging and reporting data system ultrasound lexicon and to determine the diagnostic accuracy and interobserver variability. This prospective study was conducted between March 1, 2016, and May 30, 2016. A total of 83 breast masses subjected to percutaneous biopsy were included. Ultrasound elastography images before biopsy were interpreted by 3 radiologists with and without the aid of computer-aided diagnostic system for strain elastography. The parameters evaluated by each radiologist results were sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy, with and without computer-aided diagnostic system for strain elastography. Interobserver variability was assessed using a weighted κ test and an intraclass correlation coefficient. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were also calculated. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 0.835, 0.801, and 0.765 for readers 1, 2, and 3, respectively, without computer-aided diagnostic system for strain elastography, and 0.900, 0.926, and 0.868, respectively, with computer-aided diagnostic system for strain elastography. The intraclass correlation coefficient between the 3 readers was 0.6713 without computer-aided diagnostic system for strain elastography and 0.811 with computer-aided diagnostic system for strain elastography. The proposed computer-aided diagnostic system for strain elastography system has the potential to improve the diagnostic performance of radiologists in breast examination using ultrasound associated with elastography.

Diagnostic value of two commercial chromatographic "patient-side" tests in the diagnosis of acute canine leptospirosis.

PubMed

Gloor, C I; Schweighauser, A; Francey, T; Rodriguez-Campos, S; Vidondo, B; Bigler, B; Schuller, S

2017-03-01

To determine the diagnostic performance of two patient-side tests (RDT-1: Test-it™ and RDT-2 Witness®Lepto) in the early diagnosis of canine leptospirosis. Retrospective study of 108 dogs with leptospirosis and 53 controls. Leptospirosis was diagnosed based on compatible clinical and clinicopathologic signs and either a single microscopic agglutination test titre_ >800 (n=49), seroconversion (n=53), positive urine real time PCR (RT-PCR) (n=1), evidence of spirochaetes in silver-stained tissues (n=1) or a combination of these (n=4). Leptospirosis was excluded in dogs with a convincing alternative diagnosis and single microscopic agglutination testing titres _<200 (n=46) or lack of seroconversion (n=7). Indices of diagnostic accuracy of the rapid diagnostic tests were calculated by comparing admission rapid diagnostic test results to the final disease status. Rapid diagnostic test-1 was performed in 118 dogs, rapid diagnostic test-2 in 69 dogs and both tests in 26 dogs. Weak positive results occurred frequently representing 22·6% (rapid diagnostic test-1) and 32·3% (rapid diagnostic test-2) of all positive tests in dogs with leptospirosis. If weak positive rapid diagnostic tests were considered positive, rapid diagnostic test-1 and rapid diagnostic test-2 had sensitivities of 82 and 76%, specificities of 91 and 100%, positive predictive values of 94% and 100% and negative predictive values of 73% and 74%, respectively. There were some technical problems with rapid diagnostic test-1. The diagnostic performance of the rapid diagnostic tests is similar to that reported for the microscopic agglutination test. Both can support a diagnosis of leptospirosis with high specificity but leptospirosis cannot be excluded based on a negative admission test result. Both RDTs are useful in conjunction with other confirmatory tests. © 2017 British Small Animal Veterinary Association.

Research and technology goals and objectives for Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM) is defined herein as the capability to efficiently perform checkout, testing, and monitoring of space transportation vehicles, subsystems, and components before, during, and after operational This includes the ability to perform timely status determination, diagnostics, and prognostics. IVHM must support fault-tolerant response including system/subsystem reconfiguration to prevent catastrophic failures; and IVHM must support the planning and scheduling of post-operational maintenance. The purpose of this document is to establish the rationale for IVHM and IVHM research and technology planning, and to develop technical goals and objectives. This document is prepared to provide a broad overview of IVHM for technology and advanced development activities and, more specifically, to provide a planning reference from an avionics viewpoint under the OAST Transportation Technology Program Strategic Plan.

A Roundtable Discussion: Combination Products: Twice the Challenge?

PubMed

Baird, Nolan; Binion, Steven B; Cammack, Jon; Paine, Stephanie Del; Gonzales, Rosemary; Passut, Jena; Weiner, John Barlow Barr

2015-01-01

Combination products are therapeutic or diagnostic medical products that combine drugs, devices, and/or biological products with one another. FDA developed a regulation (final rule) on Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) for combination products that became effective July 22, 2013 (21 CFR Part 4). AAMI recently developed a technical information report (TIR) that provides information on how to effectively implement FDA's regulation. The overall goal of the TIR is to aid informed, risk-based decisions in establishing CGMP operating systems that support development, manufacture, premarket regulatory evaluation, and ultimately commercialization of combination products. This article, a result of an discussion with industry and FDA representatives, explores the landscape of combination products, highlights important considerations in developing and seeking marketing clearance for these innovative products, and provides insight on trends in the area.

Composite Socio-Technical Systems: A Method for Social Energy Systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Yingchen; He, Fulin; Hao, Jun

In order to model and study the interactions between social on technical systems, a systemic method, namely the composite socio-technical systems (CSTS), is proposed to incorporate social systems, technical systems and the interaction mechanism between them. A case study on University of Denver (DU) campus grid is presented in paper to demonstrate the application of the proposed method. In the case study, the social system, technical system, and the interaction mechanism are defined and modelled within the framework of CSTS. Distributed and centralized control and management schemes are investigated, respectively, and numerical results verifies the feasibility and performance of themore » proposed composite system method.« less

Perspective for the development of companion diagnostics and regulatory landscape to encourage personalized medicine in Japan.

PubMed

Tazawa, Yoshiaki

2016-01-01

On July 1st, 2013, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) issued an official notification regarding the co-development of companion diagnostics (CDx) with a drug which requires any exclusive diagnostic test or medical device to predict efficacy or adverse reactions to the drug. The main frame and contents in the MHLW's notification are quite similar to the summaries in the final guidance issued by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on August 6th, 2014 Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff (In Vitro Companion Diagnostic Devices, [2014] ), and these recommend industries to develop, study and submit CDx and the corresponding drug contemporaneously as much as possible. Following the MHLW's notification, the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Agency (PMDA) notified on December 26th, 2013, "the technical guidance for co-development of CDx and the drug" that mentioned the regulatory requirements for clinical trial of the drug and CDx as well as analytical validity of CDx required for the trials. These official notifications from the Ministry and the Agency may be useful for pharmaceutical and diagnostics makers to understand how they should co-develop and validate CDx for clinical trials and regulatory submission. However, since the most anticipated technologies such as the next generation sequencer (NGS) are more complex and its medical risks could be high level, the existing regulatory system focusing on only diagnostics reagents and devices that are developed and manufactured by in vitro diagnostics (IVD) makers may be no longer suitable for the characteristics of CDx for the future.As an increase of clinical needs for multiple biomarkers assay by DNA sequencer, on November 19th, 2013, the FDA cleared 510 K for NGS and its universal kit. On October 3rd, 2014, moreover, the agency notified two drafts of guidance (Anticipated Details of the Draft Guidance for Industry, Food and Drug Administration Staff, and Clinical Laboratory in Framework for Regulatory Oversight of Laboratory Developed Tests (LDTs), [2014]; Anticipated Details of the Draft Guidance for Industry, Food and Drug Administration Staff, and Clinical Laboratory in FDA Notification and Medical Device Reporting for Laboratory Developed Tests (LDT), [2014]) for oversight of laboratory developed tests (LDTs) with medium or high medical risks. These FDA's strategic decisions and new regulatory frameworks may allow the clinical laboratories to develop and perform more easily NGS-based CDx under the certification of Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). However, neither law nor regulated quality management system similar to the CLIA exists in Japan. To effectively validate LDTs and NGS for medical practice, Japan should learn more the current regulatory changes and initiatives in the US, as well as to reform the regulatory frameworks and create any regulated quality management system for clinical laboratory testing to be reimbursed.

5-ALA-induced fluorescence as a marker for diagnostic tissue in stereotactic biopsies of intracranial lymphomas: experience in 41 patients.

PubMed

Kiesel, Barbara; Millesi, Matthias; Woehrer, Adelheid; Furtner, Julia; Bavand, Anahita; Roetzer, Thomas; Mischkulnig, Mario; Wolfsberger, Stefan; Preusser, Matthias; Knosp, Engelbert; Widhalm, Georg

2018-06-01

OBJECTIVE Stereotactic needle biopsies are usually performed for histopathological confirmation of intracranial lymphomas to guide adequate treatment. During biopsy, intraoperative histopathology is an effective tool to avoid acquisition of nondiagnostic samples. In the last years, 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-induced fluorescence has been increasingly used for visualization of diagnostic brain tumor tissue during stereotactic biopsies. Recently, visible fluorescence was reported in the first cases of intracranial lymphomas as well. The aim of this study is thus to investigate the technical and clinical utility of 5-ALA-induced fluorescence in a large series of stereotactic biopsies for intracranial lymphoma. METHODS This prospective study recruited adult patients who underwent frameless stereotactic needle biopsy for a radiologically suspected intracranial lymphoma after oral 5-ALA administration. During biopsy, samples from the tumor region were collected for histopathological analysis, and presence of fluorescence (strong, vague, or no fluorescence) was assessed with a modified neurosurgical microscope. In tumors with available biopsy samples from at least 2 different regions the intratumoral fluorescence homogeneity was additionally investigated. Furthermore, the influence of potential preoperative corticosteroid treatment or immunosuppression on fluorescence was analyzed. Histopathological tumor diagnosis was established and all collected biopsy samples were screened for diagnostic lymphoma tissue. RESULTS The final study cohort included 41 patients with intracranial lymphoma. Stereotactic biopsies with assistance of 5-ALA were technically feasible in all cases. Strong fluorescence was found as maximum level in 30 patients (75%), vague fluorescence in 2 patients (4%), and no visible fluorescence in 9 patients (21%). In 28 cases, samples were obtained from at least 2 different tumor regions; homogenous intratumoral fluorescence was found in 16 of those cases (57%) and inhomogeneous intratumoral fluorescence in 12 (43%). According to histopathological analysis, all samples with strong or vague fluorescence contained diagnostic lymphoma tissue, resulting in a positive predictive value of 100%. Analysis showed no influence of preoperative corticosteroids or immunosuppression on fluorescence. CONCLUSIONS The data obtained in this study demonstrate the technical and clinical utility of 5-ALA-induced fluorescence in stereotactic biopsies of intracranial lymphomas. Thus, 5-ALA can serve as a useful tool to select patients not requiring intraoperative histopathology, and its application should markedly reduce operation time and related costs in the future.

Applying Diagnostics to Enhance Cable System Reliability (Cable Diagnostic Focused Initiative, Phase II)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hartlein, Rick; Hampton, Nigel; Perkel, Josh

2016-02-01

The Cable Diagnostic Focused Initiative (CDFI) played a significant and powerful role in clarifying the concerns and understanding the benefits of performing diagnostic tests on underground power cable systems. This project focused on the medium and high voltage cable systems used in utility transmission and distribution (T&D) systems. While many of the analysis techniques and interpretations are applicable to diagnostics and cable systems outside of T&D, areas such as generating stations (nuclear, coal, wind, etc.) and other industrial environments were not the focus. Many large utilities in North America now deploy diagnostics or have changed their diagnostic testing approach asmore » a result of this project. Previous to the CDFI, different diagnostic technology providers individually promoted their approach as the “the best” or “the only” means of detecting cable system defects.« less

A Research Agenda for Helminth Diseases of Humans: Diagnostics for Control and Elimination Programmes

PubMed Central

McCarthy, James S.; Lustigman, Sara; Yang, Guo-Jing; Barakat, Rashida M.; García, Héctor H.; Sripa, Banchob; Willingham, Arve Lee; Prichard, Roger K.; Basáñez, María-Gloria

2012-01-01

Diagnostic tools appropriate for undertaking interventions to control helminth infections are key to their success. Many diagnostic tests for helminth infection have unsatisfactory performance characteristics and are not well suited for use in the parasite control programmes that are being increasingly implemented. Although the application of modern laboratory research techniques to improve diagnostics for helminth infection has resulted in some technical advances, uptake has not been uniform. Frequently, pilot or proof of concept studies of promising diagnostic technologies have not been followed by much needed product development, and in many settings diagnosis continues to rely on insensitive and unsatisfactory parasitological or serodiagnostic techniques. In contrast, PCR-based xenomonitoring of arthropod vectors, and use of parasite recombinant proteins as reagents for serodiagnostic tests, have resulted in critical advances in the control of specific helminth parasites. The Disease Reference Group on Helminths Infections (DRG4), established in 2009 by the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) was given the mandate to review helminthiases research and identify research priorities and gaps. In this review, the diagnostic technologies relevant to control of helminth infections, either available or in development, are reviewed. Critical gaps are identified and opportunities to improve needed technologies are discussed. PMID:22545166

Technical Concept Document. Central Archive for Reusable Defense Software (CARDS)

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-02-28

FeNbry 1994 INFORMAL TECHNICAL REPORT For The SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY FOR ADAPTABLE, RELIABLE SYSTEMS (STARS) Technical Concept Document Central Archive for...February 1994 INFORMAL TECHNICAL REPORT For The SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY FOR ADAPTABLE, RELIABLE SYSTEMS (STARS) Technical Concept Document Central Archive...accordance with the DFARS Special Works Clause Developed by: This document, developed under the Software Technology for Adaptable, Reliable Systems

W(h)ither human cardiac and body magnetic resonance at ultrahigh fields? technical advances, practical considerations, applications, and clinical opportunities.

