PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIFTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING, [HELD AT MONTREAL, CANADA, MAY 21--26, 1967].

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

None

1969-07-01

The Fifth International Conference on Nondestructive Testing was held in Montreal, Canada, for the purpose of promoting international collaboration in all matters related to the development and use of nondestructive test methods. A total of 82 papers were selected for presentation. Session titles included: evaluation of material quality; ultrasonics - identification and measurements; thermal methods; testing of welds; visual aids in nondestructive testing; measurements of stress and elastic properties; magnetic and eddy-current methods; surface methods and neutron radiography; standardization - general; ultrasonics at elevated temperatures; applications; x-ray techniques; radiography; ultrasonic standardization; training and qualification; and, correlation of weld defects.

Astronaut Medical Selection and Flight Medicine Care During the Shuttle ERA 1981 to 2011

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnston, S.; Jennings, R.; Stepaniak, P.; Schmid, J.; Rouse, B.; Gray, G.; Tarver, B.

2011-01-01

The NASA Shuttle Program began with congressional budget approval in January 5, 1972 and the launch of STS-1 on April 12, 1981 and recently concluded with the landing of STS-135 on July 21, 2011. The evolution of the medical standards and care of the Shuttle Era Astronauts began in 1959 with the first Astronaut selection. The first set of NASA minimal medical standards were documented in 1977 and based on Air Force, Navy, Department of Defense, and the Federal Aviation Administration standards. Many milestones were achieved over the 30 years from 1977 to 2007 and the subsequent 13 Astronaut selections and 4 major expert panel reviews performed by the NASA Flight Medicine Clinic, Aerospace Medicine Board, and Medical Policy Board. These milestones of aerospace medicine standards, evaluations, and clinical care encompassed the disciplines of preventive, occupational, and primary care medicine and will be presented. The screening and retention standards, testing, and specialist evaluations evolved through periodic expert reviews, evidence based medicine, and Astronaut medical care experience. The last decade of the Shuttle Program saw the development of the International Space Station (ISS) with further Space medicine collaboration and knowledge gained from our International Partners (IP) from Russia, Canada, Japan, and the European Space Agencies. The Shuttle Program contribution to the development and implementation of NASA and IP standards and waiver guide documents, longitudinal data collection, and occupational surveillance models will be presented along with lessons learned and recommendations for future vehicles and missions.

International Trade. U.S. Metric Study Interim Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gordon, Gerald F.

In order to evaluate the potential effects of U.S. conversion to SI (Systems International) units on U.S. foreign trade, 188 export product classes and 155 import product classes were selected from 1,166 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) product classes and questionnaires were mailed to a total of 510 firms, utilizing separate forms for…

A novel reductive amination method with isotopic formaldehydes for the preparation of internal standard and standards for determining organosulfur compounds in garlic.

PubMed

Tsai, De-Cheng; Liu, Meng-Chieh; Lin, Yi-Reng; Huang, Mei-Fang; Liang, Shih-Shin

2016-04-15

Garlic (Allium sativum) is a long-cultivated plant that is widely utilized in cooking and has been employed as a medicine for over 4000 years. In this study, we fabricated standards and internal standards (ISs) for absolute quantification via reductive amination with isotopic formaldehydes. Garlic has four abundant organosulfur compounds (OSCs): S-allylcysteine, S-allylcysteinine sulfoxide, S-methylcysteine, and S-ethylcysteine are abundant in garlic. OSCs with primary amine groups were reacted with isotopic formaldehydes to synthesize ISs and standards. Cooked and uncooked garlic samples were compared, and we utilized tandem mass spectrometry equipped with a selective reaction monitoring technique to absolutely quantify the four organosulfur compounds. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Vitamin D levels in fish and shellfish determined by liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection and mass spectrometry

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) levels were determined in finfish and shellfish using UV detection at 265nm (combined with auxiliary full scan UV detection) and selected ion monitoring (SIM) mass spectrometry (MS), using vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) as an internal standard. Analysis of standard referen...

Special Issue of Solid-State Electronics, dedicated to EUROSOI-ULIS 2016

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sverdlov, Viktor; Selberherr, Siegfried

2017-02-01

The current special issue of Solid-State Electronics includes 29 extended papers presented at the 2016 Second Joint International EUROSOI Workshop and International Conference on Ultimate Integration on Silicon (EUROSOI-ULIS 2016) held in Wien, Austria, on January 25-27, 2016. The papers entering to the special issue have been selected by the EUROSOI-ULIS 2016 Technical Program Committee based on the excellence of abstracts submitted and presentations delivered at the conference. In order to comply with the high standards of Solid-State Electronics the manuscripts went through the standard reviewing procedure.

Advancements in internationally accepted standards for radiation processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farrar, Harry; Derr, Donald D.; Vehar, David W.

1993-10-01

Three subcommittees of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) are developing standards on various aspects of radiation processing. Subcommittee E10.01 "Dosimetry for Radiation Processing" has published 9 standards on how to select and calibrate dosimeters, where to put them, how many to use, and how to use individual types of dosimeter systems. The group is also developing standards on how to use gamma, electron beam, and x-ray facilities for radiation processing, and a standard on how to treat dose uncertainties. Efforts are underway to promote inclusion of these standards into procedures now being developed by government agencies and by international groups such as the United Nations' International Consultative Group on Food Irradiation (ICGFI) in order to harmonize regulations and help avoid trade barriers. Subcommittee F10.10 "Food Processing and Packaging" has completed standards on good irradiation practices for meat and poultry and for fresh fruits, and is developing similar standards for the irradiation of seafood and spices. These food-related standards are based on practices previously published by ICGFI. Subcommittee E10.07 on "Radiation Dosimetry for Radiation Effects on Materials and Devices" principally develops standards for determining doses for radiation hardness testing of electronics. Some, including their standards on the Fricke and TLD dosimetry systems are equally useful in other radiation processing applications.

International standards for programmes of training in intensive care medicine in Europe.

PubMed

2011-03-01

To develop internationally harmonised standards for programmes of training in intensive care medicine (ICM). Standards were developed by using consensus techniques. A nine-member nominal group of European intensive care experts developed a preliminary set of standards. These were revised and refined through a modified Delphi process involving 28 European national coordinators representing national training organisations using a combination of moderated discussion meetings, email, and a Web-based tool for determining the level of agreement with each proposed standard, and whether the standard could be achieved in the respondent's country. The nominal group developed an initial set of 52 possible standards which underwent four iterations to achieve maximal consensus. All national coordinators approved a final set of 29 standards in four domains: training centres, training programmes, selection of trainees, and trainers' profiles. Only three standards were considered immediately achievable by all countries, demonstrating a willingness to aspire to quality rather than merely setting a minimum level. Nine proposed standards which did not achieve full consensus were identified as potential candidates for future review. This preliminary set of clearly defined and agreed standards provides a transparent framework for assuring the quality of training programmes, and a foundation for international harmonisation and quality improvement of training in ICM.

[THE VERIFICATION OF ANALYTICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THREE MODELS OF GLUCOMETERS].

PubMed

Timofeev, A V; Khaibulina, E T; Mamonov, R A; Gorst, K A

2016-01-01

The individual portable systems of control of glucose level in blood commonly known as glucometers permit to patients with diabetes mellitus to independently correct pharmaceutical therapy. The effectiveness of this correction depends on accuracy of control of glucose level. The evaluation was implemented concerning minimal admissible accuracy and clinical accuracy of control of glucose level of devices Contour TC, Satellite Express and One Touch Select according standards expounded in GOST 15197-2011 and international standard ISO 15197-2013. It is demonstrated that Contour TC and One Touch Select meet the requirements of these standards in part of accuracy while Satellite Express does not.

Comparison of gas chromatography-combustion-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-flame ionization detector for the determination of fatty acid methyl esters in biodiesel without specific standards.

PubMed

Sobrado, Laura Alonso; Freije-Carrelo, Laura; Moldovan, Mariella; Encinar, Jorge Ruiz; Alonso, J Ignacio García

2016-07-29

GC-FID has been effectively used as a universal quantification technique for volatile organic compounds for a long time. In most cases, the use of the ECN allows for quantification by GC-FID without external calibration using only the response of a single internal standard. In this paper we compare the performance characteristics of GC-FID with those of post-column (13)C Isotope Dilution GC-Combustion-MS for the absolute quantification of organic compounds without the need for individual standards. For this comparison we have selected the quantification of FAMEs in biodiesel. The selection of the right internal standard was critical for GC-FID even when ECN were considered. On the other hand, the nature of the internal standard was not relevant when GC-Combustion-MS was employed. The proposed method was validated with the analysis of the certified reference material SRM 2772 and comparative data was obtained on real biodiesel samples. The analysis of the SRM 2772 biodiesel provided recoveries in the range 100.6-103.5% and 96.4-103.6% for GC-combustion-MS and GC-FID, respectively. The detection limit for GC-combustion-MS was found to be 4.2ng compound/g of injected sample. In conclusion, the quantitative performance of GC-Combustion-MS compared satisfactorily with that of GC-FID constituting a viable alternative for the quantification of organic compounds without the need for individual standards. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) and how to select an outcome measurement instrument.

PubMed

Mokkink, Lidwine B; Prinsen, Cecilia A C; Bouter, Lex M; Vet, Henrica C W de; Terwee, Caroline B

2016-01-19

COSMIN (COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments) is an initiative of an international multidisciplinary team of researchers who aim to improve the selection of outcome measurement instruments both in research and in clinical practice by developing tools for selecting the most appropriate available instrument. In this paper these tools are described, i.e. the COSMIN taxonomy and definition of measurement properties; the COSMIN checklist to evaluate the methodological quality of studies on measurement properties; a search filter for finding studies on measurement properties; a protocol for systematic reviews of outcome measurement instruments; a database of systematic reviews of outcome measurement instruments; and a guideline for selecting outcome measurement instruments for Core Outcome Sets in clinical trials. Currently, we are updating the COSMIN checklist, particularly the standards for content validity studies. Also new standards for studies using Item Response Theory methods will be developed. Additionally, in the future we want to develop standards for studies on the quality of non-patient reported outcome measures, such as clinician-reported outcomes and performance-based outcomes. In summary, we plea for more standardization in the use of outcome measurement instruments, for conducting high quality systematic reviews on measurement instruments in which the best available outcome measurement instrument is recommended, and for stopping the use of poor outcome measurement instruments.

The COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) and how to select an outcome measurement instrument

PubMed Central

Mokkink, Lidwine B.; Prinsen, Cecilia A. C.; Bouter, Lex M.; de Vet, Henrica C. W.; Terwee, Caroline B.

2016-01-01

Background: COSMIN (COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments) is an initiative of an international multidisciplinary team of researchers who aim to improve the selection of outcome measurement instruments both in research and in clinical practice by developing tools for selecting the most appropriate available instrument. Method: In this paper these tools are described, i.e. the COSMIN taxonomy and definition of measurement properties; the COSMIN checklist to evaluate the methodological quality of studies on measurement properties; a search filter for finding studies on measurement properties; a protocol for systematic reviews of outcome measurement instruments; a database of systematic reviews of outcome measurement instruments; and a guideline for selecting outcome measurement instruments for Core Outcome Sets in clinical trials. Currently, we are updating the COSMIN checklist, particularly the standards for content validity studies. Also new standards for studies using Item Response Theory methods will be developed. Additionally, in the future we want to develop standards for studies on the quality of non-patient reported outcome measures, such as clinician-reported outcomes and performance-based outcomes. Conclusions: In summary, we plea for more standardization in the use of outcome measurement instruments, for conducting high quality systematic reviews on measurement instruments in which the best available outcome measurement instrument is recommended, and for stopping the use of poor outcome measurement instruments. PMID:26786084

25 CFR 542.7 - What are the minimum internal control standards for bingo?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... by the Tribal gaming regulatory authority, will be acceptable. (b) Game play standards. (1) The... procedures that ensure the correct calling of numbers selected in the bingo game. (5) Each ball shall be.... For speed bingo games not verified by camera equipment, each ball drawn shall be verified by a person...

25 CFR 542.7 - What are the minimum internal control standards for bingo?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... acceptable. (b) Game play standards. (1) The functions of seller and payout verifier shall be segregated... selected in the bingo game. (5) Each ball shall be shown to a camera immediately before it is called so that it is individually displayed to all customers. For speed bingo games not verified by camera...

25 CFR 542.7 - What are the minimum internal control standards for bingo?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... by the Tribal gaming regulatory authority, will be acceptable. (b) Game play standards. (1) The... procedures that ensure the correct calling of numbers selected in the bingo game. (5) Each ball shall be.... For speed bingo games not verified by camera equipment, each ball drawn shall be verified by a person...

25 CFR 542.7 - What are the minimum internal control standards for bingo?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

...) Game play standards. (1) The functions of seller and payout verifier shall be segregated. Employees who... selected in the bingo game. (5) Each ball shall be shown to a camera immediately before it is called so that it is individually displayed to all customers. For speed bingo games not verified by camera...

Drinking water quality standards and standard tests: Worldwide. (Latest citations from the Food Science and Technology Abstracts database). Published Search

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

Not Available

1993-06-01

The bibliography contains citations concerning standards and standard tests for water quality in drinking water sources, reservoirs, and distribution systems. Standards from domestic and international sources are presented. Glossaries and vocabularies that concern water quality analysis, testing, and evaluation are included. Standard test methods for individual elements, selected chemicals, sensory properties, radioactivity, and other chemical and physical properties are described. Discussions for proposed standards on new pollutant materials are briefly considered. (Contains a minimum of 203 citations and includes a subject term index and title list.)

Determination of Labeled Fatty Acids Content in Milk Products, Infant Formula, and Adult/Pediatric Nutritional Formula by Capillary Gas Chromatography: Collaborative Study, Final Action 2012.13.

PubMed

Golay, Pierre-Alain; Moulin, Julie

2016-01-01

A collaborative study was conducted on AOAC First Action Method 2012.13 "Determination of Labeled Fatty Acids Content in Milk Products and Infant Formula by Capillary Gas Chromatography," which is based on an initial International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-International Dairy Federation (IDF) New Work Item that has been moved forward to ISO 16958:2015|IDF 231:2015 in November 2015. It was decided to merge the two activities after the agreement signed between ISO and AOAC in June 2012 to develop common standards and to avoid duplicate work. The collaborative study was performed after having provided highly satisfactory single-laboratory validation results [Golay, P.A., & Dong, Y. (2015) J. AOAC Int. 98, 1679-1696] that exceeded the performance criteria defined in AOAC Standard Method Performance Requirement (SMPR(®)) 2012.011 (September 29, 2012) on 12 products selected by the AOAC Stakeholder Panel on Infant Formula (SPIFAN). After a qualification period of 1 month, 18 laboratories participated in the fatty acids analysis of 12 different samples in duplicate. Six samples were selected to meet AOAC SPIFAN requirements (i.e., infant formula and adult nutritionals in powder and liquid formats), and the other Six samples were selected to meet ISO-IDF requirements (i.e., dairy products such as milk powder, liquid milk, cream, butter, infant formula with milk, and cheese). The fatty acids were analyzed directly in all samples without preliminary fat extraction, except in one sample (cheese). Powdered samples were analyzed after dissolution (i.e., reconstitution) in water, whereas liquid samples (or extracted fat) were analyzed directly. After addition of the internal standards solution [C11:0 fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) and C13:0 triacylglycerols (TAG)] to the samples, fatty acids attached to lipids were transformed into FAMEs by direct transesterification using methanolic sodium methoxide. FAMEs were separated using highly polar capillary GLC and were identified by comparison with the retention times of pure analytical standards. Quantification of fatty acids was done relative to C11:0 FAME as internal standard and to instrument response factors (determined separately using calibration standards mixture). The performance of the method (i.e., transesterification) was monitored in all samples using the second internal standard, C13:0 TAG. RSDR values were summarized separately for labeled fatty acids in SPIFAN materials and ISO-IDF materials due to different expression of results. This method was applied to representative dairy, infant formula, and adult/pediatric nutritional products and demonstrated global acceptable reproducibility precision for all fatty acids analyzed (i.e., 46 individuals and/or groups) for these categories of products.

Prospective study to determine early hypertrophy of the contra-lateral liver lobe after unilobar, Yttrium-90, selective internal radiation therapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

PubMed

Teo, Jin Yao; Allen, John Carson; Ng, David Chee Eng; Abdul Latiff, Julianah Bee; Choo, Su Pin; Tai, David Wai-Meng; Low, Albert Su Chong; Cheah, Foong Koon; Chang, Jason Pik Eu; Kam, Juinn Huar; Lee, Victor T W; Chung, Alexander Yaw Fui; Chan, Chung Yip; Chow, Pierce Kah Hoe; Goh, Brian K P

2018-05-01

Liver resection is a major curative option in patients presenting with hepatocellular carcinoma. An inadequate functional liver remnant is a major limiting factor precluding liver resection. In recent years, hypertrophy of the functional liver remnant after selective internal radiation therapy hypertrophy has been observed, but the degree of hypertrophy in the early postselective internal radiation therapy period has not been well studied. We conducted a prospective study on patients undergoing unilobar, Yttrium-90 selective internal radiation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma to evaluate early hypertrophy at 4-6 weeks and 8-12 weeks after selective internal radiation therapy. In the study, 24 eligible patients were recruited and had serial volumetric measurements performed. The median age was 66 years (38-75 years). All patients were either Child-Pugh Class A or B, and 6/24 patients had documented, clinically relevant portal hypertension; 15 of the 24 patients were hepatitis B positive. At 4-6 weeks, modest hypertrophy was seen (median 3%; range -12 to 42%) and this increased at 8-12 weeks (median 9%; range -12 to 179%). No preprocedural factors predictive of hypertrophy were identified. Hypertrophy of the functional liver remnant after selective internal radiation therapy with Yttrium-90 occurred in a subset of patients but was modest and unpredictable in the early stages. Selective internal radiation therapy cannot be recommended as a standard treatment modality to induce early hypertrophy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. (Surgery 2017;160:XXX-XXX.). Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Selection criteria for patients with chronic ankle instability in controlled research: a position statement of the International Ankle Consortium.

PubMed

Gribble, Phillip A; Delahunt, Eamonn; Bleakley, Chris; Caulfield, Brian; Docherty, Carrie L; Fourchet, François; Fong, Daniel; Hertel, Jay; Hiller, Claire; Kaminski, Thomas W; McKeon, Patrick O; Refshauge, Kathryn M; van der Wees, Philip; Vicenzino, Bill; Wikstrom, Erik A

2013-08-01

The International Ankle Consortium is an international community of researchers and clinicians whose primary scholastic purpose is to promote scholarship and dissemination of research-informed knowledge related to pathologies of the ankle complex. The constituents of the International Ankle Consortium and other similar organizations have yet to properly define the clinical phenomenon known as chronic ankle instability (CAI) and its related characteristics for consistent patient recruitment and advancement of research in this area. Although research on CAI and awareness of its impact on society and healthcare systems have grown substantially in the last 2 decades, the inconsistency in participant/patient selection criteria across studies presents a potential obstacle to addressing the problem properly. This major gap within the literature limits the ability to generalize this evidence to the target patient population. Therefore, there is a need to provide standards for patient/participant selection criteria in research focused on CAI, with justifications using the best available evidence.

IPEM guidelines on dosimeter systems for use as transfer instruments between the UK primary dosimetry standards laboratory (NPL) and radiotherapy centres1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morgan, A. M.; Aird, E. G. A.; Aukett, R. J.; Duane, S.; Jenkins, N. H.; Mayles, W. P. M.; Moretti, C.; Thwaites, D. I.

2000-09-01

United Kingdom dosimetry codes of practice have traditionally specified one electrometer for use as a secondary standard, namely the Nuclear Enterprises (NE) 2560 NPL secondary standard therapy level exposure meter. The NE2560 will become obsolete in the foreseeable future. This report provides guidelines to assist physicists following the United Kingdom dosimetry codes of practice in the selection of an electrometer to replace the NE2560 when necessary. Using an internationally accepted standard (BS EN 60731:1997) as a basis, estimated error analyses demonstrate that the uncertainty (one standard deviation) in a charge measurement associated with the NE2560 alone is approximately 0.3% under specified conditions. Following a review of manufacturers' literature, it is considered that modern electrometers should be capable of equalling this performance. Additional constructural and operational requirements not specified in the international standard but considered essential in a modern electrometer to be used as a secondary standard are presented.

Working towards accreditation by the International Standards Organization 15189 Standard: how to validate an in-house developed method an example of lead determination in whole blood by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.

PubMed

Garcia Hejl, Carine; Ramirez, Jose Manuel; Vest, Philippe; Chianea, Denis; Renard, Christophe

2014-09-01

Laboratories working towards accreditation by the International Standards Organization (ISO) 15189 standard are required to demonstrate the validity of their analytical methods. The different guidelines set by various accreditation organizations make it difficult to provide objective evidence that an in-house method is fit for the intended purpose. Besides, the required performance characteristics tests and acceptance criteria are not always detailed. The laboratory must choose the most suitable validation protocol and set the acceptance criteria. Therefore, we propose a validation protocol to evaluate the performance of an in-house method. As an example, we validated the process for the detection and quantification of lead in whole blood by electrothermal absorption spectrometry. The fundamental parameters tested were, selectivity, calibration model, precision, accuracy (and uncertainty of measurement), contamination, stability of the sample, reference interval, and analytical interference. We have developed a protocol that has been applied successfully to quantify lead in whole blood by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). In particular, our method is selective, linear, accurate, and precise, making it suitable for use in routine diagnostics.

[Study on the method for the determination of trace boron, molybdenum, silver, tin and lead in geochemical samples by direct current arc full spectrum direct reading atomic emission spectroscopy (DC-Arc-AES)].

PubMed

Hao, Zhi-hong; Yao, Jian-zhen; Tang, Rui-ling; Zhang, Xue-mei; Li, Wen-ge; Zhang, Qin

2015-02-01

The method for the determmation of trace boron, molybdenum, silver, tin and lead in geochemical samples by direct current are full spectrum direct reading atomic emission spectroscopy (DC-Arc-AES) was established. Direct current are full spectrum direct reading atomic emission spectrometer with a large area of solid-state detectors has functions of full spectrum direct reading and real-time background correction. The new electrodes and new buffer recipe were proposed in this paper, and have applied for national patent. Suitable analytical line pairs, back ground correcting points of elements and the internal standard method were selected, and Ge was used as internal standard. Multistage currents were selected in the research on current program, and each current set different holding time to ensure that each element has a good signal to noise ratio. Continuous rising current mode selected can effectively eliminate the splash of the sample. Argon as shielding gas can eliminate CN band generating and reduce spectral background, also plays a role in stabilizing the are, and argon flow 3.5 L x min(-1) was selected. Evaporation curve of each element was made, and it was concluded that the evaporation behavior of each element is consistent, and combined with the effects of different spectrographic times on the intensity and background, the spectrographic time of 35s was selected. In this paper, national standards substances were selected as a standard series, and the standard series includes different nature and different content of standard substances which meet the determination of trace boron, molybdenum, silver, tin and lead in geochemical samples. In the optimum experimental conditions, the detection limits for B, Mo, Ag, Sn and Pb are 1.1, 0.09, 0.01, 0.41, and 0.56 microg x g(-1) respectively, and the precisions (RSD, n=12) for B, Mo, Ag, Sn and Pb are 4.57%-7.63%, 5.14%-7.75%, 5.48%-12.30%, 3.97%-10.46%, and 4.26%-9.21% respectively. The analytical accuracy was validated by national standards and the results are in agreement with certified values. The method is simple, rapid, is an advanced analytical method for the determination of trace amounts of geochemical samples' boron, molybdenum, silver, tin and lead, and has a certain practicality.

Does science speak clearly and fairly in trade and food safety disputes? The search for an optimal response of WTO adjudication to problematic international standard-making.

PubMed

Ni, Kuei-Jung

2013-01-01

Most international health-related standards are voluntary per se. However, the incorporation of international standard-making into WTO agreements like the SPS Agreement has drastically changed the status and effectiveness of the standards. WTO members are urged to follow international standards, even when not required to comply fully with them. Indeed, such standards have attained great influence in the trade system. Yet evidence shows that the credibility of the allegedly scientific approach of these international standard-setting institutions, especially the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex) governing food safety standards, has been eroded and diluted by industrial and political influences. Its decision-making is no longer based on consensus, but voting. The adoption of new safety limits for the veterinary drug ractopamine in 2012, by a very close vote, is simply another instance of the problematic operations of the Codex. These dynamics have led skeptics to question the legitimacy of the standard setting body and to propose solutions to rectify the situation. Prior WTO rulings have yet to pay attention to the defect in the decision-making processes of the Codex. Nevertheless, the recent Appellate Body decision on Hormones II is indicative of a deferential approach to national measures that are distinct from Codex formulas. The ruling also rejects the reliance on those experts who authored the Codex standards to assess new measures of the European Community. This approach provides an opportunity to contemplate what the proper relationship between the WTO and Codex ought to be. Through a critical review of WTO rulings and academic proposals, this article aims to analyze how the WTO ought to define such interactions and respond to the politicized standard-making process in an optimal manner. This article argues that building a more systematic approach and normative basis for WTO judicial review of standard-setting decisions and the selection of technical experts would be instrumental to strengthening the mutual supports between the WTO and international standard-setting organizations, and may help avoid the introduction of a prejudice toward a justified science finding.

Astronaut medical selection during the shuttle era: 1981-2011.

PubMed

Johnston, Smith L; Blue, Rebecca S; Jennings, Richard T; Tarver, William J; Gray, Gary W

2014-08-01

U.S. astronauts undergo extensive job-related screening and medical examinations prior to selection in order to identify candidates optimally suited for careers in spaceflight. Screening medical standards evolved over many years and after extensive spaceflight experience. These standards assess health-related risks for each astronaut candidate, minimizing the potential for medical impact on future mission success. This document discusses the evolution of the Shuttle-era medical selection standards and the most common reasons for medical dis-qualification of applicants. Data for astronaut candidate finalists were compiled from medical records and NASA archives from the period of 1978 to 2004 and were retrospectively reviewed for medically disqualifying conditions. During Shuttle selection cycles, a total of 372 applicants were disqualified due to 425 medical concerns. The most common disqualifying conditions included visual, cardiovascular, psychiatric, and behavioral disorders. During this time period, three major expert panel reviews resulted in refinements and alterations to selection standards for future cycles. Shuttle-era screening, testing, and specialist evaluations evolved through periodic expert reviews, evidence-based medicine, and astronaut medical care experience. The Shuttle medical program contributed to the development and implementation of NASA and international standards, longitudinal data collection, improved medical care, and occupational surveillance models. The lessons learned from the Shuttle program serve as the basis for medical selection for the ISS, exploration-class missions, and for those expected to participate in commercial spaceflight.

Issues in Public Examinations: A Selection of the Proceedings of the 1990 IAEA Conference (16th, Maastricht, Netherlands, June 1990).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Luijten, Anton J. M., Ed.

This collection of 18 papers (selected from a total of 57 presented at a conference of the International Association for Educational Assessment) represents efforts by examining bodies and institutes to: improve the examination system and testing techniques; develop reliable instruments; and establish standards for public examinations. The papers…

Use of Joint Commission International Standards to Evaluate and Improve Pediatric Oncology Nursing Care in Guatemala

PubMed Central

Day, Sara W.; McKeon, Leslie M.; Garcia, Jose; Wilimas, Judith A.; Carty, Rita M.; de Alarcon, Pedro; Antillon, Federico; Howard, Scott C.

2017-01-01

Background Inadequate nursing care is a major impediment to development of effective programs for treatment of childhood cancer in low-income countries. When the International Outreach Program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital established partner sites in low-income countries, few nurses had pediatric oncology skills or experience. A comprehensive nursing program was developed to promote the provision of quality nursing care, and in this manuscript we describe the program’s impact on 20 selected Joint Commission International (JCI) quality standards at the National Pediatric Oncology Unit in Guatemala. We utilized JCI standards to focus the nursing evaluation and implementation of improvements. These standards were developed to assess public hospitals in low-income countries and are recognized as the gold standard of international quality evaluation. Methods We compared the number of JCI standards met before and after the nursing program was implemented using direct observation of nursing care; review of medical records, policies, procedures, and job descriptions; and interviews with staff. Results In 2006, only 1 of the 20 standards was met fully, 2 partially, and 17 not met. In 2009, 16 were met fully, 1 partially, and 3 not met. Several factors contributed to the improvement. The pre-program quality evaluation provided objective and credible findings and an organizational framework for implementing change. The medical, administrative, and nursing staff worked together to improve nursing standards. Conclusion A systematic approach and involvement of all hospital disciplines led to significant improvement in nursing care that was reflected by fully meeting 16 of 20 standards. PMID:23015363

Extract-filter-shoot liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry for the analysis of vitamin D2 in a powdered supplement capsule and standard reference material 3280.

PubMed

Byrdwell, William Craig

2014-08-01

An "extract-filter-shoot" method for the analysis of vitamin D2, ergocalciferol, in a dry powdered dietary supplement capsule containing rice flour excipient and in a National Institute of Standards and Technology standard reference material 3280 is reported. Quantification of vitamin D2 was done by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry using selected ion monitoring, two transitions of selected reaction monitoring, and extracted ion chromatograms from full scans. UV detection was used for the quantification of Vitamin D2 in the dry powder capsule, whereas interfering species rendered UV detection unreliable for standard reference material 3280. Average values for standard reference material 3280 ranged from 8.27 ± 0.58 to 8.33 ± 0.57 μg/g using internal standard calibration and response factor approaches, compared to the previous National Institute of Standards and Technology internal value for vitamin D2 of 8.78 ± 0.11 μg/g, and the recently updated reference value of 8.6 ± 2.6 μg/g. The powdered supplement capsule was found to contain 28.19 ± 0.35 to 28.67 ± 0.90 μg/capsule for a capsule labeled to contain 25.00 μg. The triacylglycerol composition of the rice flour excipient in the powdered supplement capsule determined by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry is also reported. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Standards for Clinical Trials in Male and Female Sexual Dysfunction: III. Unique Aspects of Clinical Trials in Male Sexual Dysfunction.

PubMed

Fisher, William A; Gruenwald, Ilan; Jannini, Emmanuele A; Lev-Sagie, Ahinoam; Lowenstein, Lior; Pyke, Robert E; Reisman, Yakov; Revicki, Dennis A; Rubio-Aurioles, Eusebio

2017-01-01

This series of articles, Standards for Clinical Trials in Male and Female Sexual Dysfunction, began with the discussion of a common expected standard for clinical trial design in male and female sexual dysfunction, a common rationale for the design of phase I to IV clinical trials, and common considerations for the selection of study population and study duration in male and female sexual dysfunction. The second article in this series discussed fundamental principles in development, validation, and selection of patient- (and partner-) reported outcome assessment. The third and present article in this series discusses selected aspects of sexual dysfunction that are that are unique to male sexual dysfunctions and relevant to the conduct of clinical trials of candidate treatments for men. Copyright © 2016 International Society for Sexual Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Standardization and determination of the total internal conversion coefficient of In-111.

PubMed

Matos, Izabela T; Koskinas, Marina F; Nascimento, Tatiane S; Yamazaki, Ione M; Dias, Mauro S

2014-05-01

The standardization of (111)In by means of a 4πβ-γ coincidence system, composed of a proportional counter in 4π geometry, coupled to a 20% relative efficiency HPGe crystal, for measuring gamma-rays is presented. The data acquisition was performed by means of the software coincidence system (SCS) and the activity was determined by the extrapolation technique. Two gamma-ray windows were selected: at 171 keV and 245 keV total absorption peaks, allowing the determination of the total internal conversion coefficient for these two gamma transitions. The results were compared with those available in the literature. © 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Coping with matrix effects in headspace solid phase microextraction gas chromatography using multivariate calibration strategies.

PubMed

Ferreira, Vicente; Herrero, Paula; Zapata, Julián; Escudero, Ana

2015-08-14

SPME is extremely sensitive to experimental parameters affecting liquid-gas and gas-solid distribution coefficients. Our aims were to measure the weights of these factors and to design a multivariate strategy based on the addition of a pool of internal standards, to minimize matrix effects. Synthetic but real-like wines containing selected analytes and variable amounts of ethanol, non-volatile constituents and major volatile compounds were prepared following a factorial design. The ANOVA study revealed that even using a strong matrix dilution, matrix effects are important and additive with non-significant interaction effects and that it is the presence of major volatile constituents the most dominant factor. A single internal standard provided a robust calibration for 15 out of 47 analytes. Then, two different multivariate calibration strategies based on Partial Least Square Regression were run in order to build calibration functions based on 13 different internal standards able to cope with matrix effects. The first one is based in the calculation of Multivariate Internal Standards (MIS), linear combinations of the normalized signals of the 13 internal standards, which provide the expected area of a given unit of analyte present in each sample. The second strategy is a direct calibration relating concentration to the 13 relative areas measured in each sample for each analyte. Overall, 47 different compounds can be reliably quantified in a single fully automated method with overall uncertainties better than 15%. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Partial synthesis of ganglioside and lysoganglioside lipoforms as internal standards for MS quantification.

PubMed

Gantner, Martin; Schwarzmann, Günter; Sandhoff, Konrad; Kolter, Thomas

2014-12-01

Within recent years, ganglioside patterns have been increasingly analyzed by MS. However, internal standards for calibration are only available for gangliosides GM1, GM2, and GM3. For this reason, we prepared homologous internal standards bearing nonnatural fatty acids of the major mammalian brain gangliosides GM1, GD1a, GD1b, GT1b, and GQ1b, and of the tumor-associated gangliosides GM2 and GD2. The fatty acid moieties were incorporated after selective chemical or enzymatic deacylation of bovine brain gangliosides. For modification of the sphingoid bases, we developed a new synthetic method based on olefin cross metathesis. This method was used for the preparation of a lyso-GM1 and a lyso-GM2 standard. The total yield of this method was 8.7% for the synthesis of d17:1-lyso-GM1 from d20:1/18:0-GM1 in four steps. The title compounds are currently used as calibration substances for MS quantification and are also suitable for functional studies. Copyright © 2014 by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

International reference reagents: antihuman globulin. An ISBT/ICSH joint working party report. International Society of Blood Transfusion. International Committee for Standardization in Haematology.

PubMed

Case, J; Ford, D S; Chung, A; Collins, R; Kochman, S; Mazda, T; Overbeeke, M; Perera, R; Sakuldamrongpanich, T; Scott, M; Voak, D; Zupańska, B

1999-01-01

An international working party has conducted a study designed to select a suitable reference reagent for antihuman globulin, to replace those first made available in 1987. The chosen preparation contains levels of anti-IgG and anti-C3 (anti-C3c and anti-C3d) potency that are considered suitable to serve for reference when evaluating either polyspecific antihuman globulin reagents or those containing their separate monospecific components. The reference material is available in 2-ml freeze-dried aliquots from seven assigned distribution centres.

Quantitative determination of galantamine in human plasma by sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry using loratadine as an internal standard.

PubMed

Nirogi, Ramakrishna V S; Kandikere, Vishwottam N; Mudigonda, Koteshwara; Maurya, Santosh

2007-02-01

A simple, rapid, sensitive, and selective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method is developed and validated for the quantitation of galantamine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor in human plasma, using a commercially available compound, loratadine, as the internal standard. Following liquid-liquid extraction, the analytes are separated using an isocratic mobile phase on a reverse-phase C18 column and analyzed by mass spectrometry in the multiple reaction monitoring mode using the respective (M+H)+ ions, m/z 288 to 213 for galantamine and m/z 383 and 337 for the internal standard. The assay exhibit a linear dynamic range of 0.5-100 ng/mL for galantamine in human plasma. The lower limit of quantitation is 0.5 ng/mL, with a relative standard deviation of less than 8%. Acceptable precision and accuracy are obtained for concentrations over the standard curve range. A run time of 2.5 min for each sample makes it possible to analyze more than 400 human plasma samples per day. The validated method is successfully used to analyze human plasma samples for application in pharmacokinetic, bioavailability, or bioequivalence studies.

Weighing in on international growth standards: testing the case in Australian preschool children.

PubMed

Pattinson, C L; Staton, S L; Smith, S S; Trost, S G; Sawyer, E F; Thorpe, K J

2017-10-01

Overweight and obesity in preschool-aged children are major health concerns. Accurate and reliable estimates of prevalence are necessary to direct public health and clinical interventions. There are currently three international growth standards used to determine prevalence of overweight and obesity, each using different methodologies: Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF). Adoption and use of each method were examined through a systematic review of Australian population studies (2006-2017). For this period, systematically identified population studies (N = 20) reported prevalence of overweight and obesity ranging between 15 and 38% with most (n = 16) applying the IOTF standards. To demonstrate the differences in prevalence estimates yielded by the IOTF in comparison to the WHO and CDC standards, methods were applied to a sample of N = 1,926 Australian children, aged 3-5 years. As expected, the three standards yielded significantly different estimates when applied to this single population. Prevalence of overweight/obesity was WHO - 9.3%, IOTF - 21.7% and CDC - 33.1%. Judicious selection of growth standards, taking account of their underpinning methodologies and provisions of access to study data sets to allow prevalence comparisons, is recommended. © 2017 World Obesity Federation.

Standard operating procedures for female orgasmic disorder: consensus of the International Society for Sexual Medicine.

PubMed

Laan, Ellen; Rellini, Alessandra H; Barnes, Tricia

2013-01-01

As the field of sexual medicine evolves, it is important to continually improve patient care by developing contemporary "standard operating procedures" (SOPs), reflecting the consensus view of experts in sexual medicine. Few, if any, consensus SOPs have been developed for the diagnosis and treatment of Female Orgasmic Disorder (FOD). The objective is to provide standard operating procedures for FOD. The SOP Committee was composed of a chair, selected by the International Society for the Study of Sexual Medicine, and two additional experts. To inform its key recommendations, the Committee used systematic reviews of available evidence and discussions during a group meeting, conference calls and e-mail communications. The Committee received no corporate funding or remuneration. A total of 12 recommendations for the assessment and treatment of FOD were generated, including suggestions for further research. Evidence-based, practice recommendations for the treatment of FOD are provided that will hopefully inform clinical decision making for those treating this common condition. © 2012 International Society for Sexual Medicine.

Diagnosing Prion Diseases: Mass Spectrometry-Based Approaches

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Mass spectrometry is an established means of quantitating the prions present in infected hamsters. Calibration curves relating the area ratios of the selected analyte peptides and their oxidized analogs to stable isotope labeled internal standards were prepared. The limit of detection (LOD) and limi...

Assessing the service quality of Iran military hospitals: Joint Commission International standards and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique

PubMed Central

Bahadori, Mohammadkarim; Ravangard, Ramin; Yaghoubi, Maryam; Alimohammadzadeh, Khalil

2014-01-01

Background: Military hospitals are responsible for preserving, restoring and improving the health of not only armed forces, but also other people. According to the military organizations strategy, which is being a leader and pioneer in all areas, providing quality health services is one of the main goals of the military health care organizations. This study was aimed to evaluate the service quality of selected military hospitals in Iran based on the Joint Commission International (JCI) standards and comparing these hospitals with each other and ranking them using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) technique in 2013. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study conducted on five military hospitals, selected using the purposive sampling method, in 2013. Required data collected using checklists of accreditation standards and nominal group technique. AHP technique was used for prioritizing. Furthermore, Expert Choice 11.0 was used to analyze the collected data. Results: Among JCI standards, the standards of access to care and continuity of care (weight = 0.122), quality improvement and patient safety (weight = 0.121) and leadership and management (weight = 0.117) had the greatest importance, respectively. Furthermore, in the overall ranking, BGT (weight = 0.369), IHM (0.238), SAU (0.202), IHK (weight = 0.125) and SAB (weight = 0.066) ranked first to fifth, respectively. Conclusion: AHP is an appropriate technique for measuring the overall performance of hospitals and their quality of services. It is a holistic approach that takes all hospital processes into consideration. The results of the present study can be used to improve hospitals performance through identifying areas, which are in need of focus for quality improvement and selecting strategies to improve service quality. PMID:25250364

Embolization of the Gastroduodenal Artery Before Selective Internal Radiotherapy: A Prospectively Randomized Trial Comparing Standard Pushable Coils with Fibered Interlock Detachable Coils

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

Dudeck, Oliver, E-mail: oliver.dudeck@med.ovgu.de; Bulla, Karsten; Wieners, Gero

2011-02-15

The purpose of this study was compare embolization of the gastroduodenal artery (GDA) using standard pushable coils with the Interlock detachable coil (IDC), a novel fibered mechanically detachable long microcoil, in patients scheduled for selective internal radiotherapy (SIRT). Fifty patients (31 male and 19 female; median age 66.6 {+-} 8.1 years) were prospectively randomized for embolization using either standard coils or IDCs. Procedure time, radiation dose, number of embolization devices, complications, and durability of vessel occlusion at follow-up angiography were recorded. The procedures differed significantly in time (14:32 {+-} 5:56 min for standard coils vs. 2:13 {+-} 1:04 min formore » IDCs; p < 0.001); radiation dose for coil deployment (2479 {+-} 1237 cGycm Superscript-Two for standard coils vs. 275 {+-} 268 cGycm Superscript-Two for IDCs; p < 0.001); and vessel occlusion (17:18 {+-} 6:39 min for standard coils vs. 11:19 {+-} 7:54 min for IDCs; p = 0.002). A mean of 6.2 {+-} 1.8 coils (n = 27) were used in the standard coil group, and 1.3 {+-} 0.9 coils (p < 0.0001) were used in the IDC group (n = 23) because additional pushable coils were required to achieve GDA occlusion in 4 patients. In 2 patients, the IDC could not be deployed through a Soft-VU catheter. One standard coil dislodged in the hepatic artery and was retrieved. Vessel reperfusion was noted in only 1 patient in the standard coil group. Controlled embolization of the GDA with fibered IDCs was achieved more rapidly than with pushable coils. However, vessel occlusion may not be obtained using a single device only, and the use of sharply angled guiding catheters hampered coil pushability.« less

Results in standardization of FOS to support the use of SHM systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Habel, Wolfgang R.; Krebber, Katerina; Daum, Werner

2016-05-01

Measurement and data recording systems are important parts of a holistic Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) system. New sensor technologies such as fiber-optic sensors are often used; however, standards (or at least guidelines) are not yet available or internationally approved. This lack in standardization makes the acceptance of FOS technologies in complex SHM systems substantially difficult. A standard family for different FOS technologies is therefore being developed that should help to design SHM systems in an optimal way. International standardization activities take place in several standardization bodies such as IEC and ASTM, and within SHM societies such as ISHMII. The paper reports on activities in standardization of fiber-optic sensors, on results already achieved, and on newly started projects. Combined activities of fiber sensor experts and SHM experts from Civil Engineering are presented. These contributions should help owners of structures as well as developers of sensors and monitoring systems to select effective and validated sensing technologies. Using these standards, both parties find recommendations how to proceed in development of SHM systems to evaluate the structural behavior based on e.g. standardized fiber optic sensors, and to derive necessary measures, e.g. the optimal maintenance strategy.

Core noise investigation of the CF6-50 turbofan engine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Doyle, V. L.; Moore, M. T.

1980-01-01

The contribution of the standard production annular combustor to the far-field noise signature of the CF6-50 engine was investigated. Internal source locations were studied. Transfer functions were determined for selected pairs of combustor sensors and from two internal sensors to the air field. The coherent output power was determined in the far-field measurements, and comparisons of measured overall power level were made with component and engine correlating parameters.

Characteristics of precision 1 Ω standard resistors influencing transport behaviour and the uncertainty of key comparisons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jones, G. R.; Pritchard, B. J.; Elmquist, R. E.

2009-10-01

National measurement institutes (NMIs) participate in international key comparisons organized by the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM), the Regional Metrology Organizations (RMOs) or the Consultative Committees of the Comité International des Poids et Mesures (CIPM) in order to provide evidence of equivalent reference standards and measurement capabilities. The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Measurement Institute of Australia (NMIA) have recently examined power loading and several other influences on the value of precision transportable 1 Ω resistors that can increase the uncertainty of key comparisons. We have studied the effects of temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, power loading and heat dissipation in oil on transportable wire-wound 1 Ω resistance standards that are based on different alloys and construction principles. This work focuses on standards manufactured from 1970 through 2000 by the NMIA made of Evanohm alloy and on Thomas-type resistors designed in the 1930s and made of Manganin alloy. We show that the relative standard uncertainty related to transport can be less than 0.01 μΩ Ω-1 when using certain resistors of these two types that are characterized and selected for stability. We describe the characterization process, and relate the environmental influences to the physical design, as well as to the mechanical properties and condition of the standards.

Analysis of phospholipids in bio-oils and fats by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Viidanoja, Jyrki

2015-09-15

A new, sensitive and selective liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-ESI-MS/MS) method was developed for the analysis of Phospholipids (PLs) in bio-oils and fats. This analysis employs hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-scheduled multiple reaction monitoring (HILIC-sMRM) with a ZIC-cHILIC column. Eight PL class selective internal standards (homologs) were used for the semi-quantification of 14 PL classes for the first time. More than 400 scheduled MRMs were used for the measurement of PLs with a run time of 34min. The method's performance was evaluated for vegetable oil, animal fat and algae oil. The averaged within-run precision and between-run precision were ≤10% for all of the PL classes that had a direct homologue as an internal standard. The method accuracy was generally within 80-120% for the tested PL analytes in all three sample matrices. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Processes in the development of international specialist competencies and standards: the Sports Physiotherapy for All Project.

PubMed

Bulley, Catherine; Donaghy, Marie

2008-01-01

In a world of rapidly developing knowledge it is important that professions describe their roles and capabilities. The need for a thorough description of sports physiotherapy was addressed through collaboration between the International Federation of Sports Physiotherapy (IFSP) and five European higher education institutions. This resulted in the Sports Physiotherapy for All Project, which has been successful in developing internationally accepted competencies and standards for sports physiotherapists. This article describes and reflects on the process to communicate useful lessons. A competency model was chosen to facilitate differentiation and communication of aspects of sports physiotherapy practice. Documentation relating to sports physiotherapy practice was collected from 16 countries and analysed thematically. A cut and paste method was used by a panel of experts to allocate themes to areas of practice within the competency model. Theme groups were used to select areas of practice for description in competency form. Standards were derived from competencies following in depth discussion with the expert panel, and triangulation with themes derived from international documentation. A rigorous process of international review and revision led to the final list of 11 competencies and related standards, both accepted by the IFSP. This work provides a foundation for the development of an audit toolkit to guide demonstration and evaluation of competencies and standards. This provides a foundation for targeted career development activities, appropriate provision of training opportunities, and quality enhancement. The experiences gained during this project can inform other health professions and their specialisms when embarking on a similar journey.

Using Passive Polyethylene Samplers to Evaluate Chemical Activities Controlling Fluxes and Bioaccumulation of Organic Contaminants in Bed Sediments

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-11-01

carbon flipid fraction lipid foc fraction organic carbon fprotein fraction protein GCMS Gas Chromatography -Mass Spectrometry HP Hunter’s...Internal standards were added to the extracts before gas chromatography -mass spectrometry (GCMS) analysis. GCMS was done using a JEOL GCmate...min. The MS was operated in selected ion monitoring (SIM) and EI+ modes. Calibration standards 6 containing at least 25 aromatic compounds

Use and qualification of primary and secondary standards employed in quantitative ¹H NMR spectroscopy of pharmaceuticals.

PubMed

Rundlöf, Torgny; McEwen, Ian; Johansson, Monika; Arvidsson, Torbjörn

2014-05-01

Standards are required in quantitative NMR (qNMR) to obtain accurate and precise results. In this study acetanilide was established and used as a primary standard. Six other chemicals were selected as secondary standards: 3,4,5-trichloropyridine, dimethylterephthalate, maleic acid, 3-sulfolene, 1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)benzene, and 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene. The secondary standards were quantified using the primary standard acetanilide. A protocol for qualification and periodic checks of these secondary standards was developed, and used for evaluation of the stability of the compounds. Periodic monitoring of purity was performed for several years. The purity was higher than 99% for all secondary standards. All standards maintained the initial purity during the time period of monitoring, with very small variations in purity (0.3-0.4%). The selected secondary standards were shown to be suitable qNMR standards and that periodic requalification of the standards by qNMR ensures reliable analytical results. These standards have been used in our laboratory for compliance testing of pharmaceutical active substances and approved medicinal products as well as for analysis of suspected illegal medicines. In total more than 1000 samples have been tested using both internal and external standardization and examples are given. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ionization enhancement in atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and suppression in electrospray ionization between target drugs and stable-isotope-labeled internal standards in quantitative liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Liang, H R; Foltz, R L; Meng, M; Bennett, P

2003-01-01

The phenomena of ionization suppression in electrospray ionization (ESI) and enhancement in atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) were investigated in selected-ion monitoring and selected-reaction monitoring modes for nine drugs and their corresponding stable-isotope-labeled internal standards (IS). The results showed that all investigated target drugs and their co-eluting isotope-labeled IS suppress each other's ionization responses in ESI. The factors affecting the extent of suppression in ESI were investigated, including structures and concentrations of drugs, matrix effects, and flow rate. In contrast to the ESI results, APCI caused seven of the nine investigated target drugs and their co-eluting isotope-labeled IS to enhance each other's ionization responses. The mutual ionization suppression or enhancement between drugs and their isotope-labeled IS could possibly influence assay sensitivity, reproducibility, accuracy and linearity in quantitative liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). However, calibration curves were linear if an appropriate IS concentration was selected for a desired calibration range to keep the response factors constant. Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Standards for Clinical Trials in Male and Female Sexual Dysfunction: I. Phase I to Phase IV Clinical Trial Design.

PubMed

Fisher, William A; Gruenwald, Ilan; Jannini, Emmanuele A; Lev-Sagie, Ahinoam; Lowenstein, Lior; Pyke, Robert E; Reisman, Yakov; Revicki, Dennis A; Rubio-Aurioles, Eusebio

2016-12-01

This series of articles outlines standards for clinical trials of treatments for male and female sexual dysfunctions, with a focus on research design and patient-reported outcome assessment. These articles consist of revision, updating, and integration of articles on standards for clinical trials in male and female sexual dysfunction from the 2010 International Consultation on Sexual Medicine developed by the authors as part of the 2015 International Consultation on Sexual Medicine. We are guided in this effort by several principles. In contrast to previous versions of these guidelines, we merge discussion of standards for clinical trials in male and female sexual dysfunction in an integrated approach that emphasizes the common foundational practices that underlie clinical trials in the two settings. We present a common expected standard for clinical trial design in male and female sexual dysfunction, a common rationale for the design of phase I to IV clinical trials, and common considerations for selection of study population and study duration in male and female sexual dysfunction. We present a focused discussion of fundamental principles in patient- (and partner-) reported outcome assessment and complete this series of articles with specific discussions of selected aspects of clinical trials that are unique to male and to female sexual dysfunction. Our consideration of standards for clinical trials in male and female sexual dysfunction attempts to embody sensitivity to existing and new regulatory guidance and to address implications of the evolution of the diagnosis of sexual dysfunction that have been brought forward in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. The first article in this series focuses on phase I to phase IV clinical trial design considerations. Subsequent articles in this series focus on the measurement of patient-reported outcomes, unique aspects of clinical trial design for men, and unique aspects of clinical trial design for women. Copyright © 2016 International Society for Sexual Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The BonaRes data infrastructure: Recommendations of standards for the different life stages of soil and agricultural research data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoffmann, Carsten; Schulz, Sina; Svoboda, Nikolai; Zoarder, Muqit; Eberhardt, Einar; Russell, David; Heinrich, Uwe

2017-04-01

Within the research project BonaRes ("Soil as a sustainable resource for the bioeconomy") an infrastructure is being developed to upload, manage, store, and provide the increasing amount of soil and agricultural research data, raw data, and metadata in Germany. Large joint research projects such as BonaRes require rules for data handling. The application and designation of standards, standard methods and widely disseminated and accepted data formats for all stages of data life (from acquisition to provision) is accompanied by a number of advantages for data providers, -managers and -users. Standards enable e.g. an easy data exchange and provision for data re-use, communication with other disciplines, and improve the visibility and accessibility of research activities and results. To harmonize national with international data infrastructures, standards used in the scope of BonaRes should either meet international requirements or be transformable by derivation tools. In the first project phase an overview of standards was compiled including more than 600 relevant norms, directives, exchange formats and code lists. With the collaboration of an international expert consortium we then developed a "Recommendation list Standards" for all project partners and other soil/agricultural data providers. We present and discuss selected recommendations and possible implementations of standards to be used in the BonaRes data infrastructure for data acquisition (e.g. soil description, agronomy), data management (e.g. exchange languages, derivation tools), and data provision (e.g. licenses, geo-data services).

Flow measuring structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boiten, W.

1993-11-01

The use of flow measuring structures is one of the various methods for the continuous measurement of discharges in open channels. In this report a brief summary of these methods is presented to get some insight in the selection of the most appropriate method. Then the distinct functions of water control structures are described. The flow measuring structures are classified according to international rules. The fields of application are dealt with and the definitions of weir flow are given. Much attention is paid to the aspects of how to select the most suitable flow measuring structure. The accuracy in the evaluation of the discharge has been related to the different error sources. A review of international standards on flow measuring structures concludes the report.

Sensitive and selective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantification of aniracetam in human plasma.

PubMed

Zhang, Jingjing; Liang, Jiabi; Tian, Yuan; Zhang, Zunjian; Chen, Yun

2007-10-15

A rapid, sensitive and selective LC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for the quantification of aniracetam in human plasma using estazolam as internal standard (IS). Following liquid-liquid extraction, the analytes were separated using a mobile phase of methanol-water (60:40, v/v) on a reverse phase C18 column and analyzed by a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer in the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode using the respective [M+H]+ ions, m/z 220-->135 for aniracetam and m/z 295-->205 for the IS. The assay exhibited a linear dynamic range of 0.2-100 ng/mL for aniracetam in human plasma. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.2 ng/mL with a relative standard deviation of less than 15%. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for concentrations over the standard curve range. The validated LC-MS/MS method has been successfully applied to study the pharmacokinetics of aniracetam in healthy male Chinese volunteers.

Utility of mass spectrometry in the diagnosis of prion diseases

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

We developed a sensitive mass spectrometry-based method of quantitating the prions present in a variety of mammalian species. Calibration curves relating the area ratios of the selected analyte peptides and their oxidized analogs to their homologous stable isotope labeled internal standards were pre...

A first look at salience and distinctiveness of fly-over and fly-by waypoint symbology

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2000-09-01

This report presents the findings of a short-term empirical study on human factors issues related to the : selection of symbology for fly-over and fly-by waypoints on aeronautical charts. At issue were the : international standards for the depiction ...

Comprehensive combinatory standard correction: a calibration method for handling instrumental drifts of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry systems.

PubMed

Deport, Coralie; Ratel, Jérémy; Berdagué, Jean-Louis; Engel, Erwan

2006-05-26

The current work describes a new method, the comprehensive combinatory standard correction (CCSC), for the correction of instrumental signal drifts in GC-MS systems. The method consists in analyzing together with the products of interest a mixture of n selected internal standards, and in normalizing the peak area of each analyte by the sum of standard areas and then, select among the summation operator sigma(p = 1)(n)C(n)p possible sums, the sum that enables the best product discrimination. The CCSC method was compared with classical techniques of data pre-processing like internal normalization (IN) or single standard correction (SSC) on their ability to correct raw data from the main drifts occurring in a dynamic headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system. Three edible oils with closely similar compositions in volatile compounds were analysed using a device which performance was modulated by using new or used dynamic headspace traps and GC-columns, and by modifying the tuning of the mass spectrometer. According to one-way ANOVA, the CCSC method increased the number of analytes discriminating the products (31 after CCSC versus 25 with raw data or after IN and 26 after SSC). Moreover, CCSC enabled a satisfactory discrimination of the products irrespective of the drifts. In a factorial discriminant analysis, 100% of the samples (n = 121) were well-classified after CCSC versus 45% for raw data, 90 and 93%, respectively after IN and SSC.

Development of visual peak selection system based on multi-ISs normalization algorithm to apply to methamphetamine impurity profiling.

PubMed

Lee, Hun Joo; Han, Eunyoung; Lee, Jaesin; Chung, Heesun; Min, Sung-Gi

2016-11-01

The aim of this study is to improve resolution of impurity peaks using a newly devised normalization algorithm for multi-internal standards (ISs) and to describe a visual peak selection system (VPSS) for efficient support of impurity profiling. Drug trafficking routes, location of manufacture, or synthetic route can be identified from impurities in seized drugs. In the analysis of impurities, different chromatogram profiles are obtained from gas chromatography and used to examine similarities between drug samples. The data processing method using relative retention time (RRT) calculated by a single internal standard is not preferred when many internal standards are used and many chromatographic peaks present because of the risk of overlapping between peaks and difficulty in classifying impurities. In this study, impurities in methamphetamine (MA) were extracted by liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) method using ethylacetate containing 4 internal standards and analyzed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID). The newly developed VPSS consists of an input module, a conversion module, and a detection module. The input module imports chromatograms collected from GC and performs preprocessing, which is converted with a normalization algorithm in the conversion module, and finally the detection module detects the impurities in MA samples using a visualized zoning user interface. The normalization algorithm in the conversion module was used to convert the raw data from GC-FID. The VPSS with the built-in normalization algorithm can effectively detect different impurities in samples even in complex matrices and has high resolution keeping the time sequence of chromatographic peaks the same as that of the RRT method. The system can widen a full range of chromatograms so that the peaks of impurities were better aligned for easy separation and classification. The resolution, accuracy, and speed of impurity profiling showed remarkable improvement. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Value of Data and Metadata Standardization for Interoperability in Giovanni

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smit, C.; Hegde, M.; Strub, R. F.; Bryant, K.; Li, A.; Petrenko, M.

2017-12-01

Giovanni (https://giovanni.gsfc.nasa.gov/giovanni/) is a data exploration and visualization tool at the NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data Information Services Center (GES DISC). It has been around in one form or another for more than 15 years. Giovanni calculates simple statistics and produces 22 different visualizations for more than 1600 geophysical parameters from more than 90 satellite and model products. Giovanni relies on external data format standards to ensure interoperability, including the NetCDF CF Metadata Conventions. Unfortunately, these standards were insufficient to make Giovanni's internal data representation truly simple to use. Finding and working with dimensions can be convoluted with the CF Conventions. Furthermore, the CF Conventions are silent on machine-friendly descriptive metadata such as the parameter's source product and product version. In order to simplify analyzing disparate earth science data parameters in a unified way, we developed Giovanni's internal standard. First, the format standardizes parameter dimensions and variables so they can be easily found. Second, the format adds all the machine-friendly metadata Giovanni needs to present our parameters to users in a consistent and clear manner. At a glance, users can grasp all the pertinent information about parameters both during parameter selection and after visualization. This poster gives examples of how our metadata and data standards, both external and internal, have both simplified our code base and improved our users' experiences.

Multiple internal standard normalization for improving HS-SPME-GC-MS quantitation in virgin olive oil volatile organic compounds (VOO-VOCs) profile.

PubMed

Fortini, Martina; Migliorini, Marzia; Cherubini, Chiara; Cecchi, Lorenzo; Calamai, Luca

2017-04-01

The commercial value of virgin olive oils (VOOs) strongly depends on their classification, also based on the aroma of the oils, usually evaluated by a panel test. Nowadays, a reliable analytical method is still needed to evaluate the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and support the standard panel test method. To date, the use of HS-SPME sampling coupled to GC-MS is generally accepted for the analysis of VOCs in VOOs. However, VOO is a challenging matrix due to the simultaneous presence of: i) compounds at ppm and ppb concentrations; ii) molecules belonging to different chemical classes and iii) analytes with a wide range of molecular mass. Therefore, HS-SPME-GC-MS quantitation based upon the use of external standard method or of only a single internal standard (ISTD) for data normalization in an internal standard method, may be troublesome. In this work a multiple internal standard normalization is proposed to overcome these problems and improving quantitation of VOO-VOCs. As many as 11 ISTDs were used for quantitation of 71 VOCs. For each of them the most suitable ISTD was selected and a good linearity in a wide range of calibration was obtained. Except for E-2-hexenal, without ISTD or with an unsuitable ISTD, the linear range of calibration was narrower with respect to that obtained by a suitable ISTD, confirming the usefulness of multiple internal standard normalization for the correct quantitation of VOCs profile in VOOs. The method was validated for 71 VOCs, and then applied to a series of lampante virgin olive oils and extra virgin olive oils. In light of our results, we propose the application of this analytical approach for routine quantitative analyses and to support sensorial analysis for the evaluation of positive and negative VOOs attributes. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Parallel synthesis: a new approach for developing analytical internal standards. Application to the analysis of patulin by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Llovera, Montserrat; Balcells, Mercè; Torres, Mercè; Canela, Ramon

2005-08-24

The polymer-assisted reaction of 4-(hydroxymethyl)furan-2(5H)-one (4HM2F) with 21 carboxylic acids using polystyrene-carbodiimide (PS-carbodiimide) yielded an ester library. Four of the esters, (5-oxo-2,5-dihydrofuran-3-yl)methyl acetate (IS-1), (5-oxo-2,5-dihydrofuran-3-yl)methyl butyrate (IS-2), (5-oxo-2,5-dihydrofuran-3-yl)methyl 2-methylpropanoate (IS-3), and (5-oxo-2,5-dihydrofuran-3-yl)methyl chloroacetate (IS-4), were tested as internal standards for the quantification of patulin in apple juice by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the selected ion monitoring mode (GC-MS-SIM). The developed method combines an AOAC official extractive step and a GC-MS-SIM analysis. Using a chromatographic column containing trifluoropropylmethylpolysiloxane as the stationary phase and IS-1 as the internal standard, it was possible to perform an accurate and precise quantification of underivatizated patulin in apple juice at concentrations down to 6 microg/L. A detection limit of 1 microg/L was established.

Evaluating Mobile Survey Tools (MSTs) for Field-Level Monitoring and Data Collection: Development of a Novel Evaluation Framework, and Application to MSTs for Rural Water and Sanitation Monitoring

PubMed Central

Fisher, Michael B.; Mann, Benjamin H.; Cronk, Ryan D.; Shields, Katherine F.; Klug, Tori L.; Ramaswamy, Rohit

2016-01-01

Information and communications technologies (ICTs) such as mobile survey tools (MSTs) can facilitate field-level data collection to drive improvements in national and international development programs. MSTs allow users to gather and transmit field data in real time, standardize data storage and management, automate routine analyses, and visualize data. Dozens of diverse MST options are available, and users may struggle to select suitable options. We developed a systematic MST Evaluation Framework (EF), based on International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC) software quality modeling standards, to objectively assess MSTs and assist program implementers in identifying suitable MST options. The EF is applicable to MSTs for a broad variety of applications. We also conducted an MST user survey to elucidate needs and priorities of current MST users. Finally, the EF was used to assess seven MSTs currently used for water and sanitation monitoring, as a validation exercise. The results suggest that the EF is a promising method for evaluating MSTs. PMID:27563916

Evaluating Mobile Survey Tools (MSTs) for Field-Level Monitoring and Data Collection: Development of a Novel Evaluation Framework, and Application to MSTs for Rural Water and Sanitation Monitoring.

PubMed

Fisher, Michael B; Mann, Benjamin H; Cronk, Ryan D; Shields, Katherine F; Klug, Tori L; Ramaswamy, Rohit

2016-08-23

Information and communications technologies (ICTs) such as mobile survey tools (MSTs) can facilitate field-level data collection to drive improvements in national and international development programs. MSTs allow users to gather and transmit field data in real time, standardize data storage and management, automate routine analyses, and visualize data. Dozens of diverse MST options are available, and users may struggle to select suitable options. We developed a systematic MST Evaluation Framework (EF), based on International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC) software quality modeling standards, to objectively assess MSTs and assist program implementers in identifying suitable MST options. The EF is applicable to MSTs for a broad variety of applications. We also conducted an MST user survey to elucidate needs and priorities of current MST users. Finally, the EF was used to assess seven MSTs currently used for water and sanitation monitoring, as a validation exercise. The results suggest that the EF is a promising method for evaluating MSTs.

[Laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing].

PubMed

Kuwa, Katsuhiko

2003-05-01

ISO/TC 212 covering clinical laboratory testing and in vitro diagnostic test systems will issue the international standard for medical laboratory quality and competence requirements, ISO 15189. This standard is based on the ISO/IEC 17025, general requirements for competence of testing and calibration laboratories and ISO 9001, quality management systems-requirements. Clinical laboratory services are essential to patient care and therefore should be available to meet the needs of all patients and clinical personnel responsible for human health care. If a laboratory seeks accreditation, it should select an accreditation body that operates according to this international standard and in a manner which takes into account the particular requirements of clinical laboratories. Proficiency testing should be available to evaluate the calibration laboratories and reference measurement laboratories in clinical medicine. Reference measurement procedures should be of precise and the analytical principle of measurement applied should ensure reliability. We should be prepared to establish a quality management system and proficiency testing in clinical laboratories.

Double standards and the international trade of pesticides: the Brazilian case.

PubMed

Porto, Marcelo Firpo; Milanez, Bruno; Soares, Wagner Lopes; Meyer, Armando

2010-01-01

Despite bans on certain pesticides and their replacement by others considered less hazardous, the widespread use of these substances in agriculture continues to threaten the environment and the health of millions of people. This article discusses the current double standard in the international trade of pesticides and focuses on Brazil, one of the main users of pesticides in the world, analyzing the trends in foreign trade (imports and exports) of selected pesticides as a function of changes in legislation in the United States, the European Union, and Brazil from 1989 to 2006. We applied time line analysis to eight organochlorines already banned in Brazil and conducted a case-by-case qualitative and quantitative analysis of nine other pesticides. The results indicate the existence of double standards, as demonstrated by the continued exports to Brazil of some pesticides banned in the United States and Europe.

[Determination of heavy metals in four traditional Chinese medicines by ICP-MS].

PubMed

Wen, Hui-Min; Chen, Xiao-Hui; Dong, Ting-Xia; Zhan, Hua-Qiang; Bi, Kai-Shun

2006-08-01

To establish a ICP-MS method for the determination of heavy metals, including As, Hg, Pb, Cd, in four traditional Chinese medicines. The samples were digested by closed-versel microwave. The four heavy metals were directly analyzed by ICP-MS. Select internal standard element in for the method by which the analyse signal drife is corrected by the signal of another element (internal standard elements) added to both the standard solution and sample. For all of the analyzed heary methals, the correlative coefficient of the calibration curves was over 0.999 2. The recovery rates of the procedure were 97.5%-108.0%, and its RSD was lower than 11.6%. This method was convenient, quick-acquired, accurate and highly sensitive. The method can be used for the quality control of trace elements in traditional Chinese medicines and for the contents determination of traditional Chinese medicines from different habitats and species.

Application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health system to symptoms of the Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies.

PubMed

Conway, Kristin M; Ciafaloni, Emma; Matthews, Dennis; Westfield, Chris; James, Kathy; Paramsothy, Pangaja; Romitti, Paul A

2018-07-01

Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies, collectively referred to as dystrophinopathies, are X-linked recessive diseases that affect dystrophin production resulting in compromised muscle function across multiple systems. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health provides a systematic classification scheme from which body functions affected by a dystrophinopathy can be identified and used to examine functional health. The infrastructure of the Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance, Tracking, and Research Network was used to identify commonly affected body functions and link selected functions to clinical surveillance data collected through medical record abstraction. Seventy-one (24 second-, 41 third- and 7 fourth-level) body function categories were selected via clinician review and consensus. Of these, 15 of 24 retained second-level categories were linked to data elements from the Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance, Tracking, and Research Network surveillance database. Our findings support continued development of a core set of body functions from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health system that are representative of disease progression in dystrophinopathies and the incorporation of these functions in standardized evaluations of functional health and implementation of individualized rehabilitation care plans. Implications for Rehabilitation Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies, collectively referred to as dystrophinopathies, are X-linked recessive disorders that affect the production of dystrophin resulting in compromised muscle function across multiple systems. The severity and progressive nature of dystrophinopathies can have considerable impact on a patient's participation in activities across multiple life domains. Our findings support continued development of an International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health core set for childhood-onset dystrophinopathies. A standardized dystrophinopathy International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health documentation form can be used as a screening tool by rehabilitation professionals and for patient goal setting when developing rehabilitation plans. Patient reports of perceived functional health should be incorporated into the rehabilitation plan and therapeutic progress monitored by a standardized form.

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.

Comparison of Test Procedures and Energy Efficiency Criteria in Selected International Standards and Labeling Programs for Clothes Washers, Water Dispensers, Vending Machines and CFLs

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

Fridley, David; Zheng, Nina; Zhou, Nan

Since the late 1970s, energy labeling programs and mandatory energy performance standards have been used in many different countries to improve the efficiency levels of major residential and commercial equipment. As more countries and regions launch programs covering a greater range of products that are traded worldwide, greater attention has been given to harmonizing the specific efficiency criteria in these programs and the test methods for measurements. For example, an international compact fluorescent light (CFL) harmonization initiative was launched in 2006 to focus on collaboration between Australia, China, Europe and North America. Given the long history of standards and labelingmore » programs, most major energy-consuming residential appliances and commercial equipment are already covered under minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) and/or energy labels. For these products, such as clothes washers and CFLs, harmonization may still be possible when national MEPS or labeling thresholds are revised. Greater opportunity for harmonization exists in newer energy-consuming products that are not commonly regulated but are under consideration for new standards and labeling programs. This may include commercial products such as water dispensers and vending machines, which are only covered by MEPS or energy labels in a few countries or regions. As China continues to expand its appliance standards and labeling programs and revise existing standards and labels, it is important to learn from recent international experiences with efficiency criteria and test procedures for the same products. Specifically, various types of standards and labeling programs already exist in North America, Europe and throughout Asia for products in China's 2010 standards and labeling programs, namely clothes washers, water dispensers, vending machines and CFLs. This report thus examines similarities and critical differences in energy efficiency values, test procedure specifications and other technical performance requirements in existing international programs in order to shed light on where Chinese programs currently stands and considerations for their 2010 programs.« less

Selection Criteria for Patients With Chronic Ankle Instability in Controlled Research: A Position Statement of the International Ankle Consortium

PubMed Central

Gribble, Phillip A.; Delahunt, Eamonn; Bleakley, Christopher M.; Caulfield, Brian; Docherty, Carrie L.; Fong, Daniel Tik-Pui; Fourchet, François; Hertel, Jay; Hiller, Claire E.; Kaminski, Thomas W.; McKeon, Patrick O.; Refshauge, Kathryn M.; van der Wees, Philip; Vicenzino, William; Wikstrom, Erik A.

2014-01-01

ABSTRACT While research on chronic ankle instability (CAI) and awareness of its impact on society and health care systems has grown substantially in the last 2 decades, the inconsistency in participant or patient selection criteria across studies presents a potential obstacle to addressing the problem properly. This major gap within the literature limits the ability to generalize this evidence to the target patient population. Therefore, there is a need to provide standards for patient or participant selection criteria in research focused on CAI with justifications using the best available evidence. The International Ankle Consortium provides this position paper to present and discuss an endorsed set of selection criteria for patients with CAI based on the best available evidence to be used in future research and study designs. These recommendations will enhance the validity of research conducted in this clinical population with the end goal of bringing the research evidence to the clinician and patient. PMID:24377963

A Repository of Codes of Ethics and Technical Standards in Health Informatics

PubMed Central

Zaïane, Osmar R.

2014-01-01

We present a searchable repository of codes of ethics and standards in health informatics. It is built using state-of-the-art search algorithms and technologies. The repository will be potentially beneficial for public health practitioners, researchers, and software developers in finding and comparing ethics topics of interest. Public health clinics, clinicians, and researchers can use the repository platform as a one-stop reference for various ethics codes and standards. In addition, the repository interface is built for easy navigation, fast search, and side-by-side comparative reading of documents. Our selection criteria for codes and standards are two-fold; firstly, to maintain intellectual property rights, we index only codes and standards freely available on the internet. Secondly, major international, regional, and national health informatics bodies across the globe are surveyed with the aim of understanding the landscape in this domain. We also look at prevalent technical standards in health informatics from major bodies such as the International Standards Organization (ISO) and the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Our repository contains codes of ethics from the International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA), the iHealth Coalition (iHC), the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), the Australasian College of Health Informatics (ACHI), the British Computer Society (BCS), and the UK Council for Health Informatics Professions (UKCHIP), with room for adding more in the future. Our major contribution is enhancing the findability of codes and standards related to health informatics ethics by compilation and unified access through the health informatics ethics repository. PMID:25422725

International standards for newborn weight, length, and head circumference by gestational age and sex: the Newborn Cross-Sectional Study of the INTERGROWTH-21st Project.

PubMed

Villar, José; Cheikh Ismail, Leila; Victora, Cesar G; Ohuma, Eric O; Bertino, Enrico; Altman, Doug G; Lambert, Ann; Papageorghiou, Aris T; Carvalho, Maria; Jaffer, Yasmin A; Gravett, Michael G; Purwar, Manorama; Frederick, Ihunnaya O; Noble, Alison J; Pang, Ruyan; Barros, Fernando C; Chumlea, Cameron; Bhutta, Zulfiqar A; Kennedy, Stephen H

2014-09-06

In 2006, WHO published international growth standards for children younger than 5 years, which are now accepted worldwide. In the INTERGROWTH-21(st) Project, our aim was to complement them by developing international standards for fetuses, newborn infants, and the postnatal growth period of preterm infants. INTERGROWTH-21(st) is a population-based project that assessed fetal growth and newborn size in eight geographically defined urban populations. These groups were selected because most of the health and nutrition needs of mothers were met, adequate antenatal care was provided, and there were no major environmental constraints on growth. As part of the Newborn Cross-Sectional Study (NCSS), a component of INTERGROWTH-21(st) Project, we measured weight, length, and head circumference in all newborn infants, in addition to collecting data prospectively for pregnancy and the perinatal period. To construct the newborn standards, we selected all pregnancies in women meeting (in addition to the underlying population characteristics) strict individual eligibility criteria for a population at low risk of impaired fetal growth (labelled the NCSS prescriptive subpopulation). Women had a reliable ultrasound estimate of gestational age using crown-rump length before 14 weeks of gestation or biparietal diameter if antenatal care started between 14 weeks and 24 weeks or less of gestation. Newborn anthropometric measures were obtained within 12 h of birth by identically trained anthropometric teams using the same equipment at all sites. Fractional polynomials assuming a skewed t distribution were used to estimate the fitted centiles. We identified 20,486 (35%) eligible women from the 59,137 pregnant women enrolled in NCSS between May 14, 2009, and Aug 2, 2013. We calculated sex-specific observed and smoothed centiles for weight, length, and head circumference for gestational age at birth. The observed and smoothed centiles were almost identical. We present the 3rd, 10th, 50th, 90th, and 97th centile curves according to gestational age and sex. We have developed, for routine clinical practice, international anthropometric standards to assess newborn size that are intended to complement the WHO Child Growth Standards and allow comparisons across multiethnic populations. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Establishing the 1st Chinese National Standard for inactivated hepatitis A vaccine.

PubMed

Gao, Fan; Mao, Qun-Ying; Wang, Yi-Ping; Chen, Pan; Liang, Zheng-Lun

2016-07-01

A reference standard calibrated in the International Units is needed for the quality control of hepatitis A vaccine. Thus, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control launched a project to establish a non-adsorbed inactivated hepatitis A vaccine reference as the working standard calibrated against the 1st International Standard (IS). Two national standard candidates (NSCs) were obtained from two manufacturers, and designated as NSC A (lyophilized form) and NSC B (liquid form). Six laboratories participated in the collaborative study and were asked to use their in-house validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods to detect hepatitis A vaccine antigen content. Although both exhibited good parallelism and linear relationship with IS, NSC B showed a better agreement among laboratories than NSC A. And based on suitability of the candidates, NSC B was selected. The accelerated degradation study showed that NSC B was stable at the storage temperature (≤-70 °C). Therefore NSC B was approved as the first Chinese national antigen standard for inactivated hepatitis A vaccine, with an assigned antigen content of 70 IU/ml. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Medical students' perceptions of international accreditation.

PubMed

Ibrahim, Halah; Abdel-Razig, Sawsan; Nair, Satish C

2015-10-11

This study aimed to explore the perceptions of medical students in a developing medical education system towards international accreditation. Applicants to an Internal Medicine residency program in an academic medical center in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-International (ACGME-I) were surveyed between May and June 2014. The authors analysed responses using inductive qualitative thematic analysis to identify emergent themes. Seventy-eight of 96 applicants (81%) completed the survey. The vast majority of respondents 74 (95%) reported that ACGME-I accreditation was an important factor in selecting a residency program. Five major themes were identified, namely improving the quality of education, increasing opportunities, meeting high international standards, improving program structure, and improving patient care. Seven (10%) of respondents felt they would be in a position to pursue fellowship training or future employment in the United States upon graduation from an ACGME-I program. UAE trainees have an overwhelmingly positive perception of international accreditation, with an emphasis on improving the quality of training provided. Misperceptions, however, exist about potential opportunities available to graduates of ACGME-I programs. As more countries adopt the standards of the ACGME-I or other international accrediting bodies, it is important to recognize and foster trainee "buy-in" of educational reform initiatives.

Medical students’ perceptions of international accreditation

PubMed Central

Abdel-Razig, Sawsan; Nair, Satish C

2015-01-01

Objectives This study aimed to explore the perceptions of medical students in a developing medical education system towards international accreditation. Methods Applicants to an Internal Medicine residency program in an academic medical center in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-International (ACGME-I) were surveyed between May and June 2014. The authors analysed responses using inductive qualitative thematic analysis to identify emergent themes. Results Seventy-eight of 96 applicants (81%) completed the survey. The vast majority of respondents 74 (95%) reported that ACGME-I accreditation was an important factor in selecting a residency program. Five major themes were identified, namely improving the quality of education, increasing opportunities, meeting high international standards, improving program structure, and improving patient care. Seven (10%) of respondents felt they would be in a position to pursue fellowship training or future employment in the United States upon graduation from an ACGME-I program. Conclusions UAE trainees have an overwhelmingly positive perception of international accreditation, with an emphasis on improving the quality of training provided. Misperceptions, however, exist about potential opportunities available to graduates of ACGME-I programs. As more countries adopt the standards of the ACGME-I or other international accrediting bodies, it is important to recognize and foster trainee “buy-in” of educational reform initiatives. PMID:26454402

Standardization of haematology critical results management in adults: an International Council for Standardization in Haematology, ICSH, survey and recommendations.

PubMed

Keng, T B; De La Salle, B; Bourner, G; Merino, A; Han, J-Y; Kawai, Y; Peng, M T; McCafferty, R

2016-10-01

These recommendations are intended to develop a consensus in the previously published papers as to which parameters and what values should be considered critical. A practical guide on the standardization of critical results management in haematology laboratories would be beneficial as part of good laboratory and clinical practice and for use by laboratory-accrediting agencies. A working group with members from Europe, America, Australasia and Asia was formed by International Council for Standardization in Haematology. A pattern of practice survey of 21 questions was distributed in 2014, and the data were collected electronically by Survey Monkey. The mode, or most commonly occurring value, was selected as the threshold for the upper and lower alert limits for critical results reporting. A total of 666 laboratories submitted data to this study and, of these, 499 submitted complete responses. Full blood count critical results alert thresholds, morphology findings that trigger critical result notification, critical results alert list, notification process and maintenance of critical results management protocol are described. This international survey provided a snapshot of the current practice worldwide and has identified the existence of considerable heterogeneity of critical results management. The recommendations in this study represent a consensus of good laboratory practice. They are intended to encourage the implementation of a standardized critical results management protocol in the laboratory. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

A selective and sensitive method for quantitation of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in whole blood by gas chromatography-ion trap tandem mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Libong, Danielle; Bouchonnet, Stéphane; Ricordel, Ivan

2003-01-01

A gas chromatography-ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (GC-ion trap MS-MS) method for detection and quantitation of LSD in whole blood is presented. The sample preparation process, including a solid-phase extraction step with Bond Elut cartridges, was performed with 2 mL of whole blood. Eight microliters of the purified extract was injected with a cold on-column injection method. Positive chemical ionization was performed using acetonitrile as reagent gas; LSD was detected in the MS-MS mode. The chromatograms obtained from blood extracts showed the great selectivity of the method. GC-MS quantitation was performed using lysergic acid methylpropylamide as the internal standard. The response of the MS was linear for concentrations ranging from 0.02 ng/mL (detection threshold) to 10.0 ng/mL. Several parameters such as the choice of the capillary column, the choice of the internal standard and that of the ionization mode (positive CI vs. EI) were rationalized. Decomposition pathways under both ionization modes were studied. Within-day and between-day stability were evaluated.

Edesign: Primer and Enhanced Internal Probe Design Tool for Quantitative PCR Experiments and Genotyping Assays.

PubMed

Kimura, Yasumasa; Soma, Takahiro; Kasahara, Naoko; Delobel, Diane; Hanami, Takeshi; Tanaka, Yuki; de Hoon, Michiel J L; Hayashizaki, Yoshihide; Usui, Kengo; Harbers, Matthias

2016-01-01

Analytical PCR experiments preferably use internal probes for monitoring the amplification reaction and specific detection of the amplicon. Such internal probes have to be designed in close context with the amplification primers, and may require additional considerations for the detection of genetic variations. Here we describe Edesign, a new online and stand-alone tool for designing sets of PCR primers together with an internal probe for conducting quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and genotypic experiments. Edesign can be used for selecting standard DNA oligonucleotides like for instance TaqMan probes, but has been further extended with new functions and enhanced design features for Eprobes. Eprobes, with their single thiazole orange-labelled nucleotide, allow for highly sensitive genotypic assays because of their higher DNA binding affinity as compared to standard DNA oligonucleotides. Using new thermodynamic parameters, Edesign considers unique features of Eprobes during primer and probe design for establishing qPCR experiments and genotyping by melting curve analysis. Additional functions in Edesign allow probe design for effective discrimination between wild-type sequences and genetic variations either using standard DNA oligonucleotides or Eprobes. Edesign can be freely accessed online at http://www.dnaform.com/edesign2/, and the source code is available for download.

Edesign: Primer and Enhanced Internal Probe Design Tool for Quantitative PCR Experiments and Genotyping Assays

PubMed Central

Kasahara, Naoko; Delobel, Diane; Hanami, Takeshi; Tanaka, Yuki; de Hoon, Michiel J. L.; Hayashizaki, Yoshihide; Usui, Kengo; Harbers, Matthias

2016-01-01

Analytical PCR experiments preferably use internal probes for monitoring the amplification reaction and specific detection of the amplicon. Such internal probes have to be designed in close context with the amplification primers, and may require additional considerations for the detection of genetic variations. Here we describe Edesign, a new online and stand-alone tool for designing sets of PCR primers together with an internal probe for conducting quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and genotypic experiments. Edesign can be used for selecting standard DNA oligonucleotides like for instance TaqMan probes, but has been further extended with new functions and enhanced design features for Eprobes. Eprobes, with their single thiazole orange-labelled nucleotide, allow for highly sensitive genotypic assays because of their higher DNA binding affinity as compared to standard DNA oligonucleotides. Using new thermodynamic parameters, Edesign considers unique features of Eprobes during primer and probe design for establishing qPCR experiments and genotyping by melting curve analysis. Additional functions in Edesign allow probe design for effective discrimination between wild-type sequences and genetic variations either using standard DNA oligonucleotides or Eprobes. Edesign can be freely accessed online at http://www.dnaform.com/edesign2/, and the source code is available for download. PMID:26863543

Extended pancreatectomy as defined by the ISGPS: useful in selected cases of pancreatic cancer but invaluable in other complex pancreatic tumors.

PubMed

Mitra, Abhishek; Pai, Esha; Dusane, Rohit; Ranganathan, Priya; DeSouza, Ashwin; Goel, Mahesh; Shrikhande, Shailesh V

2018-03-01

Extended pancreatectomy aimed at R0 resection of pancreatic tumors with adjacent vessel and organ involvement may be the only option for cure. This study was done with an objective to analyze the short- and long-term outcomes of extended pancreatic resections. All pancreatectomies performed between 2006 and 2015 were included. The pancreatectomies were classified as standard or extended, as per the International Study Group for Pancreatic Surgery. All surgical complications and terminologies were according to Clavien-Dindo classification and International Study Group for Pancreatic Surgery guidelines. Morbidity and mortality were primary outcomes and disease-free survival was a secondary outcome. Sixty-three extended and 620 standard pancreatectomies were performed. Major morbidity (Clavien grades III, IV and V) (37 vs. 29%, p = 0.21) and mortality (6 vs. 4%, p = 0.3) for extended pancreatectomies were comparable to those for standard pancreatectomies. Blood loss > 855 ml, need for blood transfusion, and tumor size were independent risk factors for morbidity, and the latter two for mortality. Standard pancreatectomies were associated with better 3-year disease-free survival than extended pancreatectomies (67 vs. 41%, p < 0.001). Extended pancreatectomies resulted in a significantly better median disease-free survival for non-pancreatic adenocarcinoma vs. pancreatic adenocarcinoma (33.3 vs. 9.5 months, p = 0.01). Extended pancreatectomies resulted in similar peri-operative morbidity and mortality compared to standard pancreatectomies. Although the survival of patients undergoing these complex procedures is inferior to standard pancreatectomies, they should be undertaken not only in selected cases of pancreatic cancer but even more so in other complex pancreatic tumors.

Onboard Hydrogen/Helium Sensors in Support of the Global Technical Regulation: An Assessment of Performance in Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Crash Tests

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

Post, M. B.; Burgess, R.; Rivkin, C.

2012-09-01

Automobile manufacturers in North America, Europe, and Asia project a 2015 release of commercial hydrogen fuel cell powered light-duty road vehicles. These vehicles will be for general consumer applications, albeit initially in select markets but with much broader market penetration expected by 2025. To assure international harmony, North American, European, and Asian regulatory representatives are striving to base respective national regulations on an international safety standard, the Global Technical Regulation (GTR), Hydrogen Fueled Vehicle, which is part of an international agreement pertaining to wheeled vehicles and equipment for wheeled vehicles.

Reconsideration of the WHO NCTB Strategy and Test Selection

PubMed Central

Anger, W. Kent

2014-01-01

The World Health Organization-recommended Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery (NCTB) became the international standard for identifying adverse human behavioral effects due to neurotoxic chemical exposure when it was first proposed in 1983. Since then the WHO NCTB has been repeatedly cited as the basis for test selection in human neurotoxicology research. A Discussion Group was held before the International Symposium on Neurobehavioral Methods and effects in Occupational and Environmental Health to review the NCTB and reconsider it’s tests. The workshop made three consensus recommendations to the International Congress on Occupational Health (ICOH) Scientific Committee on Neurotoxicology and Psychophysiology (SCNP): a ‘screening’ battery of broadly sensitive tests is needed as guidance to the field of human neurotoxicologythe SCNP should convene a panel to reconsider the functions measured and the tests in the WHO NCTBThree disciplines should be represented in the panel recommending a revised NCTB: Neuropsychology; Experimental Psychology; Neurology This recommendation will be pursued at the next meeting of the International Congress on Occupational Health (ICOH) Scientific Committee on Neurotoxicology and Psychophysiology (SCNP). PMID:25172409

Software for improving the quality of project management, a case study: international manufacture of electrical equipment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Preradović, D. M.; Mićić, Lj S.; Barz, C.

2017-05-01

Production conditions in today’s world require software support at every stage of production and development of new products, for quality assurance and compliance with ISO standards. In addition to ISO standards such as usual metrics of quality, companies today are focused on other optional standards, such as CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integrated) or prescribing they own standards. However, while there is intensive progress being made in the PM (project management), there is still a significant number of projects, at the global level, that are failures. These have failed to achieve their goals, within budget or timeframe. This paper focuses on checking the role of software tools through the rate of success in projects implemented in the case of internationally manufactured electrical equipment. The results of this research show the level of contribution of the project management software used to manage and develop new products to improve PM processes and PM functions, and how selection of the software tools affects the quality of PM processes and successfully completed projects.

The International Reference Ionosphere: Rawer's IRI and its status today

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bilitza, D.

2014-11-01

When the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) initiated the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) project in 1968 it wisely selected K. Rawer as its first Chairperson. With a solid footing and good contacts in both the ground-based and space-based ionospheric communities he was ideally suited to pull together colleagues and data from both communities to help build the first version of the IRI. He assembled a team of 20+ international ionospheric experts in the IRI Working Group and chaired and directed the group from 1968 to 1984. The working group has now grown to 63 members and the IRI model has undergone many revisions as new data became available and new modeling techniques were applied. This paper was presented during a special session of the Kleinheubach Tagung 2013 in honor of K. Rawer's 100th birthday. It will review the current status of the IRI model and project and the international recognition it has achieved. It is quite fitting that this year we not only celebrate K. Rawer's 100th birthday but also the exciting news that his favorite science endeavor, IRI, has been internationally recognized as an ISO (International Standardization Organization) standard. The IRI homepage is at http://irimodel.org.

Evaluation and selection of internal reference genes from two- and six-row U.S. malting barley varieties throughout micromalting for use in RT-qPCR

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Reverse Transcription quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) is a popular method for measuring transcript abundance. The most commonly used method of interpretation is relative quantification and thus necessitates the use of normalization controls (i.e. reference genes) to standardize tran...

International Energy Annual, 1992

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

Not Available

1994-01-14

This report is prepared annually and presents the latest information and trends on world energy production and consumption for petroleum, natural gas, coal, and electricity. Trade and reserves are shown for petroleum, natural gas, and coal. Prices are included for selected petroleum products. Production and consumption data are reported in standard units as well as British thermal units (Btu) and joules.