PubMed

Niendorf, Thoralf; Paul, Katharina; Oezerdem, Celal; Graessl, Andreas; Klix, Sabrina; Huelnhagen, Till; Hezel, Fabian; Rieger, Jan; Waiczies, Helmar; Frahm, Jens; Nagel, Armin M; Oberacker, Eva; Winter, Lukas

2016-09-01

The objective of this study was to document and review advances and groundbreaking progress in cardiac and body MR at ultrahigh fields (UHF, B0 ≥ 7.0 T) with the goal to attract talent, clinical adopters, collaborations and resources to the biomedical and diagnostic imaging communities. This review surveys traits, advantages and challenges of cardiac and body MR at 7.0 T. The considerations run the gamut from technical advances to clinical opportunities. Key concepts, emerging technologies, practical considerations, frontier applications and future directions of UHF body and cardiac MR are provided. Examples of UHF cardiac and body imaging strategies are demonstrated. Their added value over the kindred counterparts at lower fields is explored along with an outline of research promises. The achievements of cardiac and body UHF-MR are powerful motivators and enablers, since extra speed, signal and imaging capabilities may be invested to overcome the fundamental constraints that continue to hamper traditional cardiac and body MR applications. If practical obstacles, concomitant physics effects and technical impediments can be overcome in equal measure, sophisticated cardiac and body UHF-MR will help to open the door to new MRI and MRS approaches for basic research and clinical science, with the lessons learned at 7.0 T being transferred into broad clinical use including diagnostics and therapy guiding at lower fields. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A New Strategy for Job Enrichment. Technical Report No. 3.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hackman, J. Richard; And Others

In presenting a new strategy for redesigning jobs to increase the work motivation and satisfaction of employees, the paper examines a basic theory of job motivation, a group of core dimensions of jobs which create the conditions for such internal motivation to develop on the job, a set of diagnostic tools for evaluating jobs and people's reaction…

Technological innovations in digital data management and changing roles of imaging specialists in Japan.

PubMed

Ehara, Shigeru

2010-11-28

Technical innovations in digital data management pose a threat to radiologists in that can we remain in the process of clinical decision making or be assigned to a secondary role in future clinical practice. The value added to the imaging studies by diagnostic radiologists, or imaging specialists, has never been questioned more seriously.

Specialized Veterinary Manpower Needs through 1990,

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-01-01

vaccines and diagnostic tests; and the increased technical sophistication in artificial insemination , embryo culture and transplantation, and hormonal...are included. Artificial insemination , synchronization of estrus, endocrine therapy, spermatozoan and ovum genetic engineering, and ovum and embryo...hospital facility surrounded by satellite clinics that offer restricted medical and surgical services. 26 Qualified animal-health technicians are used to a

ESAA Basic Summer School. Technical Report: 1979-80. Publication No. 80.19.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Porterfield, Craig; Eglsaer, Richard

A total of 359 retained seventh and eighth grade students from the Austin (Texas) Independent School District's junior high schools participated in a summer enrichment program that was designed to improve their basic skills and decision making skills and to provide them with a successful school experience. Diagnostic information was used to assign…

The Zone of Potential Development: Implications for Intelligence Testing in the Year 2000. Technical Report No. 128.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Ann L.; French, Lucia A.

The practice and interpretation of intelligence testing of educable retarded and learning disabled children is examined in this report. The current and future state of intelligence testing is discussed in terms of its predictive, diagnostic, and remedial functions. The first section places a consideration of individual testing formats within a…

Technical Analysis of the Disruptive Behavior Rating Scale--Second Edition--Teacher Version

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Erford, Bradley T.; Clark, Kelly

2011-01-01

The reliability and validity of scores on the Disruptive Behavior Rating Scale-second edition-teacher version (DBRS-II-T) was analyzed. The DBRS-II-T was designed to assess teacher observations of students referred for behavioral difficulties. The five-factor model fit the data poorly, but convergent and diagnostic validities were excellent.…

Spectroscopic imaging of biomaterials and biological systems with FTIR microscopy or with quantum cascade lasers.

PubMed

Kimber, James A; Kazarian, Sergei G

2017-10-01

Spectroscopic imaging of biomaterials and biological systems has received increased interest within the last decade because of its potential to aid in the detection of disease using biomaterials/biopsy samples and to probe the states of live cells in a label-free manner. The factors behind this increased attention include the availability of improved infrared microscopes and systems that do not require the use of a synchrotron as a light source, as well as the decreasing costs of these systems. This article highlights the current technical challenges and future directions of mid-infrared spectroscopic imaging within this field. Specifically, these are improvements in spatial resolution and spectral quality through the use of novel added lenses and computational algorithms, as well as quantum cascade laser imaging systems, which offer advantages over traditional Fourier transform infrared systems with respect to the speed of acquisition and field of view. Overcoming these challenges will push forward spectroscopic imaging as a viable tool for disease diagnostics and medical research. Graphical abstract Absorbance images of a biopsy obtained using an FTIR imaging microscope with and without an added lens, and also using a QCL microscope with high-NA objective.

Evaluation of a proposed expert system development methodology: Two case studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gilstrap, Lewey

1990-01-01

Two expert system development projects were studied to evaluate a proposed Expert Systems Development Methodology (ESDM). The ESDM was developed to provide guidance to managers and technical personnel and serve as a standard in the development of expert systems. It was agreed that the proposed ESDM must be evaluated before it could be adopted; therefore a study was planned for its evaluation. This detailed study is now underway. Before the study began, however, two ongoing projects were selected for a retrospective evaluation. They were the Ranging Equipment Diagnostic Expert System (REDEX) and the Backup Control Mode Analysis and Utility System (BCAUS). Both projects were approximately 1 year into development. Interviews of project personnel were conducted, and the resulting data was used to prepare the retrospective evaluation. Decision models of the two projects were constructed and used to evaluate the completeness and accuracy of key provisions of ESDM. A major conclusion reached from these case studies is that suitability and risk analysis should be required for all AI projects, large and small. Further, the objectives of each stage of development during a project should be selected to reduce the next largest area of risk or uncertainty on the project.

48 CFR 212.211 - Technical data.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 3 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Technical data. 212.211 Section 212.211 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEFENSE ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM, DEPARTMENT... Acquisition of Commercial Items 212.211 Technical data. The DoD policy for acquiring technical data for...

48 CFR 212.211 - Technical data.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 3 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Technical data. 212.211 Section 212.211 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEFENSE ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM, DEPARTMENT... Acquisition of Commercial Items 212.211 Technical data. The DoD policy for acquiring technical data for...

48 CFR 212.211 - Technical data.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 3 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Technical data. 212.211 Section 212.211 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEFENSE ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM, DEPARTMENT... Acquisition of Commercial Items 212.211 Technical data. The DoD policy for acquiring technical data for...

48 CFR 212.211 - Technical data.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Technical data. 212.211 Section 212.211 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEFENSE ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM, DEPARTMENT... Acquisition of Commercial Items 212.211 Technical data. The DoD policy for acquiring technical data for...

48 CFR 212.211 - Technical data.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 3 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Technical data. 212.211 Section 212.211 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEFENSE ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM, DEPARTMENT... Acquisition of Commercial Items 212.211 Technical data. The DoD policy for acquiring technical data for...

Emerging from Resistance: The Origins of the Virginia Technical College System

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hodges, Richard Allen

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to explore factors leading to the founding of the Virginia Technical College System (VTCS). These factors are observed primarily within the timeframe of 1954-1966. The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) evolved from the Technical College System, and began in 1964. Classes started at the first technical colleges…

A new dump system design for stray light reduction of Thomson scattering diagnostic system on EAST.

PubMed

Xiao, Shumei; Zang, Qing; Han, Xiaofeng; Wang, Tengfei; Yu, Jin; Zhao, Junyu

2016-07-01

Thomson scattering (TS) diagnostic is an important diagnostic for measuring electron temperature and density during plasma discharge. However, the measurement of Thomson scattering signal is disturbed by the stray light easily. The stray light sources in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) TS diagnostic system were analyzed by a simulation model of the diagnostic system, and simulation results show that the dump system is the primary stray light source. Based on the optics theory and the simulation analysis, a novel dump system including an improved beam trap was proposed and installed. The measurement results indicate that the new dump system can reduce more than 60% of the stray light for the diagnostic system, and the influence of stray light on the error of measured density decreases.

Management of technical date in Nihon Doro kodan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hanada, Jun'ichi

Nihon Doro Kodan Laboratory has collected and contributed technical data (microfiches, aerial photographs, books and literature) on plans, designs, constructions and maintenance of the national expressways and the ordinary toll roads since 1968. This work is systematized on computer to retrieve and contribute data faster. Now Laboratory operates Technical Data Management System which manages all of technical data and Technical Document Management System which manages technical documents. These systems stand on users' on-line retrieval and data accumuration by microfiches and optical disks.

Do achievement goals mediate stereotype threat?: an investigation on females' soccer performance.

PubMed

Chalabaev, Aina; Sarrazinr, Philippe; Stone, Jeff; Cury, François

2008-04-01

This research investigated stereotype threat effects on women's performance in sports and examined the mediation of this effect by achievement goals. The influence of two stereotypes-relative to the poor athletic ability and the poor technical soccer ability of women-were studied. Fifty-one female soccer players were randomly assigned to one of three conditions, introducing the task as diagnostic of athletic ability, technical soccer ability, or sports psychology. Next, they filled out a questionnaire measuring achievement goals and performed a soccer dribbling task. Results showed that compared with the control condition, females' performance significantly decreased in the athletic ability condition and tended to decrease in the technical soccer ability condition. Moreover, participants endorsed a performance-avoidance (relative to performance-approach) goal when the stereotypes were activated. However, this goal endorsement was not related to performance. The implications of these results for understanding the role of stereotypes in gender inequalities in sports are discussed.

Embedding CLIPS in a database-oriented diagnostic system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Conway, Tim

1990-01-01

This paper describes the integration of C Language Production Systems (CLIPS) into a powerful portable maintenance aid (PMA) system used for flightline diagnostics. The current diagnostic target of the system is the Garrett GTCP85-180L, a gas turbine engine used as an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) on some C-130 military transport aircraft. This project is a database oriented approach to a generic diagnostic system. CLIPS is used for 'many-to-many' pattern matching within the diagnostics process. Patterns are stored in database format, and CLIPS code is generated by a 'compilation' process on the database. Multiple CLIPS rule sets and working memories (in sequence) are supported and communication between the rule sets is achieved via the export and import commands. Work is continuing on using CLIPS in other portions of the diagnostic system and in re-implementing the diagnostic system in the Ada language.

[Required Framework for the Collection of Real-life Data: An Example from University Eye Hospital Munich].

PubMed

Kortüm, Karsten; Kern, Christoph; Meyer, Gerhard; Priglinger, Siegfried; Hirneiß, Christoph

2017-12-01

Background The importance of evaluating real-life data is constantly increasing. Currently available computer systems better allow for analyses of data, as more and more data is available in a digital form. Before a project for real-life data analyses is started, technical considerations and staff, legal, and data protection procedures need to be addressed. In this manuscript, experiences made at the University Eye Hospital in Munich will be shared. Materials and Methods Legal requirements, as found in laws and guidelines governing documentation and data privacy, are highlighted. Technical requirements for information technology infrastructure and software are defined. A survey conducted by the German Ophthalmological Society, among German eye hospitals investigating the current state of digitalization, was conducted. Also, staff requirements are outlined. Results A database comprising results of 330,801 patients was set up. It includes all diagnoses, procedures, clinical findings and results from diagnostic devices. This database was approved by the local data protection officer. In less than half of German eye hospitals (n = 21) that participated in the survey (n = 54), a complete electronic documentation is done. Fourteen institutions are completely paper-based, and the remainder of the hospitals used a mixed system. Conclusion In this work, we examined the framework that is required to develop a comprehensive database containing real-life data from clinics. In future, these databases will become increasingly important as more and more innovation are made in decision support systems. The base for this is comprehensive and well-curated databases. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

A diagnostic interface for the ICOsahedral Non-hydrostatic (ICON) modelling framework based on the Modular Earth Submodel System (MESSy v2.50)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kern, Bastian; Jöckel, Patrick

2016-10-01

Numerical climate and weather models have advanced to finer scales, accompanied by large amounts of output data. The model systems hit the input and output (I/O) bottleneck of modern high-performance computing (HPC) systems. We aim to apply diagnostic methods online during the model simulation instead of applying them as a post-processing step to written output data, to reduce the amount of I/O. To include diagnostic tools into the model system, we implemented a standardised, easy-to-use interface based on the Modular Earth Submodel System (MESSy) into the ICOsahedral Non-hydrostatic (ICON) modelling framework. The integration of the diagnostic interface into the model system is briefly described. Furthermore, we present a prototype implementation of an advanced online diagnostic tool for the aggregation of model data onto a user-defined regular coarse grid. This diagnostic tool will be used to reduce the amount of model output in future simulations. Performance tests of the interface and of two different diagnostic tools show, that the interface itself introduces no overhead in form of additional runtime to the model system. The diagnostic tools, however, have significant impact on the model system's runtime. This overhead strongly depends on the characteristics and implementation of the diagnostic tool. A diagnostic tool with high inter-process communication introduces large overhead, whereas the additional runtime of a diagnostic tool without inter-process communication is low. We briefly describe our efforts to reduce the additional runtime from the diagnostic tools, and present a brief analysis of memory consumption. Future work will focus on optimisation of the memory footprint and the I/O operations of the diagnostic interface.

Clinical recommendations of cardiac magnetic resonance, Part I: ischemic and valvular heart disease: a position paper of the working group 'Applicazioni della Risonanza Magnetica' of the Italian Society of Cardiology.

PubMed

Aquaro, Giovanni Donato; Di Bella, Gianluca; Castelletti, Silvia; Maestrini, Viviana; Festa, Pierluigi; Ait-Ali, Lamia; Masci, Pier Giorgio; Monti, Lorenzo; di Giovine, Gabriella; De Lazzari, Manuel; Cipriani, Alberto; Guaricci, Andrea I; Dellegrottaglie, Santo; Pepe, Alessia; Marra, Martina Perazzolo; Pontone, Gianluca

2017-04-01

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has emerged as a reliable and accurate diagnostic tool for the evaluation of patients with cardiac disease in several clinical settings and with proven additional diagnostic and prognostic value compared with other imaging modalities. This document has been developed by the working group on the 'application of CMR' of the Italian Society of Cardiology to provide a perspective on the current state of technical advances and clinical applications of CMR and to inform cardiologists on how to implement their clinical and diagnostic pathways with the inclusion of this technique in clinical practice. The writing committee consisted of members of the working group of the Italian Society of Cardiology and two external peer reviewers with acknowledged experience in the field of CMR.