Effective Learning Systems through Blended Teaching Modules in Adult Secondary Education Systems in Developing Nations: Need for Partnership

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ike, Eucharia; Okechukwu, Ibeh Bartholomew

2015-01-01

We investigated methodological lessons in randomly selected adult secondary schools to construct a case for international partnership while examining education development in Nigeria. Standard database and web-based searches were conducted for publications between 1985 and 2012 on learning systems. This paper presents its absence and finds a heavy…

International estimated fetal weight standards of the INTERGROWTH-21st Project.

PubMed

Stirnemann, J; Villar, J; Salomon, L J; Ohuma, E; Ruyan, P; Altman, D G; Nosten, F; Craik, R; Munim, S; Cheikh Ismail, L; Barros, F C; Lambert, A; Norris, S; Carvalho, M; Jaffer, Y A; Noble, J A; Bertino, E; Gravett, M G; Purwar, M; Victora, C G; Uauy, R; Bhutta, Z; Kennedy, S; Papageorghiou, A T

2017-04-01

Estimated fetal weight (EFW) and fetal biometry are complementary measures used to screen for fetal growth disturbances. Our aim was to provide international EFW standards to complement the INTERGROWTH-21 st Fetal Growth Standards that are available for use worldwide. Women with an accurate gestational-age assessment, who were enrolled in the prospective, international, multicenter, population-based Fetal Growth Longitudinal Study (FGLS) and INTERBIO-21 st Fetal Study (FS), two components of the INTERGROWTH-21 st Project, had ultrasound scans every 5 weeks from 9-14 weeks' until 40 weeks' gestation. At each visit, measurements of fetal head circumference (HC), biparietal diameter, occipitofrontal diameter, abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL) were obtained blindly by dedicated research sonographers using standardized methods and identical ultrasound machines. Birth weight was measured within 12 h of delivery by dedicated research anthropometrists using standardized methods and identical electronic scales. Live babies without any congenital abnormality, who were born within 14 days of the last ultrasound scan, were selected for inclusion. As most births occurred at around 40 weeks' gestation, we constructed a bootstrap model selection and estimation procedure based on resampling of the complete dataset under an approximately uniform distribution of birth weight, thus enriching the sample size at extremes of fetal sizes, to achieve consistent estimates across the full range of fetal weight. We constructed reference centiles using second-degree fractional polynomial models. Of the overall population, 2404 babies were born within 14 days of the last ultrasound scan. Mean time between the last scan and birth was 7.7 (range, 0-14) days and was uniformly distributed. Birth weight was best estimated as a function of AC and HC (without FL) as log(EFW) = 5.084820 - 54.06633 × (AC/100) 3  - 95.80076 × (AC/100) 3  × log(AC/100) + 3.136370 × (HC/100), where EFW is in g and AC and HC are in cm. All other measures, gestational age, symphysis-fundus height, amniotic fluid indices and interactions between biometric measures and gestational age, were not retained in the selection process because they did not improve the prediction of EFW. Applying the formula to FGLS biometric data (n = 4231) enabled gestational age-specific EFW tables to be constructed. At term, the EFW centiles matched those of the INTERGROWTH-21 st Newborn Size Standards but, at < 37 weeks' gestation, the EFW centiles were, as expected, higher than those of babies born preterm. Comparing EFW cross-sectional values with the INTERGROWTH-21 st Preterm Postnatal Growth Standards confirmed that preterm postnatal growth is a different biological process from intrauterine growth. We provide an assessment of EFW, as an adjunct to routine ultrasound biometry, from 22 to 40 weeks' gestation. However, we strongly encourage clinicians to evaluate fetal growth using separate biometric measures such as HC and AC, as well as EFW, to avoid the minimalist approach of focusing on a single value. © 2016 Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. © 2016 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Implementing the INTERGROWTH-21st fetal growth standards in France: a 'flash study' of the College Français d'Echographie Foetale (CFEF).

PubMed

Stirnemann, J J; Fries, N; Bessis, R; Fontanges, M; Mangione, R; Salomon, L J

2017-04-01

To assess potential differences in fetal size between the French population and the international population from the INTERGROWTH-21 st (IG-21 st ) Project and to measure the impact of switching to the IG-21 st reference standards for fetal size. This was a nationwide cross-sectional study of fetal ultrasound biometry. Low-risk singleton pregnancies were recruited prospectively within the network of the national French College of Fetal Ultrasound, CFEF, over a 6-week period. Further selection was performed based on the criteria of the IG-21 st Project in order to obtain a comparable population. Head circumference (HC) was used as the main fat-free skeletal measure of growth for comparison of French fetal size with that of the IG-21 st population. The impact of switching to the IG-21 st fetal growth standards was quantified by comparing Z-scores calculated using the IG-21 st standards with those calculated using locally derived reference ranges for HC, abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL). Following selection, 4858 cases were analyzed. The distribution of HC demonstrated clear similarity between our French population and the IG-21 st population: our observed centile curves closely matched those of IG-21 st and the Z-scores were close to 0 across gestational age. The IG-21 st standards performed as well as did locally derived charts in terms of screening for small-for-gestational age by AC, while they identified significantly fewer small FL values than were expected and than did the locally derived charts. Under strict selection criteria, fetal size in France is similar to that of the international population used in the IG-21 st Project. The discrepancies in FL are unlikely to impact on prenatal management. Therefore, switching from locally derived reference ranges to the IG-21 st standards appears to be a safe option. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The Value of Data and Metadata Standardization for Interoperability in Giovanni Or: Why Your Product's Metadata Causes Us Headaches!

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smit, Christine; Hegde, Mahabaleshwara; Strub, Richard; Bryant, Keith; Li, Angela; Petrenko, Maksym

2017-01-01

Giovanni is a data exploration and visualization tool at the NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data Information Services Center (GES DISC). It has been around in one form or another for more than 15 years. Giovanni calculates simple statistics and produces 22 different visualizations for more than 1600 geophysical parameters from more than 90 satellite and model products. Giovanni relies on external data format standards to ensure interoperability, including the NetCDF CF Metadata Conventions. Unfortunately, these standards were insufficient to make Giovanni's internal data representation truly simple to use. Finding and working with dimensions can be convoluted with the CF Conventions. Furthermore, the CF Conventions are silent on machine-friendly descriptive metadata such as the parameter's source product and product version. In order to simplify analyzing disparate earth science data parameters in a unified way, we developed Giovanni's internal standard. First, the format standardizes parameter dimensions and variables so they can be easily found. Second, the format adds all the machine-friendly metadata Giovanni needs to present our parameters to users in a consistent and clear manner. At a glance, users can grasp all the pertinent information about parameters both during parameter selection and after visualization.

Quantitative determination and validation of octreotide acetate using 1 H-NMR spectroscopy with internal standard method.

PubMed

Yu, Chen; Zhang, Qian; Xu, Peng-Yao; Bai, Yin; Shen, Wen-Bin; Di, Bin; Su, Meng-Xiang

2018-01-01

Quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR) is a well-established technique in quantitative analysis. We presented a validated 1 H-qNMR method for assay of octreotide acetate, a kind of cyclic octopeptide. Deuterium oxide was used to remove the undesired exchangeable peaks, which was referred to as proton exchange, in order to make the quantitative signals isolated in the crowded spectrum of the peptide and ensure precise quantitative analysis. Gemcitabine hydrochloride was chosen as the suitable internal standard. Experimental conditions, including relaxation delay time, the numbers of scans, and pulse angle, were optimized first. Then method validation was carried out in terms of selectivity, stability, linearity, precision, and robustness. The assay result was compared with that by means of high performance liquid chromatography, which is provided by Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The statistical F test, Student's t test, and nonparametric test at 95% confidence level indicate that there was no significant difference between these two methods. qNMR is a simple and accurate quantitative tool with no need for specific corresponding reference standards. It has the potential of the quantitative analysis of other peptide drugs and standardization of the corresponding reference standards. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

FAST TRACK PAPER: A construct of internal multiples from surface data only: the concept of virtual seismic events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ikelle, Luc T.

2006-02-01

We here describe one way of constructing internal multiples from surface seismic data only. The key feature of our construct of internal multiples is the introduction of the concept of virtual seismic events. Virtual events here are events, which are not directly recorded in standard seismic data acquisition, but their existence allows us to construct internal multiples with scattering points at the sea surface; the standard construct of internal multiples does not include any scattering points at the sea surface. The mathematical and computational operations invoked in our construction of virtual events and internal multiples are similar to those encountered in the construction of free-surface multiples based on the Kirchhoff or Born scattering theory. For instance, our construct operates on one temporal frequency at a time, just like free-surface demultiple algorithms; other internal multiple constructs tend to require all frequencies for the computation of an internal multiple at a given frequency. It does not require any knowledge of the subsurface nor an explicit knowledge of specific interfaces that are responsible for the generation of internal multiples in seismic data. However, our construct requires that the data be divided into two, three or four windows to avoid generating primaries. This segmentation of the data also allows us to select a range of periods of internal multiples that one wishes to construct because, in the context of the attenuation of internal multiples, it is important to avoid generating short-period internal multiples that may constructively average to form primaries at the seismic scale.

Guidelines for the standardization of preanalytic variables for blood-based biomarker studies in Alzheimer’s disease research

PubMed Central

Gupta, Veer; Henriksen, Kim; Edwards, Melissa; Jeromin, Andreas; Lista, Simone; Bazenet, Chantal; Soares, Holly; Lovestone, Simon; Hampel, Harald; Montine, Thomas; Blennow, Kaj; Foroud, Tatiana; Carrillo, Maria; Graff-Radford, Neill; Laske, Christoph; Breteler, Monique; Shaw, Leslie; Trojanowski, John Q.; Schupf, Nicole; Rissman, Robert A.; Fagan, Anne M.; Oberoi, Pankaj; Umek, Robert; Weiner, Michael W.; Grammas, Paula; Posner, Holly; Martins, Ralph

2015-01-01

The lack of readily available biomarkers is a significant hindrance towards progressing to effective therapeutic and preventative strategies for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Blood-based biomarkers have potential to overcome access and cost barriers and greatly facilitate advanced neuroimaging and cerebrospinal fluid biomarker approaches. Despite the fact that preanalytical processing is the largest source of variability in laboratory testing, there are no currently available standardized preanalytical guidelines. The current international working group provides the initial starting point for such guidelines for standardized operating procedures (SOPs). It is anticipated that these guidelines will be updated as additional research findings become available. The statement provides (1) a synopsis of selected preanalytical methods utilized in many international AD cohort studies, (2) initial draft guidelines/SOPs for preanalytical methods, and (3) a list of required methodological information and protocols to be made available for publications in the field in order to foster cross-validation across cohorts and laboratories. PMID:25282381

International short-term medical missions: a systematic review of recommended practices.

PubMed

Roche, Stephanie D; Ketheeswaran, Pavinarmatha; Wirtz, Veronika J

2017-01-01

To identify practices for conducting international short-term medical missions (STMMs) recommended in the literature and examine how these link STMMs to recipient countries' existing health systems. Systematic review of PubMed-indexed articles on STMMs and their bibliographies using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. Recommendations were organized using the World Health Organization Health Systems Framework. In 92 publications, 67 % offered at least one recommendation that would link STMMs to the recipient country's health system. Among these recommendations, most focused on service delivery and few on health financing and governance. There is a lack of consensus around a proper standard of care, patient selection, and trip duration. Comprehensive global standards are needed for STMM work to ensure that services are beneficial both to patients and to the broader healthcare systems of recipient countries. By providing an overview of the current recommendations and important gaps where practice recommendations are needed, this study can provide relevant input into the development of global standards for STMMs.

Use of standards in papers published in dental journals.

PubMed

Bona, Alvaro Della; Bello, Yuri Dal; Sartoretto, Suelen C

2012-01-01

This study evaluated the use de standards in papers published in Brazilian and international dental journals. Papers published from January 2006 to December 2010 in the following journals were examined: Brazilian Dental Journal (BDJ), Brazilian Oral Research (BOR), Journal of Applied Oral Sciences (JAOS), Journal of Dental Research (JDR) and Dental Materials (DM). In addition to the title and type of study, issue, volume and year of publication, the following information was recorded from each paper: identification of any standard reported in the study; in case of no reported standard, indication if a standard could be used in the study. A total of 3,046 papers were examined, being 937 from DM, 936 from JDR, 489 from JAOS, 348 from BDJ, and 336 from BOR. Considering the papers that could use some standard, DM showed the highest percentage (24.9%) of reporting standards/paper, followed by JAOS (10.3%), BOR (10.1%), BDJ (6.3%) and JDR (2.4%), meaning for example that, from 936 papers examined from the JDR, 623 could use some standard but only 15 papers reported them. From all papers examined, 309 (10.1%) reported using some standard. The ISO standards were mostly reported (57.8%), followed by ASTM standards (23.7%) and 74 (18.5%) standards from other international organizations (e.g. ADA and CIE). Despite of the high impact factors of the selected dental journals, their published papers could use standards more often. This study should assist journal editors to encourage authors to consult and refer to available standards to support the scientific papers.

Selection criteria for patients with chronic ankle instability in controlled research: a position statement of the International Ankle Consortium.

PubMed

Gribble, Phillip A; Delahunt, Eamonn; Bleakley, Chris; Caulfield, Brian; Docherty, Carrie; Fourchet, François; Fong, Daniel Tik-Pui; Hertel, Jay; Hiller, Claire; Kaminski, Thomas; McKeon, Patrick; Refshauge, Kathryn; van der Wees, Philip; Vincenzino, Bill; Wikstrom, Erik

2014-07-01

While research on chronic ankle instability (CAI) and awareness of its impact on society and health care systems has grown substantially in the last 2 decades, the inconsistency in participant/patient selection criteria across studies presents a potential obstacle to addressing the problem properly. This major gap within the literature limits the ability to generalise this evidence to the target patient population. Therefore, there is a need to provide standards for patient/participant selection criteria in research focused on CAI with justifications using the best available evidence. The International Ankle Consortium provides this position paper to present and discuss an endorsed set of selection criteria for patients with CAI based on the best available evidence to be used in future research and study designs. These recommendations will enhance the validity of research conducted in this clinical population with the end goal of bringing the research evidence to the clinician and patient. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Development (design and systematization) of HMS Group pump ranges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tverdokhleb, I.; Yamburenko, V.

2017-08-01

The article reveals the need for pump range charts development for different applications and describes main principles used by HMS Group. Some modern approaches to pump selection are reviewed and highlighted the need for pump compliance with international standards and modern customer requirements. Even though pump design types are similar for different applications they need adjustment to specific requirements, which gets manufacturers develop their particular design for each pump range. Having wide pump ranges for different applications enables to create pump selection software, facilitating manufacturers to prepare high quality quotations in shortest time.

Nontargeted quantitation of lipid classes using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry with single internal standard and response factor approach.

PubMed

Cífková, Eva; Holčapek, Michal; Lísa, Miroslav; Ovčačíková, Magdaléna; Lyčka, Antonín; Lynen, Frédéric; Sandra, Pat

2012-11-20

The identification and quantitation of a wide range of lipids in complex biological samples is an essential requirement for the lipidomic studies. High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) has the highest potential to obtain detailed information on the whole lipidome, but the reliable quantitation of multiple lipid classes is still a challenging task. In this work, we describe a new method for the nontargeted quantitation of polar lipid classes separated by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) followed by positive-ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) using a single internal lipid standard to which all class specific response factors (RFs) are related to. The developed method enables the nontargeted quantitation of lipid classes and molecules inside these classes in contrast to the conventional targeted quantitation, which is based on predefined selected reaction monitoring (SRM) transitions for selected lipids only. In the nontargeted quantitation method described here, concentrations of lipid classes are obtained by the peak integration in HILIC chromatograms multiplied by their RFs related to the single internal standard (i.e., sphingosyl PE, d17:1/12:0) used as common reference for all polar lipid classes. The accuracy, reproducibility and robustness of the method have been checked by various means: (1) the comparison with conventional lipidomic quantitation using SRM scans on a triple quadrupole (QqQ) mass analyzer, (2) (31)P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) quantitation of the total lipid extract, (3) method robustness test using subsequent measurements by three different persons, (4) method transfer to different HPLC/MS systems using different chromatographic conditions, and (5) comparison with previously published results for identical samples, especially human reference plasma from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST human plasma). Results on human plasma, egg yolk and porcine liver extracts are presented and discussed.

Evaluation of aluminum ultralight rigid wheelchairs versus other ultralight wheelchairs using ANSI/RESNA standards.

PubMed

Liu, Hsin-yi; Pearlman, Jonathan; Cooper, Rosemarie; Hong, Eun-kyoung; Wang, Hongwu; Salatin, Benjamin; Cooper, Rory A

2010-01-01

Previous studies found that select titanium ultralight rigid wheelchairs (TURWs) had fewer equivalent cycles and less value than select aluminum ultralight folding wheelchairs (AUFWs). The causes of premature failure of TURWs were not clear because the TURWs had different frame material and design than the AUFWs. We tested 12 aluminum ultralight rigid wheelchairs (AURWs) with similar frame designs and dimensions as the TURWs using the American National Standards Institute/Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America and International Organization for Standardization wheelchair standards and hypothesized that the AURWs would be more durable than the TURWs. Across wheelchair models, no significant differences were found in the test results between the AURWs and TURWs, except in their overall length. Tire pressure, tube-wall thickness, and tube manufacturing were proposed to be the factors affecting wheelchair durability through comparison of the failure modes, frames, and components. The frame material did not directly affect the performance of AURWs and TURWs, but proper wheelchair manufacture and design based on mechanical properties are important.

25 CFR 542.23 - What are the minimum internal control standards for surveillance for Tier A gaming operations?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... trained in the use of the equipment, knowledge of the games, and house rules. (f) Each camera required by... device, the game board, and the activities of the employees responsible for drawing, calling, and entering the balls drawn or numbers selected. (j) Card games. The surveillance system shall record the...

25 CFR 542.23 - What are the minimum internal control standards for surveillance for Tier A gaming operations?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... trained in the use of the equipment, knowledge of the games, and house rules. (f) Each camera required by... device, the game board, and the activities of the employees responsible for drawing, calling, and entering the balls drawn or numbers selected. (j) Card games. The surveillance system shall record the...

25 CFR 542.23 - What are the minimum internal control standards for surveillance for Tier A gaming operations?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... trained in the use of the equipment, knowledge of the games, and house rules. (f) Each camera required by... device, the game board, and the activities of the employees responsible for drawing, calling, and entering the balls drawn or numbers selected. (j) Card games. The surveillance system shall record the...

25 CFR 542.23 - What are the minimum internal control standards for surveillance for Tier A gaming operations?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... trained in the use of the equipment, knowledge of the games, and house rules. (f) Each camera required by... device, the game board, and the activities of the employees responsible for drawing, calling, and entering the balls drawn or numbers selected. (j) Card games. The surveillance system shall record the...

25 CFR 542.23 - What are the minimum internal control standards for surveillance for Tier A gaming operations?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... trained in the use of the equipment, knowledge of the games, and house rules. (f) Each camera required by... device, the game board, and the activities of the employees responsible for drawing, calling, and entering the balls drawn or numbers selected. (j) Card games. The surveillance system shall record the...

An Historical Perspective on Coordinating Education Post-Conflict: Biopolitics, Governing at a Distance, and States of Exception

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sobe, Noah W.

2007-01-01

This article analyzes a 1944 publication entitled "International Relief in Action 1914-1943: Selected Records with Notes" alongside the 2004 standards for education in emergencies that were developed by INEE (the Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies). In doing so, the author aims to reveal how biological life, expectations of…

78 FR 28258 - mPower\\TM\\ Design-Specific Review Standard

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-14

... Public Documents'' and then select ``Begin Web- based ADAMS Search.'' For problems with ADAMS, please... Classification ML12272A013 3.2.2 System Quality Group ML12272A015 Classification. 3.3.1 Severe Wind Loading... ML12324A156 3.3.2 Extreme Wind Loads ML12324A166 (Tornado and Hurricane Loads). 3.4.1 Internal Flood...

Chemical Risk Assessment: Selected Federal Agencies’ Procedures, Assumptions, and Policies

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-08-01

adverse effects of exposures to hazardous substances or situations. It is a complex but valuable set of tools for federal regulatory agencies, helping...Act DES diethylstilbestrol DOT Department of Transportation ED effective dose EPA Environmental Protection Agency EPCRA Emergency Planning and...ISO International Organization for Standardization LED lowest effective dose LOAEL lowest observed adverse effect level LOEL lowest observed effect

Cost-effectiveness of a new urinary biomarker-based risk score compared to standard of care in prostate cancer diagnostics - a decision analytical model.

PubMed

Dijkstra, Siebren; Govers, Tim M; Hendriks, Rianne J; Schalken, Jack A; Van Criekinge, Wim; Van Neste, Leander; Grutters, Janneke P C; Sedelaar, John P Michiel; van Oort, Inge M

2017-11-01

To assess the cost-effectiveness of a new urinary biomarker-based risk score (SelectMDx; MDxHealth, Inc., Irvine, CA, USA) to identify patients for transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided biopsy and to compare this with the current standard of care (SOC), using only prostate-specific antigen (PSA) to select for TRUS-guided biopsy. A decision tree and Markov model were developed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of SelectMDx as a reflex test vs SOC in men with a PSA level of >3 ng/mL. Transition probabilities, utilities and costs were derived from the literature and expert opinion. Cost-effectiveness was expressed in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and healthcare costs of both diagnostic strategies, simulating the course of patients over a time horizon representing 18 years. Deterministic sensitivity analyses were performed to address uncertainty in assumptions. A diagnostic strategy including SelectMDx with a cut-off chosen at a sensitivity of 95.7% for high-grade prostate cancer resulted in savings of €128 and a gain of 0.025 QALY per patient compared to the SOC strategy. The sensitivity analyses showed that the disutility assigned to active surveillance had a high impact on the QALYs gained and the disutility attributed to TRUS-guided biopsy only slightly influenced the outcome of the model. Based on the currently available evidence, the reduction of over diagnosis and overtreatment due to the use of the SelectMDx test in men with PSA levels of >3 ng/mL may lead to a reduction in total costs per patient and a gain in QALYs. © 2017 The Authors BJU International © 2017 BJU International Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

A Calibration-Free Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (CF-LIBS) Quantitative Analysis Method Based on the Auto-Selection of an Internal Reference Line and Optimized Estimation of Plasma Temperature.

PubMed

Yang, Jianhong; Li, Xiaomeng; Xu, Jinwu; Ma, Xianghong

2018-01-01

The quantitative analysis accuracy of calibration-free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (CF-LIBS) is severely affected by the self-absorption effect and estimation of plasma temperature. Herein, a CF-LIBS quantitative analysis method based on the auto-selection of internal reference line and the optimized estimation of plasma temperature is proposed. The internal reference line of each species is automatically selected from analytical lines by a programmable procedure through easily accessible parameters. Furthermore, the self-absorption effect of the internal reference line is considered during the correction procedure. To improve the analysis accuracy of CF-LIBS, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is introduced to estimate the plasma temperature based on the calculation results from the Boltzmann plot. Thereafter, the species concentrations of a sample can be calculated according to the classical CF-LIBS method. A total of 15 certified alloy steel standard samples of known compositions and elemental weight percentages were used in the experiment. Using the proposed method, the average relative errors of Cr, Ni, and Fe calculated concentrations were 4.40%, 6.81%, and 2.29%, respectively. The quantitative results demonstrated an improvement compared with the classical CF-LIBS method and the promising potential of in situ and real-time application.

Historical Evolution of NASA Standard Materials Testing with Hypergolic Propellants and Ammonia (NASA Standard 6001 Test 15)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Greene, Benjamin; McClure, Mark B.

2012-01-01

The NASA Johnson Space Center White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) has performed testing of hazardous and reactive aerospace fluids, including hypergolic propellants, with materials since the 1960s with the Apollo program. Amongst other test activities, Test 15 is a NASA standard test for evaluating the reactivity of materials with selected aerospace fluids, in particular hydrazine, monomethylhydrazine, uns-dimethylhydrazine, Aerozine 50, dinitrogen tetroxide oxidizers, and ammonia. This manuscript provides an overview of the history of Test 15 over a timeline ranging from prior to its development and first implementation as a NASA standard test in 1974 to its current refinement. Precursor documents to NASA standard tests, as they are currently known, are reviewed. A related supplementary test, international standardization, and enhancements to Test 15 are also discussed. Because WSTF was instrumental in the development and implementation of Test 15, WSTF experience and practices are referred to in this manuscript.

Including internal mammary lymph nodes in radiation therapy for synchronous bilateral breast cancer: an international survey of treatment technique and clinical priorities.

PubMed

Roumeliotis, M; Long, K; Phan, T; Graham, D; Quirk, S

2018-06-05

The aim of this study was to understand the international standard practice for radiation therapy treatment techniques and clinical priorities for institutions including the internal mammary lymph nodes (IMLNs) in the target volume for patients with synchronous bilateral breast cancer. An international survey was developed to include questions that would provide awareness of favored treatment techniques, treatment planning and delivery resource requirements, and the clinical priorities that may lead to the utilization of preferred treatment techniques. Of the 135 respondents, 82 indicated that IMLNs are regularly included in the target volume for radiation therapy (IMLN-inclusion) when the patient is otherwise generally indicated for regional nodal irradiation. Of the 82 respondents that regularly include IMLNs, five were removed as those respondents do not treat this population synchronously. Of the 77 respondents, institutional standard of care varied significantly, though VMAT (34%) and combined static photon and electron fields (21%) were the most commonly utilized techniques. Respondents did preferentially select target volume coverage (70%) as the most important clinical priority, followed by normal tissue sparing (25%). The results of the survey indicate that the IMLN-inclusion for radiation therapy has not yet been comprehensively adopted. As well, no consensus on best practice for radiation therapy treatment techniques has been reached.

Representation of the Auroral and Polar Ionosphere in the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bilitza, Dieter; Reinisch, Bodo

2013-01-01

This issue of Advances in Space Research presents a selection of papers that document the progress in developing and improving the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI), a widely used standard for the parameters that describe the Earths ionosphere. The core set of papers was presented during the 2010 General Assembly of the Committee on Space Research in Bremen, Germany in a session that focused on the representation of the auroral and polar ionosphere in the IRI model. In addition, papers were solicited and submitted from the scientific community in a general call for appropriate papers.

Applying radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology in transfusion medicine.

PubMed

Hohberger, Clive; Davis, Rodeina; Briggs, Lynne; Gutierrez, Alfonso; Veeramani, Dhamaraj

2012-05-01

ISO/IEC 18000-3 mode 1 standard 13.56 MHz RFID tags have been accepted by the International Society for Blood Transfusion (ISBT) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as data carriers to integrate with and augment ISBT 128 barcode data carried on blood products. The use of 13.56 MHz RFID carrying ISBT 128 data structures allows the global deployment and use of RFID, supporting both international transfer of blood and international disaster relief. The deployment in process at the BloodCenter of Wisconsin and testing at the University of Iowa Health Center is the first FDA-permitted implementation of RFID throughout in all phases of blood banking, donation through transfusion. RFID technology and equipment selection will be discussed along with FDA-required RF safety testing; integration with the blood enterprise computing system and required RFID tag performance. Tag design and survivability is an issue due to blood bag centrifugation and irradiation. Deployment issues will be discussed. Use of RFID results in significant return on investment over the use of barcodes in the blood center operations through labor savings and error reduction. Copyright © 2011 The International Alliance for Biological Standardization. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

How to measure the internationality of scientific publications.

PubMed

Buela-Casal, Gualberto; Zych, Izabela

2012-01-01

Although the term "internationality" has never been defined by consensus, it is commonly used as a synonym of quality. Even though its meaning has never been established, internationality is frequently used to evaluate scientists, publications, or universities in many different countries. The present investigation is based on the opinion about the meaning of the concept "internationality" of the members of scientific community, represented by a broad sample of 16,056 scientists from 109 countries working in all the fields of knowledge defined by UNESCO. The sample was randomly selected from the Web of Science database from the scientists who have published at least one article in one of the journals indexed by the database. A questionnaire based on eleven criteria was designed for the purpose of the study. As a result, the first measure of internationality has been obtained. The most important criteria of internationality are: the publication language, online access, and international publication standards. There are significant differences among geographic zones and fields of knowledge.

Comparison of semi-extended and standard lymph node dissection in radical prostatectomy: A single-institute experience.

PubMed

Hoshi, Senji; Hayashi, Natuho; Kurota, Yuuta; Hoshi, Kiyotsugu; Muto, Akinori; Sugano, Osamu; Numahata, Kenji; Bilim, Vladimir; Sasagawa, Isoji; Ohta, Shoichiro

2015-09-01

Standard lymphadenectomy for prostate cancer is limited to the obturator lymph nodes (LNs), although the internal and external iliac LNs represent the primary landing zone for prostatic lymphatic drainage. We performed anatomically semi-extended pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) to assess the incidence of LN metastasis in cases of clinically localized prostate cancer. A total of 730 consecutive patients underwent radical prostatectomy with either semi-extended PLND, comprising 6 selective fields, namely the external iliac, internal iliac and obturator LNs bilaterally, or standard LND (obturator LNs alone). A total of 131 patients undergoing semi-extended PLND were compared with 599 patients undergoing standard LND. The patients were stratified into high-risk [prostate-specific antigen (PSA)>20 ng/ml, Gleason score (GS)≥8], intermediate-risk (PSA 10-20 ng/ml, GS=4+3) and low-risk (PSA<10 ng/ml, GS≤3+4) subgroups. Following semi-extended LND, positive LNs were detected in 12/61 (20%) of the high-risk, 1/30 (3%) of the intermediate-risk and 0/40 (0%) of the low-risk cases. Following standard LND, positive LNs were detected in 13/182 (7%) of the high-risk, 1/164 (0.6%) of the intermediate-risk and 0/253 (0%) of the low-risk cases. In high-risk patients, the detection rate of LN metastasis was significantly higher following extended LND compared with standard LND (P<0.01). In 9 of 13 patients (69%), metastases were identified in the internal and external iliac regions, despite negative obturator LNs. There were no significant differences regarding intraoperative and postoperative complications or blood loss in the two groups. There was no lymphocele formation in patients undergoing either standard or semi-extended LND. Extended pelvic LND (PLND) is associated with a high rate of LN metastasis detection outside the fields of standard LND in cases with clinically localized prostate cancer. Therefore, LND including the internal and external iliac LNs should be performed in all patients with high-risk prostate cancer; however, in the low-risk group, PLND may be omitted.

Current situation of International Organization for Standardization/Technical Committee 249 international standards of traditional Chinese medicine.

PubMed

Liu, Yu-Qi; Wang, Yue-Xi; Shi, Nan-Nan; Han, Xue-Jie; Lu, Ai-Ping

2017-05-01

To review the current situation and progress of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) international standards, standard projects and proposals in International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/ technical committee (TC) 249. ISO/TC 249 standards and standard projects on the ISO website were searched and new standard proposals information were collected from ISO/TC 249 National Mirror Committee in China. Then all the available data were summarized in 5 closely related items, including proposed time, proposed country, assigned working group (WG), current stage and classifification. In ISO/TC 249, there were 2 international standards, 18 standard projects and 24 new standard proposals proposed in 2014. These 44 standard subjects increased year by year since 2011. Twenty-nine of them were proposed by China, 15 were assigned to WG 4, 36 were in preliminary and preparatory stage and 8 were categorized into 4 fifields, 7 groups and sub-groups based on International Classifification Standards. A rapid and steady development of international standardization in TCM can be observed in ISO/TC 249.

Basic and Morphological Properties of Bukit Goh Bauxite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hasan, Muzamir; Nor Azmi, Ahmad Amirul Faez Ahmad; Tam, Weng Long; Phang, Biao Yu; Azizul Moqsud, M.

2018-03-01

Investigation conducted by International Maritime Organization (IMO) concluded that the loss of the Bulk Jupiter that carrying bauxite from Kuantan has uncovered evidence to suggest liquefaction led to loss of stability. This research analysed Bukit Goh bauxite and comparison was made with International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC Code) standard. To analyse these characteristics of the bauxite, four samples were selected at Bukit Goh, Kuantan ; two of the samples from the Bukit Goh mine and two samples from the stock piles were tested to identify the bauxite basic and morphological properties by referring to GEOSPEC 3 : Model Specification for Soil Testing ; particle size distribution, moisture content and specific gravity and its morphological properties. Laboratory tests involved including Hydrometer test, Small Pycnometer test, Dry Sieve test and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscop (FESEM) test. The results show that the average moisture content of raw Bukit Goh bauxite is 20.64% which exceeded the recomended value of maximum 10%. Average fine material for raw bauxite is 37.75% which should not be greater than 30% per IMSBC standard. By that, the bauxite from Bukit Goh mine do not achieved the minimum requirements and standards of the IMSBC standard and need to undergo beneficiation process for better quality and safety.

Standards and guidelines for HIV prevention research: considerations for local context in the interpretation of global ethical standards.

PubMed

Haire, Bridget G; Folayan, Morenike Oluwatoyin; Brown, Brandon

2014-09-01

While international standards are important for conducting clinical research, they may require interpretation in particular contexts. Standard of care in HIV prevention research is now complicated, given that there are now two new biomedical prevention interventions - 'treatment-as-prevention', and pre-exposure prophylaxis--in addition to barrier protection, counselling, male circumcision and treatment of sexually transmissible infections. Proper standards of care must be considered with regard to both normative guidance and the circumstances of the particular stakeholders--the community, trial population, researchers and sponsors. In addition, the special circumstances of the lives of participants need to be acknowledged in designing trial protocols and study procedures. When researchers are faced with the dilemma of interpretation of international ethics guidelines and the realities of the daily lives of persons and their practices, the decisions of the local ethics committee become crucial. The challenge then becomes how familiar ethics committee members in these local settings are with these guidelines, and how their interpretation and use in the local context ensures the respect for persons and communities. It also includes justice and the fair selection of study participants without compromising data quality, and ensuring that the risks for study participants and their community do not outweigh the potential benefits.

Effectiveness of the International Phytosanitary Standard ISPM No. 15 on Reducing Wood Borer Infestation Rates in Wood Packaging Material Entering the United States

PubMed Central

Haack, Robert A.; Britton, Kerry O.; Brockerhoff, Eckehard G.; Cavey, Joseph F.; Garrett, Lynn J.; Kimberley, Mark; Lowenstein, Frank; Nuding, Amelia; Olson, Lars J.; Turner, James; Vasilaky, Kathryn N.

2014-01-01

Numerous bark- and wood-infesting insects have been introduced to new countries by international trade where some have caused severe environmental and economic damage. Wood packaging material (WPM), such as pallets, is one of the high risk pathways for the introduction of wood pests. International recognition of this risk resulted in adoption of International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM15) in 2002, which provides treatment standards for WPM used in international trade. ISPM15 was originally developed by members of the International Plant Protection Convention to “practically eliminate” the risk of international transport of most bark and wood pests via WPM. The United States (US) implemented ISPM15 in three phases during 2005–2006. We compared pest interception rates of WPM inspected at US ports before and after US implementation of ISPM15 using the US Department of Agriculture AQIM (Agriculture Quarantine Inspection Monitoring) database. Analyses of records from 2003–2009 indicated that WPM infestation rates declined 36–52% following ISPM15 implementation, with results varying in statistical significance depending on the selected starting parameters. Power analyses of the AQIM data indicated there was at least a 95% chance of detecting a statistically significant reduction in infestation rates if they dropped by 90% post-ISPM15, but the probability fell as the impact of ISPM15 lessened. We discuss several factors that could have reduced the apparent impact of ISPM15 on lowering WPM infestation levels, and suggest ways that ISPM15 could be improved. The paucity of international interception data impeded our ability to conduct more thorough analyses of the impact of ISPM15, and demonstrates the need for well-planned sampling programs before and after implementation of major phytosanitary policies so that their effectiveness can be assessed. We also present summary data for bark- and wood-boring insects intercepted on WPM at US ports during 1984–2008. PMID:24827724

Oxidation of methionine 216 in sheep and elk prion protein is highly dependent upon the amino acid at position 218 but is not important for prion propagation

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

We developed a sensitive mass spectrometry-based method of quantitating the prions present in elk and sheep. Calibration curves relating the area ratios of the selected analyte peptides and their homologous stable isotope labeled internal standards were prepared. This method was compared to the ELIS...

[Teaching design of mastering scalp acupuncture fast].

PubMed

Li, Jie; Niu, Wenmin

2016-05-01

Scalp acupuncture is a method of treating whole-body diseases. The author takes the easy positioning of scalp acupuncture as starting point, covers the positioning of scalp acupuncture and needle insertion points, acupuncture manipulation and the selection of acupoints, so as to introduce the design of teaching the international standardized scalp acupuncture with texts and illustrations. The positions of scalp acupuncture are 4 lines in frontal area, 5 lines in parietal area, 2 lines in temporal area and 3 lines in occipital area. The needle insertion angle is 30° to the skin. Acupoints can be selected crossly and correspondingly in clinic.

WHO Expert Committee on Specifications for Pharmaceutical Preparations. Forty-ninth report.

PubMed

2015-01-01

The Expert Committee on Specifications for Pharmaceutical Preparations works towards clear, independent and practical standards and guidelines for the quality assurance of medicines. Standards are developed by the Committee through worldwide consultation and an international consensus-building process. The following new guidelines were adopted and recommended for use. Revised procedure for the development of monographs and other texts for The International Pharmacopoeia; Revised updating mechanism for the section on radiopharmaceuticals in The International Pharmacopoeia; Revision of the supplementary guidelines on good manufacturing practices: validation, Appendix 7: non-sterile process validation; General guidance for inspectors on hold-time studies; 16 technical supplements to Model guidance for the storage and transport of time- and temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products; Recommendations for quality requirements when plant-derived artemisinin is used as a starting material in the production of antimalarial active pharmaceutical ingredients; Multisource (generic) pharmaceutical products: guidelines on registration requirements to establish interchangeability: revision; Guidance on the selection of comparator pharmaceutical products for equivalence assessment of interchangeable multisource (generic) products: revision; and Good review practices: guidelines for national and regional regulatory authorities.

Comparison and harmonization of measuring methods for air contaminants in the working environment.

PubMed

Leichnitz, K

1998-09-01

The objective of this work was to demonstrate that the measurement of air contaminants in the workplace requires a special approach. Decisive in carrying out the measuring task is the quality of the sampling strategy, including selection of the appropriate measuring method. Methods developed at a national level may be more suitable for this purpose than methods described in international standards. Measurements of air contaminants in the workplace should always be the basis for the prevention and control of occupational hazards. Such measurements, therefore, are also an essential element of risk assessment. Industrial processes and chemical agents are myriad. Each manufacturing stage may apply different conditions (e.g., batch production or continuous process, temperature, pressure) and agents (e.g. a wide variety of chemical substances): In each of these stages, different job functions may be necessary and may be subject to different exposure conditions. Distance from emission sources and physical parameters, such as rates of release, air current, meteorological variations, also have a profound influence. The measuring task in the workplace is quite different in comparison to many others (e.g., blood or soil sample analysis). Firstly, the selection of sampling time and sampling location are crucial steps in air analysis. Transportation and storage of the samples, may however, also influence measuring results; interlaboratory tests show the existing problems. Generally, in analytics, the substance to be determined remains "well covered" in its matrix during sampling, transportation and storage. In air analysis, however, the contaminant is usually "torn" from its surrounding matrix (the air) and "forced" into the sorbent, where it finds a completely new environment; reactions yielding artefacts may take place. Several international organizations have issued guidelines and standards on measuring methods for air contaminants in the working environment, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Most of these international documents are substance-related and mainly cover the analytical steps, which constitute only part of the whole measuring process. The approach of the Commission of the European Union is useful in solving the task of air testing in the workplace. This body has issued an EU Directive which includes general requirements for measuring methods. In the Directive it is also stated that persons who carry out measurements must possess the necessary expertise. The Directive, in addition, refers to the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), and that to general requirements for measuring procedures. The advantage of the EU/CEN approach is its aspect of general requirements. This allows the development of new or improved methods without any restricting effect on existing substance-related standards.

Selection criteria for internal medicine residency applicants and professionalism ratings during internship.

PubMed

Cullen, Michael W; Reed, Darcy A; Halvorsen, Andrew J; Wittich, Christopher M; Kreuziger, Lisa M Baumann; Keddis, Mira T; McDonald, Furman S; Beckman, Thomas J

2011-03-01

To determine whether standardized admissions data in residents' Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) submissions were associated with multisource assessments of professionalism during internship. ERAS applications for all internal medicine interns (N=191) at Mayo Clinic entering training between July 1, 2005, and July 1, 2008, were reviewed by 6 raters. Extracted data included United States Medical Licensing Examination scores, medicine clerkship grades, class rank, Alpha Omega Alpha membership, advanced degrees, awards, volunteer activities, research experiences, first author publications, career choice, and red flags in performance evaluations. Medical school reputation was quantified using U.S. News & World Report rankings. Strength of comparative statements in recommendation letters (0 = no comparative statement, 1 = equal to peers, 2 = top 20%, 3 = top 10% or "best") were also recorded. Validated multisource professionalism scores (5-point scales) were obtained for each intern. Associations between application variables and professionalism scores were examined using linear regression. The mean ± SD (minimum-maximum) professionalism score was 4.09 ± 0.31 (2.13-4.56). In multivariate analysis, professionalism scores were positively associated with mean strength of comparative statements in recommendation letters (β = 0.13; P = .002). No other associations between ERAS application variables and professionalism scores were found. Comparative statements in recommendation letters for internal medicine residency applicants were associated with professionalism scores during internship. Other variables traditionally examined when selecting residents were not associated with professionalism. These findings suggest that faculty physicians' direct observations, as reflected in letters of recommendation, are useful indicators of what constitutes a best student. Residency selection committees should scrutinize applicants' letters for strongly favorable comparative statements.

Validity of a questionnaire measuring motives for choosing foods including sustainable concerns.

PubMed

Sautron, Valérie; Péneau, Sandrine; Camilleri, Géraldine M; Muller, Laurent; Ruffieux, Bernard; Hercberg, Serge; Méjean, Caroline

2015-04-01

Since the 1990s, sustainability of diet has become an increasingly important concern for consumers. However, there is no validated multidimensional measurement of motivation in the choice of foods including a concern for sustainability currently available. In the present study, we developed a questionnaire that measures food choice motives during purchasing, and we tested its psychometric properties. The questionnaire included 104 items divided into four predefined dimensions (environmental, health and well-being, economic and miscellaneous). It was administered to 1000 randomly selected subjects participating in the Nutrinet-Santé cohort study. Among 637 responders, one-third found the questionnaire complex or too long, while one-quarter found it difficult to fill in. Its underlying structure was determined by exploratory factor analysis and then internally validated by confirmatory factor analysis. Reliability was also assessed by internal consistency of selected dimensions and test-retest repeatability. After selecting the most relevant items, first-order analysis highlighted nine main dimensions: labeled ethics and environment, local and traditional production, taste, price, environmental limitations, health, convenience, innovation and absence of contaminants. The model demonstrated excellent internal validity (adjusted goodness of fit index = 0.97; standardized root mean square residuals = 0.07) and satisfactory reliability (internal consistency = 0.96, test-retest repeatability coefficient ranged between 0.31 and 0.68 over a mean 4-week period). This study enabled precise identification of the various dimensions in food choice motives and proposed an original, internally valid tool applicable to large populations for assessing consumer food motivation during purchasing, particularly in terms of sustainability. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

International recommendation for a comprehensive neuropathologic workup of epilepsy surgery brain tissue: A consensus Task Force report from the ILAE Commission on Diagnostic Methods.

PubMed

Blümcke, Ingmar; Aronica, Eleonora; Miyata, Hajime; Sarnat, Harvey B; Thom, Maria; Roessler, Karl; Rydenhag, Bertil; Jehi, Lara; Krsek, Pavel; Wiebe, Samuel; Spreafico, Roberto

2016-03-01

Epilepsy surgery is an effective treatment in many patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsies. An early decision for surgical therapy is facilitated by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-visible brain lesion congruent with the electrophysiologically abnormal brain region. Recent advances in the pathologic diagnosis and classification of epileptogenic brain lesions are helpful for clinical correlation, outcome stratification, and patient management. However, application of international consensus classification systems to common epileptic pathologies (e.g., focal cortical dysplasia [FCD] and hippocampal sclerosis [HS]) necessitates standardized protocols for neuropathologic workup of epilepsy surgery specimens. To this end, the Task Force of Neuropathology from the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Commission on Diagnostic Methods developed a consensus standard operational procedure for tissue inspection, distribution, and processing. The aims are to provide a systematic framework for histopathologic workup, meeting minimal standards and maximizing current and future opportunities for morphofunctional correlations and molecular studies for both clinical care and research. Whenever feasible, anatomically intact surgical specimens are desirable to enable systematic analysis in selective hippocampectomies, temporal lobe resections, and lesional or nonlesional neocortical samples. Correct orientation of sample and the sample's relation to neurophysiologically aberrant sites requires good communication between pathology and neurosurgical teams. Systematic tissue sampling of 5-mm slabs along a defined anatomic axis and application of a limited immunohistochemical panel will ensure a reliable differential diagnosis of main pathologies encountered in epilepsy surgery. Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 International League Against Epilepsy.