Electromagnetic Navigational Bronchoscopy

PubMed Central

Port, Jeffrey; Harrison, Sebron

2013-01-01

Despite advances in technology and treatment options, lung cancer remains a deadly disease. National screening programs are being instituted in an attempt to discover lung cancer in high-risk individuals at an earlier stage. Such screening programs invariably discover small peripheral nodules that previously would not have been clinically apparent; the management of such lesions can be challenging. Current diagnostic options such as percutaneous biopsy are effective; however, they are hindered by their risk of morbidity such as pneumothorax. Electromagnetic bronchoscopy (ENB) is an emerging technology that allows the practitioner the ability to both sample and treat small peripheral pulmonary lesions. In experienced centers, ENB provides high rates of diagnostic yield for small lesions and a complication rate significantly lower than that of more conventional diagnostic modalities. Although there are current barriers to its widespread utilization (cost, specialized imaging, technical training), these obstacles will handled similarly to any other emerging technology and will likely not be long-term impediments to its use. PMID:24436528

Sequencing-based diagnostics for pediatric genetic diseases: progress and potential

PubMed Central

Tayoun, Ahmad Abou; Krock, Bryan; Spinner, Nancy B.

2016-01-01

Introduction The last two decades have witnessed revolutionary changes in clinical diagnostics, fueled by the Human Genome Project and advances in high throughput, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). We review the current state of sequencing-based pediatric diagnostics, associated challenges, and future prospects. Areas Covered We present an overview of genetic disease in children, review the technical aspects of Next Generation Sequencing and the strategies to make molecular diagnoses for children with genetic disease. We discuss the challenges of genomic sequencing including incomplete current knowledge of variants, lack of data about certain genomic regions, mosaicism, and the presence of regions with high homology. Expert Commentary NGS has been a transformative technology and the gap between the research and clinical communities has never been so narrow. Therapeutic interventions are emerging based on genomic findings and the applications of NGS are progressing to prenatal genetics, epigenomics and transcriptomics. PMID:27388938

How to Use the DX SYSTEM of Diagnostic Testing. Methodology Project.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McArthur, David; Cabello, Beverly

The DX SYSTEM of Diagnostic Testing is an easy-to-use computerized system for developing and administering diagnostic tests. A diagnostic test measures a student's mastery of a specific domain (skill or content area). It examines the necessary subskills hierarchically from the most to the least complex. The DX SYSTEM features tailored testing with…

Efficient fault diagnosis of helicopter gearboxes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chin, H.; Danai, K.; Lewicki, D. G.

1993-01-01

Application of a diagnostic system to a helicopter gearbox is presented. The diagnostic system is a nonparametric pattern classifier that uses a multi-valued influence matrix (MVIM) as its diagnostic model and benefits from a fast learning algorithm that enables it to estimate its diagnostic model from a small number of measurement-fault data. To test this diagnostic system, vibration measurements were collected from a helicopter gearbox test stand during accelerated fatigue tests and at various fault instances. The diagnostic results indicate that the MVIM system can accurately detect and diagnose various gearbox faults so long as they are included in training.

77 FR 64464 - Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-22

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Industry and Security Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee Notice of Partially Closed Meeting The Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee (ISTAC... of export controls applicable to information systems equipment and technology. Wednesday, November 7...

40 CFR 86.1806-01 - On-board diagnostics.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

.... The emission control diagnostic system shall record and store in computer memory diagnostic trouble... or system, “freeze frame” engine conditions present at the time shall be stored in computer memory... equipped with an onboard diagnostic (OBD) system capable of monitoring, for each vehicle's useful life, all...

40 CFR 86.1806-01 - On-board diagnostics.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

.... The emission control diagnostic system shall record and store in computer memory diagnostic trouble... or system, “freeze frame” engine conditions present at the time shall be stored in computer memory... equipped with an onboard diagnostic (OBD) system capable of monitoring, for each vehicle's useful life, all...

40 CFR 86.1806-01 - On-board diagnostics.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

.... The emission control diagnostic system shall record and store in computer memory diagnostic trouble... or system, “freeze frame” engine conditions present at the time shall be stored in computer memory... equipped with an onboard diagnostic (OBD) system capable of monitoring, for each vehicle's useful life, all...

Current State of the Regulatory Trajectory for Whole Slide Imaging Devices in the USA

PubMed Central

Abels, Esther; Pantanowitz, Liron

2017-01-01

The regulatory field for digital pathology (DP) has advanced significantly. A major milestone was accomplished when the FDA allowed the first vendor to market their device for primary diagnostic use in the USA and published in the classification order that this device, and substantially equivalent devices of this generic type, should be classified into class II instead of class III as previously proposed. The Digital Pathology Association (DPA) regulatory task force had a major role in the accomplishment of getting the application request for Whole Slide Imaging (WSI) Systems recommended for a de novo. This article reviews the past and emerging regulatory environment of WSI for clinical use in the USA. A WSI system with integrated subsystems is defined in the context of medical device regulations. The FDA technical performance assessment guideline is also discussed as well as parameters involved in analytical testing and clinical studies to demonstrate that WSI devices are safe and effective for clinical use. PMID:28584684

Current State of the Regulatory Trajectory for Whole Slide Imaging Devices in the USA.

PubMed

Abels, Esther; Pantanowitz, Liron

2017-01-01

The regulatory field for digital pathology (DP) has advanced significantly. A major milestone was accomplished when the FDA allowed the first vendor to market their device for primary diagnostic use in the USA and published in the classification order that this device, and substantially equivalent devices of this generic type, should be classified into class II instead of class III as previously proposed. The Digital Pathology Association (DPA) regulatory task force had a major role in the accomplishment of getting the application request for Whole Slide Imaging (WSI) Systems recommended for a de novo . This article reviews the past and emerging regulatory environment of WSI for clinical use in the USA. A WSI system with integrated subsystems is defined in the context of medical device regulations. The FDA technical performance assessment guideline is also discussed as well as parameters involved in analytical testing and clinical studies to demonstrate that WSI devices are safe and effective for clinical use.

Acoustic Purification of Extracellular Microvesicles

PubMed Central

Lee, Kyungheon; Shao, Huilin; Weissleder, Ralph; Lee, Hakho

2015-01-01

Microvesicles (MVs) are an increasingly important source for biomarker discovery and clinical diagnostics. The small size of MVs and their presence in complex biological environment, however, pose practical technical challenges, particularly when sample volumes are small. We herein present an acoustic nano-filter system that size-specifically separates MVs in a continuous and contact-free manner. The separation is based on ultrasound standing waves that exert differential acoustic force on MVs according to their size and density. By optimizing the design of the ultrasound transducers and underlying electronics, we were able to achieve a high separation yield and resolution. The “filter size-cutoff” can be controlled electronically in situ and enables versatile MV-size selection. We applied the acoustic nano-filter to isolate nanoscale (<200 nm) vesicles from cell culture media as well as MVs in stored red blood cell products. With the capacity for rapid and contact-free MV isolation, the developed system could become a versatile preparatory tool for MV analyses. PMID:25672598

Sustained multi-kHz flamefront and 3-component velocity-field measurements for the study of turbulent flames

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boxx, I.; Stöhr, M.; Carter, C.; Meier, W.

2009-04-01

We describe an approach of imaging the dynamic interaction of the flamefront and flowfield. Here, a diode-pumped Nd:YLF laser operating at 5 kHz is used to pump a dye laser, which is then frequency doubled to 283 nm to probe flamefront OH, while a dual cavity diode-pumped Nd:YAG system produces pulse-pairs for particle image velocimetry (PIV). CMOS digital cameras are used to detect both planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) and particle scattering (in a stereo arrangement) such that a 5 kHz measurement frequency is attained. This diagnostic is demonstrated in lifted-jet and swirl-stabilized flames, wherein the dynamics of the flame stabilization processes are seen. Nonperiodic effects such as local ignition and/or extinction, lift-off and flashback events, and their histories can be captured by this technique. As such, this system has the potential to significantly extend our understanding of nonstationary combustion processes relevant to industrial and technical applications.

Rural and remote care

PubMed Central

Marciniuk, Darcy

2016-01-01

The challenges of providing quality respiratory care to persons living in rural or remote communities can be daunting. These populations are often vulnerable in terms of both health status and access to care, highlighting the need for innovation in service delivery. The rapidly expanding options available using telehealthcare technologies have the capacity to allow patients in rural and remote communities to connect with providers at distant sites and to facilitate the provision of diagnostic, monitoring, and therapeutic services. Successful implementation of telehealthcare programs in rural and remote settings is, however, contingent upon accounting for key technical, organizational, social, and legal considerations at the individual, community, and system levels. This review article discusses five types of telehealthcare delivery that can facilitate respiratory care for residents of rural or remote communities: remote monitoring (including wearable and ambient systems; remote consultations (between providers and between patients and providers), remote pulmonary rehabilitation, telepharmacy, and remote sleep monitoring. Current and future challenges related to telehealthcare are discussed. PMID:26902542

Determining the Numeracy and Algebra Errors of Students in a Two-Year Vocational School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Akyüz, Gözde

2015-01-01

The goal of this study was to determine the mathematics achievement level in basic numeracy and algebra concepts of students in a two-year program in a technical vocational school of higher education and determine the errors that they make in these topics. The researcher developed a diagnostic mathematics achievement test related to numeracy and…

Technological innovations in digital data management and changing roles of imaging specialists in Japan

PubMed Central

Ehara, Shigeru

2010-01-01

Technical innovations in digital data management pose a threat to radiologists in that can we remain in the process of clinical decision making or be assigned to a secondary role in future clinical practice. The value added to the imaging studies by diagnostic radiologists, or imaging specialists, has never been questioned more seriously. PMID:21179309

Manpower Advisory Services in the Workplace: A Missing Link in National Manpower Policy. Volume I.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hansen, Gary B.; Bentley, Marion T.

This first volume of a two-volume final report contains description and findings of a 3-year research and demonstration project in which a small human resource diagnostic and consulting service was established at a State land-grant institution (Utah State University) to provide a broadly based technical assistance program directed toward improving…

AFGL Fiscal Year 1989. Air Force Technical Objectives Document

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-10-01

analyzing and forecasting atmospheric parameters. The critical technologies are cloud and precipitation effects, atmospheric boundary effects, climatology for...on the morphology and dynamics of auroral electron and ion precipitation using existing and future satellite data bases. The research will specify the...other ground based diagnostics. In the transport and particle precipitation dominated regions of polar cap, oval, and trough, research efforts are

Progression in Learning about "The Nature of Science": Issues of Conceptualisation and Methodology.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leach, John; And Others

Recently, it was proposed that a curricular aim of science education should be to engender an understanding of the nature of the scientific enterprise among students, as well as a knowledge of the technical contents of science. Seven diagnostic instruments were designed and administered to students (between the ages of 9 and 16) in an effort to…

Integration and acceleration of virtual microscopy as the key to successful implementation into the routine diagnostic process.

PubMed

Wienert, Stephan; Beil, Michael; Saeger, Kai; Hufnagl, Peter; Schrader, Thomas

2009-01-09

The virtual microscopy is widely accepted in Pathology for educational purposes and teleconsultation but is far from the routine use in surgical pathology due to the technical requirements and some limitations. A technical problem is the limited bandwidth of a usual network and the delayed transmission rate and presentation time on the screen. In this study the process of secondary diagnostic was evaluated using the "T.Konsult Pathologie" service of the Professional Association of German Pathologists within the German breast cancer screening program. The characteristics of the access to the WSI (Whole Slide Images) have been analyzed to explore the possibilities of prefetching and caching to reduce the presentation and transfer time with the goal to increase user acceptance. The log files of the web server were analyzed to reconstruct the movements of the pathologist on the WSI and to create the observation path. Using a specialized tool the observation paths were extracted automatically from the log files. The attributes linearity, 3-point-linearity, changes per request, and number of consecutive requests were calculated to design, develop and evaluate different caching and prefetching strategies. The analysis of the observation paths showed that a complete accordance of two image requests is a very rare event. But more frequently a partial covering of two requested image areas can be found. In total 257 diagnostic paths from 131 WSI have been extracted and analysed. On average a diagnostic path consists of 16 image requests and takes 189 seconds between first and last image request. The mean linearity was 0,41 and the mean 3-point-linearity 0,85. Three different caching algorithms have been compared with respect to hit rate and additional image requests on the WSI server. Tests demonstrated that 95% of the diagnostic paths could be loaded without any deletion of entries in the cache (cache size 12,2 Megapixel). If the image parts are stored after JPEG compression this complies with less than 2 MB. WSI telepathology is a technology which offers the possibility to break the limitations of conventional static telepathology. The complete histological slide may be investigated instead of sets of images of lesions sampled by the presenting pathologist. The benefit is demonstrated by the high diagnostic security of 95% accordance between first and second diagnosis.

Integration and acceleration of virtual microscopy as the key to successful implementation into the routine diagnostic process

PubMed Central

Wienert, Stephan; Beil, Michael; Saeger, Kai; Hufnagl, Peter; Schrader, Thomas

2009-01-01

Background The virtual microscopy is widely accepted in Pathology for educational purposes and teleconsultation but is far from the routine use in surgical pathology due to the technical requirements and some limitations. A technical problem is the limited bandwidth of a usual network and the delayed transmission rate and presentation time on the screen. Methods In this study the process of secondary diagnostic was evaluated using the "T.Konsult Pathologie" service of the Professional Association of German Pathologists within the German breast cancer screening program. The characteristics of the access to the WSI (Whole Slide Images) have been analyzed to explore the possibilities of prefetching and caching to reduce the presentation and transfer time with the goal to increase user acceptance. The log files of the web server were analyzed to reconstruct the movements of the pathologist on the WSI and to create the observation path. Using a specialized tool the observation paths were extracted automatically from the log files. The attributes linearity, 3-point-linearity, changes per request, and number of consecutive requests were calculated to design, develop and evaluate different caching and prefetching strategies. Results The analysis of the observation paths showed that a complete accordance of two image requests is a very rare event. But more frequently a partial covering of two requested image areas can be found. In total 257 diagnostic paths from 131 WSI have been extracted and analysed. On average a diagnostic path consists of 16 image requests and takes 189 seconds between first and last image request. The mean linearity was 0,41 and the mean 3-point-linearity 0,85. Three different caching algorithms have been compared with respect to hit rate and additional image requests on the WSI server. Tests demonstrated that 95% of the diagnostic paths could be loaded without any deletion of entries in the cache (cache size 12,2 Megapixel). If the image parts are stored after JPEG compression this complies with less than 2 MB. Discussion WSI telepathology is a technology which offers the possibility to break the limitations of conventional static telepathology. The complete histological slide may be investigated instead of sets of images of lesions sampled by the presenting pathologist. The benefit is demonstrated by the high diagnostic security of 95% accordance between first and second diagnosis. PMID:19134181

DDS: The Dental Diagnostic Simulation System.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tira, Daniel E.