International guidelines and standards for education and training to reduce the consequences of events that may threaten the health status of a community. A report of an Open International WADEM Meeting, Brussels, Belgium, 29-31 October, 2004.

PubMed

Archer, Frank; Seynaeve, Geert

2007-01-01

The continued professionalization of the humanitarian workforce requires sound underpinning by appropriate educational programs. The international disaster medicine and emergency health community requested the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine (WADEM) develop international standards and guidelines for the education and training for disaster medicine. The Working Group of the WADEM Education Committee prepared and circulated an Issues Paper to structure input on this significant international task. Subsequently, the Working Group facilitated an Open International Meeting convened in Brussels, Belgium, 2004. The "Issues Paper" also was used as a framework to structure this International Meeting, which utilized case studies selected to represent the scope of disaster medicine, and prepared a meeting consensus on a framework for disaster health and for related educational programs. The two-day Brussels meeting attracted 51 participants from 19 countries, representing 21 disciplines. Participants reinforced the need to address the development of international standards and guidelines on education and training in this emerging discipline. Participants supported the view that the term "Disaster Health" suggested a multidisciplinary approach that is a more inclusive contemporary and appropriate term to describe this field, although there were dissenting views. The meeting formulated a consensus view in support of a framework for "Disaster Health", which included: (1) primary disciplines; (2) support disciplines; (3) community response, resilience, and communication; and (4) socio-political context. The participants considered that this model lends itself to facilitating the development of educational programs in this field and believed that standards and guidelines initially should be developed in the "Core of Disaster Health" for undergraduates in relevant professions, for practicing professionals wishing to expand their practice in this field, and in the "Breadth of Disaster Health" for those wishing to be recognized as "Disaster Health Specialists" as academics, professionals, or policy leaders in this field at a University multidisciplinary Masters Degree level. A community-level and higher-specialist doctoral level would follow. Although the view of the participants was that the establishment of international approval/endorsement processes for education programs may have some benefits, there was less comfort in identifying which body/agency should be charged with this responsibility. The WADEM, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and the World Health Organization were identified as potential lead agents. The outcome of this international meeting is an important step toward meeting the challenge given the WADEM and will be developed further in consultation with the international disaster and emergency health community in order to improve education and training standards and professional practice.

Development and pilot of an internationally standardized measure of cardiovascular risk management in European primary care

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Primary care can play an important role in providing cardiovascular risk management in patients with established Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD), patients with a known high risk of developing CVD, and potentially for individuals with a low risk of developing CVD, but who have unhealthy lifestyles. To describe and compare cardiovascular risk management, internationally valid quality indicators and standardized measures are needed. As part of a large project in 9 European countries (EPA-Cardio), we have developed and tested a set of standardized measures, linked to previously developed quality indicators. Methods A structured stepwise procedure was followed to develop measures. First, the research team allocated 106 validated quality indicators to one of the three target populations (established CVD, at high risk, at low risk) and to different data-collection methods (data abstraction from the medical records, a patient survey, an interview with lead practice GP/a practice survey). Secondly, we selected a number of other validated measures to enrich the assessment. A pilot study was performed to test the feasibility. Finally, we revised the measures based on the findings. Results The EPA-Cardio measures consisted of abstraction forms from the medical-records data of established Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)-patients - and high-risk groups, a patient questionnaire for each of the 3 groups, an interview questionnaire for the lead GP and a questionnaire for practice teams. The measures were feasible and accepted by general practices from different countries. Conclusions An internationally standardized measure of cardiovascular risk management, linked to validated quality indicators and tested for feasibility in general practice, is now available. Careful development and pilot testing of the measures are crucial in international studies of quality of healthcare. PMID:21473758

Determination of tiropramide in human plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Lee, Hye Won; Ji, Hye Young; Kim, Hee Hyun; Cho, Hea-Young; Lee, Yong-Bok; Lee, Hye Suk

2003-11-05

A rapid, sensitive and selective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) method for the determination of tiropramide in human plasma was developed. Tiropramide and internal standard, cisapride were extracted from human plasma by liquid-liquid extraction and analyzed on a Luna C8 column with the mobile phase of acetonitrile-ammonium formate (10mM, pH 4.5) (50:50, v/v). The analytes was detected using an electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry in the multiple-reaction-monitoring mode. The standard curve was linear (r=0.998) over the concentration range of 2.0-200 ng/ml. The intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation ranged from 2.8 to 7.8 and 6.7 to 8.9%, respectively. The recoveries of tiropramide ranged from 50.2 to 53.1%, with that of cisapride (internal standard) being 60.9+/-5.3%. The lower limit of quantification for tiropramide was 2.0 ng/ml using 100 microl plasma sample. This method was applied to the pharmacokinetic study of tiropramide in human.

A survey on auditing, quality assurance systems and legal frameworks in five selected slaughterhouses in Bulawayo, south-western Zimbabwe.

PubMed

Masanganise, Kaurai E; Matope, Gift; Pfukenyi, Davies M

2013-01-01

The purpose of this study was to explore the audits, quality assurance (QA) programmes and legal frameworks used in selected abattoirs in Zimbabwe and slaughterhouse workers' perceptions on their effectiveness. Data on slaughterhouse workers was gathered through a self-completed questionnaire and additional information was obtained from slaughterhouse and government records. External auditing was conducted mainly by the Department of Veterinary Public Health with little contribution from third parties. Internal auditing was restricted to export abattoirs. The checklist used on auditing lacked objective assessment criteria and respondents cited several faults in the current audit system. Most respondents (> 50.0%) knew the purposes and benefits of audit and QA inspections. All export abattoirs had QA programmes such as hazard analysis critical control point and ISO 9001 (a standard used to certify businesses' quality management systems) but their implementation varied from minimal to nil. The main regulatory defect observed was lack of requirements for a QA programme. Audit and quality assurance communications to the selected abattoirs revealed a variety of non-compliances with most respondents revealing that corrective actions to audit (84.3%) and quality assurance (92.3%) shortfalls were not done. A high percentage of respondents indicated that training on quality (76.8%) and regulations (69.8%) was critical. Thus, it is imperative that these abattoirs develop a food safety management system comprising of QA programmes, a microbial assessment scheme, regulatory compliance, standard operating procedures, internal and external auditing and training of workers.

Human centromedian-parafascicular complex signals sensory cues for goal-oriented behavior selection.

PubMed

Schepers, Inga M; Beck, Anne-Kathrin; Bräuer, Susann; Schwabe, Kerstin; Abdallat, Mahmoud; Sandmann, Pascale; Dengler, Reinhard; Rieger, Jochem W; Krauss, Joachim K

2017-05-15

Experimental research has shown that the centromedian-parafascicular complex (CM-Pf) of the intralaminar thalamus is activated in attentional orienting and processing of behaviorally relevant stimuli. These observations resulted in the hypothesis that the CM-Pf plays a pivotal role in goal-oriented behavior selection. We here set out to test this hypothesis with electrophysiological recordings from patients with electrodes implanted in CM-Pf for deep brain stimulation (DBS) treatment of chronic neuropathic pain. Six patients participated in (1) an auditory three-class oddball experiment, which required a button press to target tones, but not to standard and deviant tones and in (2) a multi-speaker experiment with a target word that required attention selection and a target image that required response selection. Subjects showed transient neural responses (8-15Hz) to the target tone and the target word. Two subjects additionally showed transient neural responses (15-25Hz) to the target image. All sensory target stimuli were related to an internal goal and required a behavior selection (attention selection, response selection). In group analyses, neural responses were greater to target tones than deviant and standard tones and to target words than other task-relevant words that did not require attention selection. The transient neural responses occurred after the target stimuli but prior to the overt behavioral response. Our results demonstrate that in human subjects the CM-Pf is involved in signaling sensory inputs related to goal-oriented selection of behavior. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

75 FR 19944 - International Code Council: The Update Process for the International Codes and Standards

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-16

... for Residential Construction in High Wind Areas. ICC 700: National Green Building Standard. The... Codes and Standards that are comprehensive, coordinated, and necessary to regulate the built environment... International Codes and Standards consist of the following: ICC Codes International Building Code. International...

A comparison of in vitro cytotoxicity assays in medical device regulatory studies.

PubMed

Liu, Xuemei; Rodeheaver, Denise P; White, Jeffrey C; Wright, Ann M; Walker, Lisa M; Zhang, Fan; Shannon, Stephen

2018-06-06

Medical device biocompatibility testing is used to evaluate the risk of adverse effects on tissues from exposure to leachates/extracts. A battery of tests is typically recommended in accordance with regulatory standards to determine if the device is biocompatible. In vitro cytotoxicity, a key element of the standards, is a required endpoint for all types of medical devices. Each validated cytotoxicity method has different methodology and acceptance criteria that could influence the selection of a specific test. In addition, some guidances are more specific than others as to the recommended test methods. For example, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 1 ) cites preference for quantitative methods (e.g., tetrazolium (MTT/XTT), neutral red (NR), or colony formation assays (CFA)) over qualitative methods (e.g., elution, agar overlay/diffusion, or direct), while a recent ISO standard for contact lens/lens care solutions specifically requires a qualitative direct test. Qualitative methods are described in United States Pharmacopeia (USP) while quantitative CFAs are listed in Japan guidance. The aim of this review is to compare the methodologies such as test article preparation, test conditions, and criteria for six cytotoxicity methods recommended in regulatory standards in order to inform decisions on which method(s) to select during the medical device safety evaluation. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

A cluster-based approach to selecting representative stimuli from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS) database.

PubMed

Constantinescu, Alexandra C; Wolters, Maria; Moore, Adam; MacPherson, Sarah E

2017-06-01

The International Affective Picture System (IAPS; Lang, Bradley, & Cuthbert, 2008) is a stimulus database that is frequently used to investigate various aspects of emotional processing. Despite its extensive use, selecting IAPS stimuli for a research project is not usually done according to an established strategy, but rather is tailored to individual studies. Here we propose a standard, replicable method for stimulus selection based on cluster analysis, which re-creates the group structure that is most likely to have produced the valence arousal, and dominance norms associated with the IAPS images. Our method includes screening the database for outliers, identifying a suitable clustering solution, and then extracting the desired number of stimuli on the basis of their level of certainty of belonging to the cluster they were assigned to. Our method preserves statistical power in studies by maximizing the likelihood that the stimuli belong to the cluster structure fitted to them, and by filtering stimuli according to their certainty of cluster membership. In addition, although our cluster-based method is illustrated using the IAPS, it can be extended to other stimulus databases.

25 CFR 542.32 - What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier B gaming operations?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier B gaming operations? 542.32 Section 542.32 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.32 What are the minimum internal control standards for...

25 CFR 542.22 - What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier A gaming operations?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier A gaming operations? 542.22 Section 542.22 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.22 What are the minimum internal control standards for...

25 CFR 542.22 - What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier A gaming operations?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier A gaming operations? 542.22 Section 542.22 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.22 What are the minimum internal control standards for...

25 CFR 542.22 - What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier A gaming operations?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier A gaming operations? 542.22 Section 542.22 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.22 What are the minimum internal control standards for...

25 CFR 542.22 - What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier A gaming operations?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier A gaming operations? 542.22 Section 542.22 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.22 What are the minimum internal control standards for...

25 CFR 542.32 - What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier B gaming operations?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier B gaming operations? 542.32 Section 542.32 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.32 What are the minimum internal control standards for...

25 CFR 542.32 - What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier B gaming operations?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier B gaming operations? 542.32 Section 542.32 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.32 What are the minimum internal control standards for...

25 CFR 542.32 - What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier B gaming operations?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier B gaming operations? 542.32 Section 542.32 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.32 What are the minimum internal control standards for...

A Study on User Interface Design of Knowledge Management Groupware in Selected Leading Organizations of Pakistan

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-06-01

Information Systems, Faculty of ICT, International Islamic University, Malaysia . Abstract. Several techniques for evaluating a groupware...inspection based techniques couldn’t be carried out in other parts of Pakistan where the IT industry has mushroomed in the past few years. Nevertheless...there are no set standards for using any particular technique. Evaluating a groupware interface is an evolving process and requires more investigation

International BMI-for-age references underestimate thinness and overestimate overweight and obesity in Bolivian adolescents.

PubMed

Baya Botti, A; Pérez-Cueto, F J A; Vasquez Monllor, P A; Kolsteren, P W

2010-01-01

Since no growth standards for adolescents exist and a single reference applicable everywhere is still in debate, it is recognized that the best reference should be derived from the growth pattern of the healthy population that will use it. In 2007 a study developed references for body mass index for 12th to 18th y Bolivian school adolescent (BAP. To compare nutritional status outcomes applying BMI references from the BAP, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention CDC 2000, the International Task Force (IOTF), and the 2007 WHO, to determine appropriateness of use in Bolivian adolescents. References were applied in 3306 adolescents, 45.0% male, 55% female, 12th to 18th y selected from a nationally representative sample. Main findings reveal that the CDC and the 2007 WHO underestimate underweight (p<0.001) and the three international references overestimate overweight (p<0.001) with variation between ages and gender. Bolivian health providers are advised to replace CDC, OITF and 2007 WHO references for the use of BAP in Bolivia which reflects its healthy adolescent population growth pattern. International references may lead to incorrect conclusions when applied on Bolivian adolescents. They could deflect efforts from population which need prompt intervention and mislead treatments and budget to unnecessary ones. We recommend validation of international references where appropriate until a standard is released.

NREL Pyrheliometer Comparisons: September 25-October 6, 2017 (NPC-2017)

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

Reda, Ibrahim M.; Dooraghi, Michael R.; Andreas, Afshin M.

Accurate measurements of direct normal (beam) solar irradiance from pyrheliometers are important for developing and deploying solar energy conversion systems, improving our understanding of the Earth's energy budget for climate change studies, and for other science and technology applications involving solar flux. Providing these measurements places many demands on the quality system used by the operator of commercially available radiometers. Maintaining accurate radiometer calibrations that are traceable to an international standard is the first step in producing research-quality solar irradiance measurements. In 1977, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) established the World Radiometric Reference (WRR) as the international standard for themore » measurement of direct normal solar irradiance (Frohlich 1991). The WRR is an internationally recognized, detector-based measurement standard determined by the collective performance of six electrically self-calibrated absolute cavity radiometers comprising the World Standard Group (WSG). Various countries, including the United States, have contributed these specialized radiometers to the Physikalisch-Meteorologisches Observatorium Davos - World Radiation Center (PMOD/WRC) to establish the WSG. As with all measurement systems, Absolute Cavity Radiometers (ASR) are subject to performance changes over time. Therefore, every five years the PMOD/WRC in Davos, Switzerland, hosts an International Pyrheliometer Comparison (IPC) for transferring the WRR to participating radiometers. NREL has represented the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in each IPC since 1980. As a result, NREL has developed and maintained a select group of absolute cavity radiometers with direct calibration traceability to the WRR, and uses these reference instruments to calibrate pyrheliometers and pyranometers using the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 17025 accredited Broadband Outdoor Radiometer Calibration (BORCAL) process (Reda et al. 2008). National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) pyrheliometer comparisons (NPCs) are held annually at the Solar Radiation Research Laboratory (SRRL) in Golden, Colorado. Open to all ACR owners and operators, each NPC provides an opportunity to determine the unique WRR transfer factor (WRR-TF) for each participating pyrheliometer. By adjusting all subsequent pyrheliometer measurements by the appropriate WRR-TF, the solar irradiance data are traceable to the WRR.« less

77 FR 37361 - National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Reciprocating Internal Combustion...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-21

... National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines; New Source Performance Standards for Stationary Internal Combustion Engines AGENCY: Environmental Protection... Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines; New Source Performance...

78 FR 63873 - Minimum Internal Control Standards

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-25

... Internal Control Standards AGENCY: National Indian Gaming Commission, Interior. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) amends its minimum internal control standards for Class... Internal Control Standards. 64 FR 590. The rule added a new part to the Commission's regulations...

78 FR 11793 - Minimum Internal Control Standards

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-20

... Internal Control Standards AGENCY: National Indian Gaming Commission. ACTION: Proposed rule. SUMMARY: The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) proposes to amend its minimum internal control standards for Class... NIGC published a final rule in the Federal Register called Minimum Internal Control Standards. 64 FR...

The computation of equating errors in international surveys in education.

PubMed

Monseur, Christian; Berezner, Alla

2007-01-01

Since the IEA's Third International Mathematics and Science Study, one of the major objectives of international surveys in education has been to report trends in achievement. The names of the two current IEA surveys reflect this growing interest: Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS). Similarly a central concern of the OECD's PISA is with trends in outcomes over time. To facilitate trend analyses these studies link their tests using common item equating in conjunction with item response modelling methods. IEA and PISA policies differ in terms of reporting the error associated with trends. In IEA surveys, the standard errors of the trend estimates do not include the uncertainty associated with the linking step while PISA does include a linking error component in the standard errors of trend estimates. In other words, PISA implicitly acknowledges that trend estimates partly depend on the selected common items, while the IEA's surveys do not recognise this source of error. Failing to recognise the linking error leads to an underestimation of the standard errors and thus increases the Type I error rate, thereby resulting in reporting of significant changes in achievement when in fact these are not significant. The growing interest of policy makers in trend indicators and the impact of the evaluation of educational reforms appear to be incompatible with such underestimation. However, the procedure implemented by PISA raises a few issues about the underlying assumptions for the computation of the equating error. After a brief introduction, this paper will describe the procedure PISA implemented to compute the linking error. The underlying assumptions of this procedure will then be discussed. Finally an alternative method based on replication techniques will be presented, based on a simulation study and then applied to the PISA 2000 data.

Standard line slopes as a measure of a relative matrix effect in quantitative HPLC-MS bioanalysis.

PubMed

Matuszewski, B K

2006-01-18

A simple experimental approach for studying and identifying the relative matrix effect (for example "plasma-to-plasma" and/or "urine-to-urine") in quantitative analyses by HPLC-MS/MS is described. Using as a database a large number of examples of methods developed in recent years in our laboratories, the relationship between the precision of standard line slopes constructed in five different lots of a biofluid (for example plasma) and the reliability of determination of concentration of an analyte in a particular plasma lot (or subject) was examined. In addition, the precision of standard line slopes was compared when stable isotope-labeled analytes versus analogs were used as internal standards (IS). Also, in some cases, a direct comparison of standard line slopes was made when different HPLC-MS interfaces (APCI versus ESI) were used for the assay of the same compound, using the same IS and the same sample preparation and chromatographic separation conditions. In selected cases, the precision of standard line slopes in five different lots of a biofluid was compared with precision values determined five times in a single lot. The results of these studies indicated that the variability of standard line slopes in different lots of a biofluid [precision of standard line slopes expressed as coefficient of variation, CV (%)] may serve as a good indicator of a relative matrix effect and, it is suggested, this precision value should not exceed 3-4% for the method to be considered reliable and free from the relative matrix effect liability. Based on the results presented, in order to assess the relative matrix effect in bioanalytical methods, it is recommended to perform assay precision and accuracy determination in five different lots of a biofluid, instead of repeat (n=5) analysis in the same, single biofluid lot, calculate standard line slopes and precision of these slopes, and to use <3-4% slope precision value as a guide for method applicability to support clinical studies. It was also demonstrated that when stable isotope-labeled analytes were used as internal standards, the precision of standard line slopes in five different lots of a biofluid was

Isotope-abundance variations of selected elements (IUPAC technical report)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Coplen, T.B.; Böhlke, J.K.; De Bievre, P.; Ding, T.; Holden, N.E.; Hopple, J.A.; Krouse, H.R.; Lamberty, A.; Peiser, H.S.; Revesz, K.; Rieder, S.E.; Rosman, K.J.R.; Roth, E.; Taylor, P.D.P.; Vocke, R.D.; Xiao, Y.K.

2002-01-01

Documented variations in the isotopic compositions of some chemical elements are responsible for expanded uncertainties in the standard atomic weights published by the Commission on Atomic Weights and Isotopic Abundances of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. This report summarizes reported variations in the isotopic compositions of 20 elements that are due to physical and chemical fractionation processes (not due to radioactive decay) and their effects on the standard atomic-weight uncertainties. For 11 of those elements (hydrogen, lithium, boron, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, silicon, sulfur, chlorine, copper, and selenium), standard atomic-weight uncertainties have been assigned values that are substantially larger than analytical uncertainties because of common isotope-abundance variations in materials of natural terrestrial origin. For 2 elements (chromium and thallium), recently reported isotope-abundance variations potentially are large enough to result in future expansion of their atomic-weight uncertainties. For 7 elements (magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, molybdenum, palladium, and tellurium), documented isotope variations in materials of natural terrestrial origin are too small to have a significant effect on their standard atomic-weight uncertainties. This compilation indicates the extent to which the atomic weight of an element in a given material may differ from the standard atomic weight of the element. For most elements given above, data are graphically illustrated by a diagram in which the materials are specified in the ordinate and the compositional ranges are plotted along the abscissa in scales of (1) atomic weight, (2) mole fraction of a selected isotope, and (3) delta value of a selected isotope ratio.

Improving the safety and quality of nursing care through standardized operating procedures in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

PubMed

Ausserhofer, Dietmar; Rakic, Severin; Novo, Ahmed; Dropic, Emira; Fisekovic, Eldin; Sredic, Ana; Van Malderen, Greet

2016-06-01

We explored how selected 'positive deviant' healthcare facilities in Bosnia and Herzegovina approach the continuous development, adaptation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of nursing-related standard operating procedures. Standardized nursing care is internationally recognized as a critical element of safe, high-quality health care; yet very little research has examined one of its key instruments: nursing-related standard operating procedures. Despite variability in Bosnia and Herzegovina's healthcare and nursing care quality, we assumed that some healthcare facilities would have developed effective strategies to elevate nursing quality and safety through the use of standard operating procedures. Guided by the 'positive deviance' approach, we used a multiple-case study design to examine a criterion sample of four facilities (two primary healthcare centres and two hospitals), collecting data via focus groups and individual interviews. In each studied facility, certification/accreditation processes were crucial to the initiation of continuous development, adaptation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of nursing-related SOPs. In one hospital and one primary healthcare centre, nurses working in advanced roles (i.e. quality coordinators) were responsible for developing and implementing nursing-related standard operating procedures. Across the four studied institutions, we identified a consistent approach to standard operating procedures-related processes. The certification/accreditation process is enabling necessary changes in institutions' organizational cultures, empowering nurses to take on advanced roles in improving the safety and quality of nursing care. Standardizing nursing procedures is key to improve the safety and quality of nursing care. Nursing and Health Policy are needed in Bosnia and Herzegovina to establish a functioning institutional framework, including regulatory bodies, educational systems for developing nurses' capacities or the inclusion of nursing-related standard operating procedures in certification/accreditation standards. © 2016 International Council of Nurses.

77 FR 32444 - Minimum Internal Control Standards

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-01

... Internal Control Standards AGENCY: National Indian Gaming Commission. ACTION: Proposed rule. SUMMARY: The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) proposes to amend its minimum internal control standards for Class... the Federal Register called Minimum Internal Control Standards. 64 FR 590. The rule added a new part...

Request for Travel Funds for Systems Radiation Biology Workshop

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

Barcellos-Hoff, Mary Helen

The 3rd International Systems Radiation Biology Workshop brought together the major European, US and Japanese research programs on radiation risk as well as selected experts representing systems biological approaches to discuss how the new methodologies could be best exploited for low dose research. A significant part of the workshop was devoted to discussions organised as breakout group sessions. To facilitate discussions number of participants was limited to 60 persons. To achieve the goals of this symposium in this international conference, support from DOE is vital. Hence, this proposal requested support in the amount of $15,000 to cover the travel expensesmore » of international experts and radiation biology scientists from the United States. This supporting mechanism was clearly identified to the selected US participants as a conference support award from the DOE (See attached PDF). The workshop was an outstanding opportunity to strengthen interactions between leading experts in the emerging areas of radiation sciences, and will also provide opportunities for younger scientists to meet with experts and discuss their results. This workshop was designed to endorse active engagement in international collaboration. A major objective of this conference was to effectively communicate research results, in order to ensure that current thinking reflects sound science of radiation biology. Further, this international event addressed the use and success of scientific initiatives in radiation biology for policymakers, standard-setters, and the general public.« less

Risk of bias and confounding of observational studies of Zika virus infection: A scoping review of research protocols.

PubMed

Reveiz, Ludovic; Haby, Michelle M; Martínez-Vega, Ruth; Pinzón-Flores, Carlos E; Elias, Vanessa; Smith, Emma; Pinart, Mariona; Broutet, Nathalie; Becerra-Posada, Francisco; Aldighieri, Sylvain; Van Kerkhove, Maria D

2017-01-01

Given the severity and impact of the current Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak in the Americas, numerous countries have rushed to develop research studies to assess ZIKV and its potential health consequences. In an effort to ensure that studies are comprehensive, both internally and externally valid, and with reliable results, the World Health Organization, the Pan American Health Organization, Institut Pasteur, the networks of Fiocruz, the Consortia for the Standardization of Influenza Seroepidemiology (CONSISE) and the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium (ISARIC) have generated six standardized clinical and epidemiological research protocols and questionnaires to address key public health questions on ZIKV. We conducted a systematic search of ongoing study protocols related to ZIKV research. We analyzed the content of protocols of 32 cohort studies and 13 case control studies for systematic bias that could produce erroneous results. Additionally we aimed to characterize the risks of bias and confounding in observational studies related to ZIKV and to propose ways to minimize them, including the use of six newly standardized research protocols. Observational studies of ZIKV face an array of challenges, including measurement of exposure and outcomes (microcephaly and Guillain-Barré Syndrome). Potential confounders need to be measured where known and controlled for in the analysis. Selection bias due to non-random selection is a significant issue, particularly in the case-control design, and losses to follow-up is equally important for the cohort design. Observational research seeking to answer key questions on the ZIKV should consider these restrictions and take precautions to minimize bias in an effort to provide reliable and valid results. Utilization of the standardized research protocols developed by the WHO, PAHO, Institut Pasteur, and CONSISE will harmonize the key methodological aspects of each study design to minimize bias at different stages of the study. Biases need to be considered by researchers implementing the standardized protocols as well as by users of observational epidemiological studies of ZIKV.

Transvaginal duplex ultrasonography appears to be the gold standard investigation for the haemodynamic evaluation of pelvic venous reflux in the ovarian and internal iliac veins in women.

PubMed

Whiteley, M S; Dos Santos, S J; Harrison, C C; Holdstock, J M; Lopez, A J

2015-12-01

To assess the suitability of transvaginal duplex ultrasonography to identify pathological reflux in the ovarian and internal iliac veins in women. A retrospective study of patients treated in 2011 and 2012 was performed in a specialised vein clinic. Diagnostic transvaginal duplex ultrasonography in women presenting with symptoms or signs of pelvic vein reflux were compared with the outcomes of treatment from pelvic vein embolisation. A repeat transvaginal duplex ultrasonography was performed 6 weeks later by a blinded observer and any residual reflux was identified. Results from 100 sequential patients were analysed. Mean age 44.2 years (32-69) with mode average parity of 3 (0-5 deliveries). Pre-treatment, 289/400 veins were refluxing (ovarian - 29 right, 81 left; internal iliac - 93 right, 86 left). Coil embolisation was successful in 86/100 patients and failed partially in 14/100 - 5 due to failure to cannulate the target vein. One false-positive diagnosis was made. Currently there is no accepted gold standard for pelvic vein incompetence. Comparing transvaginal duplex ultrasonography with the outcome from selectively treating the veins identified as having pathological reflux with coil embolisation, there were no false-negative diagnoses and only one false-positive. This study suggests that transvaginal duplex ultrasonography could be the gold standard in assessing pelvic vein reflux. © The Author(s) 2014.

Peptide code-on-a-microplate for protease activity analysis via MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric quantitation.

PubMed

Hu, Junjie; Liu, Fei; Ju, Huangxian

2015-04-21

A peptide-encoded microplate was proposed for MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric (MS) analysis of protease activity. The peptide codes were designed to contain a coding region and the substrate of protease for enzymatic cleavage, respectively, and an internal standard method was proposed for the MS quantitation of the cleavage products of these peptide codes. Upon the cleavage reaction in the presence of target proteases, the coding regions were released from the microplate, which were directly quantitated by using corresponding peptides with one-amino acid difference as the internal standards. The coding region could be used as the unique "Protease ID" for the identification of corresponding protease, and the amount of the cleavage product was used for protease activity analysis. Using trypsin and chymotrypsin as the model proteases to verify the multiplex protease assay, the designed "Trypsin ID" and "Chymotrypsin ID" occurred at m/z 761.6 and 711.6. The logarithm value of the intensity ratio of "Protease ID" to internal standard was proportional to trypsin and chymotrypsin concentration in a range from 5.0 to 500 and 10 to 500 nM, respectively. The detection limits for trypsin and chymotrypsin were 2.3 and 5.2 nM, respectively. The peptide-encoded microplate showed good selectivity. This proposed method provided a powerful tool for convenient identification and activity analysis of multiplex proteases.

Pathology Imagebase-a reference image database for standardization of pathology.

PubMed

Egevad, Lars; Cheville, John; Evans, Andrew J; Hörnblad, Jonas; Kench, James G; Kristiansen, Glen; Leite, Katia R M; Magi-Galluzzi, Cristina; Pan, Chin-Chen; Samaratunga, Hemamali; Srigley, John R; True, Lawrence; Zhou, Ming; Clements, Mark; Delahunt, Brett

2017-11-01

Despite efforts to standardize histopathology practice through the development of guidelines, the interpretation of morphology is still hampered by subjectivity. We here describe Pathology Imagebase, a novel mechanism for establishing an international standard for the interpretation of pathology specimens. The International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) established a reference image database through the input of experts in the field. Three panels were formed, one each for prostate, urinary bladder and renal pathology, consisting of 24 international experts. Each of the panel members uploaded microphotographs of cases into a non-public database. The remaining 23 experts were asked to vote from a multiple-choice menu. Prior to and while voting, panel members were unable to access the results of voting by the other experts. When a consensus level of at least two-thirds or 16 votes was reached, cases were automatically transferred to the main database. Consensus was reached in a total of 287 cases across five projects on the grading of prostate, bladder and renal cancer and the classification of renal tumours and flat lesions of the bladder. The full database is available to all ISUP members at www.isupweb.org. Non-members may access a selected number of cases. It is anticipated that the database will assist pathologists in calibrating their grading, and will also promote consistency in the diagnosis of difficult cases. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Mortality in a Combined Cohort of Uranium Enrichment Workers

PubMed Central

Yiin, James H.; Anderson, Jeri L.; Daniels, Robert D.; Bertke, Stephen J.; Fleming, Donald A.; Tollerud, David J.; Tseng, Chih-Yu; Chen, Pi-Hsueh; Waters, Kathleen M.

2017-01-01

Objective To examine the patterns of cause-specific mortality and relationship between internal exposure to uranium and specific causes in a pooled cohort of 29,303 workers employed at three former uranium enrichment facilities in the United States with follow-up through 2011. Methods Cause-specific standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for the full cohort were calculated with the U.S. population as referent. Internal comparison of the dose-response relation between selected outcomes and estimated organ doses was evaluated using regression models. Results External comparison with the U.S. population showed significantly lower SMRs in most diseases in the pooled cohort. Internal comparison showed positive associations of absorbed organ doses with multiple myeloma, and to a lesser degree with kidney cancer. Conclusion In general, these gaseous diffusion plant workers had significantly lower SMRs than the U.S. population. The internal comparison however, showed associations between internal organ doses and diseases associated with uranium exposure in previous studies. PMID:27753121

Standard-less analysis of Zircaloy clad samples by an instrumental neutron activation method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Acharya, R.; Nair, A. G. C.; Reddy, A. V. R.; Goswami, A.

2004-03-01

A non-destructive method for analysis of irregular shape and size samples of Zircaloy has been developed using the recently standardized k0-based internal mono standard instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The samples of Zircaloy-2 and -4 tubes, used as fuel cladding in Indian boiling water reactors (BWR) and pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWR), respectively, have been analyzed. Samples weighing in the range of a few tens of grams were irradiated in the thermal column of Apsara reactor to minimize neutron flux perturbations and high radiation dose. The method utilizes in situ relative detection efficiency using the γ-rays of selected activation products in the sample for overcoming γ-ray self-attenuation. Since the major and minor constituents (Zr, Sn, Fe, Cr and/or Ni) in these samples were amenable to NAA, the absolute concentrations of all the elements were determined using mass balance instead of using the concentration of the internal mono standard. Concentrations were also determined in a smaller size Zircaloy-4 sample by irradiating in the core position of the reactor to validate the present methodology. The results were compared with literature specifications and were found to be satisfactory. Values of sensitivities and detection limits have been evaluated for the elements analyzed.

[Drug assessment: IQWiG, G-BA, and an international comparison].

PubMed

Glaeske, G

2016-01-01

Since the Pharmaceutical Market Restructuring Act (Arzneimittelmarktneuordnungsgesetz-AMNOG) went into effect on 1 January 2011, new medicinal products provided under statutory health insurance have to undergo an early benefit assessment, prepared on the basis of scientific dossiers drawn up by the German Institute for Quality and Cost Effectiveness in the Health Care Sector (Institut für Qualität und Wirtschaftlichkeit im Gesundheitswesen-IQWiG) and adopted by the Federal Joint Committee (Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss-G-BA). These assessments, in which the additional benefit of a product is compared with existing standard therapy and ultimately has a bearing on price negotiations with the pharmaceutical companies, are carried out on the basis of clinical trial data presented by the latter. Results so far, however, show that the IQWIG's and the G-BA's assessments often vary, although both bodies have the same documentation. Such differences can also be observed on an international level. Using selected examples, the differences in the assessments of new pharmaceuticals are presented and reasons for national and international deviations are discussed. As yet, no systematic comparative analysis has been made of assessments of medicinal products by the respective institutions. For this reason, it was not possible to make a systematic selection of pharmaceuticals, and the cases were instead selected according to available information. An overview of the results shows that the diverging assessments-both national and international-are not always scientifically justifiable, but rather appear to be influenced by the-not always transparent-framework parameters of the respective health system. Assessments are always shaped by certain perspectives on the data and results under scrutiny. It would undoubtedly be worthwhile to evaluate these influences to gain a better understanding of the reasons for national and international discrepancies in the assessment of additional therapeutic value of new pharmaceutical products.

Selection Criteria for Internal Medicine Residency Applicants and Professionalism Ratings During Internship

PubMed Central

Cullen, Michael W.; Reed, Darcy A.; Halvorsen, Andrew J.; Wittich, Christopher M.; Kreuziger, Lisa M. Baumann; Keddis, Mira T.; McDonald, Furman S.; Beckman, Thomas J.

2011-01-01

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether standardized admissions data in residents' Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) submissions were associated with multisource assessments of professionalism during internship. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: ERAS applications for all internal medicine interns (N=191) at Mayo Clinic entering training between July 1, 2005, and July 1, 2008, were reviewed by 6 raters. Extracted data included United States Medical Licensing Examination scores, medicine clerkship grades, class rank, Alpha Omega Alpha membership, advanced degrees, awards, volunteer activities, research experiences, first author publications, career choice, and red flags in performance evaluations. Medical school reputation was quantified using U.S. News & World Report rankings. Strength of comparative statements in recommendation letters (0 = no comparative statement, 1 = equal to peers, 2 = top 20%, 3 = top 10% or “best”) were also recorded. Validated multisource professionalism scores (5-point scales) were obtained for each intern. Associations between application variables and professionalism scores were examined using linear regression. RESULTS: The mean ± SD (minimum-maximum) professionalism score was 4.09±0.31 (2.13-4.56). In multivariate analysis, professionalism scores were positively associated with mean strength of comparative statements in recommendation letters (β=0.13; P=.002). No other associations between ERAS application variables and professionalism scores were found. CONCLUSION: Comparative statements in recommendation letters for internal medicine residency applicants were associated with professionalism scores during internship. Other variables traditionally examined when selecting residents were not associated with professionalism. These findings suggest that faculty physicians' direct observations, as reflected in letters of recommendation, are useful indicators of what constitutes a best student. Residency selection committees should scrutinize applicants' letters for strongly favorable comparative statements. PMID:21364111

Recommending a minimum English proficiency standard for entry-level nursing.

PubMed

O'Neill, Thomas R; Tannenbaum, Richard J; Tiffen, Jennifer

2005-01-01

When nurses who are educated internationally immigrate to the United States, they are expected to have English language proficiency in order to function as a competent nurse. The purpose of this research was to provide sufficient information to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) to make a defensible recommended passing standard for English proficiency. This standard was based upon the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A large panel of nurses and nurse regulators (N = 25) was convened to determine how much English proficiency is required to be minimally competent as an entry-level nurse. Two standard setting procedures, the Simulated Minimally Competent Candidate (SMCC) procedure and the Examinee Paper Selection Method, were combined to produce recommendations for each panelist. In conjunction with collateral information, these recommendations were reviewed by the NCSBN Examination Committee, which decided upon an NCSBN recommended standard, a TOEFL score of 220. Because the adoption of this standard rests entirely with the individual state, NCSBN has little more to do with implementing the standard, other than answering questions and providing documentation about the standard.

The Third International Standard for Corticotrophin

PubMed Central

Bangham, D. R.; Mussett, M. V.; Stack-Dunne, M. P.

1962-01-01

At its meeting in September 1957, the WHO Expert Committee on Biological Standardization agreed with the recommendation of the International Conference on Corticotrophin, held in July 1957, that a new international standard for corticotrophin should be set up, since the Second International Standard was made from crude material and was unsuitable for the assay of the purer preparations of corticotrophin now in general clinical use. In this paper, the authors describe the steps taken to establish the Third International Standard for Corticotrophin, from the preparation and international collaborative assay of the new material to the choice of the ”subcutaneous assay” for deriving the potency. The clinical and pharmacological implications of this choice are discussed. Since the preparation, characterization and exact quantitative assay of standards for corticotrophin are so difficult, several batches of approximately 3500 ampoules were prepared in a similar way from the same material to serve as an international Working Standard. Samples from two batches were included in the collaborative assay and found to have the same potency as the Third Standard. Sufficient ampoules of the Working Standard are available for use as national and laboratory standards. PMID:13966359

78 FR 21060 - Appeal Proceedings Before the Commission

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-09

... adoption of alternate standards from those required by the Commission's minimum internal control standards... adoption of alternate standards from those required by the Commission's minimum internal control standards... TGRAs' adoption of alternate standards from those required by the Commission's minimum internal control...

Standard addition with internal standardisation as an alternative to using stable isotope labelled internal standards to correct for matrix effects-Comparison and validation using liquid chromatography-​tandem mass spectrometric assay of vitamin D.

PubMed

Hewavitharana, Amitha K; Abu Kassim, Nur Sofiah; Shaw, Paul Nicholas

2018-06-08

With mass spectrometric detection in liquid chromatography, co-eluting impurities affect the analyte response due to ion suppression/enhancement. Internal standard calibration method, using co-eluting stable isotope labelled analogue of each analyte as the internal standard, is the most appropriate technique available to correct for these matrix effects. However, this technique is not without drawbacks, proved to be expensive because separate internal standard for each analyte is required, and the labelled compounds are expensive or require synthesising. Traditionally, standard addition method has been used to overcome the matrix effects in atomic spectroscopy and was a well-established method. This paper proposes the same for mass spectrometric detection, and demonstrates that the results are comparable to those with the internal standard method using labelled analogues, for vitamin D assay. As conventional standard addition procedure does not address procedural errors, we propose the inclusion of an additional internal standard (not co-eluting). Recoveries determined on human serum samples show that the proposed method of standard addition yields more accurate results than the internal standardisation using stable isotope labelled analogues. The precision of the proposed method of standard addition is superior to the conventional standard addition method. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Using FTIR-ATR Spectroscopy to Teach the Internal Standard Method

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bellamy, Michael K.

2010-01-01

The internal standard method is widely applied in quantitative analyses. However, most analytical chemistry textbooks either omit this topic or only provide examples of a single-point internal standardization. An experiment designed to teach students how to prepare an internal standard calibration curve is described. The experiment is a modified…

Determination of vitamins D2 and D3 in selected food matrices by online high-performance liquid chromatography-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-GC-MS).

PubMed

Nestola, Marco; Thellmann, Andrea

2015-01-01

An online normal-phase liquid chromatography-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-GC-MS) method was developed for the determination of vitamins D2 and D3 in selected food matrices. Transfer of the sample from HPLC to GC was realized by large volume on-column injection; detection was performed with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS). Typical GC problems in the determination of vitamin D such as sample degradation or sensitivity issues, previously reported in the literature, were not observed. Determination of total vitamin D content was done by quantitation of its pyro isomer based on an isotopically labelled internal standard (ISTD). Extracted ion traces of analyte and ISTD showed cross-contribution, but non-linearity of the calibration curve was not determined inside the chosen calibration range by selection of appropriate quantifier ions. Absolute limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) for vitamins D2 and D3 were calculated as approximately 50 and 150 pg, respectively. Repeatability with internal standard correction was below 2 %. Good agreement between quantitative results of an established high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection (HPLC-UV) method and HPLC-GC-MS was found. Sterol-enriched margarine was subjected to HPLC-GC-MS and HPLC-MS/MS for comparison, because HPLC-UV showed strong matrix interferences. HPLC-GC-MS produced comparable results with less manual sample cleanup. In summary, online hyphenation of HPLC and GC allowed a minimization in manual sample preparation with an increase of sample throughput.

To recognize the use of international standards for making harmonized regulation of medical devices in Asia-pacific.

PubMed

Anand, K; Saini, Ks; Chopra, Y; Binod, Sk

2010-07-01

'Medical Devices' include everything from highly sophisticated, computerized, medical equipment, right down to simple wooden tongue depressors. Regulations embody the public expectations for how buildings and facilities are expected to perform and as such represent public policy. Regulators, who develop and enforce regulations, are empowered to act in the public's interest to set this policy and are ultimately responsible to the public in this regard. Standardization contributes to the basic infrastructure that underpins society including health and environment, while promoting sustainability and good regulatory practice. The international organizations that produce International Standards are the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). With the increasing globalization of markets, International Standards (as opposed to regional or national standards) have become critical to the trading process, ensuring a level playing field for exports, and ensuring that imports meet the internationally recognized levels of performance and safety. The development of standards is done in response to sectors and stakeholders that express a clearly established need for them. An industry sector or other stakeholder group typically communicates its requirement for standards to one of the national members. To be accepted for development, a proposed work item must receive a majority support of the participating members, who verify the global relevance of the proposed item. The regulatory authority (RA) should provide a method for the recognition of international voluntary standards and for public notification of such recognition. The process of recognition may vary from country to country. Recognition may occur by periodic publication of lists of standards that a regulatory authority has found will meet the Essential Principles. In conclusion, International standards, such as, basic standards, group standards, and product standards, are a tool for harmonizing regulatory processes, to assure the safety, quality, and performance of medical devices. Standards represent the opinion of experts from all interested parties, including industry, regulators, users, and others.

Cryogenic insulation standard data and methodologies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Demko, J. A.; Fesmire, J. E.; Johnson, W. L.; Swanger, A. M.

2014-01-01

Although some standards exist for thermal insulation, few address the sub-ambient temperature range and cold-side temperatures below 100 K. Standards for cryogenic insulation systems require cryostat testing and data analysis that will allow the development of the tools needed by design engineers and thermal analysts for the design of practical cryogenic systems. Thus, this critically important information can provide reliable data and methodologies for industrial efficiency and energy conservation. Two Task Groups have been established in the area of cryogenic insulation systems Under ASTM International's Committee C16 on Thermal Insulation. These are WK29609 - New Standard for Thermal Performance Testing of Cryogenic Insulation Systems and WK29608 - Standard Practice for Multilayer Insulation in Cryogenic Service. The Cryogenics Test Laboratory of NASA Kennedy Space Center and the Thermal Energy Laboratory of LeTourneau University are conducting Inter-Laboratory Study (ILS) of selected insulation materials. Each lab carries out the measurements of thermal properties of these materials using identical flat-plate boil-off calorimeter instruments. Parallel testing will provide the comparisons necessary to validate the measurements and methodologies. Here we discuss test methods, some initial data in relation to the experimental approach, and the manner reporting the thermal performance data. This initial study of insulation materials for sub-ambient temperature applications is aimed at paving the way for further ILS comparative efforts that will produce standard data sets for several commercial materials. Discrepancies found between measurements will be used to improve the testing and data reduction techniques being developed as part of the future ASTM International standards.

The International Confederation of Midwives: Global Standards for Midwifery Education (2010) with companion guidelines.