The Dental Diagnostic Simulation (DDS) System provides an alternative to simulation systems which represent diagnostic case studies of relatively limited scope. It may be used to generate simulated case studies in all of the dental specialty areas with case materials progressing through the gamut of the diagnostic process. The generation of a…

Inventing a new diagnostic test for vaginal infection.

PubMed Central

O'Dowd, T. C.; Bourne, N.

1994-01-01

Bacterial vaginosis, which is underdiagnosed in clinical practice, has a characteristic fishy smell because of production of diamines. This smell is the basis of a visual rapid diagnostic test that is technically simple to perform. The test has been patented in Europe and America, and a licence agreement has been negotiated. This paper describes the process from idea to invention to patenting and licensing. The combined costs of research and patenting were met by a multinational company in return for rights to exploit the patent invention. The process has taken nine years and has needed clinical, scientific, legal, and commercial input to get the test to the marketplace. Images p41-a PMID:8044068

Proteomics of the Human Placenta: Promises and Realities

PubMed Central

Robinson, J.M.; Ackerman, W.E.; Kniss, D.A.; Takizawa, T.; Vandré, D.D.

2015-01-01

Proteomics is an area of study that sets as its ultimate goal the global analysis of all of the proteins expressed in a biological system of interest. However, technical limitations currently hamper proteome-wide analyses of complex systems. In a more practical sense, a desired outcome of proteomics research is the translation of large protein data sets into formats that provide meaningful information regarding clinical conditions (e.g., biomarkers to serve as diagnostic and/or prognostic indicators of disease). Herein, we discuss placental proteomics by describing existing studies, pointing out their strengths and weaknesses. In so doing, we strive to inform investigators interested in this area of research about the current gap between hyperbolic promises and realities. Additionally, we discuss the utility of proteomics in discovery-based research, particularly as regards the capacity to unearth novel insights into placental biology. Importantly, when considering under studied systems such as the human placenta and diseases associated with abnormalities in placental function, proteomics can serve as a robust ‘shortcut’ to obtaining information unlikely to be garnered using traditional approaches. PMID:18222537

Improving Access to Pediatric Cardiology in Cape Verde via a Collaborative International Telemedicine Service.

PubMed

Lapão, Luís Velez; Correia, Artur

2015-01-01

This paper addresses the role of international telemedicine services in supporting the evacuation procedures from Cape Verde to Portugal, enabling better quality and cost reductions in the management of the global health system. The Cape Verde, as other African countries, health system lacks many medical specialists, like pediatric cardiologists, neurosurgery, etc. In this study, tele-cardiology shows good results as diagnostic support to the evacuation decision. Telemedicine services show benefits while monitoring patients in post-evacuation, helping to address the lack of responsive care in some specialties whose actual use will help save resources both in provision and in management of the evacuation procedures. Additionally, with tele-cardiology collaborative service many evacuations can be avoided whereas many cases will be treated and followed locally in Cape Verde with remote technical support from Portugal. This international telemedicine service enabled more efficient evacuations, by reducing expenses in travel and housing, and therefore contributed to the health system's improvement. This study provides some evidence of how important telemedicine really is to cope with both the geography and the shortage of physicians.

NASA's spacecraft data system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cudmore, Alan; Flanegan, Mark

1993-01-01

The NASA Small Explorer Data System (SEDS), a space flight data system developed to support the Small Explorer (SMEX) project, is addressed. The system was flown on the Solar Anomalous Magnetospheric Particle Explorer (SAMPEX) SMEX mission, and with reconfiguration for different requirements will fly on the X-ray Timing Explorer (XTE) and the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). SEDS is also foreseen for the Hubble repair mission. Its name was changed to Spacecraft Data System (SDS) in view of expansions. Objectives, SDS hardware, and software are described. Each SDS box contains two computers, data storage memory, uplink (command) reception circuitry, downlink (telemetry) encoding circuitry, Instrument Telemetry Controller (ITC), and spacecraft timing circuitry. The SDS communicates with other subsystems over the MIL-STD-1773 data bus. The SDS software uses a real time Operating System (OS) and the C language. The OS layer, communications and scheduling layer, application task layer, and diagnostic software, are described. Decisions on the use of advanced technologies, such as ASIC's (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) and fiber optics, led to technical improvements, such as lower power and weight, without increasing the risk associated with the data system. The result was a successful SAMPEX development, integration and test, and mission using SEDS, and the upgrading of that system to SDS for TRMM and XTE.

A new dump system design for stray light reduction of Thomson scattering diagnostic system on EAST

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xiao, Shumei; Zang, Qing, E-mail: zangq@ipp.ac.cn; Han, Xiaofeng

Thomson scattering (TS) diagnostic is an important diagnostic for measuring electron temperature and density during plasma discharge. However, the measurement of Thomson scattering signal is disturbed by the stray light easily. The stray light sources in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) TS diagnostic system were analyzed by a simulation model of the diagnostic system, and simulation results show that the dump system is the primary stray light source. Based on the optics theory and the simulation analysis, a novel dump system including an improved beam trap was proposed and installed. The measurement results indicate that the new dump systemmore » can reduce more than 60% of the stray light for the diagnostic system, and the influence of stray light on the error of measured density decreases.« less

Tracking Progress in Improving Diagnosis: A Framework for Defining Undesirable Diagnostic Events.

PubMed

Olson, Andrew P J; Graber, Mark L; Singh, Hardeep

2018-01-29

Diagnostic error is a prevalent, harmful, and costly phenomenon. Multiple national health care and governmental organizations have recently identified the need to improve diagnostic safety as a high priority. A major barrier, however, is the lack of standardized, reliable methods for measuring diagnostic safety. Given the absence of reliable and valid measures for diagnostic errors, we need methods to help establish some type of baseline diagnostic performance across health systems, as well as to enable researchers and health systems to determine the impact of interventions for improving the diagnostic process. Multiple approaches have been suggested but none widely adopted. We propose a new framework for identifying "undesirable diagnostic events" (UDEs) that health systems, professional organizations, and researchers could further define and develop to enable standardized measurement and reporting related to diagnostic safety. We propose an outline for UDEs that identifies both conditions prone to diagnostic error and the contexts of care in which these errors are likely to occur. Refinement and adoption of this framework across health systems can facilitate standardized measurement and reporting of diagnostic safety.

76 FR 39845 - Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-07

... export controls applicable to information systems equipment and technology. Wednesday, July 27 Public... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Industry and Security Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting The Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee (ISTAC...

78 FR 63162 - Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-23

... of export controls applicable to information systems equipment and technology. Wednesday, November 6... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Industry and Security Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting The Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee (ISTAC...

75 FR 64258 - Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-19

... export controls applicable to information systems equipment and technology. Wednesday, November 3 Public... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Industry and Security Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting The Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee (ISTAC...

78 FR 42753 - Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-17

... of export controls applicable to information systems equipment and technology. Wednesday, July 31... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Industry and Security Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting The Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee (ISTAC...

Develop a Comprehensive Technical Training and Data Collection Program for Structural Welders and Fitters: Technical Proposal

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-05-30

implementation Final Report 4 TECHNICAL PLAN AND RESULTS Task 1: Initiate the Project Management System Two senior NGSS production management...1 Technical Plan and Results...Third the system is hosted on a handheld unit which provides the foremen with an efficient daily planning tool. The Pilot System which entails

Paediatric cerebrovascular CT angiography-towards better image quality.

PubMed

Thust, Stefanie C; Chong, Wui Khean Kling; Gunny, Roxana; Mazumder, Asif; Poitelea, Marius; Welsh, Anna; Ederies, Ash; Mankad, Kshitij

2014-12-01

Paediatric cerebrovascular CT angiography (CTA) can be challenging to perform due to variable cardiovascular physiology between different age groups and the risk of movement artefact. This analysis aimed to determine what proportion of CTA at our institution was of diagnostic quality and identify technical factors which could be improved. a retrospective analysis of 20 cases was performed at a national paediatric neurovascular centre assessing image quality with a subjective scoring system and Hounsfield Unit (HU) measurements. Demographic data, contrast dose, flow rate and triggering times were recorded for each patient. Using a qualitative scoring system, 75% of studies were found to be of diagnostic quality (n=9 'good', n=6 'satisfactory') and 25% (n=5) were 'poor'. Those judged subjectively to be poor had arterial contrast density measured at less than 250 HU. Increased arterial opacification was achieved for cases performed with an increased flow rate (2.5-4 mL/s) and higher intravenous contrast dose (2 mL/kg). Triggering was found to be well timed in nine cases, early in four cases and late in seven cases. Of the scans triggered early, 75% were poor. Of the scans triggered late, less (29%) were poor. High flow rates (>2.5 mL/s) were a key factor for achieving high quality paediatric cerebrovascular CTA imaging. However, appropriate triggering by starting the scan immediately on contrast opacification of the monitoring vessel plays an important role and could maintain image quality when flow rates were lower. Early triggering appeared more detrimental than late.

Anatomically shaped cranial collimation (ACC) for lateral cephalometric radiography: a technical report.

PubMed

Hoogeveen, R C; van der Stelt, P F; Berkhout, W E R

2014-01-01

Lateral cephalograms in orthodontic practice display an area cranial of the base of the skull that is not required for diagnostic evaluation. Attempts have been made to reduce the radiation dose to the patient using collimators combining the shielding of the areas above the base of the skull and below the mandible. These so-called "wedge-shaped" collimators have not become standard equipment in orthodontic offices, possibly because these collimators were not designed for today's combination panoramic-cephalometric imaging systems. It also may be that the anatomical variability of the area below the mandible makes this area unsuitable for standardized collimation. In addition, a wedge-shaped collimator shields the cervical vertebrae; therefore, assessment of skeletal maturation, which is based on the stage of development of the cervical vertebrae, cannot be performed. In this report, we describe our investigations into constructing a collimator to be attached to the cephalostat and shield the cranial area of the skull, while allowing the visualization of diagnostically relevant structures and markedly reducing the size of the irradiated area. The shape of the area shielded by this "anatomically shaped cranial collimator" (ACC) was based on mean measurements of cephalometric landmarks of 100 orthodontic patients. It appeared that this collimator reduced the area of irradiation by almost one-third without interfering with the imaging system or affecting the quality of the image. Further research is needed to validate the clinical efficacy of the collimator.

CHANGING OUR DIAGNOSTIC PARADIGM: MOVEMENT SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC CLASSIFICATION

PubMed Central

Kamonseki, Danilo H.; Staker, Justin L.; Lawrence, Rebekah L.; Braman, Jonathan P.

2017-01-01

Proper diagnosis is a first step in applying best available treatments, and prognosticating outcomes for clients. Currently, the majority of musculoskeletal diagnoses are classified according to pathoanatomy. However, the majority of physical therapy treatments are applied toward movement system impairments or pain. While advocated within the physical therapy profession for over thirty years, diagnostic classification within a movement system framework has not been uniformly developed or adopted. We propose a basic framework and rationale for application of a movement system diagnostic classification for atraumatic shoulder pain conditions, as a case for the broader development of movement system diagnostic labels. Shifting our diagnostic paradigm has potential to enhance communication, improve educational efficiency, facilitate research, directly link to function, improve clinical care, and accelerate preventive interventions. PMID:29158950

Technical Report Series on Global Modeling and Data Assimilation. Volume 13; Interannual Variability and Potential Predictability in Reanalysis Products

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Min, Wei; Schubert, Siegfried D.; Suarez, Max J. (Editor)

1997-01-01

The Data Assimilation Office (DAO) at Goddard Space Flight Center and the National Center for Environmental Prediction and National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) have produced multi-year global assimilations of historical data employing fixed analysis systems. These "reanalysis" products are ideally suited for studying short-term climatic variations. The availability of multiple reanalysis products also provides the opportunity to examine the uncertainty in the reanalysis data. The purpose of this document is to provide an updated estimate of seasonal and interannual variability based on the DAO and NCEP/NCAR reanalyses for the 15-year period 1980-1995. Intercomparisons of the seasonal means and their interannual variations are presented for a variety of prognostic and diagnostic fields. In addition, atmospheric potential predictability is re-examined employing selected DAO reanalysis variables.

That liver lesion on MDCT in the oncology patient: is it important?

PubMed Central

Thakrar, Kiran H.; Wenzke, Daniel R.; Newmark, Geraldine M.; Mehta, Uday K.; Berlin, Jonathan W.

2012-01-01

Abstract Multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) has become the primary imaging test for the staging and follow-up of most malignancies that originate outside of the central nervous system. Technical advances in this imaging technique have led to significant improvement in the detection of metastatic disease to the liver. An unintended by-product of this improving diagnostic acumen is the discovery of incidental hepatic lesions in oncology patients that in the past remained undetected. These ubiquitous, incidentally identified hepatic lesions have created a management dilemma for both clinicians and radiologists: are these lesions benign or do they represent metastases? Naturally, the answer to this question has profound prognostic and therapeutic implications. In this review, guidelines concerning the diagnosis and management of some of the more common hepatic incidental lesions detected in patients with extrahepatic malignancies are presented. PMID:23023318

21 CFR 1020.30 - Diagnostic x-ray systems and their major components.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... irradiation. Diagnostic source assembly means the tube housing assembly with a beam-limiting device attached. Diagnostic x-ray system means an x-ray system designed for irradiation of any part of the human body for the... diagnostic source assembly. Fluoroscopic irradiation time means the cumulative duration during an examination...

21 CFR 1020.30 - Diagnostic x-ray systems and their major components.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... irradiation. Diagnostic source assembly means the tube housing assembly with a beam-limiting device attached. Diagnostic x-ray system means an x-ray system designed for irradiation of any part of the human body for the... diagnostic source assembly. Fluoroscopic irradiation time means the cumulative duration during an examination...

21 CFR 1020.30 - Diagnostic x-ray systems and their major components.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... irradiation. Diagnostic source assembly means the tube housing assembly with a beam-limiting device attached. Diagnostic x-ray system means an x-ray system designed for irradiation of any part of the human body for the... diagnostic source assembly. Fluoroscopic irradiation time means the cumulative duration during an examination...

77 FR 37652 - Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-22

... that affect the level of export controls applicable to information systems equipment and technology... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Industry and Security Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting The Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee (ISTAC...

47 CFR 15.511 - Technical requirements for surveillance systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Technical requirements for surveillance systems... DEVICES Ultra-Wideband Operation § 15.511 Technical requirements for surveillance systems. (a) The UWB... surveillance systems operated by law enforcement, fire or emergency rescue organizations or by manufacturers...

47 CFR 15.511 - Technical requirements for surveillance systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Technical requirements for surveillance systems... DEVICES Ultra-Wideband Operation § 15.511 Technical requirements for surveillance systems. (a) The UWB... surveillance systems operated by law enforcement, fire or emergency rescue organizations or by manufacturers...

47 CFR 15.511 - Technical requirements for surveillance systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Technical requirements for surveillance systems... DEVICES Ultra-Wideband Operation § 15.511 Technical requirements for surveillance systems. (a) The UWB... surveillance systems operated by law enforcement, fire or emergency rescue organizations or by manufacturers...

47 CFR 15.511 - Technical requirements for surveillance systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Technical requirements for surveillance systems... DEVICES Ultra-Wideband Operation § 15.511 Technical requirements for surveillance systems. (a) The UWB... surveillance systems operated by law enforcement, fire or emergency rescue organizations or by manufacturers...

47 CFR 15.511 - Technical requirements for surveillance systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Technical requirements for surveillance systems... DEVICES Ultra-Wideband Operation § 15.511 Technical requirements for surveillance systems. (a) The UWB... surveillance systems operated by law enforcement, fire or emergency rescue organizations or by manufacturers...

[Cognitive errors in diagnostic decision making].

PubMed

Gäbler, Martin

2017-10-01

Approximately 10-15% of our diagnostic decisions are faulty and may lead to unfavorable and dangerous outcomes, which could be avoided. These diagnostic errors are mainly caused by cognitive biases in the diagnostic reasoning process.Our medical diagnostic decision-making is based on intuitive "System 1" and analytical "System 2" diagnostic decision-making and can be deviated by unconscious cognitive biases.These deviations can be positively influenced on a systemic and an individual level. For the individual, metacognition (internal withdrawal from the decision-making process) and debiasing strategies, such as verification, falsification and rule out worst-case scenarios, can lead to improved diagnostic decisions making.

Nonculture molecular techniques for diagnosis of bacterial disease in animals: a diagnostic laboratory perspective.

PubMed

Cai, H Y; Caswell, J L; Prescott, J F

2014-03-01

The past decade has seen remarkable technical advances in infectious disease diagnosis, and the pace of innovation is likely to continue. Many of these techniques are well suited to pathogen identification directly from pathologic or clinical samples, which is the focus of this review. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gene sequencing are now routinely performed on frozen or fixed tissues for diagnosis of bacterial infections of animals. These assays are most useful for pathogens that are difficult to culture or identify phenotypically, when propagation poses a biosafety hazard, or when suitable fresh tissue is not available. Multiplex PCR assays, DNA microarrays, in situ hybridization, massive parallel DNA sequencing, microbiome profiling, molecular typing of pathogens, identification of antimicrobial resistance genes, and mass spectrometry are additional emerging technologies for the diagnosis of bacterial infections from pathologic and clinical samples in animals. These technical advances come, however, with 2 caveats. First, in the age of molecular diagnosis, quality control has become more important than ever to identify and control for the presence of inhibitors, cross-contamination, inadequate templates from diagnostic specimens, and other causes of erroneous microbial identifications. Second, the attraction of these technologic advances can obscure the reality that medical diagnoses cannot be made on the basis of molecular testing alone but instead through integrated consideration of clinical, pathologic, and laboratory findings. Proper validation of the method is required. It is critical that veterinary diagnosticians understand not only the value but also the limitations of these technical advances for routine diagnosis of infectious disease.

Cholera diagnosis in human stool and detection in water: protocol for a systematic review of available technologies.

PubMed

Diaconu, Karin; Falconer, Jennifer; O'May, Fiona; Jimenez, Miguel; Matragrano, Joe; Njanpop-Lafourcade, Betty; Ager, Alastair

2018-02-20

Cholera is a highly infectious diarrheal disease spread via fecal contamination of water and food sources; it is endemic in parts of Africa and Asia and recent outbreaks have been reported in Haiti, the Zambia and Democratic Republic of the Congo. If left untreated, the disease can be fatal in less than 24 h and result in case fatality ratios of 30-50%. Cholera disproportionately affects those living in areas with poor access to water and sanitation: the long-term public health response is focused on improving water and hygiene facilities and access. Short-term measures for infection prevention and control, and disease characterization and surveillance, are impaired by diagnostic delays: culture methods are slow and rely on the availability of infrastructure and specialist equipment. Rapid diagnostic tests have shown promise under field conditions and further innovations in this area have been proposed. This paper is the protocol for a systematic review focused on identifying current technologies and methods used for cholera diagnosis in stool, and detection in water. We will synthesize and appraise information on product technical specifications, accuracy and design features in order to inform infection prevention and control and innovation development. Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Proquest, IndMed and the WHO and Campbell libraries will be searched. We will include studies reporting on field evaluations, including within-study comparisons against a reference standard, and laboratory evaluations reporting on product validation against field stool or water samples. We will extract data according to protocol and attempt meta-analyses if appropriate given data availability and quality. The systematic review builds on a previous scoping review in this field and expands upon this by synthesising data on both product technical characteristics and design features. The review will be of particular value to stakeholders engaged in diagnostic procurement and manufacturers interested in developing cholera or diarrheal disease diagnostics. PROSPERO CRD42016048428 .

Principles and Procedures in Technical Assistance: An Approach to Educational Change

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lillie, David L.; Black, Talbot

1976-01-01

The Technical Assistance Development System (TADS) has developed through the years a system for technical assistance and has identified some important principles that should be followed in the operation of organizational support systems. (Author/ER)

Prospective Validation of Intra- and Interobserver Reproducibility of a New Point Shear Wave Elastographic Technique for Assessing Liver Stiffness in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease.

PubMed

Ahn, Su Joa; Lee, Jeong Min; Chang, Won; Lee, Sang Min; Kang, Hyo-Jin; Yang, Hyunkyung; Yoon, Jeong Hee; Park, Sae Jin; Han, Joon Koo

2017-01-01

To assess intra- and inter-observer reproducibility of a new point shear wave elastography technique (pSWE, S-Shearwave, Samsung Medison) and compare its accuracy in assessing liver stiffness (LS) with an established pSWE technique (Virtual Touch Quantification, VTQ). Thirty-three patients were enrolled in this Institutional Review Board-approved prospective study. LS values were measured by VTQ on an Acuson S2000 system (Siemens Healthineer) and S-Shearwave on an RS-80A (Samsung Medison) in the same session, followed by two further S-Shearwave sessions for inter- and intra-observer variation at 8-hour intervals. The technical success rate (SR) and reliability of the measurements of both pSWE techniques were compared. The intra- and inter-observer reproducibility of S-Shearwave was determined by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). LS values were measured by both methods of pSWE. The diagnostic performance in severe fibrosis (F ≥ 3) and cirrhosis (F = 4) was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristics curve analysis and the Obuchowski measure with the LS values of transient elastography as the referenced standard. The VTQ (100%, 33/33) and S-Shearwave (96.9%, 32/33) techniques did not display a significant difference in technical SR ( p = 0.63) or reliability of LS measurements (96.9%, 32/33; 93.9%, 30/32, respectively, p = 0.61). The inter- and intra-observer agreement for LS measurements using the S-Shearwave technique was excellent (ICC = 0.98 and 0.99, respectively). The mean LS values of both pSWE techniques were not significantly different and exhibited a good correlation (r = 0.78). To detect F ≥ 3 and F = 4, VTQ and S-Shearwave showed comparable diagnostic accuracy as indicated by the following outcomes: areas under receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) = 0.87 (95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.70-0.96), 0.89 for VTQ (95% CI 0.74-0.97), respectively; and AUROC = 0.84 (95% CI 0.67-0.94), 0.94 (95% CI 0.80-0.99) for S-Shearwave (p > 0.48), respectively. The Obuchowski measures were similarly high for S-Shearwave and VTQ (0.94 vs. 0.95). S-Shearwave shows excellent inter- and intra-observer agreement and diagnostic effectiveness comparable to VTQ in detecting LS.

Guiding bioprocess design by microbial ecology.

PubMed

Volmer, Jan; Schmid, Andreas; Bühler, Bruno

2015-06-01

Industrial bioprocess development is driven by profitability and eco-efficiency. It profits from an early stage definition of process and biocatalyst design objectives. Microbial bioprocess environments can be considered as synthetic technical microbial ecosystems. Natural systems follow Darwinian evolution principles aiming at survival and reproduction. Technical systems objectives are eco-efficiency, productivity, and profitable production. Deciphering technical microbial ecology reveals differences and similarities of natural and technical systems objectives, which are discussed in this review in view of biocatalyst and process design and engineering strategies. Strategies for handling opposing objectives of natural and technical systems and for exploiting and engineering natural properties of microorganisms for technical systems are reviewed based on examples. This illustrates the relevance of considering microbial ecology for bioprocess design and the potential for exploitation by synthetic biology strategies. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

47 CFR 80.231 - Technical Requirements for Class B Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... Identification System (AIS) equipment. 80.231 Section 80.231 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION... § 80.231 Technical Requirements for Class B Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment. (a) Class B Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment must meet the technical requirements of IEC 62287...

47 CFR 80.231 - Technical Requirements for Class B Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... Identification System (AIS) equipment. 80.231 Section 80.231 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION... § 80.231 Technical Requirements for Class B Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment. (a) Class B Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment must meet the technical requirements of IEC 62287...

47 CFR 80.231 - Technical Requirements for Class B Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... Identification System (AIS) equipment. 80.231 Section 80.231 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION... § 80.231 Technical Requirements for Class B Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment. (a) Class B Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment must meet the technical requirements of IEC 62287...

Resilient actions in the diagnostic process and system performance.

PubMed

Smith, Michael W; Davis Giardina, Traber; Murphy, Daniel R; Laxmisan, Archana; Singh, Hardeep

2013-12-01

Systemic issues can adversely affect the diagnostic process. Many system-related barriers can be masked by 'resilient' actions of frontline providers (ie, actions supporting the safe delivery of care in the presence of pressures that the system cannot readily adapt to). We explored system barriers and resilient actions of primary care providers (PCPs) in the diagnostic evaluation of cancer. We conducted a secondary data analysis of interviews of PCPs involved in diagnostic evaluation of 29 lung and colorectal cancer cases. Cases covered a range of diagnostic timeliness and were analysed to identify barriers for rapid diagnostic evaluation, and PCPs' actions involving elements of resilience addressing those barriers. We rated these actions according to whether they were usual or extraordinary for typical PCP work. Resilient actions and associated barriers were found in 59% of the cases, in all ranges of timeliness, with 40% involving actions rated as beyond typical. Most of the barriers were related to access to specialty services and coordination with patients. Many of the resilient actions involved using additional communication channels to solicit cooperation from other participants in the diagnostic process. Diagnostic evaluation of cancer involves several resilient actions by PCPs targeted at system deficiencies. PCPs' actions can sometimes mitigate system barriers to diagnosis, and thereby impact the sensitivity of 'downstream' measures (eg, delays) in detecting barriers. While resilient actions might enable providers to mitigate system deficiencies in the short run, they can be resource intensive and potentially unsustainable. They complement, rather than substitute for, structural remedies to improve system performance. Measures to detect and fix system performance issues targeted by these resilient actions could facilitate diagnostic safety.

To fine needle aspiration or not? An endosonographer's approach to pancreatic cystic lesions

PubMed Central

But, David Yiu-Kuen; Poley, Jan-Werner

2014-01-01

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) is an established diagnostic tool in the management of pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs). Due to the proximity to the target lesion, the fine diagnostic needle travels through only minimal normal tissues. The risks of bleeding, pancreatitis and infection are small. Valuable diagnostic morphological information can be obtained by EUS before the use of FNA. The additional cytopathologic and cyst fluid analysis for the conventional markers such as amylase, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA19.9 improves the diagnostic capability. Pancreatic cyst fluid CEA concentration of 192 ng/mL is generally the most agreed cutoff to differentiate mucinous from non-mucinous lesion. A fluid amylase level of <250 IU/L excludes the diagnosis of pseudocyst. Technical tips of EUS-FNA and the limitations of the procedure are discussed. Promising technique and FNA needle modifications have been described to improve the diagnostic yield at the cytopathologic analysis. The use of novel cyst fluid proteomics and deoxyribonucleic acid-based biomarkers of the PCLs are reviewed. Although it is considered a safe procedure, EUS-FNA is not a routine in every patient. Recommendations of the role of EUS-FNA at various common clinical scenarios are discussed. PMID:24955337

Promises, pitfalls and practicalities of prenatal whole exome sequencing.

PubMed

Best, Sunayna; Wou, Karen; Vora, Neeta; Van der Veyver, Ignatia B; Wapner, Ronald; Chitty, Lyn S

2018-01-01

Prenatal genetic diagnosis provides information for pregnancy and perinatal decision-making and management. In several small series, prenatal whole exome sequencing (WES) approaches have identified genetic diagnoses when conventional tests (karyotype and microarray) were not diagnostic. Here, we review published prenatal WES studies and recent conference abstracts. Thirty-one studies were identified, with diagnostic rates in series of five or more fetuses varying between 6.2% and 80%. Differences in inclusion criteria and trio versus singleton approaches to sequencing largely account for the wide range of diagnostic rates. The data suggest that diagnostic yields will be greater in fetuses with multiple anomalies or in cases preselected following genetic review. Beyond its ability to improve diagnostic rates, we explore the potential of WES to improve understanding of prenatal presentations of genetic disorders and lethal fetal syndromes. We discuss prenatal phenotyping limitations, counselling challenges regarding variants of uncertain significance, incidental and secondary findings, and technical problems in WES. We review the practical, ethical, social and economic issues that must be considered before prenatal WES could become part of routine testing. Finally, we reflect upon the potential future of prenatal genetic diagnosis, including a move towards whole genome sequencing and non-invasive whole exome and whole genome testing. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Road structural elements temperature trends diagnostics using sensory system of own design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dudak, Juraj; Gaspar, Gabriel; Sedivy, Stefan; Pepucha, Lubomir; Florkova, Zuzana

2017-09-01

A considerable funds is spent for the roads maintenance in large areas during the winter. The road maintenance is significantly affected by the temperature change of the road structure. In remote locations may occur a situation, when it is not clear whether the sanding is actually needed because the lack of information on road conditions. In these cases, the actual road conditions are investigated by a personal inspection or by sending out a gritting vehicle. Here, however, is a risk of unnecessary trip the sanding vehicle. This situation is economically and environmentally unfavorable. The proposed system solves the problem of measuring the temperature profile of the road and the utilization of the predictive model to determine the future development trend of temperature. The system was technically designed as a set of sensors to monitor environmental values such as the temperature of the road, ambient temperature, relative air humidity, solar radiation and atmospheric pressure at the measuring point. An important part of the proposal is prediction model which based on the inputs from sensors and historical measurements can, with some probability, predict temperature trends at the measuring point. The proposed system addresses the economic and environmental aspects of winter road maintenance.