PubMed

Thompson, Joyce B; Fullerton, Judith T; Sawyer, Angela J

2011-08-01

a 2-year study was conducted to develop Global Standards for Midwifery Education in keeping with core documents of the International Confederation of Midwives. Elements of the standards were based on evidence available in the published and unpublished literature. Companion Guidelines to assist in implementing the standards were also developed. a modified Delphi survey process was conducted in two rounds following item validation by a panel of midwifery education experts. a global survey conducted in 88 countries. midwifery educators and clinicians associated with midwifery education located in any of the ICM member association countries. Additional participants included an Expert Midwifery Resource Group, other Key Stakeholders, midwifery regulators and policy makers. A total of 241 individuals from 46 ICM member association countries and ten non-member countries responded to one or both of the survey rounds. survey respondents expressed an opinion on whether to retain or to delete any of the proposed components of the standards. Version one had 109 proposed components and version two had 111 items for consideration. a majority consensus of .80 was required to accept an item without further deliberation. The Education Standards Task Force (expert panel) made final decisions in the four instances where this level of consensus was not reached, retaining all four items. The panel also amended the wording of selected items or added new items based on feedback received from survey respondents. The final document contains 10 Preface items, 35 glossary terms, and 37 discrete standards with 27 sub-sections. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

78 FR 18321 - International Code Council: The Update Process for the International Codes and Standards

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-26

... for Residential Construction in High Wind Regions. ICC 700: National Green Building Standard The..., coordinated, and necessary to regulate the built environment. Federal agencies frequently use these codes and... International Codes and Standards consist of the following: ICC Codes International Building Code. International...

Development and applicability of Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPS) in Japan.

PubMed

Ito, Shinya; Seto, Kanako; Kigawa, Mika; Fujita, Shigeru; Hasegawa, Toshihiko; Hasegawa, Tomonori

2011-02-07

Patient safety culture at healthcare organizations plays an important role in guaranteeing, improving and promoting overall patient safety. Although several conceptual frameworks have been proposed in the past, no standard measurement tool has yet been developed for Japan. In order to examine possibilities to introduce the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPS) in Japan, the authors of this study translated the HSOPS into Japanese, and evaluated its factor structure, internal consistency, and construct validity. Healthcare workers (n = 6,395) from 13 acute care general hospitals in Japan participated in this survey. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the Japanese HSOPS' 12-factor model was selected as the most pertinent, and showed a sufficiently high standard partial regression coefficient. The internal reliability of the subscale scores was 0.46-0.88. The construct validity of each safety culture sub-dimension was confirmed by polychoric correlation, and by an ordered probit analysis. The results of the present study indicate that the factor structures of the Japanese and the American HSOPS are almost identical, and that the Japanese HSOPS has acceptable levels of internal reliability and construct validity. This shows that the HSOPS can be introduced in Japan.

Fifth International Standard for Gas-Gangrene Antitoxin (Perfringens) (Clostridium welchii Type A Antitoxin)

PubMed Central

Evans, D. G.; Perkins, F. T.

1963-01-01

The Fifth International Standard Gas-Gangrene Antitoxin (Perfringens) (Clostridium welchii Type A Antitoxin) was prepared from serum from immunized horses. It was freeze-dried in ampoules each containing 1 ml. Seven laboratories collaborated in assaying its potency in terms of the Fourth International Standard by the intravenous inoculation of mice. The geometric mean value, taking the results of all the laboratories, was 270 International Units per ampoule and the maximum variation between laboratories was 15%. In vitro (lecithinase) tests were also done by three laboratories, giving an average of 261 International Units per ampoule. The dry weight contents of ampoules, determined in three laboratories, varied by less than 3%, with an average of 90.35 mg per ampoule. The standard was stable for 120 hours at 56°C. Each ampoule of the Fifth International Standard for Gas-Gangrene Antitoxin (Perfringens) contains 270 International Units, and one International Unit is contained in 0.3346 mg of the International Standard. PMID:14107745

Case Definitions, Diagnostic Algorithms, and Priorities in Encephalitis: Consensus Statement of the International Encephalitis Consortium

PubMed Central

Venkatesan, A.; Tunkel, A. R.; Bloch, K. C.; Lauring, A. S.; Sejvar, J.; Bitnun, A.; Stahl, J-P.; Mailles, A.; Drebot, M.; Rupprecht, C. E.; Yoder, J.; Cope, J. R.; Wilson, M. R.; Whitley, R. J.; Sullivan, J.; Granerod, J.; Jones, C.; Eastwood, K.; Ward, K. N.; Durrheim, D. N.; Solbrig, M. V.; Guo-Dong, L.; Glaser, C. A.; Sheriff, Heather; Brown, David; Farnon, Eileen; Messenger, Sharon; Paterson, Beverley; Soldatos, Ariane; Roy, Sharon; Visvesvara, Govinda; Beach, Michael; Nasci, Roger; Pertowski, Carol; Schmid, Scott; Rascoe, Lisa; Montgomery, Joel; Tong, Suxiang; Breiman, Robert; Franka, Richard; Keuhnert, Matt; Angulo, Fred; Cherry, James

2013-01-01

Background.Encephalitis continues to result in substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Advances in diagnosis and management have been limited, in part, by a lack of consensus on case definitions, standardized diagnostic approaches, and priorities for research. Methods.In March 2012, the International Encephalitis Consortium, a committee begun in 2010 with members worldwide, held a meeting in Atlanta to discuss recent advances in encephalitis and to set priorities for future study. Results.We present a consensus document that proposes a standardized case definition and diagnostic guidelines for evaluation of adults and children with suspected encephalitis. In addition, areas of research priority, including host genetics and selected emerging infections, are discussed. Conclusions.We anticipate that this document, representing a synthesis of our discussions and supported by literature, will serve as a practical aid to clinicians evaluating patients with suspected encephalitis and will identify key areas and approaches to advance our knowledge of encephalitis. PMID:23861361

The second international standard for polymyxin B.

PubMed

Lightbown, J W; Thomas, A H; Grab, B; Outschoorn, A S

1973-01-01

Since supplies of the first International Standard for Polymyxin B were exhausted, it was replaced by a second international standard the potency of which was estimated from the results of a collaborative assay carried out by 5 laboratories in 4 countries. The wide variations in the results probably resulted from difficulties experienced in handling the first international standard. The potency finally agreed upon by the collaborating laboratories, on the basis of the overall mean values obtained after rejection of the most discrepant assays, was 8 403 IU/mg. That value was accepted by the WHO Expert Committee on Biological Standardization (1970), which consequently defined the International Unit of polymyxin B as the activity contained in 0.000119 mg of the second international standard.

The second international standard for polymyxin B*

PubMed Central

Lightbown, J. W.; Thomas, A. H.; Grab, B.; Outschoorn, A. S.

1973-01-01

Since supplies of the first International Standard for Polymyxin B were exhausted, it was replaced by a second international standard the potency of which was estimated from the results of a collaborative assay carried out by 5 laboratories in 4 countries. The wide variations in the results probably resulted from difficulties experienced in handling the first international standard. The potency finally agreed upon by the collaborating laboratories, on the basis of the overall mean values obtained after rejection of the most discrepant assays, was 8 403 IU/mg. That value was accepted by the WHO Expert Committee on Biological Standardization (1970), which consequently defined the International Unit of polymyxin B as the activity contained in 0.000119 mg of the second international standard. PMID:4350877

A systematic review of contralateral liver lobe hypertrophy after unilobar selective internal radiation therapy with Y90.

PubMed

Teo, Jin-Yao; Allen, John C; Ng, David C; Choo, Su-Pin; Tai, David W M; Chang, Jason P E; Cheah, Foong-Khoon; Chow, Pierce K H; Goh, Brian K P

2016-01-01

Curative liver resection is the treatment of choice for both primary and secondary liver malignancies. However, an inadequate future liver remnant (FLR) frequently precludes successful surgery. Portal vein embolization is the gold-standard modality for inducing hypertrophy of the FLR. In recent times, unilobar Yttrium-90 selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) has been reported to induce hypertrophy of the contralateral, untreated liver lobe. The aim of this study is to review the current literature reporting on contralateral liver hypertrophy induced by unilobar SIRT. A systematic review of the English-language literature between 2000 and 2014 was performed using the search terms "Yttrium 90" OR "selective internal radiation therapy" OR "radioembolization" AND "hypertrophy". Seven studies, reporting on 312 patients, were included. Two hundred and eighty four patients (91.0%) received treatment to the right lobe. Two hundred and fifteen patients had hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 12 had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and 85 had liver metastases from mixed primaries. Y90 SIRT resulted in contralateral liver hypertrophy which ranged from 26 to 47% at 44 days-9 months. All studies were retrospective in nature, and heterogeneous, with substantial variations relative to pathology treated, underlying liver disease, dosage and delivery of Y90, number of treatment sessions and time to measurement of hypertrophy. Unilobar Y90 SIRT results in significant hypertrophy of the contralateral liver lobe. The rate of hypertrophy seems to be slower than that achieved by other methods. Copyright © 2015 International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The International Halley Watch: A program of coordination, cooperation and advocacy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Friedman, L.; Newburn, R. L.

1981-01-01

To prevent a repetition of the lack of reporting and dissemination of the data obtained during the 1910 observations of Comet Halley, a mechanism is proposed for coordinating the work of scientists and amateurs, including government, industrials, and academic personnel during the 1985-86 apparition of Comet Halley. Specialists from each discipline, in consultation with other experts in the field, would recommend specific objectives, standards, data format, and priorities for observations in that discipline. Following time for individual publication, scientists would be invited to contribute results to a multivolume compilation containing as complete as possible a record of the apparition. It is suggested that the discipline specialists be selected jointly by the IHW leader an by an international steering group with members from COSPAR, the IAU, etc., perhaps in response to some form of international announcement of opportunity.

Internal derangements of the temporomandibular joint: A review of the anatomy, diagnosis, and management

PubMed Central

Young, Andrew L.

2015-01-01

Internal derangements of the temporomandibular joint are conditions in which the articular disc has become displaced from its original position the condylar head. Relevant anatomic structures and their functional relationships are briefly discussed. The displacement of the disc can result in numerous presentations, with the most common being disc displacement with reduction (with or without intermittent locking), and disc displacement without reduction (with or without limited opening). These are described in this article according to the standardized Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders, as well as the less common posterior disc displacement. Appropriate management usually ranges from patient education and monitoring to splints, physical therapy, and medications. In rare and select cases, surgery may be necessary. However, in for the majority of internal derangements, the prognosis is good, particularly with conservative care. PMID:26929478

Internal derangements of the temporomandibular joint: A review of the anatomy, diagnosis, and management.

PubMed

Young, Andrew L

2015-01-01

Internal derangements of the temporomandibular joint are conditions in which the articular disc has become displaced from its original position the condylar head. Relevant anatomic structures and their functional relationships are briefly discussed. The displacement of the disc can result in numerous presentations, with the most common being disc displacement with reduction (with or without intermittent locking), and disc displacement without reduction (with or without limited opening). These are described in this article according to the standardized Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders, as well as the less common posterior disc displacement. Appropriate management usually ranges from patient education and monitoring to splints, physical therapy, and medications. In rare and select cases, surgery may be necessary. However, in for the majority of internal derangements, the prognosis is good, particularly with conservative care.

Pregnancy testing with hCG--future prospects.

PubMed

Berger, Peter; Sturgeon, Catharine

2014-12-01

Pregnancy tests for human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) are used widely in hospital and home settings. Assays measuring hCG also have uses in prenatal screening and oncology. The output from three recent international workshops provides a framework for reliable measurement of hCG. Requirements for future hCG assays include use of clear descriptive nomenclature, informed selection of antibodies of well-defined epitope specificities, and design of robust methods. Tests will be precisely characterized and calibrated in SI units using six International Reference Reagents (IRR) for hCG and variants, and the Fifth International Standard for hCG 07/364, making it possible to report clinical results in molar units. These measures will help to increase patient safety by reducing the risk of erroneous or misleading hCG results. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Determination of serum or plasma alpha-tocopherol by high performance liquid chromatography: optimization of operative models].

PubMed

Jezequel-Cuer, M; Le Moël, G; Mounié, J; Peynet, J; Le Bizec, C; Vernet, M H; Artur, Y; Laschi-Loquerie, A; Troupel, S

1995-01-01

A previous multicentric study set up by the Société française de biologie clinique has emphasized the usefulness of a standardized procedure for the determination by high performance liquid chromatography of alpha-tocopherol in serum or plasma. In our study, we have tested every step of the different published procedures: internal standard adduct, lipoprotein denaturation and vitamin extraction. Reproducibility of results was improved by the use of tocol as an internal standard when compared to retinol or alpha-tocopherol acetates. Lipoprotein denaturation was more efficient with ethanol addition than with methanol and when the ethanol/water ratio was > or = 0.7. Use of n-hexane or n-heptane gave the same recovery of alpha-tocopherol. When organic solvent/water ratio was > or = 1, n-hexane enabled to efficiently extract, in a one-step procedure, the alpha-tocopherol from both normo and hyperlipidemic sera. Performances of the selected procedure were: detection limit: 0.5 microM--linear range: 750 microM--within run coefficient of variation: 2.03%--day to day: 4.76%. Finally, this pluricentric study allows us to propose an optimised procedure for the determination of alpha-tocopherol in serum or plasma.

Standardized sign-out reduces intern perception of medical errors on the general internal medicine ward.

PubMed

Salerno, Stephen M; Arnett, Michael V; Domanski, Jeremy P

2009-01-01

Prior research on reducing variation in housestaff handoff procedures have depended on proprietary checkout software. Use of low-technology standardization techniques has not been widely studied. We wished to determine if standardizing the process of intern sign-out using low-technology sign-out tools could reduce perception of errors and missing handoff data. We conducted a pre-post prospective study of a cohort of 34 interns on a general internal medicine ward. Night interns coming off duty and day interns reassuming care were surveyed on their perception of erroneous sign-out data, mistakes made by the night intern overnight, and occurrences unanticipated by sign-out. Trainee satisfaction with the sign-out process was assessed with a 5-point Likert survey. There were 399 intern surveys performed 8 weeks before and 6 weeks after the introduction of a standardized sign-out form. The response rate was 95% for the night interns and 70% for the interns reassuming care in the morning. After the standardized form was introduced, night interns were significantly (p < .003) less likely to detect missing sign-out data including missing important diseases, contingency plans, or medications. Standardized sign-out did not significantly alter the frequency of dropped tasks or missed lab and X-ray data as perceived by the night intern. However, the day teams thought there were significantly less perceived errors on the part of the night intern (p = .001) after introduction of the standardized sign-out sheet. There was no difference in mean Likert scores of resident satisfaction with sign-out before and after the intervention. Standardized written sign-out sheets significantly improve the completeness and effectiveness of handoffs between night and day interns. Further research is needed to determine if these process improvements are related to better patient outcomes.

Replacement of the International Standard for Tetanus Antitoxin and the Use of the Standard in the Flocculation Test

PubMed Central

Spaun, J.; Lyng, J.

1970-01-01

Since 1935 the International Unit for Tetanus Antitoxin has been defined as the activity contained in a certain weight of the first International Standard for Tetanus Antitoxin. As stocks of this standard had become depleted, 11 laboratories in 8 countries were requested to participate in a collaborative assay of a preparation proposed as a replacement. The assay results were analysed and presented to the WHO Expert Committee on Biological Standardization in 1969 which established the preparation studied as the second International Standard for Tetanus Antitoxin and defined the International Unit for Tetanus Antitoxin as the activity contained in 0.03384 mg of the second International Standard for Tetanus Antitoxin. This definition would ensure the continuity of the size of this international unit. The analysis of the collaborative studies also showed that the second International Standard for Tetanus Antitoxin has suitable properties for use in the flocculation test for the determination of the antigen content of tetanus toxoids in Lf values. The designation Lf-equivalent is described and the problems relating to the use of this term for the expression of results of in vitro assays are analysed in relation to the use of international units for expressing results of in vivo assays. As the second International Standard for Tetanus Antitoxin has an in vivo/in vitro ratio of 1.4, the Lf-equivalent of this antitoxin is 1.4 times less than its unitage. PMID:5310949

25 CFR 542.14 - What are the minimum internal control standards for the cage?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for the cage? 542.14 Section 542.14 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.14 What are the minimum internal control standards for the cage? (a) Computer applications. For...

25 CFR 543.8 - What are the minimum internal control standards for bingo?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for bingo? 543.8 Section 543.8 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS FOR CLASS II GAMING § 543.8 What are the minimum internal control standards for bingo? (a) Supervision....

25 CFR 542.17 - What are the minimum internal control standards for complimentary services or items?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for complimentary services or items? 542.17 Section 542.17 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.17 What are the minimum internal control standards for complimentary...

25 CFR 542.17 - What are the minimum internal control standards for complimentary services or items?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for complimentary services or items? 542.17 Section 542.17 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.17 What are the minimum internal control standards for complimentary...

25 CFR 542.17 - What are the minimum internal control standards for complimentary services or items?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for complimentary services or items? 542.17 Section 542.17 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.17 What are the minimum internal control standards for complimentary...

25 CFR 543.8 - What are the minimum internal control standards for bingo?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for bingo? 543.8 Section 543.8 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS FOR CLASS II GAMING § 543.8 What are the minimum internal control standards for bingo? (a) Supervision....

25 CFR 542.17 - What are the minimum internal control standards for complimentary services or items?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for complimentary services or items? 542.17 Section 542.17 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.17 What are the minimum internal control standards for complimentary...

25 CFR 542.8 - What are the minimum internal control standards for pull tabs?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for pull tabs? 542.8 Section 542.8 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.8 What are the minimum internal control standards for pull tabs? (a) Computer applications. For...

25 CFR 542.8 - What are the minimum internal control standards for pull tabs?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for pull tabs? 542.8 Section 542.8 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.8 What are the minimum internal control standards for pull tabs? (a) Computer applications. For...

25 CFR 542.8 - What are the minimum internal control standards for pull tabs?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for pull tabs? 542.8 Section 542.8 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.8 What are the minimum internal control standards for pull tabs? (a) Computer applications. For...

Correction for isotopic interferences between analyte and internal standard in quantitative mass spectrometry by a nonlinear calibration function.

PubMed

Rule, Geoffrey S; Clark, Zlatuse D; Yue, Bingfang; Rockwood, Alan L

2013-04-16

Stable isotope-labeled internal standards are of great utility in providing accurate quantitation in mass spectrometry (MS). An implicit assumption has been that there is no "cross talk" between signals of the internal standard and the target analyte. In some cases, however, naturally occurring isotopes of the analyte do contribute to the signal of the internal standard. This phenomenon becomes more pronounced for isotopically rich compounds, such as those containing sulfur, chlorine, or bromine, higher molecular weight compounds, and those at high analyte/internal standard concentration ratio. This can create nonlinear calibration behavior that may bias quantitative results. Here, we propose the use of a nonlinear but more accurate fitting of data for these situations that incorporates one or two constants determined experimentally for each analyte/internal standard combination and an adjustable calibration parameter. This fitting provides more accurate quantitation in MS-based assays where contributions from analyte to stable labeled internal standard signal exist. It can also correct for the reverse situation where an analyte is present in the internal standard as an impurity. The practical utility of this approach is described, and by using experimental data, the approach is compared to alternative fits.

Selective visual region of interest to enhance medical video conferencing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonneau, Walt, Jr.; Read, Christopher J.; Shirali, Girish

1998-06-01

The continued economic pressure that is being placed upon the healthcare industry creates both challenge and opportunity to develop cost effective healthcare tools. Tools that provide improvements in the quality of medical care at the same time improve the distribution of efficient care will create product demand. Video Conferencing systems are one of the latest product technologies that are evolving their way into healthcare applications. The systems that provide quality Bi- directional video and imaging at the lowest system and communication cost are creating many possible options for the healthcare industry. A method to use only 128k bits/sec. of ISDN bandwidth while providing quality video images in selected regions will be applied to echocardiograms using a low cost video conferencing system operating within a basic rate ISDN line bandwidth. Within a given display area (frame) it has been observed that only selected informational areas of the frame of are of value when viewing for detail and precision within an image. Much in the same manner that a photograph is cropped. If a method to accomplish Region Of Interest (ROI) was applied to video conferencing using H.320 with H.263 (compression) and H.281 (camera control) international standards, medical image quality could be achieved in a cost-effective manner. For example, the cardiologist could be provided with a selectable three to eight end-point viewable ROI polygon that defines the ROI in the image. This is achieved by the video system calculating the selected regional end-points and creating an alpha mask to signify the importance of the ROI to the compression processor. This region is then applied to the compression algorithm in a manner that the majority of the video conferencing processor cycles are focused on the ROI of the image. An occasional update of the non-ROI area is processed to maintain total image coherence. The user could control the non-ROI area updates. Providing encoder side ROI specification is of value. However, the power of this capability is improved if remote access and selection of the ROI is also provided. Using the H.281 camera standard and proposing an additional option to the standard to allow for remote ROI selection would make this possible. When ROI is applied the ability to reach the equivalent of 384K bits/sec ISDN rates may be achieved or exceeded depending upon the size of the selected ROI using 128K bits/sec. This opens additional opportunity to establish international calling and reduced call rates by up to sixty- six percent making reoccurring communication costs attractive. Rates of twenty to thirty quality ROI updates could be achieved. It is however important to understand that this technique is still under development.

Covariate selection with group lasso and doubly robust estimation of causal effects.

PubMed

Koch, Brandon; Vock, David M; Wolfson, Julian

2018-03-01

The efficiency of doubly robust estimators of the average causal effect (ACE) of a treatment can be improved by including in the treatment and outcome models only those covariates which are related to both treatment and outcome (i.e., confounders) or related only to the outcome. However, it is often challenging to identify such covariates among the large number that may be measured in a given study. In this article, we propose GLiDeR (Group Lasso and Doubly Robust Estimation), a novel variable selection technique for identifying confounders and predictors of outcome using an adaptive group lasso approach that simultaneously performs coefficient selection, regularization, and estimation across the treatment and outcome models. The selected variables and corresponding coefficient estimates are used in a standard doubly robust ACE estimator. We provide asymptotic results showing that, for a broad class of data generating mechanisms, GLiDeR yields a consistent estimator of the ACE when either the outcome or treatment model is correctly specified. A comprehensive simulation study shows that GLiDeR is more efficient than doubly robust methods using standard variable selection techniques and has substantial computational advantages over a recently proposed doubly robust Bayesian model averaging method. We illustrate our method by estimating the causal treatment effect of bilateral versus single-lung transplant on forced expiratory volume in one year after transplant using an observational registry. © 2017, The International Biometric Society.

77 FR 58707 - Minimum Internal Control Standards

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-21

... Gaming Commission 25 CFR Part 543 Minimum Internal Control Standards; Final Rule #0;#0;Federal Register... Control Standards AGENCY: National Indian Gaming Commission, Interior. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) amends its minimum internal control standards for Class II gaming...

77 FR 43196 - Minimum Internal Control Standards and Technical Standards

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-24

... NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION 25 CFR Parts 543 and 547 Minimum Internal Control Standards [email protected] . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Part 543 addresses minimum internal control standards (MICS) for Class II gaming operations. The regulations require tribes to establish controls and implement...

The Second International Standard for Penicillin*

PubMed Central

Humphrey, J. H.; Mussett, M. V.; Perry, W. L. M.

1953-01-01

In 1950 the Department of Biological Standards, National Institute for Medical Research, London, was authorized by the WHO Expert Committee on Biological Standardization to prepare the Second International Standard for Penicillin. A single batch of specially recrystallized sodium penicillin G was obtained and 11 laboratories in seven different countries were requested to take part in its collaborative assay. 112 assays were carried out, of which 101 were done by cup-plate methods using either Staphylococcus aureus or Bacillus subtilis. The results were subjected to standard methods of analysis, on the basis of which the authors define the Second International Standard for Penicillin as containing 1,670 International Units (IU) per mg, with limits of error (P = 0.05) of 1,666-1,674 IU/mg. The International Unit is therefore redefined as the activity contained in 0.0005988 mg of the Second International Standard for Penicillin. PMID:13082387

[Welding arc temperature field measurements based on Boltzmann spectrometry].

PubMed

Si, Hong; Hua, Xue-Ming; Zhang, Wang; Li, Fang; Xiao, Xiao

2012-09-01

Arc plasma, as non-uniform plasma, has complicated energy and mass transport processes in its internal, so plasma temperature measurement is of great significance. Compared with absolute spectral line intensity method and standard temperature method, Boltzmann plot measuring is more accurate and convenient. Based on the Boltzmann theory, the present paper calculates the temperature distribution of the plasma and analyzes the principle of lines selection by real time scanning the space of the TIG are measurements.

Hybrid Multiagent System for Automatic Object Learning Classification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gil, Ana; de La Prieta, Fernando; López, Vivian F.

The rapid evolution within the context of e-learning is closely linked to international efforts on the standardization of learning object metadata, which provides learners in a web-based educational system with ubiquitous access to multiple distributed repositories. This article presents a hybrid agent-based architecture that enables the recovery of learning objects tagged in Learning Object Metadata (LOM) and provides individualized help with selecting learning materials to make the most suitable choice among many alternatives.

Sensitive and selective quantification of free and total malondialdehyde in plasma using UHPLC-HRMS.

PubMed

Mendonça, Rute; Gning, Ophélie; Di Cesaré, Claudia; Lachat, Laurence; Bennett, Nigel C; Helfenstein, Fabrice; Glauser, Gaétan

2017-09-01

Quantification of malondialdehyde (MDA) as a marker of lipid peroxidation is relevant for many research fields. We describe a new sensitive and selective method to measure free and total plasmatic MDA using derivatization with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) and ultra-HPLC-high-resolution MS. Free and total MDA were extracted from minute sample amounts (10 μl) using acidic precipitation and alkaline hydrolysis followed by acidic precipitation, respectively. Derivatization was completed within 10 min at room temperature, and the excess DNPH discarded by liquid-liquid extraction. Quantification was achieved by internal standardization using dideuterated MDA as internal standard. The method's lowest limit of quantification was 100 nM and linearity spanned greater than three orders of magnitude. Intra- and inter-day precisions for total MDA were 2.9% and 3.0%, respectively, and those for free MDA were 12.8% and 24.9%, respectively. Accuracy was 101% and 107% at low and high concentrations, respectively. In human plasma, free MDA levels were 120 nM (SD 36.26) and total MDA levels were 6.7 μM (SD 0.46). In addition, we show the applicability of this method to measure MDA plasma levels from a variety of animal species, making it invaluable to scientists in various fields. Copyright © 2017 by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

In vivo quantification of brain metabolites by 1H-MRS using water as an internal standard.

PubMed

Christiansen, P; Henriksen, O; Stubgaard, M; Gideon, P; Larsson, H B

1993-01-01

The reliability of absolute quantification of average metabolite concentrations in the human brain in vivo by 1H-MRS using the fully relaxed water signal as an internal standard was tested in a number of in vitro as well as in vivo measurements. The experiments were carried out on a SIEMENS HELICON SP 63/84 wholebody MR-scanner operating at 1.5 T using a STEAM sequence. In vitro studies indicate a very high correlation between metabolite signals (area under peaks) and concentration, R = 0.99 as well as between metabolite signals and the volume of the selected voxel, R = 1.00. The error in quantification of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) concentration was about 1-2 mM (6-12%). Also in vivo a good linearity between water signal and selected voxel size was seen. The same was true for the studied metabolites, N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), creatine/phosphocreatine (Cr/PCr), and choline (Cho). Calculated average concentrations of NAA, Cr/PCr, and Cho in the occipital lobe of the brain in five healthy volunteers were (mean +/- 1 SD) 11.6 +/- 1.3 mM, 7.6 +/- 1.4 mM, and 1.7 +/- 0.5 mM. The results indicate that the method presented offers reasonable estimation of metabolite concentrations in the brain in vivo and therefore is useful in clinical research.

Separation and quantitation of three acidic herbicide residues in tobacco and soil by dispersive solid-phase extraction and UPLC-MS/MS.

PubMed

Xiong, Wei; Tao, Xiaoqiu; Pang, Su; Yang, Xue; Tang, GangLing; Bian, Zhaoyang

2014-01-01

A method for the determination of three acidic herbicides, dicamba, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) in tobacco and soil has been developed based on the use of liquid-liquid extraction and dispersive solid-phase extraction (dispersive-SPE) followed by UPLC-MS/MS. Two percentage of (v/v) formic acid in acetonitrile as the extraction helped partitioning of analytes into the acetonitrile phase. The extract was then cleaned up by dispersive-SPE using primary secondary amine as selective sorbents. Quantitative analysis was done in the multiple-reaction monitoring mode using stable isotope-labeled internal standards for each compound. A separate internal standard for each analyte is required to minimize sample matrix effects on each analyte, which can lead to poor analyte recoveries and decreases in method accuracy and precision. The total analysis time was <4 min. The linear range of the method was from 1 to 100 ng mL(-1) with a limit of detection of each herbicide varied from 0.012 to 0.126 ng g(-1). The proposed method is faster, more sensitive and selective than the traditional methods and more accurate and robust than the published LC-MS/MS methods. © The Author [2013]. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

78 FR 54606 - National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Reciprocating Internal Combustion...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-05

... Combustion Engines; New Source Performance Standards for Stationary Internal Combustion Engines AGENCY... hazardous air pollutants for stationary reciprocating internal combustion engines and the standards of performance for stationary internal combustion engines. Subsequently, the EPA received three petitions for...

Progress on core outcome sets for critical care research.

PubMed

Blackwood, Bronagh; Marshall, John; Rose, Louise

2015-10-01

Appropriate selection and definition of outcome measures are essential for clinical trials to be maximally informative. Core outcome sets (an agreed, standardized collection of outcomes measured and reported in all trials for a specific clinical area) were developed due to established inconsistencies in trial outcome selection. This review discusses the rationale for, and methods of, core outcome set development, as well as current initiatives in critical care. Recent systematic reviews of reported outcomes and measurement instruments relevant to the critically ill highlight inconsistencies in outcome selection, definition, and measurement, thus establishing the need for core outcome sets. Current critical care initiatives include development of core outcome sets for trials aimed at reducing mechanical ventilation duration; rehabilitation following critical illness; long-term outcomes in acute respiratory failure; and epidemic and pandemic studies of severe acute respiratory infection. Development and utilization of core outcome sets for studies relevant to the critically ill is in its infancy compared to other specialties. Notwithstanding, core outcome set development frameworks and guidelines are available, several sets are in various stages of development, and there is strong support from international investigator-led collaborations including the International Forum for Acute Care Trialists.

The International Standard for Anti-Brucella abortus Serum

PubMed Central

Stableforth, A. W.

1954-01-01

In field trials on the eradication of brucellosis from dairy herds in Great Britain, which began in 1933, a serum standard of reference was used for the examination of agglutinating suspensions prepared in different laboratories. In 1937, the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) adopted this standard and made recommendations for its use internationally. These recommendations were revised by OIE in 1948, by the Third Inter-American Congress on Brucellosis and by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Panel on Brucellosis in 1950, and again by the latter body in 1952. A new batch equivalent in potency to the original standard was established by the WHO Expert Committee on Biological Standardization in 1952 as the International Standard for Anti-Brucella abortus Serum. The International Standard, or a national standard of equivalent potency, ensures comparability of the titres obtained in different countries by different methods, and the results of such comparisons can be expressed in a simple manner by describing the titres in terms of International Units of Brucella antibody. PMID:13199656

25 CFR 543.17 - What are the minimum internal control standards for drop and count?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for drop and count? 543.17 Section 543.17 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS FOR CLASS II GAMING § 543.17 What are the minimum internal control standards for drop and count?...

25 CFR 543.15 - What are the minimum internal control standards for lines of credit?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for lines of credit? 543.15 Section 543.15 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS FOR CLASS II GAMING § 543.15 What are the minimum internal control standards for lines of credi...

25 CFR 543.9 - What are the minimum internal control standards for pull tabs?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for pull tabs? 543.9 Section 543.9 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS FOR CLASS II GAMING § 543.9 What are the minimum internal control standards for pull tabs? (a)...

25 CFR 543.13 - What are the minimum internal control standards for complimentary services or items?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for complimentary services or items? 543.13 Section 543.13 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS FOR CLASS II GAMING § 543.13 What are the minimum internal control standards fo...

25 CFR 543.9 - What are the minimum internal control standards for pull tabs?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for pull tabs? 543.9 Section 543.9 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS FOR CLASS II GAMING § 543.9 What are the minimum internal control standards for pull tabs? (a)...

25 CFR 543.15 - What are the minimum internal control standards for lines of credit?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for lines of credit? 543.15 Section 543.15 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS FOR CLASS II GAMING § 543.15 What are the minimum internal control standards for lines of credi...

25 CFR 543.17 - What are the minimum internal control standards for drop and count?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for drop and count? 543.17 Section 543.17 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS FOR CLASS II GAMING § 543.17 What are the minimum internal control standards for drop and count?...

25 CFR 543.13 - What are the minimum internal control standards for complimentary services or items?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for complimentary services or items? 543.13 Section 543.13 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS FOR CLASS II GAMING § 543.13 What are the minimum internal control standards fo...

Halogenated peptides as internal standards (H-PINS): introduction of an MS-based internal standard set for liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Mirzaei, Hamid; Brusniak, Mi-Youn; Mueller, Lukas N; Letarte, Simon; Watts, Julian D; Aebersold, Ruedi

2009-08-01

As the application for quantitative proteomics in the life sciences has grown in recent years, so has the need for more robust and generally applicable methods for quality control and calibration. The reliability of quantitative proteomics is tightly linked to the reproducibility and stability of the analytical platforms, which are typically multicomponent (e.g. sample preparation, multistep separations, and mass spectrometry) with individual components contributing unequally to the overall system reproducibility. Variations in quantitative accuracy are thus inevitable, and quality control and calibration become essential for the assessment of the quality of the analyses themselves. Toward this end, the use of internal standards cannot only assist in the detection and removal of outlier data acquired by an irreproducible system (quality control) but can also be used for detection of changes in instruments for their subsequent performance and calibration. Here we introduce a set of halogenated peptides as internal standards. The peptides are custom designed to have properties suitable for various quality control assessments, data calibration, and normalization processes. The unique isotope distribution of halogenated peptides makes their mass spectral detection easy and unambiguous when spiked into complex peptide mixtures. In addition, they were designed to elute sequentially over an entire aqueous to organic LC gradient and to have m/z values within the commonly scanned mass range (300-1800 Da). In a series of experiments in which these peptides were spiked into an enriched N-glycosite peptide fraction (i.e. from formerly N-glycosylated intact proteins in their deglycosylated form) isolated from human plasma, we show the utility and performance of these halogenated peptides for sample preparation and LC injection quality control as well as for retention time and mass calibration. Further use of the peptides for signal intensity normalization and retention time synchronization for selected reaction monitoring experiments is also demonstrated.

Improving the efficiency of quantitative (1)H NMR: an innovative external standard-internal reference approach.

PubMed

Huang, Yande; Su, Bao-Ning; Ye, Qingmei; Palaniswamy, Venkatapuram A; Bolgar, Mark S; Raglione, Thomas V

2014-01-01

The classical internal standard quantitative NMR (qNMR) method determines the purity of an analyte by the determination of a solution containing the analyte and a standard. Therefore, the standard must meet the requirements of chemical compatibility and lack of resonance interference with the analyte as well as a known purity. The identification of such a standard can be time consuming and must be repeated for each analyte. In contrast, the external standard qNMR method utilizes a standard with a known purity to calibrate the NMR instrument. The external standard and the analyte are measured separately, thereby eliminating the matter of chemical compatibility and resonance interference between the standard and the analyte. However, the instrumental factors, including the quality of NMR tubes, must be kept the same. Any deviations will compromise the accuracy of the results. An innovative qNMR method reported herein utilizes an internal reference substance along with an external standard to assume the role of the standard used in the traditional internal standard qNMR method. In this new method, the internal reference substance must only be chemically compatible and be free of resonance-interference with the analyte or external standard whereas the external standard must only be of a known purity. The exact purity or concentration of the internal reference substance is not required as long as the same quantity is added to the external standard and the analyte. The new method reduces the burden of searching for an appropriate standard for each analyte significantly. Therefore the efficiency of the qNMR purity assay increases while the precision of the internal standard method is retained. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Global variance in female population height: the influence of education, income, human development, life expectancy, mortality and gender inequality in 96 nations.

PubMed

Mark, Quentin J

2014-01-01

Human height is a heritable trait that is known to be influenced by environmental factors and general standard of living. Individual and population stature is correlated with health, education and economic achievement. Strong sexual selection pressures for stature have been observed in multiple diverse populations, however; there is significant global variance in gender equality and prohibitions on female mate selection. This paper explores the contribution of general standard of living and gender inequality to the variance in global female population heights. Female population heights of 96 nations were culled from previously published sources and public access databases. Factor analysis with United Nations international data on education rates, life expectancy, incomes, maternal and childhood mortality rates, ratios of gender participation in education and politics, the Human Development Index (HDI) and the Gender Inequality Index (GII) was run. Results indicate that population heights vary more closely with gender inequality than with population health, income or education.

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method of loxoprofen in human plasma.

PubMed

Lee, Hye Won; Ji, Hye Young; Sohn, Dong Hwan; Kim, Se-Mi; Lee, Yong Bok; Lee, Hye Suk

2009-07-01

A rapid, sensitive and selective liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometric method for the determination of loxoprofen in human plasma was developed. Loxoprofen and ketoprofen (internal standard) were extracted from 20 microL of human plasma sample using ethyl acetate at acidic pH and analyzed on an Atlantis dC(18) column with the mobile phase of methanol:water (75:25, v/v). The analytes were quantified in the selected reaction monitoring mode. The standard curve was linear over the concentration range of 0.1-20 microg/mL with a lower limit of quantification of 0.1 microg/mL. The coefficient of variation and relative error for intra- and inter-assay at four quality control levels were 2.8-5.2 and 4.8-7.0%, respectively. The recoveries of loxoprofen and ketoprofen were 69.7 and 67.6%, respectively. The matrix effects for loxoprofen and ketoprofen were practically absent. This method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of loxoprofen in humans. (c) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Anthropometry for WorldSID, a World-Harmonized Midsize Male Side Impact Crash Dummy

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

S. Moss; Z. Wang; M. Salloum

2000-06-19

The WorldSID project is a global effort to design a new generation side impact crash test dummy under the direction of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The first WorldSID crash dummy will represent a world-harmonized mid-size adult male. This paper discusses the research and rationale undertaken to define the anthropometry of a world standard midsize male in the typical automotive seated posture. Various anthropometry databases are compared region by region and in terms of the key dimensions needed for crash dummy design. The Anthropometry for Motor Vehicle Occupants (AMVO) dataset, as established by the University of Michigan Transportation Researchmore » Institute (UMTRI), is selected as the basis for the WorldSID mid-size male, updated to include revisions to the pelvis bone location. The proposed mass of the dummy is 77.3kg with full arms. The rationale for the selected mass is discussed. The joint location and surface landmark database is appended to this paper.« less

Determination of the neuropharmacological drug nodakenin in rat plasma and brain tissues by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry: Application to pharmacokinetic studies.

PubMed

Song, Yingshi; Yan, Huiyu; Xu, Jingbo; Ma, Hongxi

2017-09-01

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry detection using selected reaction monitoring in positive ionization mode was developed and validated for the quantification of nodakenin in rat plasma and brain. Pareruptorin A was used as internal standard. A single step liquid-liquid extraction was used for plasma and brain sample preparation. The method was validated with respect to selectivity, precision, accuracy, linearity, limit of quantification, recovery, matrix effect and stability. Lower limit of quantification of nodakenin was 2.0 ng/mL in plasma and brain tissue homogenates. Linear calibration curves were obtained over concentration ranges of 2.0-1000 ng/mL in plasma and brain tissue homogenates for nodakenin. Intra-day and inter-day precisions (relative standard deviation, RSD) were <15% in both biological media. This assay was successfully applied to plasma and brain pharmacokinetic studies of nodakenin in rats after intravenous administration. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Enantioselective extraction of (+)-(S)-citalopram and its main metabolites using a tailor-made stir bar chiral imprinted polymer for their LC-ESI-MS/MS quantitation in urine samples.

PubMed

Unceta, Nora; Gómez-Caballero, Alberto; García, Deiene; Díaz, Goretti; Guerreiro, Antonio; Piletsky, Sergey; Goicolea, M Aránzazu; Barrio, Ramón J

2013-11-15

This paper reports the application of a chiral imprinted polymer (CIP)-coated stir bar for the selective extraction of (+)-(S)-citalopram (SCIT) and its main metabolites, (+)-(S)-desmethylcitalopram (SDCIT) and (+)-(S)-didesmethylcitalopram (SDDCIT), from urine samples. The developed device has been demonstrated to be capable of selectively extracting the three target analytes from urine samples without saturating the imprinted sites. A CIP-coated stir bar sorptive extraction procedure (CIP-SBSE) is proposed for the isolation of SCIT, SDCIT and SDDCIT followed by their subsequent analysis using liquid chromatography ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-ITMS). Deuterated SCIT-d6 was used as an internal standard. The method was validated using a standard procedure, which revealed that a quantification of 5 ng mL(-1) was obtained in urine samples and that the accuracy and precision were within the established values while no matrix effect was observed. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Water-compatible molecularly imprinted polymers for efficient direct injection on-line solid-phase extraction of ropivacaine and bupivacaine from human plasma.

PubMed

Cobb, Zoe; Sellergren, Börje; Andersson, Lars I

2007-12-01

Two novel molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) selected from a combinatorial library of bupivacaine imprinted polymers were used for selective on-line solid-phase extraction of bupivacaine and ropivacaine from human plasma. The MIPs were prepared using methacrylic acid as the functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the cross-linking monomer and in addition hydroxyethylmethacrylate to render the polymer surface hydrophilic. The novel MIPs showed high selectivity for the analytes and required fewer and lower concentrations of additives to suppress non-specific adsorption compared with a conventional MIP. This enabled the development of an on-line system for direct extraction of buffered plasma. Selective extraction was achieved without the use of time-consuming solvent switch steps, and transfer of the analytes from the MIP column to the analytical column was carried out under aqueous conditions fully compatible with reversed-phase LC gradient separation of analyte and internal standard. The MIPs showed excellent aqueous compatibility and yielded extractions with acceptable recovery and high selectivity.

Synthesis of a bifunctional cytidine derivative and its conjugation to RNA for in vitro selection of a cytidine deaminase ribozyme

PubMed Central

Rublack, Nico

2014-01-01

Summary Over the past 20 years, the generation of functional RNAs by in vitro selection has become a standard technique. Apart from aptamers for simple binding of defined ligands, also RNAs for catalysis of chemical reactions have been selected. In the latter case, a key step often is the conjugation of one of the two reactants to the library, requiring suitable strategies for terminal or internal RNA functionalization. With the aim of selecting a ribozyme for deamination of cytidine, we have set up a selection scheme involving the attachment of the cytidine acting as deamination substrate to the 3'-terminus of the RNAs in the library, and library immobilization. Here, we report the synthesis of a bifunctional cytidine derivative suitable for conjugation to RNA and linkage of the conjugated library to a streptavidine-coated surface. Successful conjugation of the cytidine derivative to the 3'-terminus of a model RNA is demonstrated. PMID:25246949

Anthropometry and somatotypes of competitive DanceSport participants: a comparison of three different styles.

PubMed

Liiv, H; Wyon, M; Jürimäe, T; Purge, P; Saar, M; Mäestu, J; Jürimäe, J

2014-04-01

Anthropometry in dance and aesthetic sports has been shown to play an important role in selection and performance criteria. The aim of the present study was to examine variations in somatotype and anthropometry in three different competitive dance styles: DanceSport Standard, Latin American and Ten Dance. Anthropometry and somatotype data were collected from thirty couples competing in Standard (n=24 individuals), Latin American (n=14) and Ten Dance (n=22) styles. A single tester (ISAK Level 1) carried out all anthropometric measurements using the Heath-Carter protocol and somatotypes were calculated using the Heath-Carter's decimal equations. Results indicated that the mean somatotype for the male dancers was 2.4-3.9-3.2, whilst for females it was 2.7-2.7-3.5. Factorial analysis reported Standard dancers scored significantly higher for ectomorphy, sitting height and arm span than Latin dancers (p<0.05). Correlation analysis with the Standard dancer's International Ranking highlighted moderate positive correlation with mesomorphy (r=0.434, p<0.05) and negative correlation with ectomorphy (r=-0.546, p<0.001). The findings of this study show that somatotypes differ among DanceSport participants by dance style. Compared with other aesthetic sports, male and female dancers were less mesomorphic and more ectomorphic. Standard dancers tend to be more ectomorphic with greater height, longer arm span and greater sitting height compared with Latin American dancers. Although Standard dancers were ectomorphic, those dancers who had higher mesomorphic ranking had higher places in the dancers' international ranking. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Identifying patients with severe sepsis using administrative claims: patient-level validation of the angus implementation of the international consensus conference definition of severe sepsis.