Direct detection of cancer biomarkers in blood using a "place n play" modular polydimethylsiloxane pump.

PubMed

Zhang, Honglian; Li, Gang; Liao, Lingying; Mao, Hongju; Jin, Qinghui; Zhao, Jianlong

2013-01-01

Cancer biomarkers have significant potential as reliable tools for the early detection of the disease and for monitoring its recurrence. However, most current methods for biomarker detection have technical difficulties (such as sample preparation and specific detector requirements) which limit their application in point of care diagnostics. We developed an extremely simple, power-free microfluidic system for direct detection of cancer biomarkers in microliter volumes of whole blood. CEA and CYFRA21-1 were chosen as model cancer biomarkers. The system automatically extracted blood plasma from less than 3 μl of whole blood and performed a multiplex sample-to-answer assay (nano-ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) technique) without the use of external power or extra components. By taking advantage of the nano-ELISA technique, this microfluidic system detected CEA at a concentration of 50 pg/ml and CYFRA21-1 at a concentration of 60 pg/ml within 60 min. The combination of PnP polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) pump and nano-ELISA technique in a single microchip system shows great promise for the detection of cancer biomarkers in a drop of blood.

Metabolomic Studies of Oral Biofilm, Oral Cancer, and Beyond

PubMed Central

Washio, Jumpei; Takahashi, Nobuhiro

2016-01-01

Oral diseases are known to be closely associated with oral biofilm metabolism, while cancer tissue is reported to possess specific metabolism such as the ‘Warburg effect’. Metabolomics might be a useful method for clarifying the whole metabolic systems that operate in oral biofilm and oral cancer, however, technical limitations have hampered such research. Fortunately, metabolomics techniques have developed rapidly in the past decade, which has helped to solve these difficulties. In vivo metabolomic analyses of the oral biofilm have produced various findings. Some of these findings agreed with the in vitro results obtained in conventional metabolic studies using representative oral bacteria, while others differed markedly from them. Metabolomic analyses of oral cancer tissue not only revealed differences between metabolomic profiles of cancer and normal tissue, but have also suggested a specific metabolic system operates in oral cancer tissue. Saliva contains a variety of metabolites, some of which might be associated with oral or systemic disease; therefore, metabolomics analysis of saliva could be useful for identifying disease-specific biomarkers. Metabolomic analyses of the oral biofilm, oral cancer, and saliva could contribute to the development of accurate diagnostic, techniques, safe and effective treatments, and preventive strategies for oral and systemic diseases. PMID:27271597

Metabolomic Studies of Oral Biofilm, Oral Cancer, and Beyond.

PubMed

Washio, Jumpei; Takahashi, Nobuhiro

2016-06-02

Oral diseases are known to be closely associated with oral biofilm metabolism, while cancer tissue is reported to possess specific metabolism such as the 'Warburg effect'. Metabolomics might be a useful method for clarifying the whole metabolic systems that operate in oral biofilm and oral cancer, however, technical limitations have hampered such research. Fortunately, metabolomics techniques have developed rapidly in the past decade, which has helped to solve these difficulties. In vivo metabolomic analyses of the oral biofilm have produced various findings. Some of these findings agreed with the in vitro results obtained in conventional metabolic studies using representative oral bacteria, while others differed markedly from them. Metabolomic analyses of oral cancer tissue not only revealed differences between metabolomic profiles of cancer and normal tissue, but have also suggested a specific metabolic system operates in oral cancer tissue. Saliva contains a variety of metabolites, some of which might be associated with oral or systemic disease; therefore, metabolomics analysis of saliva could be useful for identifying disease-specific biomarkers. Metabolomic analyses of the oral biofilm, oral cancer, and saliva could contribute to the development of accurate diagnostic, techniques, safe and effective treatments, and preventive strategies for oral and systemic diseases.

A Qualitative Study of the Job Challenges of Instructional Deans in the Technical College System of Georgia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alford, Perrin J.

2014-01-01

The Technical College System of Georgia serves the people and the state by creating a system of technical education whose purpose is to use the latest technology and easy access for all adult Georgians and corporate citizens. Within each technical college is a hierarchy of faculty, staff, and administrators. The instructional deans serve a vital…

Technical Evaluation of Sample-Processing, Collection, and Preservation Methods

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-07-01

For the Gram-positive organism, B. atrophaeus var. globigii (Unified Culture Collection [ UCC ] designation: BACI051) was selected as a surrogate for...the well-known biothreat agent Bacillus anthracis. For the Gram-negative organism, Y. pestis CO92 (pgm–) ( UCC designation: YERS059) was selected...Diagnostics device) TAMRA tetramethylrhodamine TE buffer tris-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid buffer UCC Unified Culture Collection USG U.S. Government

Estudio del campo ocupacional del traductor en Santiago de Chile (A Study of Opportunities for Professional Translators in Santiago, Chile).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cabrera, Ileana; And Others

A study of translation as a profession in Chile covered two areas: a diagnostic study of the real need for literary, scientific, and technical translations, and a followup study of graduates of the translation degree program at the Catholic Pontifical University of Chile (Santiago). The analysis considered the relationship between the need for…

A Multicenter comparative trial of a novel EUS-guided core biopsy needle (SharkCore™) with the 22-gauge needle in patients with solid pancreatic mass lesions

PubMed Central

Naveed, Mariam; Siddiqui, Ali A.; Kowalski, Thomas E.; Loren, David E.; Khalid, Ammara; Soomro, Ayesha; Mazhar, Syed M.; Yoo, Joseph; Hasan, Raza; Yalamanchili, Silpa; Tarangelo, Nicholas; Taylor, Linda J.; Adler, Douglas G.

2018-01-01

Background and Objectives: The ability to obtain adequate tissue of solid pancreatic lesions by EUS-guided remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to compare the performance characteristics and safety of EUS-FNA for evaluating solid pancreatic lesions using the standard 22-gauge needle versus a novel EUS biopsy needle. Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective study of EUS-guided sampling of solid pancreatic lesions between 2009 and 2015. Patients underwent EUS-guided sampling with a 22-gauge SharkCore (SC) needle or a standard 22-gauge FNA needle. Technical success, performance characteristics of EUS-FNA, the number of needle passes required to obtain a diagnosis, diagnostic accuracy, and complications were compared. Results: A total of 1088 patients (mean age = 66 years; 49% female) with pancreatic masses underwent EUS-guided sampling with a 22-gauge SC needle (n = 115) or a standard 22-gauge FNA needle (n = 973). Technical success was 100%. The frequency of obtaining an adequate cytology by EUS-FNA was similar when using the SC and the standard needle (94.1% vs. 92.7%, respectively). The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of EUS-FNA for tissue diagnosis were not significantly different between two needles. Adequate sample collection leading to a definite diagnosis was achieved by the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd pass in 73%, 92%, and 98% of procedures using the SC needle and 20%, 37%, and 94% procedures using the standard needle (P < 0.001), respectively. The median number of passes to obtain a tissue diagnosis using the SC needle was significantly less as compared to the standard needle (1 and 3, respectively; P < 0.001). Conclusions: The EUS SC biopsy needle is safe and technically feasible for EUS-FNA of solid pancreatic mass lesions. Preliminary results suggest that the SC needle has a diagnostic yield similar to the standard EUS needle and significantly reduces the number of needle passes required to obtain a tissue diagnosis. PMID:29451167

Potential applications of next generation DNA sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons in microbial water quality monitoring

PubMed Central

Vierheilig, J.; Savio, D.; Ley, R. E.; Mach, R. L.; Farnleitner, A. H.

2016-01-01

The applicability of next generation DNA sequencing (NGS) methods for water quality assessment has so far not been broadly investigated. This study set out to evaluate the potential of an NGS-based approach in a complex catchment with importance for drinking water abstraction. In this multicompartment investigation, total bacterial communities in water, faeces, soil, and sediment samples were investigated by 454 pyrosequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicons to assess the capabilities of this NGS method for (i) the development and evaluation of environmental molecular diagnostics, (ii) direct screening of the bulk bacterial communities, and (iii) the detection of faecal pollution in water. Results indicate that NGS methods can highlight potential target populations for diagnostics and will prove useful for the evaluation of existing and the development of novel DNA-based detection methods in the field of water microbiology. The used approach allowed unveiling of dominant bacterial populations but failed to detect populations with low abundances such as faecal indicators in surface waters. In combination with metadata, NGS data will also allow the identification of drivers of bacterial community composition during water treatment and distribution, highlighting the power of this approach for monitoring of bacterial regrowth and contamination in technical systems. PMID:26606090

A Tesla-pulse forming line-plasma opening switch pulsed power generator.

PubMed

Novac, B M; Kumar, R; Smith, I R

2010-10-01

A pulsed power generator based on a high-voltage Tesla transformer which charges a 3.85 Ω/55 ns water-filled pulse forming line to 300 kV has been developed at Loughborough University as a training tool for pulsed power students. The generator uses all forms of insulation specific to pulsed power technology, liquid (oil and water), gas (SF(6)), and magnetic insulation in vacuum, and a number of fast voltage and current sensors are implemented for diagnostic purposes. A miniature (centimeter-size) plasma opening switch has recently been coupled to the output of the pulse forming line, with the overall system comprising the first phase of a program aimed at the development of a novel repetitive, table-top generator capable of producing 15 GW pulses for high power microwave loads. Technical details of all the generator components and the main experimental results obtained during the program and demonstrations of their performance are presented in the paper, together with a description of the various diagnostic tools involved. In particular, it is shown that the miniature plasma opening switch is capable of reducing the rise time of the input current while significantly increasing the load power. Future plans are outlined in the conclusions.

Development of an Internal Real-Time Wireless Diagnostic Tool for a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

PubMed Central

Lee, Chi-Yuan; Chen, Chia-Hung; Tsai, Chao-Hsuan; Wang, Yu-Syuan

2018-01-01

To prolong the operating time of unmanned aerial vehicles which use proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), the performance of PEMFC is the key. However, a long-term operation can make the Pt particles of the catalyst layer and the pollutants in the feedstock gas bond together (e.g., CO), so that the catalyst loses reaction activity. The performance decay and aging of PEMFC will be influenced by operating conditions, temperature, flow and CO concentration. Therefore, this study proposes the development of an internal real-time wireless diagnostic tool for PEMFC, and uses micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology to develop a wireless and thin (<50 μm) flexible integrated (temperature, flow and CO) microsensor. The technical advantages are (1) compactness and three wireless measurement functions; (2) elastic measurement position and accurate embedding; (3) high accuracy and sensitivity and quick response; (4) real-time wireless monitoring of dynamic performance of PEMFC; (5) customized design and development. The flexible integrated microsensor is embedded in the PEMFC, three important physical quantities in the PEMFC, which are the temperature, flow and CO, can be measured simultaneously and instantly, so as to obtain the authentic and complete reaction in the PEMFC to enhance the performance of PEMFC and to prolong the service life. PMID:29342832

Development of an Internal Real-Time Wireless Diagnostic Tool for a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell.

PubMed

Lee, Chi-Yuan; Chen, Chia-Hung; Tsai, Chao-Hsuan; Wang, Yu-Syuan

2018-01-13

To prolong the operating time of unmanned aerial vehicles which use proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), the performance of PEMFC is the key. However, a long-term operation can make the Pt particles of the catalyst layer and the pollutants in the feedstock gas bond together (e.g., CO), so that the catalyst loses reaction activity. The performance decay and aging of PEMFC will be influenced by operating conditions, temperature, flow and CO concentration. Therefore, this study proposes the development of an internal real-time wireless diagnostic tool for PEMFC, and uses micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology to develop a wireless and thin (<50 μm) flexible integrated (temperature, flow and CO) microsensor. The technical advantages are (1) compactness and three wireless measurement functions; (2) elastic measurement position and accurate embedding; (3) high accuracy and sensitivity and quick response; (4) real-time wireless monitoring of dynamic performance of PEMFC; (5) customized design and development. The flexible integrated microsensor is embedded in the PEMFC, three important physical quantities in the PEMFC, which are the temperature, flow and CO, can be measured simultaneously and instantly, so as to obtain the authentic and complete reaction in the PEMFC to enhance the performance of PEMFC and to prolong the service life.

Method of identification of patent trends based on descriptions of technical functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korobkin, D. M.; Fomenkov, S. A.; Golovanchikov, A. B.

2018-05-01

The use of the global patent space to determine the scientific and technological priorities for the technical systems development (identifying patent trends) allows one to forecast the direction of the technical systems development and, accordingly, select patents of priority technical subjects as a source for updating the technical functions database and physical effects database. The authors propose an original method that uses as trend terms not individual unigrams or n-gram (usually for existing methods and systems), but structured descriptions of technical functions in the form “Subject-Action-Object” (SAO), which in the authors’ opinion are the basis of the invention.