PubMed

Iwashyna, Theodore J; Odden, Andrew; Rohde, Jeffrey; Bonham, Catherine; Kuhn, Latoya; Malani, Preeti; Chen, Lena; Flanders, Scott

2014-06-01

Severe sepsis is a common and costly problem. Although consistently defined clinically by consensus conference since 1991, there have been several different implementations of the severe sepsis definition using ICD-9-CM codes for research. We conducted a single center, patient-level validation of 1 common implementation of the severe sepsis definition, the so-called "Angus" implementation. Administrative claims for all hospitalizations for patients initially admitted to general medical services from an academic medical center in 2009-2010 were reviewed. On the basis of ICD-9-CM codes, hospitalizations were sampled for review by 3 internal medicine-trained hospitalists. Chart reviews were conducted with a structured instrument, and the gold standard was the hospitalists' summary clinical judgment on whether the patient had severe sepsis. Three thousand one hundred forty-six (13.5%) hospitalizations met ICD-9-CM criteria for severe sepsis by the Angus implementation (Angus-positive) and 20,142 (86.5%) were Angus-negative. Chart reviews were performed for 92 randomly selected Angus-positive and 19 randomly-selected Angus-negative hospitalizations. Reviewers had a κ of 0.70. The Angus implementation's positive predictive value was 70.7% [95% confidence interval (CI): 51.2%, 90.5%]. The negative predictive value was 91.5% (95% CI: 79.0%, 100%). The sensitivity was 50.4% (95% CI: 14.8%, 85.7%). Specificity was 96.3% (95% CI: 92.4%, 100%). Two alternative ICD-9-CM implementations had high positive predictive values but sensitivities of <20%. The Angus implementation of the international consensus conference definition of severe sepsis offers a reasonable but imperfect approach to identifying patients with severe sepsis when compared with a gold standard of structured review of the medical chart by trained hospitalists.

Fourth consensus of the International Society for Premenstrual Disorders (ISPMD): auditable standards for diagnosis and management of premenstrual disorder.

PubMed

Ismaili, Elgerta; Walsh, Sally; O'Brien, Patrick Michael Shaughn; Bäckström, Torbjorn; Brown, Candace; Dennerstein, Lorraine; Eriksson, Elias; Freeman, Ellen W; Ismail, Khaled M K; Panay, Nicholas; Pearlstein, Teri; Rapkin, Andrea; Steiner, Meir; Studd, John; Sundström-Paromma, Inger; Endicott, Jean; Epperson, C Neill; Halbreich, Uriel; Reid, Robert; Rubinow, David; Schmidt, Peter; Yonkers, Kimberley

2016-12-01

Whilst professional bodies such as the Royal College and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have well-established standards for audit of management for most gynaecology disorders, such standards for premenstrual disorders (PMDs) have yet to be developed. The International Society of Premenstrual Disorders (ISPMD) has already published three consensus papers on PMDs covering areas that include definition, classification/quantification, clinical trial design and management (American College Obstetricians and Gynecologists 2011; Brown et al. in Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2:CD001396, 2009; Dickerson et al. in Am Fam Physician 67(8):1743-1752, 2003). In this fourth consensus of ISPMD, we aim to create a set of auditable standards for the clinical management of PMDs. All members of the original ISPMD consensus group were invited to submit one or more auditable standards to be eligible in the inclusion of the consensus. Ninety-five percent of members (18/19) responded with at least one auditable standard. A total of 66 auditable standards were received, which were returned to all group members who then ranked the standards in order of priority, before the results were collated. Proposed standards related to the diagnosis of PMDs identified the importance of obtaining an accurate history, that a symptom diary should be kept for 2 months prior to diagnosis and that symptom reporting demonstrates symptoms in the premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle and relieved by menstruation. Regarding treatment, the most important standards were the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as a first line treatment, an evidence-based approach to treatment and that SSRI side effects are properly explained to patients. A set of comprehensive standards to be used in the diagnosis and treatment of PMD has been established, for which PMD management can be audited against for standardised and improved care.

Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometric method for the determination of dissolved trace elements in natural water

USGS Publications Warehouse

Garbarino, J.R.; Taylor, Howard E.

1996-01-01

An inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry method was developed for the determination of dissolved Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sr, Tl, U, V, and Zn in natural waters. Detection limits are generally in the 50-100 picogram per milliliter (pg/mL) range, with the exception of As which is in the 1 microgram per liter (ug/L) range. Interferences associated with spectral overlap from concomitant isotopes or molecular ions and sample matrix composition have been identified. Procedures for interference correction and reduction related to isotope selection, instrumental operating conditions, and mathematical data processing techniques are described. Internal standards are used to minimize instrumental drift. The average analytical precision attainable for 5 times the detection limit is about 16 percent. The accuracy of the method was tested using a series of U.S. Geological Survey Standard Reference Water Standards (SWRS), National Research Council Canada Riverine Water Standard, and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Trace Elements in Water Standards. Average accuracies range from 90 to 110 percent of the published mean values.

Standardization of Brief Inventory of Social Support Exchange Network (BISSEN) in Japan.

PubMed

Aiba, Miyuki; Tachikawa, Hirokazu; Fukuoka, Yoshiharu; Lebowitz, Adam; Shiratori, Yuki; Doi, Nagafumi; Matsui, Yutaka

2017-07-01

This study describes the Brief Inventory of Social Support Exchange Network (BISSEN) as a standardized brief inventory measuring various aspects of social support. We confirmed the reliability and validity for function and direction of support and standardized the BISSEN. For Sample 1, a stratified random sampling method was used to select 5200 residents in Japan. We conducted mail surveys and responses were retrieved from 2274 participants (collection rate 43.7%). Participants completed a questionnaire packet that included BISSEN, suicidal ideation, depression, support seeking, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Sample 2 surveys for test-retest reliability were conducted on 23 residents at approximately two-week intervals. Participants were asked about gender, age, and BISSEN. First, we assessed the internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct, convergent, and concurrent validity. McDonald's omega (.73-.92) and test-retest correlations (.78-.85) demonstrated adequate internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Depression, support seeking, and MSPSS were significantly correlated with all scores of BISSEN. The non-suicidal ideation group had significantly more support compared to the suicidal ideation group. Therefore, function and direction of support in BISSEN had sufficient reliability and validity. Next, we standardized BISSEN using Z-scores and percentile rank with respect to each 12 norm groups by age and gender. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Analysis of amino acids by HPLC/electrospray negative ion tandem mass spectrometry using 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl chloride (Fmoc-Cl) derivatization.

PubMed

Ziegler, Jörg; Abel, Steffen

2014-12-01

A new method for the determination of amino acids is presented. It combines established methods for the derivatization of primary and secondary amino groups with 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl chloride (Fmoc-Cl) with the subsequent amino acid specific detection of the derivatives by LC-ESI-MS/MS using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). The derivatization proceeds within 5 min, and the resulting amino acid derivatives can be rapidly purified from matrix by solid-phase extraction (SPE) on HR-X resin and separated by reversed-phase HPLC. The Fmoc derivatives yield several amino acid specific fragment ions which opened the possibility to select amino acid specific MRM transitions. The method was applied to all 20 proteinogenic amino acids, and the quantification was performed using L-norvaline as standard. A limit of detection as low as 1 fmol/µl with a linear range of up to 125 pmol/µl could be obtained. Intraday and interday precisions were lower than 10 % relative standard deviations for most of the amino acids. Quantification using L-norvaline as internal standard gave very similar results compared to the quantification using deuterated amino acid as internal standards. Using this protocol, it was possible to record the amino acid profiles of only a single root from Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings and to compare it with the amino acid profiles of 20 dissected root meristems (200 μm).

[Determination of Heavy Metal Elements in Diatomite Filter Aid by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry].

PubMed

Nie, Xi-du; Fu, Liang

2015-11-01

This study established a method for determining Be, Cr, Ni, As, Cd, Sb, Sn, Tl, Hg and Pb, total 10 heavy metals in diatomite filter aid. The diatomite filter aid was digested by using the mixture acid of HNO₃ + HF+ H₃PO₄ in microwave system, 10 heavy metals elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The interferences of mass spectrometry caused by the high silicon substrate were optimized, first the equipment parameters and isotopes of test metals were selected to eliminate these interferences, the methane was selected as reactant gas, and the mass spectral interferences were eliminated by dynamic reaction cell (DRC). Li, Sc, Y, In and Bi were selected as the internal standard elements to correct the interferences caused by matrix and the drift of sensitivity. The results show that the detection limits for analyte is in the range of 3.29-15.68 ng · L⁻¹, relative standard deviations (RSD) is less than 4.62%, and the recovery is in the range of 90.71%-107.22%. The current method has some advantages such as, high sensitivity, accurate, and precision, which can be used in diatomite filter aid quality control and safety estimations.

THE NICHE CONSTRUCTION PERSPECTIVE: A CRITICAL APPRAISAL*

PubMed Central

Scott-Phillips, Thomas C; Laland, Kevin N; Shuker, David M; Dickins, Thomas E; West, Stuart A

2014-01-01

Niche construction refers to the activities of organisms that bring about changes in their environments, many of which are evolutionarily and ecologically consequential. Advocates of niche construction theory (NCT) believe that standard evolutionary theory fails to recognize the full importance of niche construction, and consequently propose a novel view of evolution, in which niche construction and its legacy over time (ecological inheritance) are described as evolutionary processes, equivalent in importance to natural selection. Here, we subject NCT to critical evaluation, in the form of a collaboration between one prominent advocate of NCT, and a team of skeptics. We discuss whether niche construction is an evolutionary process, whether NCT obscures or clarifies how natural selection leads to organismal adaptation, and whether niche construction and natural selection are of equivalent explanatory importance. We also consider whether the literature that promotes NCT overstates the significance of niche construction, whether it is internally coherent, and whether it accurately portrays standard evolutionary theory. Our disagreements reflect a wider dispute within evolutionary theory over whether the neo-Darwinian synthesis is in need of reformulation, as well as different usages of some key terms (e.g., evolutionary process). PMID:24325256

WHO multicentre study for the development of growth standards from fetal life to childhood: the fetal component.

PubMed

Merialdi, Mario; Widmer, Mariana; Gülmezoglu, Ahmet Metin; Abdel-Aleem, Hany; Bega, George; Benachi, Alexandra; Carroli, Guillermo; Cecatti, Jose Guilherme; Diemert, Anke; Gonzalez, Rogelio; Hecher, Kurt; Jensen, Lisa N; Johnsen, Synnøve L; Kiserud, Torvid; Kriplani, Alka; Lumbiganon, Pisake; Tabor, Ann; Talegawkar, Sameera A; Tshefu, Antoinette; Wojdyla, Daniel; Platt, Lawrence

2014-05-02

In 2006 WHO presented the infant and child growth charts suggested for universal application. However, major determinants for perinatal outcomes and postnatal growth are laid down during antenatal development. Accordingly, monitoring fetal growth in utero by ultrasonography is important both for clinical and scientific reasons. The currently used fetal growth references are derived mainly from North American and European population and may be inappropriate for international use, given possible variances in the growth rates of fetuses from different ethnic population groups. WHO has, therefore, made it a high priority to establish charts of optimal fetal growth that can be recommended worldwide. This is a multi-national study for the development of fetal growth standards for international application by assessing fetal growth in populations of different ethnic and geographic backgrounds. The study will select pregnant women of high-middle socioeconomic status with no obvious environmental constraints on growth (adequate nutritional status, non-smoking), and normal pregnancy history with no complications likely to affect fetal growth. The study will be conducted in centres from ten developing and industrialized countries: Argentina, Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Norway, and Thailand. At each centre, 140 pregnant women will be recruited between 8 + 0 and 12 + 6 weeks of gestation. Subsequently, visits for fetal biometry will be scheduled at 14, 18, 24, 28, 32, 36, and 40 weeks (+/- 1 week) to be performed by trained ultrasonographers.The main outcome of the proposed study will be the development of fetal growth standards (either global or population specific) for international applications. The data from this study will be incorporated into obstetric practice and national health policies at country level in coordination with the activities presently conducted by WHO to implement the use of the Child Growth Standards.

Determination of 4-nonylphenol in water samples using 4-(2,6-dimethylhept-3-yl)phenol as new internal standard.

PubMed

Fischer, Axel R; Lan, Nham Thi Phuong; Wiedemann, Cornelia; Heide, Petra; Werner, Peter; Schmidt, Arndt W; Theumer, Gabriele; Knölker, Hans-Joachim

2010-04-23

A new method for determining the endocrine disrupting substance 4-nonylphenol (technical grade=mixture of isomers, 4-NP) from water samples has been developed by using 4-(2,6-dimethylhept-3-yl)phenol (4-sec-NP) as model compound. This branched monoalkylphenol is shown to serve as internal standard (IS) for the determination of technical 4-nonylphenol. To the best of our knowledge, 4-(2,6-dimethylhept-3-yl)phenol (racemic mixture) is a newly synthesized 4-nonylphenol isomer and has not been described elsewhere. Recoveries have been determined by analyzing spiked water samples from distilled water, river water and wastewater. Following acetylation, the compounds were enriched via solid phase extraction (SPE). Analyses of the compounds were performed by capillary column gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), operating in selected ion-monitoring (SIM) mode. The recovery of technical 4-NP using either the newly prepared 4-sec-NP or 4-n-nonylphenol (4-n-NP) as IS have been compared. 4-sec-NP showed slightly better results. However, in the first series of experiments using wastewater, the yields for the derivatization of the two standard compounds were remarkably different. The yield for derivatization of 4-n-NP was approximately 20%, probably due to the difficult matrix of the wastewater. In contrast, the yield for the derivatization of 4-sec-NP was considerably higher (approximately 63%). This problem can be solved by increasing the concentration of the reagent used for derivatization. For better control of the clean-up process, we recommend application of 4-sec-NP as internal standard, at least in water samples with complex matrices (e.g., high content of hydroxylated compounds). Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Biobanking of CSF: international standardization to optimize biomarker development.

PubMed

Teunissen, Charlotte E; Tumani, Hayrettin; Engelborghs, Sebastiaan; Mollenhauer, Brit

2014-03-01

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) reflects pathophysiological aspects of neurological diseases, where neuroprotective strategies and biomarkers are urgently needed. Therefore, biobanking is very relevant for biomarker discovery and evaluation of neurological diseases. Important and unique features of CSF biobanking are intensive collaboration in international networks and the tight application of standardized protocols. The current adoption of standardized protocols for CSF and blood collection as presented in this review enables biomarker studies in large cohorts of patients and controls. Another topic of this review is the selection of control groups, which influences the outcome of biomarker investigations. Control groups in CSF biobanks mainly consist of different disease controls. This is in part due to the fact that lumbar punctures are mostly performed for clinical indications and rarely for research purposes only, as it is a relatively invasive procedure. Moreover, there is a lack of homogenous criteria and definition of control groups. We therefore propose uniform consensus definitions for such control groups in biomarker research, i.e. Healthy controls (HC), Spinal anesthesia subjects (SAS), Symptomatic controls (SC), Inflammatory Neurological Disease Controls (CINDC), Peripheral Inflammatory Neurological Disease Controls (PINDC) and Non-inflammatory Neurological Disease Controls (NINDC). Another important aspect of CSF biobanking is quality control. Systematic studies to address effects of pre-analytical and storage variation on a broad range of CSF proteins are needed. In conclusion, biomarker research in neurodegenerative diseases has entered a new era due to the collaborative and multicenter efforts of many groups. The streamlining of biobanking procedures, including quality control, and the selection of optimal control groups for investigating biomarkers are important improvements to perform high quality biomarker studies. Copyright © 2014 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Quality Management, Certification and Rating of Health Information on the Net with MedCERTAIN: Using a medPICS/RDF/XML metadata structure for implementing eHealth ethics and creating trust globally

PubMed Central

Eysenbach, Gunther; Yihune, Gabriel; Lampe, Kristian; Cross, Phil; Brickley, Dan

2000-01-01

MedCERTAIN (MedPICS Certification and Rating of Trustworthy Health Information on the Net, http://www.medcertain.org/) is a recently launched international project funded under the European Union's (EU) "Action Plan for safer use of the Internet". It provides a technical infrastructure and a conceptual basis for an international system of "quality seals", ratings and self-labelling of Internet health information, with the final aim to establish a global "trustmark" for networked health information. Digital "quality seals" are evaluative metadata (using standards such as PICS=Platform for Internet Content Selection, now being replaced by RDF/XML) assigned by trusted third-party raters. The project also enables and encourages self-labelling with descriptive metainformation by web authors. Together these measures will help consumers as well as professionals to identify high-quality information on the Internet. MedCERTAIN establishes a fully functional demonstrator for a self- and third-party rating system enabling consumers and professionals to filter harmful health information and to positively identify and select high quality information. We aim to provide a trustmark system which allows citizens to place greater confidence in networked information, to encourage health information providers to follow best practices guidelines such as the Washington eHealth Code of Ethics, to provide effective feedback and law enforcement channels to handle user complaints, and to stimulate medical societies to develop standard for patient information. The project further proposes and identifies standards for interoperability of rating and description services (such as libraries or national health portals) and fosters a worldwide collaboration to guide consumers to high-quality information on the web.

CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PREPARATION OF SURROGATE RECOVERY STANDARD AND INTERNAL STANDARD SOLUTIONS FOR NEUTRAL TARGET ANALYTES (SOP-5.25)

EPA Science Inventory

This standard operating procedure describes the method used for preparing internal standard, surrogate recovery standard and calibration standard solutions for neutral analytes used for gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis.

The development and psychometric properties of the selective mutism questionnaire.

PubMed

Bergman, R Lindsey; Keller, Melody L; Piacentini, John; Bergman, Andrea J

2008-04-01

Research on selective mutism (SM) has been limited by the absence of standardized, psychometrically sound assessment measures. The purpose of our investigation was to present two studies that examined the factor structure and initial reliability and validity of the Selective Mutism Questionnaire (SMQ), a 17-item parent report measure of failure to speak related to SM. Study 1 (N = 589) utilized an Internet sample of parents of children ages 3 to 11 to demonstrate that the SMQ has a theoretically and clinically meaningful factor structure accounting for a significant portion of variance in responses with good internal consistency. Study 2 (N = 66) supported the validity of the SMQ in that scores discriminated clinic-referred children with SM from children with other anxiety disorders. Scores on the SMQ were correlated with measures of several theoretically and clinically important dimensions.

Developing criteria to establish Trusted Digital Repositories

USGS Publications Warehouse

Faundeen, John L.

2017-01-01

This paper details the drivers, methods, and outcomes of the U.S. Geological Survey’s quest to establish criteria by which to judge its own digital preservation resources as Trusted Digital Repositories. Drivers included recent U.S. legislation focused on data and asset management conducted by federal agencies spending $100M USD or more annually on research activities. The methods entailed seeking existing evaluation criteria from national and international organizations such as International Standards Organization (ISO), U.S. Library of Congress, and Data Seal of Approval upon which to model USGS repository evaluations. Certification, complexity, cost, and usability of existing evaluation models were key considerations. The selected evaluation method was derived to allow the repository evaluation process to be transparent, understandable, and defensible; factors that are critical for judging competing, internal units. Implementing the chosen evaluation criteria involved establishing a cross-agency, multi-disciplinary team that interfaced across the organization. 

The Process for the Formulation of the International Telehealth Position Statement for Occupational Therapy

PubMed Central

JACOBS, KAREN; CASON, JANA; MCCULLOUGH, ANN

2015-01-01

The World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) consists of 84 member organizations representing over 420,000 occupational therapists internationally (WFOT, 2014). In 2014, WFOT published the WFOT Telehealth Position Statement on the use of telehealth in occupational therapy. The process for the formulation of the official document involved reviewing WFOT member organizations’ telehealth position statements and data collected from a survey sent to member organizations’ delegates in April 2014. Qualitative data from 39 countries yielded factors to consider in five key areas: licensure/registration requirements, the cost of technology, privacy and security, reimbursement/payment models, and other issues (e.g., need for collaboration/transfer of knowledge, client selection, provider competencies, standard of care). The WFOT Telehealth Position Statement addressed each of these areas. The collaborative effort resulting in the development of the WFOT Telehealth Position Statement serves as a model for other international organizations. PMID:27563380

Soil contamination standards for protection of personnel

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

Rittmann, P.D.

1998-04-16

The objective of this report is to recommend soil contamination levels that will ensure that radionuclide intakes by unprotected workers are likely to give internal doses below selected dose limits during the working year. The three internal dose limits are 1, 100, and 500 mrem per year. In addition, photon, beta, and alpha instrument readings are estimated for these soil concentration limits. Two exposure pathways are considered: the first is inhalation of resuspended dust and the second is ingestion of trace amounts of soil. In addition, radioactive decay and ingrowth of progeny during the year of exposure is included. Externalmore » dose from the soil contamination is not included because monitoring and control of external exposures is carried out independently from internal exposures, which are the focus of this report. The methods used are similar to those used by Carbaugh and Bihl (1993) to set bioassay criteria for such workers.« less

STRUCTURAL ECONOMIC CHANGE AND INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION FROM MEXICO AND POLAND

PubMed Central

Massey, Douglas S.; Kalter, Frank; Pren, Karen A.

2010-01-01

In this article we use uniquely comparable data sets from two very different settings to examine how exogenous economic transformations affect the likelihood and selectivity of international out-migration. Specifically, we use data from the Mexican Migration Project to construct event history files predicting first U.S. trips from seven communities in the state of Veracruz, which until recently sent very few migrants abroad. Similarly, using data from the Polish Migration Project, we derive comparable event history files predicting first trips to Germany from four Polish communities, which also sent few migrants abroad before the 1980s. Our analyses suggest that the onset of structural adjustment in both places had a significant effect in raising the probability of international migration, even when controlling for a set of standard variables specified by other theories to influence migration propensity, such as the size of the binational income gap and various indicators of human and social capital. PMID:21765550

Beyond Iron: Iridium-Containing P450 Enzymes for Selective Cyclopropanations of Structurally Diverse Alkenes

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

Key, Hanna M.; Dydio, Paweł; Liu, Zhennan

Enzymes catalyze organic transformations with exquisite levels of selectivity, including chemoselectivity, stereoselectivity, and substrate selectivity, but the types of reactions catalyzed by enzymes are more limited than those of chemical catalysts. Thus, the convergence of chemical catalysis and biocatalysis can enable enzymatic systems to catalyze abiological reactions with high selectivity. Recently, we disclosed artificial enzymes constructed from the apo form of heme proteins and iridium porphyrins that catalyze the insertion of carbenes into a C-H bond. Here, we postulated that the same type of Ir(Me)-PIX enzymes could catalyze the cyclopropanation of a broad range of alkenes with control of multiplemore » modes of selectivity. Here, we report the evolution of artificial enzymes that are highly active and highly stereoselective for the addition of carbenes to a wide range of alkenes. These enzymes catalyze the cyclopropanation of terminal and internal, activated and unactivated, electron-rich and electron-deficient, conjugated and nonconjugated alkenes. In particular, Ir(Me)-PIX enzymes derived from CYP119 catalyze highly enantio- and diastereoselective cyclopropanations of styrene with ±98% ee, > 70:1 dr, > 75% yield, and ~10,000 turnovers (TON), as well as 1,2-disubstituted styrenes with up to 99% ee, 35:1 dr, and 54% yield. Moreover, Ir(Me)-PIX enzymes catalyze cyclopropanation of internal, unactivated alkenes with up to 99% stereoselectivity, 76% yield, and 1300 TON. They also catalyze cyclopropanation of natural products with diastereoselectivities that are complementary to those attained with standard transition metal catalysts. Finally, Ir(Me)-PIX P450 variants react with substrate selectivity that is reminiscent of natural enzymes; they react preferentially with less reactive internal alkenes in the presence of more reactive terminal alkenes. Altogether, the studies reveal the suitability of Ir-containing P450s to combine the broad reactivity and substrate scope of transition metal catalysts with the exquisite selectivity of enzymes, generating catalysts that enable reactions to occur with levels and modes of activity and selectivity previously unattainable with natural enzymes or transition metal complexes alone.« less

Beyond Iron: Iridium-Containing P450 Enzymes for Selective Cyclopropanations of Structurally Diverse Alkenes

DOE PAGES

Key, Hanna M.; Dydio, Paweł; Liu, Zhennan; ...

2017-04-01

Enzymes catalyze organic transformations with exquisite levels of selectivity, including chemoselectivity, stereoselectivity, and substrate selectivity, but the types of reactions catalyzed by enzymes are more limited than those of chemical catalysts. Thus, the convergence of chemical catalysis and biocatalysis can enable enzymatic systems to catalyze abiological reactions with high selectivity. Recently, we disclosed artificial enzymes constructed from the apo form of heme proteins and iridium porphyrins that catalyze the insertion of carbenes into a C-H bond. Here, we postulated that the same type of Ir(Me)-PIX enzymes could catalyze the cyclopropanation of a broad range of alkenes with control of multiplemore » modes of selectivity. Here, we report the evolution of artificial enzymes that are highly active and highly stereoselective for the addition of carbenes to a wide range of alkenes. These enzymes catalyze the cyclopropanation of terminal and internal, activated and unactivated, electron-rich and electron-deficient, conjugated and nonconjugated alkenes. In particular, Ir(Me)-PIX enzymes derived from CYP119 catalyze highly enantio- and diastereoselective cyclopropanations of styrene with ±98% ee, > 70:1 dr, > 75% yield, and ~10,000 turnovers (TON), as well as 1,2-disubstituted styrenes with up to 99% ee, 35:1 dr, and 54% yield. Moreover, Ir(Me)-PIX enzymes catalyze cyclopropanation of internal, unactivated alkenes with up to 99% stereoselectivity, 76% yield, and 1300 TON. They also catalyze cyclopropanation of natural products with diastereoselectivities that are complementary to those attained with standard transition metal catalysts. Finally, Ir(Me)-PIX P450 variants react with substrate selectivity that is reminiscent of natural enzymes; they react preferentially with less reactive internal alkenes in the presence of more reactive terminal alkenes. Altogether, the studies reveal the suitability of Ir-containing P450s to combine the broad reactivity and substrate scope of transition metal catalysts with the exquisite selectivity of enzymes, generating catalysts that enable reactions to occur with levels and modes of activity and selectivity previously unattainable with natural enzymes or transition metal complexes alone.« less

International Standardization of Bed Rest Standard Measures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cromwell, Ronita L.

2010-01-01

This slide presentation gives an overview of the standardization of bed rest measures. The International Countermeasures Working Group attempted to define and agree internationally on standard measurements for spaceflight based bed rest studies. The group identified the experts amongst several stakeholder agencys. It included information on exercise, muscle, neurological, psychological, bone and cardiovascular measures.

The use of gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric-computer systems in pharmacokinetic studies.

PubMed

Horning, M G; Nowlin, J; Stafford, M; Lertratanangkoon, K; Sommer, K R; Hill, R M; Stillwell, R N

1975-10-29

Pharmacokinetic studies involving plasma, urine, breast milk, saliva and liver homogenates have been carried out by selective ion detection with a gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric-computer system operated in the chemical ionization mode. Stable isotope labeled drugs were used as internal standards for quantification. The half-lives, the concentration at zero time, the slope (regression coefficient), the maximum velocity of the reaction and the apparent Michaelis constant of the reaction were determined by regression analysis, and also by graphic means.

Companies' opinions and acceptance of global food safety initiative benchmarks after implementation.

PubMed

Crandall, Phil; Van Loo, Ellen J; O'Bryan, Corliss A; Mauromoustakos, Andy; Yiannas, Frank; Dyenson, Natalie; Berdnik, Irina

2012-09-01

International attention has been focused on minimizing costs that may unnecessarily raise food prices. One important aspect to consider is the redundant and overlapping costs of food safety audits. The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) has devised benchmarked schemes based on existing international food safety standards for use as a unifying standard accepted by many retailers. The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of the decision made by Walmart Stores (Bentonville, AR) to require their suppliers to become GFSI compliant. An online survey of 174 retail suppliers was conducted to assess food suppliers' opinions of this requirement and the benefits suppliers realized when they transitioned from their previous food safety systems. The most common reason for becoming GFSI compliant was to meet customers' requirements; thus, supplier implementation of the GFSI standards was not entirely voluntary. Other reasons given for compliance were enhancing food safety and remaining competitive. About 54 % of food processing plants using GFSI benchmarked schemes followed the guidelines of Safe Quality Food 2000 and 37 % followed those of the British Retail Consortium. At the supplier level, 58 % followed Safe Quality Food 2000 and 31 % followed the British Retail Consortium. Respondents reported that the certification process took about 10 months. The most common reason for selecting a certain GFSI benchmarked scheme was because it was widely accepted by customers (retailers). Four other common reasons were (i) the standard has a good reputation in the industry, (ii) the standard was recommended by others, (iii) the standard is most often used in the industry, and (iv) the standard was required by one of their customers. Most suppliers agreed that increased safety of their products was required to comply with GFSI benchmarked schemes. They also agreed that the GFSI required a more carefully documented food safety management system, which often required improved company food safety practices and increased employee training. Adoption of a GFSI benchmarked scheme resulted in fewer audits, i.e., one less per year. An educational opportunity exists to acquaint retailers and suppliers worldwide with the benefits of having an internationally recognized certification program such as that recognized by the GFSI.

The International Standard for Aureomycin

PubMed Central

Humphrey, J. H.; Lightbown, J. W.; Mussett, M. V.; Perry, W. L. M.

1953-01-01

In 1950, the Department of Biological Standards, National Institute for Medical Research, London, was authorized by the WHO Expert Committee on Biological Standardization to proceed with the establishment of an International Standard for Aureomycin. A 100-g batch of aureomycin was obtained and was compared with the Standard Preparation of Aureomycin of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a collaborative assay in which six laboratories in five countries participated. In all, 30 assays were carried out; 26 of these were done by biological methods, using Sarcina lutea, Bacillus pumilus, Staphylococcus aureus, or Bacillus cereus, and the remaining four by physicochemical methods. The results were subjected to standard methods of analysis, and the overall weighted mean potency (calculated from the biological assays only) was 1.0139, with limits of error of 99.5% to 100.5%. Since the International Standard is 1.39% more potent than the FDA Standard Preparation, it is probable that the latter contains a small amount of inert material; it is also possible that the International Standard itself is not 100% pure. For most practical purposes, however, both preparations may be regarded as substantially pure, and it is considered that to alter the present practice of quoting aureomycin dosage in metric units of weight would be inadvisable. Nevertheless, since the International Standard may not be a pure substance, a unit notation—for use where required in bioassays—is desirable, and the International Unit of Aureomycin has therefore been defined as the activity contained in one microgram of the International Standard. PMID:13141137

Assessing the properties of internal standards for quantitative matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry of small molecules.

PubMed

Sleno, Lekha; Volmer, Dietrich A

2006-01-01

Growing interest in the ability to conduct quantitative assays for small molecules by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) has been the driving force for several recent studies. This present work includes the investigation of internal standards for these analyses using a high-repetition rate MALDI triple quadrupole instrument. Certain physicochemical properties are assessed for predicting possible matches for internal standards for different small molecules. The importance of similar molecular weight of an internal standard to its analyte is seen through experiments with a series of acylcarnitines, having a fixed charge site and growing alkyl chain length. Both acetyl- and hexanoyl-carnitine were systematically assessed with several other acylcarnitine compounds as internal standards. The results clearly demonstrate that closely matched molecular weights between analyte and internal standard are essential for acceptable quantitation results. Using alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid as the organic matrix, the similarities between analyte and internal standard remain the most important parameter and not necessarily their even distribution within the solid sample spot. Several 4-quinolone antibiotics as well as a diverse group of pharmaceutical drugs were tested as internal standards for the 4-quinolone, ciprofloxacin. Quantitative results were shown using the solution-phase properties, log D and pKa, of these molecules. Their distribution coefficients, log D, are demonstrated as a fundamental parameter for similar crystallization patterns of analyte and internal standard. In the end, it was also possible to quantify ciprofloxacin using a drug from a different compound class, namely quinidine, having a similar log D value as the analyte. Copyright 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

International collaborative study for the calibration of proposed International Standards for thromboplastin, rabbit, plain, and for thromboplastin, recombinant, human, plain.

PubMed

van den Besselaar, A M H P; Chantarangkul, V; Angeloni, F; Binder, N B; Byrne, M; Dauer, R; Gudmundsdottir, B R; Jespersen, J; Kitchen, S; Legnani, C; Lindahl, T L; Manning, R A; Martinuzzo, M; Panes, O; Pengo, V; Riddell, A; Subramanian, S; Szederjesi, A; Tantanate, C; Herbel, P; Tripodi, A

2018-01-01

Essentials Two candidate International Standards for thromboplastin (coded RBT/16 and rTF/16) are proposed. International Sensitivity Index (ISI) of proposed standards was assessed in a 20-centre study. The mean ISI for RBT/16 was 1.21 with a between-centre coefficient of variation of 4.6%. The mean ISI for rTF/16 was 1.11 with a between-centre coefficient of variation of 5.7%. Background The availability of International Standards for thromboplastin is essential for the calibration of routine reagents and hence the calculation of the International Normalized Ratio (INR). Stocks of the current Fourth International Standards are running low. Candidate replacement materials have been prepared. This article describes the calibration of the proposed Fifth International Standards for thromboplastin, rabbit, plain (coded RBT/16) and for thromboplastin, recombinant, human, plain (coded rTF/16). Methods An international collaborative study was carried out for the assignment of International Sensitivity Indexes (ISIs) to the candidate materials, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for thromboplastins and plasma used to control oral anticoagulant therapy with vitamin K antagonists. Results Results were obtained from 20 laboratories. In several cases, deviations from the ISI calibration model were observed, but the average INR deviation attributabled to the model was not greater than 10%. Only valid ISI assessments were used to calculate the mean ISI for each candidate. The mean ISI for RBT/16 was 1.21 (between-laboratory coefficient of variation [CV]: 4.6%), and the mean ISI for rTF/16 was 1.11 (between-laboratory CV: 5.7%). Conclusions The between-laboratory variation of the ISI for candidate material RBT/16 was similar to that of the Fourth International Standard (RBT/05), and the between-laboratory variation of the ISI for candidate material rTF/16 was slightly higher than that of the Fourth International Standard (rTF/09). The candidate materials have been accepted by WHO as the Fifth International Standards for thromboplastin, rabbit plain, and thromboplastin, recombinant, human, plain. © 2017 International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis.

Neutron Imaging for Selective Laser Melting Inconel Hardware with Internal Passages

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tramel, Terri L.; Norwood, Joseph K.; Bilheux, Hassina

2014-01-01

Additive Manufacturing is showing great promise for the development of new innovative designs and large potential life cycle cost reduction for the Aerospace Industry. However, more development work is required to move this technology into space flight hardware production. With selective laser melting (SLM), hardware that once consisted of multiple, carefully machined and inspected pieces, joined together can be made in one part. However standard inspection techniques cannot be used to verify that the internal passages are within dimensional tolerances or surface finish requirements. NASA/MSFC traveled to Oak Ridge National Lab's (ORNL) Spallation Neutron Source to perform some non-destructive, proof of concept imaging measurements to assess the capabilities to understand internal dimensional tolerances and internal passages surface roughness. This presentation will describe 1) the goals of this proof of concept testing, 2) the lessons learned when designing and building these Inconel 718 test specimens to minimize beam time, 3) the neutron imaging test setup and test procedure to get the images, 4) the initial results in images, volume and a video, 4) the assessment of using this imaging technique to gather real data for designing internal flow passages in SLM manufacturing aerospace hardware, and lastly 5) how proper cleaning of the internal passages is critically important. In summary, the initial results are very promising and continued development of a technique to assist in SLM development for aerospace components is desired by both NASA and ORNL. A plan forward that benefits both ORNL and NASA will also be presented, based on the promising initial results. The initial images and volume reconstruction showed that clean, clear images of the internal passages geometry are obtainable. These clear images of the internal passages of simple geometries will be compared to the build model to determine any differences. One surprising result was that a new cleaning process was used on these simply geometric specimens that resulted in what appears to be very smooth internal surfaces, when compared to other aerospace hardware cleaning methods.

40 CFR 60.4231 - What emission standards must I meet if I am a manufacturer of stationary SI internal combustion...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... I am a manufacturer of stationary SI internal combustion engines or equipment containing such... Stationary Spark Ignition Internal Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Manufacturers § 60.4231 What emission standards must I meet if I am a manufacturer of stationary SI internal combustion engines or...

40 CFR 60.4231 - What emission standards must I meet if I am a manufacturer of stationary SI internal combustion...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... I am a manufacturer of stationary SI internal combustion engines or equipment containing such... Stationary Spark Ignition Internal Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Manufacturers § 60.4231 What emission standards must I meet if I am a manufacturer of stationary SI internal combustion engines or...

40 CFR 60.4231 - What emission standards must I meet if I am a manufacturer of stationary SI internal combustion...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... I am a manufacturer of stationary SI internal combustion engines or equipment containing such... Stationary Spark Ignition Internal Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Manufacturers § 60.4231 What emission standards must I meet if I am a manufacturer of stationary SI internal combustion engines or...

40 CFR 60.4231 - What emission standards must I meet if I am a manufacturer of stationary SI internal combustion...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... I am a manufacturer of stationary SI internal combustion engines or equipment containing such... Stationary Spark Ignition Internal Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Manufacturers § 60.4231 What emission standards must I meet if I am a manufacturer of stationary SI internal combustion engines or...

40 CFR 60.4231 - What emission standards must I meet if I am a manufacturer of stationary SI internal combustion...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... I am a manufacturer of stationary SI internal combustion engines or equipment containing such... Stationary Spark Ignition Internal Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Manufacturers § 60.4231 What emission standards must I meet if I am a manufacturer of stationary SI internal combustion engines or...

25 CFR 542.42 - What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier C gaming operations?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... reconciliation process; (ii) Pull tabs, including but not limited to, statistical records, winner verification... 25 Indians 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for... COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.42 What are...

CMMI(Registered) for Acquisition, Version 1.3. CMMI-ACQ, V1.3

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-11-01

and Software Engineering – System Life Cycle Processes [ ISO 2008b] ISO /IEC 27001 :2005 Information technology – Security techniques – Information...International Organization for Standardization and International Electrotechnical Commission. ISO /IEC 27001 Information Technology – Security Techniques...International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission ( ISO /IEC) body of standards. CMMs focus on improving processes

Antidepressants detection and quantification in whole blood samples by GC-MS/MS, for forensic purposes.

PubMed

Truta, Liliana; Castro, André L; Tarelho, Sónia; Costa, Pedro; Sales, M Goreti F; Teixeira, Helena M

2016-09-05

Depression is among the most prevalent psychiatric disorders of our society, leading to an increase in antidepressant drug consumption that needs to be accurately determined in whole blood samples in Forensic Toxicology Laboratories. For this purpose, this work presents a new gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) method targeting the simultaneous and rapid determination of 14 common Antidepressants in whole blood: 13 Antidepressants (amitriptyline, citalopram, clomipramine, dothiepin, fluoxetine, imipramine, mianserin, mirtazapine, nortryptiline, paroxetine, sertraline, trimipramine and venlafaxine) and 1 Metabolite (N-desmethylclomipramine). Solid-phase extraction was used prior to chromatographic separation. Chromatographic and MS/MS parameters were selected to improve sensitivity, peak resolution and unequivocal identification of the eluted analyte. The detection was performed on a triple quadrupole tandem MS in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode in tandem, using electronic impact ionization. Clomipramine-D3 and trimipramine-D3 were used as deutered internal standards. The validation parameters included linearity, limits of detection, lower limit of quantification, selectivity/specificity, extraction efficiency, carry-over, precision and robustness, and followed internationally accepted guidelines. Limits of quantification and detection were lower than therapeutic and sub-therapeutic concentration ranges. Overall, the method offered good selectivity, robustness and quick response (<16min) for typical concentration ranges, both for therapeutic and lethal levels. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Risk of bias and confounding of observational studies of Zika virus infection: A scoping review of research protocols

PubMed Central

Haby, Michelle M.; Martínez-Vega, Ruth; Pinzón-Flores, Carlos E.; Smith, Emma; Pinart, Mariona; Broutet, Nathalie; Becerra-Posada, Francisco; Aldighieri, Sylvain; Van Kerkhove, Maria D.

2017-01-01

Introduction Given the severity and impact of the current Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak in the Americas, numerous countries have rushed to develop research studies to assess ZIKV and its potential health consequences. In an effort to ensure that studies are comprehensive, both internally and externally valid, and with reliable results, the World Health Organization, the Pan American Health Organization, Institut Pasteur, the networks of Fiocruz, the Consortia for the Standardization of Influenza Seroepidemiology (CONSISE) and the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium (ISARIC) have generated six standardized clinical and epidemiological research protocols and questionnaires to address key public health questions on ZIKV. Methods We conducted a systematic search of ongoing study protocols related to ZIKV research. We analyzed the content of protocols of 32 cohort studies and 13 case control studies for systematic bias that could produce erroneous results. Additionally we aimed to characterize the risks of bias and confounding in observational studies related to ZIKV and to propose ways to minimize them, including the use of six newly standardized research protocols. Results Observational studies of ZIKV face an array of challenges, including measurement of exposure and outcomes (microcephaly and Guillain-Barré Syndrome). Potential confounders need to be measured where known and controlled for in the analysis. Selection bias due to non-random selection is a significant issue, particularly in the case-control design, and losses to follow-up is equally important for the cohort design. Conclusion Observational research seeking to answer key questions on the ZIKV should consider these restrictions and take precautions to minimize bias in an effort to provide reliable and valid results. Utilization of the standardized research protocols developed by the WHO, PAHO, Institut Pasteur, and CONSISE will harmonize the key methodological aspects of each study design to minimize bias at different stages of the study. Biases need to be considered by researchers implementing the standardized protocols as well as by users of observational epidemiological studies of ZIKV. PMID:28686621

Efforts to improve international migration statistics: a historical perspective.

PubMed

Kraly, E P; Gnanasekaran, K S

1987-01-01

During the past decade, the international statistical community has made several efforts to develop standards for the definition, collection and publication of statistics on international migration. This article surveys the history of official initiatives to standardize international migration statistics by reviewing the recommendations of the International Statistical Institute, International Labor Organization, and the UN, and reports a recently proposed agenda for moving toward comparability among national statistical systems. Heightening awareness of the benefits of exchange and creating motivation to implement international standards requires a 3-pronged effort from the international statistical community. 1st, it is essential to continue discussion about the significance of improvement, specifically standardization, of international migration statistics. The move from theory to practice in this area requires ongoing focus by migration statisticians so that conformity to international standards itself becomes a criterion by which national statistical practices are examined and assessed. 2nd, the countries should be provided with technical documentation to support and facilitate the implementation of the recommended statistical systems. Documentation should be developed with an understanding that conformity to international standards for migration and travel statistics must be achieved within existing national statistical programs. 3rd, the call for statistical research in this area requires more efforts by the community of migration statisticians, beginning with the mobilization of bilateral and multilateral resources to undertake the preceding list of activities.

The standards process: X3 information processing systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Emard, Jean-Paul

1993-01-01

The topics are presented in viewgraph form and include the following: International Organization for Standards (ISO); International Electrotechnical Committee (IEC); ISO/IEC Joint Technical Committee 1 (JTC-1); U.S. interface to JTC-1; ANSI; national organizations; U.S. standards development processes; national and international standards developing organizations; regional organizations; and X3 information processing systems.

[The comparative evaluation of level of security culture in medical organizations].

PubMed

Roitberg, G E; Kondratova, N V; Galanina, E V

2016-01-01

The study was carried out on the basis of clinic “Medicine” in 2014-2015 concerning security culture. The sampling included 465 filled HSPSC questionnaires. The comparative analysis of received was implemented. The “Zubovskaia district hospital” Having no accreditation according security standards and group of clinics from USA functioning for many years in the system of patient security support were selected as objects for comparison. The evaluation was implemented concerning dynamics of security culture in organization at implementation of strategies of security of patients during 5 years and comparison of obtained results with USA clinics was made. The study results demonstrated that in conditions of absence of implemented standards of security in medical organization total evaluation of security remains extremely low. The study of security culture using HSPSC questionnaire is an effective tool for evaluating implementation of various strategies of security ofpatient. The functioning in the system of international standards of quality, primarily JCI standards, permits during several years to achieve high indices of security culture.

Standardized reactors for the study of medical biofilms: a review of the principles and latest modifications.