Towards intelligent diagnostic system employing integration of mathematical and engineering model

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Isa, Nor Ashidi Mat

The development of medical diagnostic system has been one of the main research fields during years. The goal of the medical diagnostic system is to place a nosological system that could ease the diagnostic evaluation normally performed by scientists and doctors. Efficient diagnostic evaluation is essentials and requires broad knowledge in order to improve conventional diagnostic system. Several approaches on developing the medical diagnostic system have been designed and tested since the earliest 60s. Attempts on improving their performance have been made which utilizes the fields of artificial intelligence, statistical analyses, mathematical model and engineering theories. With the availability ofmore » the microcomputer and software development as well as the promising aforementioned fields, medical diagnostic prototypes could be developed. In general, the medical diagnostic system consists of several stages, namely the 1) data acquisition, 2) feature extraction, 3) feature selection, and 4) classifications stages. Data acquisition stage plays an important role in converting the inputs measured from the real world physical conditions to the digital numeric values that can be manipulated by the computer system. One of the common medical inputs could be medical microscopic images, radiographic images, magnetic resonance image (MRI) as well as medical signals such as electrocardiogram (ECG) and electroencephalogram (EEG). Normally, the scientist or doctors have to deal with myriad of data and redundant to be processed. In order to reduce the complexity of the diagnosis process, only the significant features of the raw data such as peak value of the ECG signal or size of lesion in the mammogram images will be extracted and considered in the subsequent stages. Mathematical models and statistical analyses will be performed to select the most significant features to be classified. The statistical analyses such as principal component analysis and discriminant analysis as well as mathematical model of clustering technique have been widely used in developing the medical diagnostic systems. The selected features will be classified using mathematical models that embedded engineering theory such as artificial intelligence, support vector machine, neural network and fuzzy-neuro system. These classifiers will provide the diagnostic results without human intervention. Among many publishable researches, several prototypes have been developed namely NeuralPap, Neural Mammo, and Cervix Kit. The former system (NeuralPap) is an automatic intelligent diagnostic system for classifying and distinguishing between the normal and cervical cancerous cells. Meanwhile, the Cervix Kit is a portable Field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based cervical diagnostic kit that could automatically diagnose the cancerous cell based on the images obtained during sampling test. Besides the cervical diagnostic system, the Neural Mammo system is developed to specifically aid the diagnosis of breast cancer using a fine needle aspiration image.« less

Towards intelligent diagnostic system employing integration of mathematical and engineering model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Isa, Nor Ashidi Mat

2015-05-01

The development of medical diagnostic system has been one of the main research fields during years. The goal of the medical diagnostic system is to place a nosological system that could ease the diagnostic evaluation normally performed by scientists and doctors. Efficient diagnostic evaluation is essentials and requires broad knowledge in order to improve conventional diagnostic system. Several approaches on developing the medical diagnostic system have been designed and tested since the earliest 60s. Attempts on improving their performance have been made which utilizes the fields of artificial intelligence, statistical analyses, mathematical model and engineering theories. With the availability of the microcomputer and software development as well as the promising aforementioned fields, medical diagnostic prototypes could be developed. In general, the medical diagnostic system consists of several stages, namely the 1) data acquisition, 2) feature extraction, 3) feature selection, and 4) classifications stages. Data acquisition stage plays an important role in converting the inputs measured from the real world physical conditions to the digital numeric values that can be manipulated by the computer system. One of the common medical inputs could be medical microscopic images, radiographic images, magnetic resonance image (MRI) as well as medical signals such as electrocardiogram (ECG) and electroencephalogram (EEG). Normally, the scientist or doctors have to deal with myriad of data and redundant to be processed. In order to reduce the complexity of the diagnosis process, only the significant features of the raw data such as peak value of the ECG signal or size of lesion in the mammogram images will be extracted and considered in the subsequent stages. Mathematical models and statistical analyses will be performed to select the most significant features to be classified. The statistical analyses such as principal component analysis and discriminant analysis as well as mathematical model of clustering technique have been widely used in developing the medical diagnostic systems. The selected features will be classified using mathematical models that embedded engineering theory such as artificial intelligence, support vector machine, neural network and fuzzy-neuro system. These classifiers will provide the diagnostic results without human intervention. Among many publishable researches, several prototypes have been developed namely NeuralPap, Neural Mammo, and Cervix Kit. The former system (NeuralPap) is an automatic intelligent diagnostic system for classifying and distinguishing between the normal and cervical cancerous cells. Meanwhile, the Cervix Kit is a portable Field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based cervical diagnostic kit that could automatically diagnose the cancerous cell based on the images obtained during sampling test. Besides the cervical diagnostic system, the Neural Mammo system is developed to specifically aid the diagnosis of breast cancer using a fine needle aspiration image.

Radiation effects in IFMIF Li target diagnostic systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Molla, J.; Vila, R.; Shikama, T.; Horiike, H.; Simakov, S.; Ciotti, M.; Ibarra, A.

2009-04-01

Diagnostics for the lithium target will be crucial for the operation of IFMIF. Several parameters as the lithium temperature, target thickness or wave pattern must be monitored during operation. Radiation effects may produce malfunctioning in any of these diagnostics due to the exposure to high radiation fields. The main diagnostic systems proposed for the operation of IFMIF are reviewed in this paper from the point of view of radiation damage. The main tools for the assessment of the performance of these diagnostics are the neutronics calculations by using specialised codes and the information accumulated during the last decades on the radiation effects in functional materials, components and diagnostics for ITER. This analysis allows to conclude that the design of some of the diagnostic systems must be revised to assure the high availability required for the target system.

Electronic Inventory Systems and Barcode Technology: Impact on Pharmacy Technical Accuracy and Error Liability

PubMed Central

Oldland, Alan R.; May, Sondra K.; Barber, Gerard R.; Stolpman, Nancy M.

2015-01-01

Purpose: To measure the effects associated with sequential implementation of electronic medication storage and inventory systems and product verification devices on pharmacy technical accuracy and rates of potential medication dispensing errors in an academic medical center. Methods: During four 28-day periods of observation, pharmacists recorded all technical errors identified at the final visual check of pharmaceuticals prior to dispensing. Technical filling errors involving deviations from order-specific selection of product, dosage form, strength, or quantity were documented when dispensing medications using (a) a conventional unit dose (UD) drug distribution system, (b) an electronic storage and inventory system utilizing automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs) within the pharmacy, (c) ADCs combined with barcode (BC) verification, and (d) ADCs and BC verification utilized with changes in product labeling and individualized personnel training in systems application. Results: Using a conventional UD system, the overall incidence of technical error was 0.157% (24/15,271). Following implementation of ADCs, the comparative overall incidence of technical error was 0.135% (10/7,379; P = .841). Following implementation of BC scanning, the comparative overall incidence of technical error was 0.137% (27/19,708; P = .729). Subsequent changes in product labeling and intensified staff training in the use of BC systems was associated with a decrease in the rate of technical error to 0.050% (13/26,200; P = .002). Conclusions: Pharmacy ADCs and BC systems provide complementary effects that improve technical accuracy and reduce the incidence of potential medication dispensing errors if this technology is used with comprehensive personnel training. PMID:25684799

Electronic inventory systems and barcode technology: impact on pharmacy technical accuracy and error liability.

PubMed

Oldland, Alan R; Golightly, Larry K; May, Sondra K; Barber, Gerard R; Stolpman, Nancy M

2015-01-01

To measure the effects associated with sequential implementation of electronic medication storage and inventory systems and product verification devices on pharmacy technical accuracy and rates of potential medication dispensing errors in an academic medical center. During four 28-day periods of observation, pharmacists recorded all technical errors identified at the final visual check of pharmaceuticals prior to dispensing. Technical filling errors involving deviations from order-specific selection of product, dosage form, strength, or quantity were documented when dispensing medications using (a) a conventional unit dose (UD) drug distribution system, (b) an electronic storage and inventory system utilizing automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs) within the pharmacy, (c) ADCs combined with barcode (BC) verification, and (d) ADCs and BC verification utilized with changes in product labeling and individualized personnel training in systems application. Using a conventional UD system, the overall incidence of technical error was 0.157% (24/15,271). Following implementation of ADCs, the comparative overall incidence of technical error was 0.135% (10/7,379; P = .841). Following implementation of BC scanning, the comparative overall incidence of technical error was 0.137% (27/19,708; P = .729). Subsequent changes in product labeling and intensified staff training in the use of BC systems was associated with a decrease in the rate of technical error to 0.050% (13/26,200; P = .002). Pharmacy ADCs and BC systems provide complementary effects that improve technical accuracy and reduce the incidence of potential medication dispensing errors if this technology is used with comprehensive personnel training.

Creating a Canonical Scientific and Technical Information Classification System for NCSTRL+

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tiffany, Melissa E.; Nelson, Michael L.

1998-01-01

The purpose of this paper is to describe the new subject classification system for the NCSTRL+ project. NCSTRL+ is a canonical digital library (DL) based on the Networked Computer Science Technical Report Library (NCSTRL). The current NCSTRL+ classification system uses the NASA Scientific and Technical (STI) subject classifications, which has a bias towards the aerospace, aeronautics, and engineering disciplines. Examination of other scientific and technical information classification systems showed similar discipline-centric weaknesses. Traditional, library-oriented classification systems represented all disciplines, but were too generalized to serve the needs of a scientific and technically oriented digital library. Lack of a suitable existing classification system led to the creation of a lightweight, balanced, general classification system that allows the mapping of more specialized classification schemes into the new framework. We have developed the following classification system to give equal weight to all STI disciplines, while being compact and lightweight.

Technical Assistance Model for Long-Term Systems Change: Three State Examples

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kasprzak, Christina; Hurth, Joicey; Lucas, Anne; Marshall, Jacqueline; Terrell, Adriane; Jones, Elizabeth

2010-01-01

The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC) Technical Assistance (TA) Model for Long-Term Systems Change (LTSC) is grounded in conceptual frameworks in the literature on systems change and systems thinking. The NECTAC conceptual framework uses a logic model approach to change developed specifically for states' infant and…

A tri-fold hybrid classification approach for diagnostics with unexampled faulty states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tamilselvan, Prasanna; Wang, Pingfeng

2015-01-01

System health diagnostics provides diversified benefits such as improved safety, improved reliability and reduced costs for the operation and maintenance of engineered systems. Successful health diagnostics requires the knowledge of system failures. However, with an increasing system complexity, it is extraordinarily difficult to have a well-tested system so that all potential faulty states can be realized and studied at product testing stage. Thus, real time health diagnostics requires automatic detection of unexampled system faulty states based upon sensory data to avoid sudden catastrophic system failures. This paper presents a trifold hybrid classification (THC) approach for structural health diagnosis with unexampled health states (UHS), which comprises of preliminary UHS identification using a new thresholded Mahalanobis distance (TMD) classifier, UHS diagnostics using a two-class support vector machine (SVM) classifier, and exampled health states diagnostics using a multi-class SVM classifier. The proposed THC approach, which takes the advantages of both TMD and SVM-based classification techniques, is able to identify and isolate the unexampled faulty states through interactively detecting the deviation of sensory data from the exampled health states and forming new ones autonomously. The proposed THC approach is further extended to a generic framework for health diagnostics problems with unexampled faulty states and demonstrated with health diagnostics case studies for power transformers and rolling bearings.

Vocational-Technical Education Financial Study. Executive Summary.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Indiana State Board of Vocational and Technical Education, Indianapolis.

A review of Indiana's current system of financing public vocational-technical education was limited to these concerns: the resource needs of vocational-technical education to keep the current delivery system up-to-date and the resources necessary to expand vocational-technical education services to those not being served. Although the current…

Technical errors in planar bone scanning.

PubMed

Naddaf, Sleiman Y; Collier, B David; Elgazzar, Abdelhamid H; Khalil, Magdy M

2004-09-01

Optimal technique for planar bone scanning improves image quality, which in turn improves diagnostic efficacy. Because planar bone scanning is one of the most frequently performed nuclear medicine examinations, maintaining high standards for this examination is a daily concern for most nuclear medicine departments. Although some problems such as patient motion are frequently encountered, the degraded images produced by many other deviations from optimal technique are rarely seen in clinical practice and therefore may be difficult to recognize. The objectives of this article are to list optimal techniques for 3-phase and whole-body bone scanning, to describe and illustrate a selection of deviations from these optimal techniques for planar bone scanning, and to explain how to minimize or avoid such technical errors.

In-Vivo Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of 2-Hydroxyglutarate in Isocitrate Dehydrogenase-Mutated Gliomas: A Technical Review for Neuroradiologists.

PubMed

Kim, Hyeonjin; Kim, Sungjin; Lee, Hyeong Hun; Heo, Hwon

2016-01-01

The diagnostic and prognostic potential of an onco-metabolite, 2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG) as a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) detectable biomarker of the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutated (IDH-MT) gliomas has drawn attention of neuroradiologists recently. However, due to severe spectral overlap with background signals, quantification of 2HG can be very challenging. In this technical review for neuroradiologists, first, the biochemistry of 2HG and its significance in the diagnosis of IDH-MT gliomas are summarized. Secondly, various 1H-MRS methods used in the previous studies are outlined. Finally, wereview previous in vivo studies, and discuss the current status of 1H-MRS in the diagnosis of IDH-MT gliomas.

Effects of an electronic reminder system on guideline-concordant treatment of psychotic disorders : Results from a pilot feasibility trial.

PubMed

Franke, Irina; Thier, Sarah; Riecher-Rössler, Anita

2016-12-01

Adherence to evidence-based guidelines is essential for the treatment outcome of psychotic disorders. Previous studies showed that IT-supported pathways are able to increase guideline adherence in psychiatric care. This paper describes a pilot study on the development of an electronic recall-reminder-system (RRS) for supporting guideline-adherent treatment in outpatient care of patients with chronic psychotic disorders and analyses its feasibility. Guidelines were integrated in the RRS software M.E.M.O.R.E.S. Software training for the staff was provided. We compared the number of conducted vs. guideline-recommended interventions 6 months before and after implementation. Subsequently both the caregivers' and the patients' satisfaction with the RRS was evaluated. Guideline adherence in general was low and the RRS was barely used. After its implementation a significant increase was observed in chemogram-check-ups and diagnostics regarding cardiovascular risks (esp. ECG). Both patients and professionals described problems with integrating the RRS in their daily routine and questioned the usefulness of the guidelines for chronically ill, although they basically approved its importance and usefulness. Participants appreciated the idea of supporting guideline adherence with an IT-system, but there seemed to be major obstacles to implementation: caregivers appear to be concerned of being exposed or questioned, technical difficulties might lead to avoidance, and there seems to be a lack of knowledge and awareness about the health risks for individuals with psychotic disorders. Possibly guidelines adapted for the chronically ill would find more acceptance. Technical simplifications and better information should be considered prior to further attempts to implement IT-supported guidelines in order to increase acceptance.

Advanced endoscopic imaging: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Technology Review.

PubMed

East, James E; Vleugels, Jasper L; Roelandt, Philip; Bhandari, Pradeep; Bisschops, Raf; Dekker, Evelien; Hassan, Cesare; Horgan, Gareth; Kiesslich, Ralf; Longcroft-Wheaton, Gaius; Wilson, Ana; Dumonceau, Jean-Marc

2016-11-01

Background and aim: This technical review is an official statement of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE). It addresses the utilization of advanced endoscopic imaging in gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. Methods: This technical review is based on a systematic literature search to evaluate the evidence supporting the use of advanced endoscopic imaging throughout the GI tract. Technologies considered include narrowed-spectrum endoscopy (narrow band imaging [NBI]; flexible spectral imaging color enhancement [FICE]; i-Scan digital contrast [I-SCAN]), autofluorescence imaging (AFI), and confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE). The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system was adopted to define the strength of recommendation and the quality of evidence. Main recommendations: 1. We suggest advanced endoscopic imaging technologies improve mucosal visualization and enhance fine structural and microvascular detail. Expert endoscopic diagnosis may be improved by advanced imaging, but as yet in community-based practice no technology has been shown consistently to be diagnostically superior to current practice with high definition white light. (Low quality evidence.) 2. We recommend the use of validated classification systems to support the use of optical diagnosis with advanced endoscopic imaging in the upper and lower GI tracts (strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence). 3. We suggest that training improves performance in the use of advanced endoscopic imaging techniques and that it is a prerequisite for use in clinical practice. A learning curve exists and training alone does not guarantee sustained high performances in clinical practice. (Weak recommendation, low quality evidence.) Conclusion: Advanced endoscopic imaging can improve mucosal visualization and endoscopic diagnosis; however it requires training and the use of validated classification systems. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Vacuum system design and tritium inventory for the TFTR charge exchange diagnostic

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Medley, S.S.

The charge exchange diagnostic for the TFTR is comprised of two analyzer systems which contain a total of twenty independent mass/energy analyzers and one diagnostic neutral beam tentatively rated at 80 keV, 15 A. The associated vacuum systems were analyzed using the Vacuum System Transient Simulator (VSTS) computer program which models the transient transport of multi-gas species through complex networks of ducts, valves, traps, vacuum pumps, and other related vacuum system components. In addition to providing improved design performance at reduced cost, the analysis yields estimates for the exchange of tritium from the torus to the diagnostic components and ofmore » the diagnostic working gases to the torus.« less

The staff of the department of diagnostic imaging: radical changes and training.

PubMed

Marano, P; Pastore, G; Vecchioli Scaldazza, A

1998-01-01

When a complex reality as the Department of Diagnostic Imaging and its staff is aimed at the provision of a service, it may be extremely difficult to identify all present correlations and in turn, correlate them with the final goal. The relationship between human and technical resources, between organization and environment are of the utmost importance in planning the structure design. It should be kept in mind that "the person" is the pivot of any innovation for change. Participation by all members, a more flexible, structure, is required. In education and teaching, the global network we are heading for, could become the determining factor in a continuing training process and multispecialized research, facilitating the circulation of information in an interactive, formative dialogue.

Intuitive and interpretable visual communication of a complex statistical model of disease progression and risk.

PubMed

Jieyi Li; Arandjelovic, Ognjen

2017-07-01

Computer science and machine learning in particular are increasingly lauded for their potential to aid medical practice. However, the highly technical nature of the state of the art techniques can be a major obstacle in their usability by health care professionals and thus, their adoption and actual practical benefit. In this paper we describe a software tool which focuses on the visualization of predictions made by a recently developed method which leverages data in the form of large scale electronic records for making diagnostic predictions. Guided by risk predictions, our tool allows the user to explore interactively different diagnostic trajectories, or display cumulative long term prognostics, in an intuitive and easily interpretable manner.

The potential diagnostic power of circulating tumor cell analysis for non-small-cell lung cancer.

PubMed

Ross, Kirsty; Pailler, Emma; Faugeroux, Vincent; Taylor, Melissa; Oulhen, Marianne; Auger, Nathalie; Planchard, David; Soria, Jean-Charles; Lindsay, Colin R; Besse, Benjamin; Vielh, Philippe; Farace, Françoise

2015-01-01

In non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), genotyping tumor biopsies for targetable somatic alterations has become routine practice. However, serial biopsies have limitations: they may be technically difficult or impossible and could incur serious risks to patients. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) offer an alternative source for tumor analysis that is easily accessible and presents the potential to identify predictive biomarkers to tailor therapies on a personalized basis. Examined here is our current knowledge of CTC detection and characterization in NSCLC and their potential role in EGFR-mutant, ALK-rearranged and ROS1-rearranged patients. This is followed by discussion of the ongoing issues such as the question of CTC partnership as diagnostic tools in NSCLC.

Transfundal puncture of a large ovarian cyst with hysteroscopic and ultrasonographic guidance.

PubMed

Zolnierczyk, Piotr; Cendrowski, Krzysztof; Sawicki, Wlodzimierz

2015-01-01

This paper describes the case of an 83-year-old patient with hypertension, diabetes, obesity (body mass index - 38), congestive heart failure, and history of cardiac surgery, who was referred for a diagnostic-therapeutic decompression of a large, symptomatic ovarian cyst. Due to anatomical conditions, the only safe way was a transfundal puncture under mini-hysteroscopic and ultrasound guidance. A puncture with aspiration of 300 mL of serous fluid from the cyst was performed without technical problems and complications. Cytology showed no cancer cells in the examined liquid. Relief from pain and compression discomfort was achieved in the patient. This case shows the possibility of combining ultrasound and minimally invasive diagnostic methods like hysteroscopy in selected clinical situations.

Educational and Scientific Applications of Climate Model Diagnostic Analyzer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, S.; Pan, L.; Zhai, C.; Tang, B.; Kubar, T. L.; Zhang, J.; Bao, Q.

2016-12-01

Climate Model Diagnostic Analyzer (CMDA) is a web-based information system designed for the climate modeling and model analysis community to analyze climate data from models and observations. CMDA provides tools to diagnostically analyze climate data for model validation and improvement, and to systematically manage analysis provenance for sharing results with other investigators. CMDA utilizes cloud computing resources, multi-threading computing, machine-learning algorithms, web service technologies, and provenance-supporting technologies to address technical challenges that the Earth science modeling and model analysis community faces in evaluating and diagnosing climate models. As CMDA infrastructure and technology have matured, we have developed the educational and scientific applications of CMDA. Educationally, CMDA supported the summer school of the JPL Center for Climate Sciences for three years since 2014. In the summer school, the students work on group research projects where CMDA provide datasets and analysis tools. Each student is assigned to a virtual machine with CMDA installed in Amazon Web Services. A provenance management system for CMDA is developed to keep track of students' usages of CMDA, and to recommend datasets and analysis tools for their research topic. The provenance system also allows students to revisit their analysis results and share them with their group. Scientifically, we have developed several science use cases of CMDA covering various topics, datasets, and analysis types. Each use case developed is described and listed in terms of a scientific goal, datasets used, the analysis tools used, scientific results discovered from the use case, an analysis result such as output plots and data files, and a link to the exact analysis service call with all the input arguments filled. For example, one science use case is the evaluation of NCAR CAM5 model with MODIS total cloud fraction. The analysis service used is Difference Plot Service of Two Variables, and the datasets used are NCAR CAM total cloud fraction and MODIS total cloud fraction. The scientific highlight of the use case is that the CAM5 model overall does a fairly decent job at simulating total cloud cover, though simulates too few clouds especially near and offshore of the eastern ocean basins where low clouds are dominant.

47 CFR 15.517 - Technical requirements for indoor UWB systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Technical requirements for indoor UWB systems. 15.517 Section 15.517 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION GENERAL RADIO FREQUENCY DEVICES Ultra-Wideband Operation § 15.517 Technical requirements for indoor UWB systems. (a) Operation...

Content-based image retrieval in medical applications for picture archiving and communication systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lehmann, Thomas M.; Guld, Mark O.; Thies, Christian; Fischer, Benedikt; Keysers, Daniel; Kohnen, Michael; Schubert, Henning; Wein, Berthold B.

2003-05-01

Picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) aim to efficiently provide the radiologists with all images in a suitable quality for diagnosis. Modern standards for digital imaging and communication in medicine (DICOM) comprise alphanumerical descriptions of study, patient, and technical parameters. Currently, this is the only information used to select relevant images within PACS. Since textual descriptions insufficiently describe the great variety of details in medical images, content-based image retrieval (CBIR) is expected to have a strong impact when integrated into PACS. However, existing CBIR approaches usually are limited to a distinct modality, organ, or diagnostic study. In this state-of-the-art report, we present first results implementing a general approach to content-based image retrieval in medical applications (IRMA) and discuss its integration into PACS environments. Usually, a PACS consists of a DICOM image server and several DICOM-compliant workstations, which are used by radiologists for reading the images and reporting the findings. Basic IRMA components are the relational database, the scheduler, and the web server, which all may be installed on the DICOM image server, and the IRMA daemons running on distributed machines, e.g., the radiologists" workstations. These workstations can also host the web-based front-ends of IRMA applications. Integrating CBIR and PACS, a special focus is put on (a) location and access transparency for data, methods, and experiments, (b) replication transparency for methods in development, (c) concurrency transparency for job processing and feature extraction, (d) system transparency at method implementation time, and (e) job distribution transparency when issuing a query. Transparent integration will have a certain impact on diagnostic quality supporting both evidence-based medicine and case-based reasoning.

An architecture for the development of real-time fault diagnosis systems using model-based reasoning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hall, Gardiner A.; Schuetzle, James; Lavallee, David; Gupta, Uday

1992-01-01

Presented here is an architecture for implementing real-time telemetry based diagnostic systems using model-based reasoning. First, we describe Paragon, a knowledge acquisition tool for offline entry and validation of physical system models. Paragon provides domain experts with a structured editing capability to capture the physical component's structure, behavior, and causal relationships. We next describe the architecture of the run time diagnostic system. The diagnostic system, written entirely in Ada, uses the behavioral model developed offline by Paragon to simulate expected component states as reflected in the telemetry stream. The diagnostic algorithm traces causal relationships contained within the model to isolate system faults. Since the diagnostic process relies exclusively on the behavioral model and is implemented without the use of heuristic rules, it can be used to isolate unpredicted faults in a wide variety of systems. Finally, we discuss the implementation of a prototype system constructed using this technique for diagnosing faults in a science instrument. The prototype demonstrates the use of model-based reasoning to develop maintainable systems with greater diagnostic capabilities at a lower cost.

Resilient Actions in the Diagnostic Process and System Performance

PubMed Central

Smith, Michael W.; Giardina, Traber Davis; Murphy, Daniel R.; Laxmisan, Archana; Singh, Hardeep

2013-01-01

Objectives Systemic issues can adversely affect the diagnostic process. Many system-related barriers can be masked by ‘resilient’ actions of frontline providers (ie, actions supporting the safe delivery of care in the presence of pressures that the system cannot readily adapt to). We explored system barriers and resilient actions of primary care providers (PCPs) in the diagnostic evaluation of cancer. Methods We conducted a secondary data analysis of interviews of PCPs involved in diagnostic evaluation of 29 lung and colorectal cancer cases. Cases covered a range of diagnostic timeliness and were analyzed to identify barriers for rapid diagnostic evaluation, and PCPs’ actions involving elements of resilience addressing those barriers. We rated these actions according to whether they were usual or extraordinary for typical PCP work. Results Resilient actions and associated barriers were found in 59% of the cases, in all ranges of timeliness, with 40% involving actions rated as beyond typical. Most of the barriers were related to access to specialty services and coordination with patients. Many of the resilient actions involved using additional communication channels to solicit cooperation from other participants in the diagnostic process. Discussion Diagnostic evaluation of cancer involves several resilient actions by PCPs targeted at system deficiencies. PCPs’ actions can sometimes mitigate system barriers to diagnosis, and thereby impact the sensitivity of ‘downstream’ measures (eg, delays) in detecting barriers. While resilient actions might enable providers to mitigate system deficiencies in the short run, they can be resource intensive and potentially unsustainable. They complement, rather than substitute for, structural remedies to improve system performance. Measures to detect and fix system performance issues targeted by these resilient actions could facilitate diagnostic safety. PMID:23813210

Monitoring the performance of the next Climate Forecast System version 3, throughout its development stage at EMC/NCEP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peña, M.; Saha, S.; Wu, X.; Wang, J.; Tripp, P.; Moorthi, S.; Bhattacharjee, P.

2016-12-01

The next version of the operational Climate Forecast System (version 3, CFSv3) will be a fully coupled six-components system with diverse applications to earth system modeling, including weather and climate predictions. This system will couple the earth's atmosphere, land, ocean, sea-ice, waves and aerosols for both data assimilation and modeling. It will also use the NOAA Environmental Modeling System (NEMS) software super structure to couple these components. The CFSv3 is part of the next Unified Global Coupled System (UGCS), which will unify the global prediction systems that are now operational at NCEP. The UGCS is being developed through the efforts of dedicated research and engineering teams and through coordination across many CPO/MAPP and NGGPS groups. During this development phase, the UGCS is being tested for seasonal purposes and undergoes frequent revisions. Each new revision is evaluated to quickly discover, isolate and solve problems that negatively impact its performance. In the UGCS-seasonal model, components (e.g., ocean, sea-ice, atmosphere, etc.) are coupled through a NEMS-based "mediator". In this numerical infrastructure, model diagnostics and forecast validation are carried out, both component by component, and as a whole. The next stage, model optimization, will require enhanced performance diagnostics tools to help prioritize areas of numerical improvements. After the technical development of the UGCS-seasonal is completed, it will become the first realization of the CFSv3. All future development of this system will be carried out by the climate team at NCEP, in scientific collaboration with the groups that developed the individual components, as well as the climate community. A unique challenge to evaluate this unified weather-climate system is the large number of variables, which evolve over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales. A small set of performance measures and scorecard displays are been created, and collaboration and software contributions from research and operational centers are being incorporated. A status of the CFSv3/UGCS-seasonal development and examples of its performance and measuring tools will be presented.