PubMed

Gomes, Inês B; Meireles, Ana; Gonçalves, Ana L; Goeres, Darla M; Sjollema, Jelmer; Simões, Lúcia C; Simões, Manuel

2018-08-01

Biofilms can cause severe problems to human health due to the high tolerance to antimicrobials; consequently, biofilm science and technology constitutes an important research field. Growing a relevant biofilm in the laboratory provides insights into the basic understanding of the biofilm life cycle including responses to antibiotic therapies. Therefore, the selection of an appropriate biofilm reactor is a critical decision, necessary to obtain reproducible and reliable in vitro results. A reactor should be chosen based upon the study goals and a balance between the pros and cons associated with its use and operational conditions that are as similar as possible to the clinical setting. However, standardization in biofilm studies is rare. This review will focus on the four reactors (Calgary biofilm device, Center for Disease Control biofilm reactor, drip flow biofilm reactor, and rotating disk reactor) approved by a standard setting organization (ASTM International) for biofilm experiments and how researchers have modified these standardized reactors and associated protocols to improve the study and understanding of medical biofilms.

Study on Quality Standard of Processed Curcuma Longa Radix

PubMed Central

Zhao, Yongfeng; Quan, Liang; Zhou, Haiting; Cao, Dong; Li, Wenbing; Yang, Zhuo

2017-01-01

To control the quality of Curcuma Longa Radix by establishing quality standards, this paper increased the contents of extract and volatile oil determination. Meanwhile, the curcumin was selected as the internal marker, and the relative correlation factors (RCFs) of demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin were established by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The contents of multicomponents were calculated based on their RCFs. The rationality and feasibility of the methods were evaluated by comparison of the quantitative results between external standard method (ESM) and quantitative analysis of multicomponents by single-marker (QAMS). Ethanol extracts ranged from 9.749 to 15.644% and the mean value was 13.473%. The volatile oil ranged from 0.45 to 0.90 mL/100 g and the mean value was 0.66 mL/100 g. This method was accurate and feasible and could provide a reference for further comprehensive and effective control of the quality standard of Curcuma Longa Radix and its processed products. PMID:29375640

Outcome quality standards in pancreatic oncologic surgery in Spain.

PubMed

Sabater, Luis; Mora, Isabel; Gámez Del Castillo, Juan Manuel; Escrig-Sos, Javier; Muñoz-Forner, Elena; Garcés-Albir, Marina; Dorcaratto, Dimitri; Ortega, Joaquín

2018-05-18

To establish quality standards in oncologic surgery is a complex but necessary challenge to improve surgical outcomes. Unlike other tumors, there are no well-defined quality standards in pancreatic cancer. The aim of this study is to identify quality indicators in pancreatic oncologic surgery in Spain as well as their acceptable limits of variability. Quality indicators were selected based on clinical practice guidelines, consensus conferences, reviews and national publications on oncologic pancreatic surgery between the years 2000 and 2016. Variability margins for each indicator have been determined by statistical process control techniques and graphically represented with the 99.8 and 95% confidence intervals above and below the weighted average according to sample size. The following indicators have been determined with their weighted average and acceptable quality limits: resectability rate 71% (>58%), morbidity 58% (<73%), mortality 4% (<10%), biliary leak 6% (<14%), pancreatic fistula rate 18% (<29%), hemorrhage 11% (<21%), reoperation rate 11% (<20%) and mean hospital stay (<21 days). To date, few related series have been published, and they present important methodological limitations. Among the selected indicators, the morbidity and mortality quality limits have come out higher than those obtained in international standards. It is necessary for Spanish pancreatic surgeons to adopt homogeneous criteria regarding indicators and their definitions to allow for the comparison of their results. Copyright © 2018 AEC. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Thermodynamic properties of minerals

USGS Publications Warehouse

Robie, Richard A.

1962-01-01

In the ten years since the publication of the national Bureau of Standards comprehensive tables of thermochemical properties, by Rossini and other (1952), a very large body of modern calorimetric and equilibrium data has become available. Because of the complex interrelations among many thermochemical data and the necessity for internal consistency among these values, a complete revision of this standard reference is required. This is also true of the summaries of thermochemical data for the sulfides (Richardson and Jeffes 1952) and for the oxides (Coughlin 1954). The following tables present critically selected values for the heat and free energy of formation, the logarithm of the equilibrium constant of formation Log Kf, the entropy and the molar volume, at 298.15°K (25.0°C) and one atmosphere for minerals.

Using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy on vacuum alloys-production process for elements concentration analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Tianzhuo; Fan, Zhongwei; Lian, Fuqiang; Liu, Yang; Lin, Weiran; Mo, Zeqiang; Nie, Shuzhen; Wang, Pu; Xiao, Hong; Li, Xin; Zhong, Qixiu; Zhang, Hongbo

2017-11-01

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) utilizing an echelle spectrograph-ICCD system is employed for on-line analysis of elements concentration in a vacuum induction melting workshop. Active temperature stabilization of echelle spectrometer is implemented specially for industrial environment applications. The measurement precision is further improved by monitoring laser parameters, such as pulse energy, spatial and temporal profiles, in real time, and post-selecting laser pulses with specific pulse energies. Experimental results show that major components of nickel-based alloys are stable, and can be well detected. By using internal standard method, calibration curves for chromium and aluminum are obtained for quantitative determination, with determination coefficient (relative standard deviation) to be 0.9559 (< 2.2%) and 0.9723 (< 2.8%), respectively.

Static headspace gas chromatographic method for quantitative determination of residual solvents in pharmaceutical drug substances according to european pharmacopoeia requirements.

PubMed

Otero, Raquel; Carrera, Guillem; Dulsat, Joan Francesc; Fábregas, José Luís; Claramunt, Juan

2004-11-19

A static headspace (HS) gas chromatographic method for quantitative determination of residual solvents in a drug substance has been developed according to European Pharmacopoeia general procedure. A water-dimethylformamide mixture is proposed as sample solvent to obtain good sensitivity and recovery. The standard addition technique with internal standard quantitation was used for ethanol, tetrahydrofuran and toluene determination. Validation was performed within the requirements of ICH validation guidelines Q2A and Q2B. Selectivity was tested for 36 solvents, and system suitability requirements described in the European Pharmacopoeia were checked. Limits of detection and quantitation, precision, linearity, accuracy, intermediate precision and robustness were determined, and excellent results were obtained.

Economic baselines for current underground coal mining technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mabe, W. B.

1979-01-01

The cost of mining coal using a room pillar mining method with continuous miner and a longwall mining system was calculated. Costs were calculated for the years 1975 and 2000 time periods and are to be used as economic standards against which advanced mining concepts and systems will be compared. Some assumptions were changed and some internal model stored data was altered from the original calculations procedure chosen, to obtain a result that more closely represented what was considered to be a standard mine. Coal seam thicknesses were varied from one and one-half feet to eight feet to obtain the cost of mining coal over a wide range. Geologic conditions were selected that had a minimum impact on the mining productivity.

Investigation of Coatings Which Prevent Molten Aluminum/Water Explosions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

León, D. D.; Richter, R. T.; Levendusky, T. L.

The Aluminum Association contracted Alcoa in 1995 to identify and test new protective coatings for casting pits as a replacement for Porter International's 7001 (Tarset Standard). Three new coatings have been identified through a series of selection criteria including: 1) A standardized splash test used to evaluate personal protective clothing, 2) An industry-standard molten metal explosion test, 3) A multiple-exposure test to measure durability, and 4) An external shock impact test. The results of this program will be reviewed. This study only tested protective coatings at the "in-service cure time", as defined by the manufacturer. These curing times can be excessive for a production casting facility. The Aluminum Association has contracted Alcoa in a second program to investigate the effect of reduced cure times on adhesion and their effectiveness in preventing molten metal/water explosions. A status update of this new two year program is provided.

ICC Type II large-format FPA detector assemblies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clynne, Thomas H.; Powers, Thomas P.

1997-08-01

ICC presents a new addition to their integrated detector assembly product line with the announcement of their type II large format staring class FPA units. A result of internally funded research and development, the ICC type II detector assembly can accommodate all existing large format staring class PtSi, InSb and MCT focal planes, up to 640 by 480. Proprietary methodologies completely eliminate all FPA stresses to allow for maximum FPA survivability. Standard optical and cryocooler interfaces allow for the use of BEI, AEG, TI SADA Hughes/Magnavox and Joule Thompson coolers. This unit has been qualified to the current SADA II thermal environmental specifications and was tailored around ICC's worldwide industry standard type IV product. Assembled in a real world flexible manufacturing environment, this unit features a wide degree of adaptability and can be easily modified to a user's specifications via standard options and add-ons that include optical interfaces, electrical interfaces and window/filter material selections.

International Micrographics Standards: Report of the 1979 Paris Meeting of ISO/TC171.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heynen, Jeffrey

1980-01-01

Describes a meeting of the technical committee on micrographics of the International Organization for Standardization, and fcuses on the committee's work relating to the reproduction of library materials within the general context of international standards-making activities. (FM)

Faculty Perspectives on International Accounting Topics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, L. Murphy; Salter, Stephen B.

1996-01-01

A survey of 63 professors specializing in international accounting identified the following topics as most important to incorporate into the curriculum: (1) foreign currency translation; (2) international accounting standards; (3) comparative standards and harmonizing of accounting standards; (4) reporting and disclosure problems of multinational…

Standardization of search methods for guideline development: an international survey of evidence-based guideline development groups.

PubMed

Deurenberg, Rikie; Vlayen, Joan; Guillo, Sylvie; Oliver, Thomas K; Fervers, Beatrice; Burgers, Jako

2008-03-01

Effective literature searching is particularly important for clinical practice guideline development. Sophisticated searching and filtering mechanisms are needed to help ensure that all relevant research is reviewed. To assess the methods used for the selection of evidence for guideline development by evidence-based guideline development organizations. A semistructured questionnaire assessing the databases, search filters and evaluation methods used for literature retrieval was distributed to eight major organizations involved in evidence-based guideline development. All of the organizations used search filters as part of guideline development. The medline database was the primary source accessed for literature retrieval. The OVID or SilverPlatter interfaces were used in preference to the freely accessed PubMed interface. The Cochrane Library, embase, cinahl and psycinfo databases were also frequently used by the organizations. All organizations reported the intention to improve and validate their filters for finding literature specifically relevant for guidelines. In the first international survey of its kind, eight major guideline development organizations indicated a strong interest in identifying, improving and standardizing search filters to improve guideline development. It is to be hoped that this will result in the standardization of, and open access to, search filters, an improvement in literature searching outcomes and greater collaboration among guideline development organizations.

25 CFR 542.22 - What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier A gaming operations?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... but not limited to, bingo card control, payout procedures, and cash reconciliation process; (ii) Pull... 25 Indians 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for... COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.22 What are...

25 CFR 542.32 - What are the minimum internal control standards for internal audit for Tier B gaming operations?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... but not limited to, bingo card control, payout procedures, and cash reconciliation process; (ii) Pull... 25 Indians 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for... COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.32 What are...

Lower Eyelid Retraction Surgery Without Internal Spacer Graft.

PubMed

Taban, Mehryar Ray

2017-02-01

Internal eyelid spacer graft is routinely placed during lower eyelid retraction surgery, which may be unnecessary. To evaluate the efficacy of lower eyelid retraction surgery without internal graft in select cases. Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing reconstructive lower eyelid retraction surgery without internal graft, by one surgeon from 2013 to 2015. Surgical technique included transconjunctival lower eyelid retractor lysis, canthoplasty, and temporary tarsorrhaphy, with or without subperiosteal midface-sub oribularis oculi fat (SOOF) lifting and scar lysis. Eyelids with true lower eyelid middle-lamella shortage were excluded. Analysis included 17 surgeries (11 patients). Eight of 11 patients had undergone at least one previous lower eyelid surgery with resultant lower eyelid retraction and sclera show. Preoperative and postoperative photographs at longest follow-up visit were analyzed with standardized measurements. Patient satisfaction was recorded using questionnaire. Etiologies of lower eyelid retraction included prior lower blepharoplasty, thyroid eye disease, and chronic facial palsy. All 11 patients (17 procedures) demonstrated improvement of lower eyelid position. The mean improvement of marginal reflex distance was 2.2 mm (range, 1.6-2.8 mm). There was one case of mild overcorrection. The average follow-up was 7 months (range, 6 months-2 years). Midface lift was performed for 14 of 17 eyelids. This study demonstrates improvement of lower lid position after lower eyelid retraction surgery without internal eyelid spacer graft in select patients. Most patients in our study had undergone previous lower eyelid blepharoplasty and required midface-SOOF lifting. The author proposes that "routine" placement of lower eyelid internal spacer/graft may not be necessary during lower eyelid retraction surgery. © 2016 The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc. Reprints and permission: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Chapter 23: International Standard reagents for harmonization of HPV serology and DNA assays--an update.

PubMed

Pagliusi, Sonia R; Dillner, Joakim; Pawlita, Michael; Quint, Wim G V; Wheeler, Cosette M; Ferguson, M

2006-08-31

International reference materials such as International Standard reagents facilitate quality assurance of essential biopharmaceutical products and related in vitro diagnostic tests. Standardization of antibody and DNA measurements and harmonization of laboratory procedures are key to the success of cancer prevention strategies through screening methods as well as for development and implementation of vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV). The WHO supported the preparation and initial analysis of a panel of candidate serological and DNA reference reagents aimed at facilitating inter-laboratory comparisons and detection of HPV worldwide. Two international collaborative studies assessed the performance of various HPV antibody and HPV-DNA detection assays and examined the feasibility of generating HPV antibody and DNA standard reagents. These studies showed that improvement in performance and comparability of assays is urgently needed and that the use of the same International Standard reference reagent could significantly improve performance and comparability. It is hoped that the establishment of International Units and International Standards for HPV antibody and DNA analysis will be pursued with high priority.

The COSMIN checklist for assessing the methodological quality of studies on measurement properties of health status measurement instruments: an international Delphi study.

PubMed

Mokkink, Lidwine B; Terwee, Caroline B; Patrick, Donald L; Alonso, Jordi; Stratford, Paul W; Knol, Dirk L; Bouter, Lex M; de Vet, Henrica C W

2010-05-01

Aim of the COSMIN study (COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments) was to develop a consensus-based checklist to evaluate the methodological quality of studies on measurement properties. We present the COSMIN checklist and the agreement of the panel on the items of the checklist. A four-round Delphi study was performed with international experts (psychologists, epidemiologists, statisticians and clinicians). Of the 91 invited experts, 57 agreed to participate (63%). Panel members were asked to rate their (dis)agreement with each proposal on a five-point scale. Consensus was considered to be reached when at least 67% of the panel members indicated 'agree' or 'strongly agree'. Consensus was reached on the inclusion of the following measurement properties: internal consistency, reliability, measurement error, content validity (including face validity), construct validity (including structural validity, hypotheses testing and cross-cultural validity), criterion validity, responsiveness, and interpretability. The latter was not considered a measurement property. The panel also reached consensus on how these properties should be assessed. The resulting COSMIN checklist could be useful when selecting a measurement instrument, peer-reviewing a manuscript, designing or reporting a study on measurement properties, or for educational purposes.

Housekeeping genes as internal standards: use and limits.

PubMed

Thellin, O; Zorzi, W; Lakaye, B; De Borman, B; Coumans, B; Hennen, G; Grisar, T; Igout, A; Heinen, E

1999-10-08

Quantitative studies are commonly realised in the biomedical research to compare RNA expression in different experimental or clinical conditions. These quantifications are performed through their comparison to the expression of the housekeeping gene transcripts like glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH), albumin, actins, tubulins, cyclophilin, hypoxantine phsophoribosyltransferase (HRPT), L32. 28S, and 18S rRNAs are also used as internal standards. In this paper, it is recalled that the commonly used internal standards can quantitatively vary in response to various factors. Possible variations are illustrated using three experimental examples. Preferred types of internal standards are then proposed for each of these samples and thereafter the general procedure concerning the choice of an internal standard and the way to manage its uses are discussed.

Issues concerning international comparison of free-field calibrations of acoustical standards

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nedzelnitsky, Victor

2002-11-01

Primary free-field calibrations of laboratory standard microphones by the reciprocity method establish these microphones as reference standard devices for calibrating working standard microphones, other measuring microphones, and practical instruments such as sound level meters and personal sound exposure meters (noise dosimeters). These primary, secondary, and other calibrations are indispensable to the support of regulatory requirements, standards, and product characterization and quality control procedures important for industry, commerce, health, and safety. International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Technical Committee 29 Electroacoustics produces international documentary standards, including standards for primary and secondary free-field calibration and measurement procedures and their critically important application to practical instruments. This paper addresses some issues concerning calibrations, standards activities, and the international key comparison of primary free-field calibrations of IEC-type LS2 laboratory standard microphones that is being planned by the Consultative Committee for Acoustics, Ultrasound, and Vibration (CCAUV) of the International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM). This comparison will include free-field calibrations by the reciprocity method at participating major national metrology laboratories throughout the world.

International standards in mitigating trade risks.

PubMed

Thiermann, A B

2011-04-01

This paper describes the role of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), as a science-based and democratic standard-setting organisation that provides guidance on preventing the spread of animal diseases, including zoonoses, in international trade. The World Trade Organization is identified as the international institution with the legal power to encourage adherence to international standards and mediate trade disputes. The importance of assuring good governance and the credibility of national Veterinary Services through a process of official certification is identified as an essential component in the safety of trade. Private-public partnerships and the evolution of responsibilities are also identified as essential for the implementation of health guarantees such as compartmentalisation. The rapid emergence of private standards is described as a potential complement to the implementation of sanitary standards, as long as they are applied globally and in support of the OIE standards. Ultimately, the biggest challenge is for the international community to create the incentives and generate the political will for fair trade and for the universal recognition and application of the established international sanitary standards.

Reef Fish Survey Techniques: Assessing the Potential for Standardizing Methodologies.

PubMed

Caldwell, Zachary R; Zgliczynski, Brian J; Williams, Gareth J; Sandin, Stuart A

2016-01-01

Dramatic changes in populations of fishes living on coral reefs have been documented globally and, in response, the research community has initiated efforts to assess and monitor reef fish assemblages. A variety of visual census techniques are employed, however results are often incomparable due to differential methodological performance. Although comparability of data may promote improved assessment of fish populations, and thus management of often critically important nearshore fisheries, to date no standardized and agreed-upon survey method has emerged. This study describes the use of methods across the research community and identifies potential drivers of method selection. An online survey was distributed to researchers from academic, governmental, and non-governmental organizations internationally. Although many methods were identified, 89% of survey-based projects employed one of three methods-belt transect, stationary point count, and some variation of the timed swim method. The selection of survey method was independent of the research design (i.e., assessment goal) and region of study, but was related to the researcher's home institution. While some researchers expressed willingness to modify their current survey protocols to more standardized protocols (76%), their willingness decreased when methodologies were tied to long-term datasets spanning five or more years. Willingness to modify current methodologies was also less common among academic researchers than resource managers. By understanding both the current application of methods and the reported motivations for method selection, we hope to focus discussions towards increasing the comparability of quantitative reef fish survey data.

40 CFR 60.4232 - How long must my engines meet the emission standards if I am a manufacturer of stationary SI...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... emission standards if I am a manufacturer of stationary SI internal combustion engines? 60.4232 Section 60... Internal Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Manufacturers § 60.4232 How long must my engines meet the emission standards if I am a manufacturer of stationary SI internal combustion engines? Engines...

40 CFR 60.4232 - How long must my engines meet the emission standards if I am a manufacturer of stationary SI...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... emission standards if I am a manufacturer of stationary SI internal combustion engines? 60.4232 Section 60... Internal Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Manufacturers § 60.4232 How long must my engines meet the emission standards if I am a manufacturer of stationary SI internal combustion engines? Engines...

40 CFR 60.4232 - How long must my engines meet the emission standards if I am a manufacturer of stationary SI...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... emission standards if I am a manufacturer of stationary SI internal combustion engines? 60.4232 Section 60... Internal Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Manufacturers § 60.4232 How long must my engines meet the emission standards if I am a manufacturer of stationary SI internal combustion engines? Engines...

40 CFR 60.4203 - How long must my engines meet the emission standards if I am a stationary CI internal combustion...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... emission standards if I am a stationary CI internal combustion engine manufacturer? 60.4203 Section 60.4203... Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Manufacturers § 60.4203 How long must my engines meet the emission standards if I am a stationary CI internal combustion engine manufacturer? Engines manufactured by...

40 CFR 60.4203 - How long must my engines meet the emission standards if I am a stationary CI internal combustion...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... emission standards if I am a stationary CI internal combustion engine manufacturer? 60.4203 Section 60.4203... Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Manufacturers § 60.4203 How long must my engines meet the emission standards if I am a stationary CI internal combustion engine manufacturer? Engines manufactured by...

40 CFR 60.4203 - How long must my engines meet the emission standards if I am a manufacturer of stationary CI...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... emission standards if I am a manufacturer of stationary CI internal combustion engines? 60.4203 Section 60... Ignition Internal Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Manufacturers § 60.4203 How long must my engines meet the emission standards if I am a manufacturer of stationary CI internal combustion engines...

40 CFR 60.4203 - How long must my engines meet the emission standards if I am a manufacturer of stationary CI...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... emission standards if I am a manufacturer of stationary CI internal combustion engines? 60.4203 Section 60... Ignition Internal Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Manufacturers § 60.4203 How long must my engines meet the emission standards if I am a manufacturer of stationary CI internal combustion engines...

40 CFR 60.4232 - How long must my engines meet the emission standards if I am a manufacturer of stationary SI...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... emission standards if I am a manufacturer of stationary SI internal combustion engines? 60.4232 Section 60... Internal Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Manufacturers § 60.4232 How long must my engines meet the emission standards if I am a manufacturer of stationary SI internal combustion engines? Engines...

40 CFR 60.4203 - How long must my engines meet the emission standards if I am a manufacturer of stationary CI...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... emission standards if I am a manufacturer of stationary CI internal combustion engines? 60.4203 Section 60... Ignition Internal Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Manufacturers § 60.4203 How long must my engines meet the emission standards if I am a manufacturer of stationary CI internal combustion engines...

40 CFR 60.4232 - How long must my engines meet the emission standards if I am a manufacturer of stationary SI...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... emission standards if I am a manufacturer of stationary SI internal combustion engines? 60.4232 Section 60... Internal Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Manufacturers § 60.4232 How long must my engines meet the emission standards if I am a manufacturer of stationary SI internal combustion engines? Engines...

Report of the Task Force on Testing Standards (TFTS) to the International Language Testing Association (ILTA).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

International Language Testing Association.

The Task Force on Testing Standards (TFTS) of the International Language Testing Association was charged to produce a report of an international survey of language assessment standards, to provide for exchange of information on standards and for development of a code of practice. Contact with individuals in both language testing and the broader…

Rapid determination of protopine, allocryptopine, sanguinarine and chelerythrine in fruits of Macleaya cordata by microwave-assisted solvent extraction and HPLC-ESI/MS.

PubMed

Luo, Xu-Biao; Chen, Bo; Yao, Shou-Zhuo

2006-01-01

An isocratic high-performance liquid chromatographic method coupled with electrospray mass spectrometry was developed to determine protopine, allocryptopine, sanguinarine and chelerythrine in fruits of Macleaya cordata. The sample was extracted with hydrochloric acid aqueous solution using microwave-assisted extraction method. The extracts were separated on a C8 reversed-phase HPLC column with acetonitrile:acetate buffer as mobile phase, and full elution of all analytes was realized isocratically within 10 min. The abundance of pseudomolecule ions was recorded using selected ion recording at m/z 354.4, 370.1, 332.5, 348.5 and 338.5 for protopine, allocryptopine, sanguinarine, chelerythrine and the internal standard, jatrorrhizine, respectively. Internal standard curves were used for the quantification of protopine, allocryptopine, sanguinarine and chelerythrine, which showed a linear range of 0.745-74.5, 0.610-61.0, 0.525-105 and 0.375-75 microg/mL, respectively, with correlation coefficients of 0.9995, 0.9992, 0.9993 and 0.9989, and limits of detection of 3.73, 3.05, 1.60 and 1.11 ng/mL, respectively.

Analysis of vitamin K1 in fruits and vegetables using accelerated solvent extraction and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization.

PubMed

Jäpelt, Rie Bak; Jakobsen, Jette

2016-02-01

The objective of this study was to develop a rapid, sensitive, and specific analytical method to study vitamin K1 in fruits and vegetables. Accelerated solvent extraction and solid phase extraction was used for sample preparation. Quantification was done by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization in selected reaction monitoring mode with deuterium-labeled vitamin K1 as an internal standard. The precision was estimated as the pooled estimate of three replicates performed on three different days for spinach, peas, apples, banana, and beetroot. The repeatability was 5.2% and the internal reproducibility was 6.2%. Recovery was in the range 90-120%. No significant difference was observed between the results obtained by the present method and by a method using the same principle as the CEN-standard i.e. liquid-liquid extraction and post-column zinc reduction with fluorescence detection. Limit of quantification was estimated to 0.05 μg/100g fresh weight. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

46 CFR 108.503 - Relationship to international standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Relationship to international standards. 108.503 Section 108.503 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) A-MOBILE OFFSHORE DRILLING UNITS DESIGN AND EQUIPMENT Lifesaving Equipment § 108.503 Relationship to international standards. For...

Third International Standard for Posterior Pituitary

PubMed Central

Bangham, D. R.; Mussett, Marjorie V.

1958-01-01

In October 1955, stocks of the Second International Standard for Posterior Pituitary were running low and the Department of Biological Standards of the National Institute for Medical Research, London, was asked to proceed with the arrangements for an international collaborative assay of material for the Third Standard. A single 142-g batch of posterior-pituitary-lobe powder was obtained and distributed in ampoules, in approximately 30-mg quantities. Samples were sent to 19 laboratories in 10 countries. In all, 185 assays were carried out, 122 for oxytocic activity, 53 for vasopressor activity and 10 for antidiuretic activity. On the basis of the results, which were analysed statistically at the National Institute for Medical Research, it was agreed that the potency of the Third Standard (re-named International Standard for Oxytocic, Vasopressor and Antidiuretic Substances in 1956, in view of the recent synthesis of oxytocin and vasopressin) should be expressed as 2.0 International Units per milligram. The International Unit therefore remains unchanged as 0.5 mg of the dry powder. PMID:13585079

Tuberculosis management practices by private practitioners in Andhra Pradesh, India.

PubMed

Achanta, Shanta; Jaju, Jyoti; Kumar, Ajay M V; Nagaraja, Sharath Burugina; Shamrao, Srinivas Rao Motta; Bandi, Sasidhar Kumar; Kumar, Ashok; Satyanarayana, Srinath; Harries, Anthony David; Nair, Sreenivas Achutan; Dewan, Puneet K

2013-01-01

Private medical practitioners in Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh, India. To evaluate self-reported TB diagnostic and treatment practices amongst private medical practitioners against benchmark practices articulated in the International Standards of Tuberculosis Care (ISTC), and factors associated with compliance with ISTC. Cross- sectional survey using semi-structured interviews. Of 296 randomly selected private practitioners, 201 (68%) were assessed for compliance to ISTC diagnostic and treatment standards in TB management. Only 11 (6%) followed a combination of 6 diagnostic standards together and only 1 followed a combination of all seven treatment standards together. There were 28 (14%) private practitioners who complied with a combination of three core ISTC (cough for tuberculosis suspects, sputum smear examination and use of standardized treatment). Higher ISTC compliance was associated with caring for more than 20 TB patients annually, prior sensitization to TB control guidelines, and practice of alternate systems of medicine. Few private practitioners in Visakhapatnam, India reported TB diagnostic and treatment practices that met ISTC. Better engagement of the private sector is urgently required to improve TB management practices and to prevent diagnostic delay and drug resistance.

Quantitative determination of carfilzomib in mouse plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and its application to a pharmacokinetic study.

PubMed

Min, Jee Sun; Kim, Jiseon; Kim, Jung Ho; Kim, Doyun; Zheng, Yu Fen; Park, Ji Eun; Lee, Wooin; Bae, Soo Kyung

2017-11-30

A highly sensitive and rapid LC-MS/MS method was developed and validated to determine the levels of carfilzomib in mice plasma by using chlorpropamide as an internal standard. Carfilzomib and chlorpropamide were extracted from 5 μL of plasma after protein precipitation with acetonitrile. Chromatographic separation was performed on Phenomenex Luna C 18 column (50×2.0mm id, 3μm). The mobile phase consisted of 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile -0.1% formic acid in water (1:1v/v) and the flow rate was 0.3mL/min. The total chromatographic run time was 2.5min. Detection was performed on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with positive-ion electrospray ionization by selected reaction monitoring of the transitions at m/z 720.20>100.15 (for carfilzomib) and m/z 277.05>111.05 (for the internal standard). The lower limit of quantification was 0.075ng/mL and the linear range was 0.075-1250ng/mL (r≥0.9974). All validation data, including selectivity, precision, accuracy, matrix effect, recovery, dilution integrity, stability, and incurred sample reanalysis, were well within acceptance limits. This newly developed bioanalytical method was simple, highly sensitive, required only a small volume of plasma, and was suitable for application in pharmacokinetic studies in mice that used serial blood sampling. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

An Efficient Method for Electroporation of Small Interfering RNAs into ENCODE Project Tier 1 GM12878 and K562 Cell Lines.

PubMed

Muller, Ryan Y; Hammond, Ming C; Rio, Donald C; Lee, Yeon J

2015-12-01

The Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) Project aims to identify all functional sequence elements in the human genome sequence by use of high-throughput DNA/cDNA sequencing approaches. To aid the standardization, comparison, and integration of data sets produced from different technologies and platforms, the ENCODE Consortium selected several standard human cell lines to be used by the ENCODE Projects. The Tier 1 ENCODE cell lines include GM12878, K562, and H1 human embryonic stem cell lines. GM12878 is a lymphoblastoid cell line, transformed with the Epstein-Barr virus, that was selected by the International HapMap Project for whole genome and transcriptome sequencing by use of the Illumina platform. K562 is an immortalized myelogenous leukemia cell line. The GM12878 cell line is attractive for the ENCODE Projects, as it offers potential synergy with the International HapMap Project. Despite the vast amount of sequencing data available on the GM12878 cell line through the ENCODE Project, including transcriptome, chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing for histone marks, and transcription factors, no small interfering siRNA-mediated knockdown studies have been performed in the GM12878 cell line, as cationic lipid-mediated transfection methods are inefficient for lymphoid cell lines. Here, we present an efficient and reproducible method for transfection of a variety of siRNAs into the GM12878 and K562 cell lines, which subsequently results in targeted protein depletion.

Nonpharmacological Interventions Targeted at Delirium Risk Factors, Delivered by Trained Volunteers (Medical and Psychology Students), Reduced Need for Antipsychotic Medications and the Length of Hospital Stay in Aged Patients Admitted to an Acute Internal Medicine Ward: Pilot Study.

PubMed

Gorski, Stanislaw; Piotrowicz, Karolina; Rewiuk, Krzysztof; Halicka, Monika; Kalwak, Weronika; Rybak, Paulina; Grodzicki, Tomasz

2017-01-01

Purpose . Effectiveness of nonpharmacological multicomponent prevention delivered by trained volunteers (medical and psychology students), targeted at delirium risk factors in geriatric inpatients, was assessed at an internal medicine ward in Poland. Patients and Methods . Participants were recruited to intervention and control groups at the internal medicine ward (inclusion criteria: age ≥ 75, acute medical condition, basic orientation, and logical contact on admission; exclusion criteria: life expectancy < 24 hours, surgical hospitalization, isolation due to infectious disease, and discharge to other medical wards). Every day trained volunteers delivered a multicomponent standardized intervention targeted at risk factors of in-hospital complications to the intervention group. The control group, selected using a retrospective individual matching strategy (1 : 1 ratio, regarding age, gender, and time of hospitalization), received standard care. Outcome Measures. Hospitalization time, deaths, falls, delirium episodes, and antipsychotic prescriptions were assessed retrospectively from medical documentation. Results . 130 patients (38.4% males) participated in the study, with 65 in the intervention group. Antipsychotic medications were initiated less frequently in the intervention group compared to the control group. There was a trend towards a shorter hospitalization time and a not statistically significant decrease in deaths in the intervention group. Conclusion . Nonpharmacological multicomponent intervention targeted at delirium risk factors effectively reduced length of hospitalization and need for initiating antipsychotic treatment in elderly patients at the internal medicine ward.

Review and comparison of quality standards, guidelines and regulations for laboratories.

PubMed

Datema, Tjeerd A M; Oskam, Linda; Klatser, Paul R

2012-01-01

The variety and number of laboratory quality standards, guidelines and regulations (hereafter: quality documents) makes it difficult to choose the most suitable one for establishing and maintaining a laboratory quality management system. There is a need to compare the characteristics, suitability and applicability of quality documents in view of the increasing efforts to introduce quality management in laboratories, especially in clinical diagnostic laboratories in low income and middle income countries. This may provide valuable insights for policy makers developing national laboratory policies, and for laboratory managers and quality officers in choosing the most appropriate quality document for upgrading their laboratories. We reviewed the history of quality document development and then selected a subset based on their current use. We analysed these documents following a framework for comparison of quality documents that was adapted from the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guideline GP26 Quality management system model for clinical laboratory services . Differences were identified between national and international, and non-clinical and clinical quality documents. The most salient findings were the absence of provisions on occurrence management and customer service in almost all non-clinical quality documents, a low number of safety requirements aimed at protecting laboratory personnel in international quality documents and no requirements regarding ethical behaviour in almost all quality documents. Each laboratory needs to investigate whether national regulatory standards are present. These are preferred as they most closely suit the needs of laboratories in the country. A laboratory should always use both a standard and a guideline: a standard sums up the requirements to a quality management system, a guideline describes how quality management can be integrated in the laboratory processes.

Physico-Chemical and Bacterial Evaluation of Packaged Drinking Water Marketed in Delhi - Potential Public Health Implications

PubMed Central

Singla, Ashish; Kundu, Hansa; P., Basavaraj; Singh, Shilpi; Singh, Khushboo; Jain, Swati

2014-01-01

Introduction: Quality of drinking water is a powerful environmental determinant of health. The main objective of introduction of bottled water in the society was its better safety, taste and convenience over tap water. The present study was conducted to assess physicochemical and bacterial qualities of bottled water and sachet water which were available in various markets of Delhi. Materials and Methods: Sixteen water bottles and four water sachets were selected through stratified random sampling from various public places in Delhi and their analysis was done at National Test House, Ghaziabad. Results were then compared with national (IS10500, IS14543) and international (WHO, FDA, USEPA) standards. Results: Bottled water showed better quality than sachet water. The mean value of copper (0.0746mg/l) in bottles exceeded the standard values of IS10500 and IS14543(0.05), while the mean value of lead (0.008mg/l) exceeded the FDA standard value (0.005). When the results of sachets were compared with those of standards, the mean values of selenium (0.1195mg/l) and lead (0.862mg/l) were found to exceed values of both Indian and International standards. For the biological parameter i.e. coliform count, the mean value for bottles was 0 (nil), whereas the mean value for sachets was 16.75, which showed the unhealthy nature of sachets. Conclusion: The parameters which were tested in the present study showed excess of various chemical and bacterial parameters in drinking water, which could pose serious threats to consumers. Thus, these results suggest a more stringent standardization of bottled water market with special attention to quality, identity and licensing by concerned authorities, to safeguard health of consumers. PMID:24783149

Influence of scan mode (180°/360°) of the cone beam computed tomography for preoperative dental implant measurements.

PubMed

Neves, Frederico S; Vasconcelos, Taruska V; Campos, Paulo S F; Haiter-Neto, Francisco; Freitas, Deborah Q

2014-02-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of scan mode of the cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in the preoperative dental implant measurements. Completely edentulous mandibles with entirely resorbed alveolar processes were selected for this study. Five regions were selected (incisor, canine, premolar, first molar, and second molar). The mandibles were scanned with Next Generation i-CAT CBCT unit (Imaging Sciences International, Inc, Hatfield, PA, USA) with half (180°) and full (360°) mode. Two oral radiologists performed vertical measurements in all selected regions; the measurements of half of the sample were repeated within an interval of 30 days. The mandibles were sectioned using an electrical saw in all evaluated regions to obtain the gold standard. The intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated for the intra- and interobserver agreement. Descriptive statistics were calculated as mean, median, and standard deviation. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to determine the correlation between the measurements obtained in different scan mode with the gold standard. The significance level was 5%. The values of intra- and interobserver reproducibility indicated a strong agreement. In the dental implant measurements, except the bone height of the second molar region in full scan mode (P = 0.02), the Wilcoxon signed rank test did not show statistical significant difference with the gold standard (P > 0.05). Both modes provided real measures, necessary when performing implant planning; however, half scan mode uses smaller doses, following the principle of effectiveness. We believe that this method should be used because of the best dose-effect relationship and offer less risk to the patient. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Radiation safety standards and their application: international policies and current issues.

PubMed

González, Abel J

2004-09-01

This paper briefly describes the current policies of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation and the International Commission on Radiological Protection and how these policies are converted into international radiation safety standards by the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is the only global organization-within the United Nations family of international agencies-with a statutory mandate not only to establish such standards but also to provide for their application. It also summarizes the current status of the established corpus of such international standards, and of it foreseeable evolution, as well as of legally binding undertakings by countries around the world that are linked to these standards. Moreover, this paper also reviews some major current global issues related to the application of international standards, including the following: strengthening of national infrastructures for radiation safety, including technical cooperation programs for assisting developing countries; occupational radiation safety challenges, including the protection of pregnant workers and their unborn children, dealing with working environments with high natural radiation levels, and occupational attributability of health effects (probability of occupational causation); restricting discharges of radioactive substances into the environment: reviewing current international policies vis-a-vis the growing concern on the radiation protection of the "environment;" radiological protection of patients undergoing radiodiagnostic and radiotherapeutic procedures: the current International Action Plan; safety and security of radiation sources: post-11 September developments; preparedness and response to radiation emergencies: enhancing the international network; safe transport of radioactive materials: new apprehensions; safety of radioactive waste management: concerns and connections with radiation protection; and radioactive residues remaining after the termination of activities: radiation protection response to the forthcoming wave of decommissioning of installations with radioactive materials. The ultimate aim of this paper is to encourage information exchange, cooperation, and collaboration within the radiation protection professional community. In particular, the paper tries to facilitate consolidation of the growing international regime on radiation safety, including the expansion of legally binding undertakings by countries, the strengthening of the current corpus of international radiation safety standards, and the development of international provisions for ensuring the proper worldwide application of these standards, such as a system of international appraisals by peer review.

46 CFR 133.03 - Relationship to international standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Relationship to international standards. 133.03 Section 133.03 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) OFFSHORE SUPPLY VESSELS LIFESAVING SYSTEMS General § 133.03 Relationship to international standards. This subpart and subpart B of...

77 FR 60625 - Minimum Internal Control Standards for Class II Gaming

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-04

...-37 Minimum Internal Control Standards for Class II Gaming AGENCY: National Indian Gaming Commission... Internal Control Standards that were published on September 21, 2012. DATES: The effective date [email protected] . FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Ward, Attorney, NIGC Office of General Counsel, at...

46 CFR 133.03 - Relationship to international standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Relationship to international standards. 133.03 Section 133.03 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) OFFSHORE SUPPLY VESSELS LIFESAVING SYSTEMS General § 133.03 Relationship to international standards. This subpart and subpart B of...

46 CFR 133.03 - Relationship to international standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Relationship to international standards. 133.03 Section 133.03 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) OFFSHORE SUPPLY VESSELS LIFESAVING SYSTEMS General § 133.03 Relationship to international standards. This subpart and subpart B of...

46 CFR 133.03 - Relationship to international standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Relationship to international standards. 133.03 Section 133.03 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) OFFSHORE SUPPLY VESSELS LIFESAVING SYSTEMS General § 133.03 Relationship to international standards. This subpart and subpart B of...

25 CFR 543.14 - What are the minimum internal control standards for patron deposit accounts and cashless systems?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for patron deposit accounts and cashless systems? 543.14 Section 543.14 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS FOR CLASS II GAMING § 543.14 What are the minimum internal control...

25 CFR 542.4 - How do these regulations affect minimum internal control standards established in a Tribal-State...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false How do these regulations affect minimum internal control standards established in a Tribal-State compact? 542.4 Section 542.4 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.4 How do these regulations affect minimum internal...

25 CFR 542.4 - How do these regulations affect minimum internal control standards established in a Tribal-State...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false How do these regulations affect minimum internal control standards established in a Tribal-State compact? 542.4 Section 542.4 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.4 How do these regulations affect minimum internal...

25 CFR 543.12 - What are the minimum internal control standards for gaming promotions and player tracking systems?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for gaming promotions and player tracking systems? 543.12 Section 543.12 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS FOR CLASS II GAMING § 543.12 What are the minimum internal contro...

25 CFR 542.4 - How do these regulations affect minimum internal control standards established in a Tribal-State...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false How do these regulations affect minimum internal control standards established in a Tribal-State compact? 542.4 Section 542.4 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.4 How do these regulations affect minimum internal...

25 CFR 542.4 - How do these regulations affect minimum internal control standards established in a Tribal-State...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false How do these regulations affect minimum internal control standards established in a Tribal-State compact? 542.4 Section 542.4 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.4 How do these regulations affect minimum internal...

25 CFR 543.14 - What are the minimum internal control standards for patron deposit accounts and cashless systems?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for patron deposit accounts and cashless systems? 543.14 Section 543.14 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS FOR CLASS II GAMING § 543.14 What are the minimum internal control...

25 CFR 542.4 - How do these regulations affect minimum internal control standards established in a Tribal-State...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false How do these regulations affect minimum internal control standards established in a Tribal-State compact? 542.4 Section 542.4 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS § 542.4 How do these regulations affect minimum internal...

25 CFR 543.12 - What are the minimum internal control standards for gaming promotions and player tracking systems?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 25 Indians 2 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for gaming promotions and player tracking systems? 543.12 Section 543.12 Indians NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS FOR CLASS II GAMING § 543.12 What are the minimum internal contro...

An International Standard Set of Patient-Centered Outcome Measures After Stroke.

PubMed

Salinas, Joel; Sprinkhuizen, Sara M; Ackerson, Teri; Bernhardt, Julie; Davie, Charlie; George, Mary G; Gething, Stephanie; Kelly, Adam G; Lindsay, Patrice; Liu, Liping; Martins, Sheila C O; Morgan, Louise; Norrving, Bo; Ribbers, Gerard M; Silver, Frank L; Smith, Eric E; Williams, Linda S; Schwamm, Lee H

2016-01-01

Value-based health care aims to bring together patients and health systems to maximize the ratio of quality over cost. To enable assessment of healthcare value in stroke management, an international standard set of patient-centered stroke outcome measures was defined for use in a variety of healthcare settings. A modified Delphi process was implemented with an international expert panel representing patients, advocates, and clinical specialists in stroke outcomes, stroke registers, global health, epidemiology, and rehabilitation to reach consensus on the preferred outcome measures, included populations, and baseline risk adjustment variables. Patients presenting to a hospital with ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage were selected as the target population for these recommendations, with the inclusion of transient ischemic attacks optional. Outcome categories recommended for assessment were survival and disease control, acute complications, and patient-reported outcomes. Patient-reported outcomes proposed for assessment at 90 days were pain, mood, feeding, selfcare, mobility, communication, cognitive functioning, social participation, ability to return to usual activities, and health-related quality of life, with mobility, feeding, selfcare, and communication also collected at discharge. One instrument was able to collect most patient-reported subdomains (9/16, 56%). Minimum data collection for risk adjustment included patient demographics, premorbid functioning, stroke type and severity, vascular and systemic risk factors, and specific treatment/care-related factors. A consensus stroke measure Standard Set was developed as a simple, pragmatic method to increase the value of stroke care. The set should be validated in practice when used for monitoring and comparisons across different care settings. © 2015 The Authors.

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) analysis of calcium ions dissolved in water using filter paper substrates: an ideal internal standard for precision improvement.

PubMed

Choi, Daewoong; Gong, Yongdeuk; Nam, Sang-Ho; Han, Song-Hee; Yoo, Jonghyun; Lee, Yonghoon

2014-01-01

We report an approach for selecting an internal standard to improve the precision of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) analysis for determining calcium (Ca) concentration in water. The dissolved Ca(2+) ions were pre-concentrated on filter paper by evaporating water. The filter paper was dried and analyzed using LIBS. By adding strontium chloride to sample solutions and using a Sr II line at 407.771 nm for the intensity normalization of Ca II lines at 393.366 or 396.847 nm, the analysis precision could be significantly improved. The Ca II and Sr II line intensities were mapped across the filter paper, and they showed a strong positive shot-to-shot correlation with the same spatial distribution on the filter paper surface. We applied this analysis approach for the measurement of Ca(2+) in tap, bottled, and ground water samples. The Ca(2+) concentrations determined using LIBS are in good agreement with those obtained from flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Finally, we suggest a homologous relation of the strongest emission lines of period 4 and 5 elements in groups IA and IIA based on their similar electronic structures. Our results indicate that the LIBS can be effectively applied for liquid analysis at the sub-parts per million level with high precision using a simple drying of liquid solutions on filter paper and the use of the correct internal standard elements with the similar valence electronic structure with respect to the analytes of interest.

Status of international optical disk standards

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Di; Neumann, John

1999-11-01

Optical technology for data storage offers media removability with unsurpassed reliability. As the media are removable, data interchange between the media and drives from different sources is a major concern. The optical recording community realized, at the inception of this new storage technology development, that international standards for all optical recording disk/cartridge must be established to insure the healthy growth of this industry and for the benefit of the users. Many standards organizations took up the challenge and numerous international standards were established which are now being used world-wide. This paper provides a brief summary of the current status of the international optical disk standards.

A proposed international watershed research network

USGS Publications Warehouse

Osterkamp, W.R.; Gray, J.R.

2003-01-01

An “International Watershed Research Network” is to be an initial project of the Sino-U. S. Centers for Soil and Water Conservation and Environmental Protection. The Network will provide a fundamental database for research personnel of the Centers, as well as of the global research community, and is viewed as an important resource for their successful operation. Efforts are under way to (a) identify and select candidate watersheds, (b) develop standards and protocols for data collection and dissemination, and (c) specify other data sources on erosion, sediment transport, hydrology, and ancillary information of probable interest and use to participants of the Centers. The initial focus of the Network will be on water-deficient areas. Candidate watersheds for the Network are yet to be determined although likely selections include the Ansai Research Station, northern China, and the Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed, Arizona, USA. The Network is to be patterned after the Vigil Network, an open-ended group of global sites and small drainage basins for which Internet-accessible geomorphic, hydrologic, and biological data are periodically collected or updated. Some types of data, using similar instruments and observation methods, will be collected at all watersheds selected for the Network. Other data from the watersheds that may reflect individual watershed characteristics and research objectives will be collected as well.

The JaCVAM international validation study on the in vivo comet assay: Selection of test chemicals.

PubMed

Morita, Takeshi; Uno, Yoshifumi; Honma, Masamitsu; Kojima, Hajime; Hayashi, Makoto; Tice, Raymond R; Corvi, Raffaella; Schechtman, Leonard

2015-07-01

The Japanese Center for the Validation of Alternative Methods (JaCVAM) sponsored an international prevalidation and validation study of the in vivo rat alkaline pH comet assay. The main objective of the study was to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the assay for correctly identifying genotoxic carcinogens, as compared with the traditional rat liver unscheduled DNA synthesis assay. Based on existing carcinogenicity and genotoxicity data and chemical class information, 90 chemicals were identified as primary candidates for use in the validation study. From these 90 chemicals, 46 secondary candidates and then 40 final chemicals were selected based on a sufficiency of carcinogenic and genotoxic data, differences in chemical class or genotoxic or carcinogenic mode of action (MOA), availability, price, and ease of handling. These 40 chemicals included 19 genotoxic carcinogens, 6 genotoxic non-carcinogens, 7 non-genotoxic carcinogens and 8 non-genotoxic non-carcinogens. "Genotoxicity" was defined as positive in the Ames mutagenicity test or in one of the standard in vivo genotoxicity tests (primarily the erythrocyte micronucleus assay). These chemicals covered various chemicals classes, MOAs, and genotoxicity profiles and were considered to be suitable for the purpose of the validation study. General principles of chemical selection for validation studies are discussed. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Measurement of Henry's Law Constants Using Internal Standards: A Quantitative GC Experiment for the Instrumental Analysis or Environmental Chemistry Laboratory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ji, Chang; Boisvert, Susanne M.; Arida, Ann-Marie C.; Day, Shannon E.

2008-01-01

An internal standard method applicable to undergraduate instrumental analysis or environmental chemistry laboratory has been designed and tested to determine the Henry's law constants for a series of alkyl nitriles. In this method, a mixture of the analytes and an internal standard is prepared and used to make a standard solution (organic solvent)…

PREFACE: Special section featuring selected papers from the 3rd International Workshop on Numerical Modelling of High Temperature Superconductors Special section featuring selected papers from the 3rd International Workshop on Numerical Modelling of High Temperature Superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Granados, Xavier; Sánchez, Àlvar; López-López, Josep

2012-10-01

The development of superconducting applications and superconducting engineering requires the support of consistent tools which can provide models for obtaining a good understanding of the behaviour of the systems and predict novel features. These models aim to compute the behaviour of the superconducting systems, design superconducting devices and systems, and understand and test the behavior of the superconducting parts. 50 years ago, in 1962, Charles Bean provided the superconducting community with a model efficient enough to allow the computation of the response of a superconductor to external magnetic fields and currents flowing through in an understandable way: the so called critical-state model. Since then, in addition to the pioneering critical-state approach, other tools have been devised for designing operative superconducting systems, allowing integration of the superconducting design in nearly standard electromagnetic computer-aided design systems by modelling the superconducting parts with consideration of time-dependent processes. In April 2012, Barcelona hosted the 3rd International Workshop on Numerical Modelling of High Temperature Superconductors (HTS), the third in a series of workshops started in Lausanne in 2010 and followed by Cambridge in 2011. The workshop reflected the state-of-the-art and the new initiatives of HTS modelling, considering mathematical, physical and technological aspects within a wide and interdisciplinary scope. Superconductor Science and Technology is now publishing a selection of papers from the workshop which have been selected for their high quality. The selection comprises seven papers covering mathematical, physical and technological topics which contribute to an improvement in the development of procedures, understanding of phenomena and development of applications. We hope that they provide a perspective on the relevance and growth that the modelling of HTS superconductors has achieved in the past 25 years.

Location of the internal carotid artery and ophthalmic artery segments for non-invasive intracranial pressure measurement by multi-depth TCD.

PubMed

Hamarat, Yasin; Deimantavicius, Mantas; Kalvaitis, Evaldas; Siaudvytyte, Lina; Januleviciene, Ingrida; Zakelis, Rolandas; Bartusis, Laimonas

2017-12-01

The aim of the present study was to locate the ophthalmic artery by using the edge of the internal carotid artery (ICA) as the reference depth to perform a reliable non-invasive intracranial pressure measurement via a multi-depth transcranial Doppler device and to then determine the positions and angles of an ultrasonic transducer (UT) on the closed eyelid in the case of located segments. High tension glaucoma (HTG) patients and healthy volunteers (HVs) undergoing non-invasive intracranial pressure measurement were selected for this prospective study. The depth of the edge of the ICA was identified, followed by a selection of the depths of the IOA and EOA segments. The positions and angles of the UT on the closed eyelid were measured. The mean depth of the identified ICA edge for HTG patients was 64.3 mm and was 63.0 mm for HVs (p = 0.21). The mean depth of the selected IOA segment for HTG patients was 59.2 mm and 59.3 mm for HVs (p = 0.91). The mean depth of the selected EOA segment for HTG patients was 48.5 mm and 49.8 mm for HVs (p = 0.14). The difference in the located depths of the segments between groups was not statistically significant. The results showed a significant difference in the measured UT angles in the case of the identified edge of the ICA and selected ophthalmic artery segments (p = 0.0002). We demonstrated that locating the IOA and EOA segments can be achieved using the edge of the ICA as a reference point. OA: ophthalmic artery; IOA: intracranial segments of the ophthalmic artery; EOA: extracranial segments of the ophthalmic artery; ICA: internal carotid artery; UT: ultrasonic transducer; HTG: high tension glaucoma; SD: standard deviation; ICP: intracranial pressure; TCD: transcranial Doppler.

40 CFR 312.11 - References.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... the requirements set forth in §§ 312.23 through 312.31: (a) The procedures of ASTM International... Site Assessment Process.” (b) The procedures of ASTM International Standard E2247-08 entitled “Standard... or Rural Property.” This standard is available from ASTM International at http://www.astm.org, 1-610...

78 FR 14457 - National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Reciprocating Internal Combustion...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-06

... ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Parts 60 and 63 [EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0708, FRL-9756-4] RIN 2060-AQ58 National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines; New Source Performance Standards for Stationary Internal Combustion Engines Correction In rule...

Internal Standards: A Source of Analytical Bias For Volatile Organic Analyte Determinations

EPA Science Inventory

The use of internal standards in the determination of volatile organic compounds as described in SW-846 Method 8260C introduces a potential for bias in results once the internal standards (ISTDs) are added to a sample for analysis. The bias is relative to the dissimilarity betw...

The influence of international standards on optomechanical design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parks, Robert E.

1992-12-01

In the last 10 to 15 years, a considerable body of international standards literature has been published on both mechanical and optical design. We discuss the influence of these internationally developed standards on the design and fabrication of optical systems. We conclude that while there are large benefits to be gained from using these international standards, there will have to be a substantial educational effort at all levels from project scientist to worker on the shop floor to take advantage of the benefits. Many sources to help in this education process are outlined.

INTERNATIONAL REPORTS: New International Standards for Quantities and Units

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thor, A. J.

1994-01-01

Each coherent system of units is based on a system of quantities in such a way that the equations between the numerical values expressed in coherent units have exactly the same form, including numerical factors, as the corresponding equations between the quantities. The highest international body responsible for the International System of Units (SI) is the Conférence Générale des Poids et Mesures (CGPM). However, the CGPM is not concerned with quantities or systems of quantities. That question lies within the scope of Technical Committee number twelve of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO/TC 12). Quantities, units, symbols, conversion factors. To fulfil its responsibility, ISO/TC 12 has prepared the International Standard ISO 31, Quantities and Units, which consists of fourteen parts. The new editions of the different parts of the International Standard are briefly presented here.

Internal epithelia in Drosophila display rudimentary competence to form cytoplasmic networks of transgenic human vimentin.

PubMed

Gullmets, Josef; Torvaldson, Elin; Lindqvist, Julia; Imanishi, Susumu Y; Taimen, Pekka; Meinander, Annika; Eriksson, John E

2017-12-01

Cytoplasmic intermediate filaments (cIFs) are found in all eumetazoans, except arthropods. To investigate the compatibility of cIFs in arthropods, we expressed human vimentin (hVim), a cIF with filament-forming capacity in vertebrate cells and tissues, transgenically in Drosophila Transgenic hVim could be recovered from whole-fly lysates by using a standard procedure for intermediate filament (IF) extraction. When this procedure was used to test for the possible presence of IF-like proteins in flies, only lamins and tropomyosin were observed in IF-enriched extracts, thereby providing biochemical reinforcement to the paradigm that arthropods lack cIFs. In Drosophila , transgenic hVim was unable to form filament networks in S2 cells and mesenchymal tissues; however, cage-like vimentin structures could be observed around the nuclei in internal epithelia, which suggests that Drosophila retains selective competence for filament formation. Taken together, our results imply that although the filament network formation competence is partially lost in Drosophila , a rudimentary filament network formation ability remains in epithelial cells. As a result of the observed selective competence for cIF assembly in Drosophila , we hypothesize that internal epithelial cIFs were the last cIFs to disappear from arthropods.-Gullmets, J., Torvaldson, E., Lindqvist, J., Imanishi, S. Y., Taimen, P., Meinander, A., Eriksson, J. E. Internal epithelia in Drosophila display rudimentary competence to form cytoplasmic networks of transgenic human vimentin. © FASEB.

CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PREPARATION OF SURROGATE RECOVERY STANDARD AND INTERNAL STANDARD SOLUTIONS FOR POLAR TARGET ANALYTES (SOP-5.26)

EPA Science Inventory

This SOP describes the method used for preparing surrogate recovery standard and internal standard solutions for the analysis of polar target analytes. It also describes the method for preparing calibration standard solutions for polar analytes used for gas chromatography/mass sp...

7 CFR 51.1584 - Internal discoloration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... STANDARDS) United States Consumer Standards for Potatoes Definitions § 51.1584 Internal discoloration..., stem-end browning, internal brown spot, or other similar types of discoloration not visible externally. ...

7 CFR 51.1584 - Internal discoloration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... STANDARDS) United States Consumer Standards for Potatoes Definitions § 51.1584 Internal discoloration..., stem-end browning, internal brown spot, or other similar types of discoloration not visible externally. ...

Operations and Plans: International Military Rationalization, Standardization, and Interoperability

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-02-15

Army Regulation 34–1 Operations and Plans International Military Rationalization , Standardization, and Interoperability Headquarters Department of...YYYY) 15-02-1997 2. REPORT TYPE 3. DATES COVERED (FROM - TO) xx-xx-1997 to xx-xx-1997 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE International Military Rationalization ...DSN 427-9007 Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8-98) Prescribed by ANSI Std Z39.18 SUMMARY of CHANGE AR 34–1 International Military Rationalization

Changing pattern in the basal ganglia: motor switching under reduced dopaminergic drive

PubMed Central

Fiore, Vincenzo G.; Rigoli, Francesco; Stenner, Max-Philipp; Zaehle, Tino; Hirth, Frank; Heinze, Hans-Jochen; Dolan, Raymond J.

2016-01-01

Action selection in the basal ganglia is often described within the framework of a standard model, associating low dopaminergic drive with motor suppression. Whilst powerful, this model does not explain several clinical and experimental data, including varying therapeutic efficacy across movement disorders. We tested the predictions of this model in patients with Parkinson’s disease, on and off subthalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS), focussing on adaptive sensory-motor responses to a changing environment and maintenance of an action until it is no longer suitable. Surprisingly, we observed prolonged perseverance under on-stimulation, and high inter-individual variability in terms of the motor selections performed when comparing the two conditions. To account for these data, we revised the standard model exploring its space of parameters and associated motor functions and found that, depending on effective connectivity between external and internal parts of the globus pallidus and saliency of the sensory input, a low dopaminergic drive can result in increased, dysfunctional, motor switching, besides motor suppression. This new framework provides insight into the biophysical mechanisms underlying DBS, allowing a description in terms of alteration of the signal-to-baseline ratio in the indirect pathway, which better account of known electrophysiological data in comparison with the standard model. PMID:27004463

46 CFR 80.25 - Notification of safety standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... standards, except the 1966 fire safety standards. (ii) This vessel complies with international safety standards developed prior to 1960. There is (or, is not) an automatic sprinkler system fitted in the... international safety standard. There is (or, is not) an automatic sprinkler system fitted in the passenger...

46 CFR 80.25 - Notification of safety standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... standards, except the 1966 fire safety standards. (ii) This vessel complies with international safety standards developed prior to 1960. There is (or, is not) an automatic sprinkler system fitted in the... international safety standard. There is (or, is not) an automatic sprinkler system fitted in the passenger...

46 CFR 80.25 - Notification of safety standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... standards, except the 1966 fire safety standards. (ii) This vessel complies with international safety standards developed prior to 1960. There is (or, is not) an automatic sprinkler system fitted in the... international safety standard. There is (or, is not) an automatic sprinkler system fitted in the passenger...

46 CFR 80.25 - Notification of safety standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... standards, except the 1966 fire safety standards. (ii) This vessel complies with international safety standards developed prior to 1960. There is (or, is not) an automatic sprinkler system fitted in the... international safety standard. There is (or, is not) an automatic sprinkler system fitted in the passenger...

Compilation of minimum and maximum isotope ratios of selected elements in naturally occurring terrestrial materials and reagents

USGS Publications Warehouse

Coplen, T.B.; Hopple, J.A.; Böhlke, J.K.; Peiser, H.S.; Rieder, S.E.; Krouse, H.R.; Rosman, K.J.R.; Ding, T.; Vocke, R.D.; Revesz, K.M.; Lamberty, A.; Taylor, P.; De Bievre, P.

2002-01-01

Documented variations in the isotopic compositions of some chemical elements are responsible for expanded uncertainties in the standard atomic weights published by the Commission on Atomic Weights and Isotopic Abundances of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. This report summarizes reported variations in the isotopic compositions of 20 elements that are due to physical and chemical fractionation processes (not due to radioactive decay) and their effects on the standard atomic weight uncertainties. For 11 of those elements (hydrogen, lithium, boron, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, silicon, sulfur, chlorine, copper, and selenium), standard atomic weight uncertainties have been assigned values that are substantially larger than analytical uncertainties because of common isotope abundance variations in materials of natural terrestrial origin. For 2 elements (chromium and thallium), recently reported isotope abundance variations potentially are large enough to result in future expansion of their atomic weight uncertainties. For 7 elements (magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, molybdenum, palladium, and tellurium), documented isotope-abundance variations in materials of natural terrestrial origin are too small to have a significant effect on their standard atomic weight uncertainties. This compilation indicates the extent to which the atomic weight of an element in a given material may differ from the standard atomic weight of the element. For most elements given above, data are graphically illustrated by a diagram in which the materials are specified in the ordinate and the compositional ranges are plotted along the abscissa in scales of (1) atomic weight, (2) mole fraction of a selected isotope, and (3) delta value of a selected isotope ratio. There are no internationally distributed isotopic reference materials for the elements zinc, selenium, molybdenum, palladium, and tellurium. Preparation of such materials will help to make isotope ratio measurements among laboratories comparable. The minimum and maximum concentrations of a selected isotope in naturally occurring terrestrial materials for selected chemical elements reviewed in this report are given below: Isotope Minimum mole fraction Maximum mole fraction -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2H 0 .000 0255 0 .000 1838 7Li 0 .9227 0 .9278 11B 0 .7961 0 .8107 13C 0 .009 629 0 .011 466 15N 0 .003 462 0 .004 210 18O 0 .001 875 0 .002 218 26Mg 0 .1099 0 .1103 30Si 0 .030 816 0 .031 023 34S 0 .0398 0 .0473 37Cl 0 .240 77 0 .243 56 44Ca 0 .020 82 0 .020 92 53Cr 0 .095 01 0 .095 53 56Fe 0 .917 42 0 .917 60 65Cu 0 .3066 0 .3102 205Tl 0 .704 72 0 .705 06 The numerical values above have uncertainties that depend upon the uncertainties of the determinations of the absolute isotope-abundance variations of reference materials of the elements. Because reference materials used for absolute isotope-abundance measurements have not been included in relative isotope abundance investigations of zinc, selenium, molybdenum, palladium, and tellurium, ranges in isotopic composition are not listed for these elements, although such ranges may be measurable with state-of-the-art mass spectrometry. This report is available at the url: http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/wri014222.

The International Standard for Oxytetracycline

PubMed Central

Humphrey, J. H.; Lightbown, J. W.; Mussett, M. V.; Perry, W. L. M.

1955-01-01

The first attempt to set up an international standard for oxytetracycline, using oxytetracycline hydrochloride, failed because of difficulties in obtaining a preparation whose moisture content was uniform after distribution into ampoules. A preparation of dihydrate of oxytetracycline base was obtained instead, and was compared in an international collaborative assay with a sample of oxytetracycline hydrochloride, which was the current working standard of Chas. Pfizer & Co., Inc., USA. The results of the collaborative assay showed that the potency of the dihydrate was uniform, and that it was a suitable preparation for use as the International Standard. Evidence was obtained, however, that the reference preparation at the time of examination was less potent than had been originally supposed, and that it was hydrated. The potency of the proposed international standard was recalculated after allowance for water in the reference preparation, and the resulting biological potency agreed well with that to be expected on the basis of the physicochemical properties of the preparation. It was agreed, therefore, that the recalculated values should be used, and the preparation of oxytetracycline base dihydrate used in the collaborative assay is established as the International Standard for Oxytetracycline with a potency of 900 International Units per mg. PMID:13284563

40 CFR 60.4206 - How long must I meet the emission standards if I am an owner or operator of a stationary CI...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... standards if I am an owner or operator of a stationary CI internal combustion engine? 60.4206 Section 60... Ignition Internal Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Owners and Operators § 60.4206 How long must I meet the emission standards if I am an owner or operator of a stationary CI internal combustion engine...

40 CFR 60.4206 - How long must I meet the emission standards if I am an owner or operator of a stationary CI...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... standards if I am an owner or operator of a stationary CI internal combustion engine? 60.4206 Section 60... Ignition Internal Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Owners and Operators § 60.4206 How long must I meet the emission standards if I am an owner or operator of a stationary CI internal combustion engine...

40 CFR 60.4234 - How long must I meet the emission standards if I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... standards if I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI internal combustion engine? 60.4234 Section 60... Internal Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Owners and Operators § 60.4234 How long must I meet the emission standards if I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI internal combustion engine? Owners and...

40 CFR 60.4234 - How long must I meet the emission standards if I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... standards if I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI internal combustion engine? 60.4234 Section 60... Internal Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Owners and Operators § 60.4234 How long must I meet the emission standards if I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI internal combustion engine? Owners and...

40 CFR 60.4206 - How long must I meet the emission standards if I am an owner or operator of a stationary CI...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... standards if I am an owner or operator of a stationary CI internal combustion engine? 60.4206 Section 60... Ignition Internal Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Owners and Operators § 60.4206 How long must I meet the emission standards if I am an owner or operator of a stationary CI internal combustion engine...

40 CFR 60.4234 - How long must I meet the emission standards if I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... standards if I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI internal combustion engine? 60.4234 Section 60... Internal Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Owners and Operators § 60.4234 How long must I meet the emission standards if I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI internal combustion engine? Owners and...

40 CFR 60.4234 - How long must I meet the emission standards if I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... standards if I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI internal combustion engine? 60.4234 Section 60... Internal Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Owners and Operators § 60.4234 How long must I meet the emission standards if I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI internal combustion engine? Owners and...

40 CFR 60.4234 - How long must I meet the emission standards if I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... standards if I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI internal combustion engine? 60.4234 Section 60... Internal Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Owners and Operators § 60.4234 How long must I meet the emission standards if I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI internal combustion engine? Owners and...

The problem of epistemic jurisdiction in global governance: The case of sustainability standards for biofuels.

PubMed

Winickoff, David E; Mondou, Matthieu

2017-02-01

While there is ample scholarly work on regulatory science within the state, or single-sited global institutions, there is less on its operation within complex modes of global governance that are decentered, overlapping, multi-sectorial and multi-leveled. Using a co-productionist framework, this study identifies 'epistemic jurisdiction' - the power to produce or warrant technical knowledge for a given political community, topical arena or geographical territory - as a central problem for regulatory science in complex governance. We explore these dynamics in the arena of global sustainability standards for biofuels. We select three institutional fora as sites of inquiry: the European Union's Renewable Energy Directive, the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials, and the International Organization for Standardization. These cases allow us to analyze how the co-production of sustainability science responds to problems of epistemic jurisdiction in the global regulatory order. First, different problems of epistemic jurisdiction beset different standard-setting bodies, and these problems shape both the content of regulatory science and the procedures designed to make it authoritative. Second, in order to produce global regulatory science, technical bodies must manage an array of conflicting imperatives - including scientific virtue, due process and the need to recruit adoptees to perpetuate the standard. At different levels of governance, standard drafters struggle to balance loyalties to country, to company or constituency and to the larger project of internationalization. Confronted with these sometimes conflicting pressures, actors across the standards system quite self-consciously maneuver to build or retain authority for their forum through a combination of scientific adjustment and political negotiation. Third, the evidentiary demands of regulatory science in global administrative spaces are deeply affected by 1) a market for standards, in which firms and states can choose the cheapest sustainability certification, and 2) the international trade regime, in which the long shadow of WTO law exerts a powerful disciplining function.

Quality assurance in military medical research and medical radiation accident management.

PubMed

Hotz, Mark E; Meineke, Viktor

2012-08-01

The provision of quality radiation-related medical diagnostic and therapeutic treatments cannot occur without the presence of robust quality assurance and standardization programs. Medical laboratory services are essential in patient treatment and must be able to meet the needs of all patients and the clinical personnel responsible for the medical care of these patients. Clinical personnel involved in patient care must embody the quality assurance process in daily work to ensure program sustainability. In conformance with the German Federal Government's concept for modern departmental research, the international standard ISO 9001, one of the relevant standards of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), is applied in quality assurance in military medical research. By its holistic approach, this internationally accepted standard provides an excellent basis for establishing a modern quality management system in line with international standards. Furthermore, this standard can serve as a sound basis for the further development of an already established quality management system when additional standards shall apply, as for instance in reference laboratories or medical laboratories. Besides quality assurance, a military medical facility must manage additional risk events in the context of early recognition/detection of health risks of military personnel on deployment in order to be able to take appropriate preventive and protective measures; for instance, with medical radiation accident management. The international standard ISO 31000:2009 can serve as a guideline for establishing risk management. Clear organizational structures and defined work processes are required when individual laboratory units seek accreditation according to specific laboratory standards. Furthermore, international efforts to develop health laboratory standards must be reinforced that support sustainable quality assurance, as in the exchange and comparison of test results within the scope of external quality assurance, but also in the exchange of special diagnosis data among international research networks. In summary, the acknowledged standard for a quality management system to ensure quality assurance is the very generic standard ISO 9001.Health Phys. 103(2):221-225; 2012.

Direct and Absolute Quantification of over 1800 Yeast Proteins via Selected Reaction Monitoring*

PubMed Central

Lawless, Craig; Holman, Stephen W.; Brownridge, Philip; Lanthaler, Karin; Harman, Victoria M.; Watkins, Rachel; Hammond, Dean E.; Miller, Rebecca L.; Sims, Paul F. G.; Grant, Christopher M.; Eyers, Claire E.; Beynon, Robert J.

2016-01-01

Defining intracellular protein concentration is critical in molecular systems biology. Although strategies for determining relative protein changes are available, defining robust absolute values in copies per cell has proven significantly more challenging. Here we present a reference data set quantifying over 1800 Saccharomyces cerevisiae proteins by direct means using protein-specific stable-isotope labeled internal standards and selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mass spectrometry, far exceeding any previous study. This was achieved by careful design of over 100 QconCAT recombinant proteins as standards, defining 1167 proteins in terms of copies per cell and upper limits on a further 668, with robust CVs routinely less than 20%. The selected reaction monitoring-derived proteome is compared with existing quantitative data sets, highlighting the disparities between methodologies. Coupled with a quantification of the transcriptome by RNA-seq taken from the same cells, these data support revised estimates of several fundamental molecular parameters: a total protein count of ∼100 million molecules-per-cell, a median of ∼1000 proteins-per-transcript, and a linear model of protein translation explaining 70% of the variance in translation rate. This work contributes a “gold-standard” reference yeast proteome (including 532 values based on high quality, dual peptide quantification) that can be widely used in systems models and for other comparative studies. PMID:26750110

The niche construction perspective: a critical appraisal.

PubMed

Scott-Phillips, Thomas C; Laland, Kevin N; Shuker, David M; Dickins, Thomas E; West, Stuart A

2014-05-01

Niche construction refers to the activities of organisms that bring about changes in their environments, many of which are evolutionarily and ecologically consequential. Advocates of niche construction theory (NCT) believe that standard evolutionary theory fails to recognize the full importance of niche construction, and consequently propose a novel view of evolution, in which niche construction and its legacy over time (ecological inheritance) are described as evolutionary processes, equivalent in importance to natural selection. Here, we subject NCT to critical evaluation, in the form of a collaboration between one prominent advocate of NCT, and a team of skeptics. We discuss whether niche construction is an evolutionary process, whether NCT obscures or clarifies how natural selection leads to organismal adaptation, and whether niche construction and natural selection are of equivalent explanatory importance. We also consider whether the literature that promotes NCT overstates the significance of niche construction, whether it is internally coherent, and whether it accurately portrays standard evolutionary theory. Our disagreements reflect a wider dispute within evolutionary theory over whether the neo-Darwinian synthesis is in need of reformulation, as well as different usages of some key terms (e.g., evolutionary process). © 2013 The Author(s). Evolution published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Society for the Study of Evolution.

Simultaneous detection and quantification of select nitromusks, antimicrobial agent, and antihistamine in fish of grocery stores by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Foltz, James; Abdul Mottaleb, M; Meziani, Mohammed J; Rafiq Islam, M

2014-07-01

Continually detected biologically persistent nitromusks; galaxolide (HHCB), tonalide (AHTN) and musk ketone (MK), antimicrobial triclosan (TCS), and antihistamine diphenhydramine (DPH) were examined for the first time in edible fillets originating from eight fish species grown in salt- and fresh-water. The sampled fish collected from local grocery stores were homogenized, extracted, pre-concentrated and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) using selected ion monitoring (SIM). The presence of the target compounds in fish extracts was confirmed based on similar mass spectral features and retention behavior with standards. Internal standard based calibration plots were used for quantification. The HHCB, AHTN, TCS and DPH were consistently observed with concentration of 0.163-0.892, 0.068-0.904, 0.189-1.182, and 0.942-7.472 ng g(-1), respectively. These values are at least 1-3 orders of magnitude lower than those obtained in environmental fish specimens. The MK was not detected in any fish. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Integrative Examination of Motor Abilities in Dialysis Patients and Selection of Tests for a Standardized Physical Function Assessment.

PubMed

Bučar Pajek, Maja; Leskošek, Bojan; Vivoda, Tjaša; Svilan, Katarina; Čuk, Ivan; Pajek, Jernej

2016-06-01

To reduce the need for a large number of executed physical function tests we examined inter-relations and determined predictive power for daily physical activity of the following tests: 6-min walk, 10 repetition sit-to-stand, time up-and-go, Storke balance, handgrip strength, upper limb tapping and sitting forward bend tests. In 90 dialysis and 140 healthy control subjects we found high correlations between all tests, especially those engaging lower extremities. Sit-to-stand, forward bend and handgrip strength were selected for the test battery and composite motor performance score. Sit-to-stand test was superior in terms of sensitivity to uremia effects and association with daily physical function in adjusted analyses. There was no incremental value in calculating the composite performance score. We propose to standardize the physical function assessment of dialysis patients for cross-sectional and longitudinal observations with three simple, cheap, well-accessible and easily performed test tools: sit-to-stand test, handgrip strength and Human Activity Profile questionnaire. © 2016 International Society for Apheresis, Japanese Society for Apheresis, and Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy.

International aerospace standards - An overview

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mason, J. L.

1983-10-01

Factors to be considered in adopting and extending international standards in the U.S. aerospace industry are reviewed. Cost-related advantages and disadvantages of standardization are weighed, and further obstacles are identified in the English/metric rivalry and the pacing of metrification. The problem of standard duplication is examined, and the issue of revenues from the sale of copyrighted documents describing standards is addressed. It is recommended that international metric-system standards be introduced, with proper timing, wherever possible, and that prompt negotiations be undertaken to prevent or resolve document-sales disagreements. The continuation of English-system standards for safety-related cockpit readouts and communications systems is suggested.

26 CFR 1.23-4 - Performance and quality standards. [Reserved

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 true Performance and quality standards. [Reserved] 1.23-4 Section 1.23-4 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY INCOME TAX INCOME TAXES Changes in Rates During A Taxable Year § 1.23-4 Performance and quality standards. [Reserved...

75 FR 80761 - National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Reciprocating Internal Combustion...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-23

... National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines... March 3, 2010, final national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants for reciprocating internal... engines to allow emergency engines to operate for up to 15 hours per year as part of an emergency demand...

The Role of Internal Standards and their Interaction with Soils Impact Accuracy of Volatile Organics Determinations

EPA Science Inventory

Both US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SW-846 Methods 8260C/5035 and 8261A include mixing soil with water and addition of internal standards prior to analyses but the equilibration of internal standards with the soil is not required. With increasing total organic carbon (...

Discourse Surrounding the International Education Standards for Professional Accountants (IES): A Content Analysis Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sugahara, Satoshi; Wilson, Rachel

2013-01-01

The development and implementation of the International Education Standards (IES) for professional accountants is currently an important issue in accounting education and for educators interested in a shift toward international education standards more broadly. The purpose of this study is to investigate professional and research discourse…

Measuring effectiveness of drugs in observational databanks: promises and perils

PubMed Central

Krishnan, Eswar; Fries, James F

2004-01-01

Observational databanks have inherent strengths and shortcomings. As in randomized controlled trials, poor design of these databanks can either exaggerate or reduce estimates of drug effectiveness and can limit generalizability. This commentary highlights selected aspects of study design, data collection and statistical analysis that can help overcome many of these inadequacies. An international metaRegister and a formal mechanism for standardizing and sharing drug data could help improve the utility of databanks. Medical journals have a vital role in enforcing a quality checklist that improves reporting. PMID:15059263

GC-MS quantitation of fragrance compounds suspected to cause skin reactions. 1.

PubMed

Chaintreau, Alain; Joulain, Daniel; Marin, Christophe; Schmidt, Claus-Oliver; Vey, Matthias

2003-10-22

Recent changes in European legislation require monitoring of 24 volatile compounds in perfumes as they might elicit skin sensitization. This paper reports a GC-MS quantitation procedure for their determination in fragrance concentrates. GC and MS conditions were optimized for a routine use: analysis within 30 min, solvent and internal standard selection, and stock solution stability. Calibration curves were linear in the range of 2-100 mg/L with coefficients of determination in excess of 0.99. The method was tested using real perfumes spiked with known amounts of reference compounds.

Selective reporting of antibiotic susceptibility test results in European countries: an ESCMID cross-sectional survey.

PubMed

Pulcini, Céline; Tebano, Gianpiero; Mutters, Nico T; Tacconelli, Evelina; Cambau, Emmanuelle; Kahlmeter, Gunnar; Jarlier, Vincent

2017-02-01

Selective reporting of antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) results is one possible laboratory-based antibiotic stewardship intervention. The primary aim of this study was to identify where and how selective reporting of AST results is implemented in Europe both in inpatient and in outpatient settings. An ESCMID cross-sectional, self-administered, internet-based survey was conducted among all EUCIC (European Committee on Infection Control) or EUCAST (European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing) national representatives in Europe and Israel. Of 38 countries, 36 chose to participate in the survey. Selective reporting of AST results was implemented in 11/36 countries (31%), was partially implemented in 4/36 (11%) and was limited to local initiatives or was not adopted in 21/36 (58%). It was endorsed as standard of care by health authorities in only three countries. The organisation of selective reporting was everywhere discretionally managed by each laboratory, with a pronounced intra- and inter-country variability. The most frequent application was in uncomplicated community-acquired infections, particularly urinary tract and skin and soft-tissue infections. The list of reported antibiotics ranged from a few first-line options, to longer reports where only last-resort antibiotics were hidden. Several barriers to implementation were reported, mainly lack of guidelines, poor system support, insufficient resources, and lack of professionals' capability. In conclusion, selective reporting of AST results is poorly implemented in Europe and is applied with a huge heterogeneity of practices. Development of an international framework, based on existing initiatives and identified barriers, could favour its dissemination as one important element of antibiotic stewardship programmes. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. and International Society of Chemotherapy. All rights reserved.

Conflicts of interest among committee members in the National Academies’ genetically engineered crop study

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) publishes numerous reports each year that are received with high esteem by the scientific community and public policy makers. The NASEM has internal standards for selecting committee members that author its reports, mostly from academia, and vetting conflicts of interest. This study examines whether there were any financial conflicts of interest (COIs) among the twenty invited committee members who wrote the 2016 report on genetically engineered (GE) crops. Our results showed that six panel members had one or more reportable financial COIs, none of which were disclosed in the report. We also report on institutional COIs held by the NASEM related to the report. The difference between our findings and the NASEM reporting standards are discussed. PMID:28245228

Evaluation of portfolio credit risk based on survival analysis for progressive censored data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jaber, Jamil J.; Ismail, Noriszura; Ramli, Siti Norafidah Mohd

2017-04-01

In credit risk management, the Basel committee provides a choice of three approaches to the financial institutions for calculating the required capital: the standardized approach, the Internal Ratings-Based (IRB) approach, and the Advanced IRB approach. The IRB approach is usually preferred compared to the standard approach due to its higher accuracy and lower capital charges. This paper use several parametric models (Exponential, log-normal, Gamma, Weibull, Log-logistic, Gompertz) to evaluate the credit risk of the corporate portfolio in the Jordanian banks based on the monthly sample collected from January 2010 to December 2015. The best model is selected using several goodness-of-fit criteria (MSE, AIC, BIC). The results indicate that the Gompertz distribution is the best model parametric model for the data.

A new website to aid the interpretation of antemortem dental records:www.internationaldentalcharts.org.

PubMed

Manica, Scheila

2014-12-01

The INTERPOL (International Police Organization) Disaster Victim Identification forms represent a global standard for mass disasters and the collection of international ante-mortem dental records. These records can now be interpreted more easily with the help of a new online dictionary of dental terminology for translating dental charts from several languages into English. The free website launched in 2013 (www.internationaldentalcharts.org) is the result of a M.Sc project on international dental charts: Guide of International Dental Charts translated into English decoding international ante-mortem dental charts for INTERPOL's Ante-mortem (AM) Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) forms (Section F2), completed in 2011. The aim of this study was to analyze the tooth numbering system, symbols and abbreviations used on dental charting worldwide. A letter was sent to the national dental associations of the 188 INTERPOL member countries, addressing the goals of the project and asking for samples of dental charts. A total of 45 countries replied and 32 common dental alterations were selected for translation, such as: decay, filling and extraction. Their symbols and/or abbreviations used were summarized in various languages. More than one system of dental notations was used in the same country whereas there was an absence of standard systems in other countries. Some of the samples of charts received were of little value. However, a fair amount of useful information and detail was found in most of them. This free consultation website could be useful when the handwriting, symbols, and abbreviations on the ante-mortem dental charts are not clear. It will be particularly applicable when ante-mortem xrays and casts are not available.

Implications of the implementation of the revised dose limit to the lens of the eye: the view of IRPA professionals.

PubMed

Broughton, J; Cantone, M C; Ginjaume, M; Shah, B; Czarwinski, R

2015-06-01

In April 2011, the International Commission on Radiological Protection issued a statement on reduction of the equivalent dose limits for the lens of the eye, and strongly recommended its consideration in the revision of the International Atomic Energy Agency's International Basic Safety Standards on Radiation Protection. The reduced dose limit was incorporated in the final version of the Basic Safety Standards. As significant concern was expressed by radiation protection professionals worldwide, the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA) established a task group to assess the impact of implementation of the revised dose limit for the lens of the eye for occupational exposure. IRPA Associate Societies (ASs) were asked for their views using a questionnaire addressing three topics: implications for dosimetry, implications for methods of protection, and wider implications. The responses received indicate various methods of approach and express different points of view, reflecting nuances of particular ASs or specific professional groups. Topic experts nominated by ASs were selected to assist with collation of responses, and a report was produced by the task group. Conclusions were drawn on the three issues, including potential cost implications. A number of recommendations were drawn from the responses received including: the request for more understanding about the relationship between exposure of the lens of the eye and cataract formation, and further guidance to assist implementation; the importance of economic and social considerations when introducing the limits into national regulations; the need to propose or define procedures related to employment of people with existing or pre-cataract conditions; and the practical aspects relating to dosimetry and protective equipment. © The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.

22 CFR 305.4 - Selection standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 true Selection standards. 305.4 Section 305.4 Foreign Relations PEACE CORPS ELIGIBILITY AND STANDARDS FOR PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER SERVICE § 305.4 Selection standards. To qualify for selection for overseas service as a Peace Corps Volunteer, applicants must...

76 FR 62714 - Lifesaving Equipment: Production Testing and Harmonization With International Standards

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-11

... apply to: prototypes (new designs) submitted after January 1, 2012; production testing of designs... Lifesaving Equipment: Production Testing and Harmonization With International Standards AGENCY: Coast Guard... and Standards Directorate, Office of Design and Engineering Standards, Lifesaving and Fire Safety...

Direct Final Rule for Control of Air Pollution From Aircraft and Aircraft Engines; Emission Standards and Test Procedures

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This rule will adopt the current voluntary NOx and CO emissions standards of the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), bringing the United States aircraft standards into alignment with the international standards.

[The Humanitarian Charter and minimum standards in humanitarian response are applicable in German refugee facilities].

PubMed

Gardemann, Joachim; Wilp, Thomas

2016-05-01

In recent refugee migration into Germany the responsibilities and reactions of health authorities are still lacking general co-ordination. Can the ethical and technical standards of international humanitarian assistance serve as an appropriate and even a compulsory guideline for relief agencies, public health and regulatory authorities in Germany? Documents from the field of medical ethics, medical law, international humanitarian law and disaster medicine will be examined and checked for practicability by consulting experiences during the 1990s Balkan wars refugee movement and international missions of relief agencies. Ethical and technical standards of international humanitarian assistance have been developed, improved and evaluated for 20 years, and are valuable tools for emergency management. Victims of disaster or conflict have a right to live in dignity and therefore have a right to receive health care according to international standards. International ethical and technical standards for refugees should be considered in the Federal Republic of Germany like in any other country.

25 CFR 166.901 - How will the BIA select an agriculture intern?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 25 Indians 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false How will the BIA select an agriculture intern? 166.901... PERMITS Agriculture Education, Education Assistance, Recruitment, and Training § 166.901 How will the BIA select an agriculture intern? (a) The purpose of the agriculture intern program is to ensure the future...

25 CFR 166.901 - How will the BIA select an agriculture intern?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 25 Indians 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false How will the BIA select an agriculture intern? 166.901... PERMITS Agriculture Education, Education Assistance, Recruitment, and Training § 166.901 How will the BIA select an agriculture intern? (a) The purpose of the agriculture intern program is to ensure the future...

25 CFR 166.901 - How will the BIA select an agriculture intern?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 25 Indians 1 2012-04-01 2011-04-01 true How will the BIA select an agriculture intern? 166.901... PERMITS Agriculture Education, Education Assistance, Recruitment, and Training § 166.901 How will the BIA select an agriculture intern? (a) The purpose of the agriculture intern program is to ensure the future...

25 CFR 166.901 - How will the BIA select an agriculture intern?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 25 Indians 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false How will the BIA select an agriculture intern? 166.901... PERMITS Agriculture Education, Education Assistance, Recruitment, and Training § 166.901 How will the BIA select an agriculture intern? (a) The purpose of the agriculture intern program is to ensure the future...

25 CFR 166.901 - How will the BIA select an agriculture intern?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 25 Indians 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false How will the BIA select an agriculture intern? 166.901... PERMITS Agriculture Education, Education Assistance, Recruitment, and Training § 166.901 How will the BIA select an agriculture intern? (a) The purpose of the agriculture intern program is to ensure the future...

Starworld: Preparing Accountants for the Future: A Case-Based Approach to Teach International Financial Reporting Standards Using ERP Software

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ragan, Joseph M.; Savino, Christopher J.; Parashac, Paul; Hosler, Jonathan C.

2010-01-01

International Financial Reporting Standards now constitute an important part of educating young professional accountants. This paper looks at a case based process to teach International Financial Reporting Standards using integrated Enterprise Resource Planning software. The case contained within the paper can be used within a variety of courses…

26 CFR 1.430(f)-1 - Effect of prefunding balance and funding standard carryover balance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 5 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Effect of prefunding balance and funding standard carryover balance. 1.430(f)-1 Section 1.430(f)-1 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE... § 1.430(f)-1 Effect of prefunding balance and funding standard carryover balance. (a) In general—(1...

26 CFR 1.430(f)-1 - Effect of prefunding balance and funding standard carryover balance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 5 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Effect of prefunding balance and funding standard carryover balance. 1.430(f)-1 Section 1.430(f)-1 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE... Effect of prefunding balance and funding standard carryover balance. (a) In general—(1) Overview. This...

25 CFR 543.23 - What are the minimum internal control standards for audit and accounting?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... supervision, bingo cards, bingo card sales, draw, prize payout; cash and equivalent controls, technologic aids... 25 Indians 2 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for audit... INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS FOR CLASS II GAMING § 543.23 What are the...

25 CFR 543.23 - What are the minimum internal control standards for audit and accounting?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... supervision, bingo cards, bingo card sales, draw, prize payout; cash and equivalent controls, technologic aids... 25 Indians 2 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false What are the minimum internal control standards for audit... INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS FOR CLASS II GAMING § 543.23 What are the...

Prioritizing comparative effectiveness research for cancer diagnostics using a regional stakeholder approach.

PubMed

Klein, Gregory; Gold, Laura S; Sullivan, Sean D; Buist, Diana S M; Ramsey, Scott; Kreizenbeck, Karma; Snell, Kyle; Loggers, Elizabeth Trice; Gifford, Joseph; Watkins, John B; Kessler, Larry

2012-05-01

This paper describes our process to engage regional stakeholders for prioritizing comparative effectiveness research (CER) in cancer diagnostics. We also describe a novel methodology for incorporating stakeholder data and input to inform the objectives of selected CER studies. As an integrated component to establishing the infrastructure for community-based CER on diagnostic technologies, we have assembled a regional stakeholder group composed of local payers, clinicians and state healthcare representatives to not only identify and prioritize CER topics most important to the western Washington State region, but also to inform the study design of selected research areas. A landscape analysis process combining literature searches, expert consultations and stakeholder discussions was used to identify possible CER topics in cancer diagnostics. Stakeholders prioritized the top topics using a modified Delphi/group-nominal method and a standardized evaluation criteria framework to determine a final selected CER study area. Implementation of the selected study was immediate due to a unique American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding structure involving the same researchers and stakeholders in both the prioritization and execution phases of the project. Stakeholder engagement was enhanced after study selection via a rapid analysis of a subset of payers' internal claims, coordinated by the research team, to obtain summary data of imaging patterns of use. Results of this preliminary analysis, which we termed an 'internal analysis,' were used to determine with the stakeholders the most important and feasible study objectives. Stakeholders identified PET and MRI in cancers including breast, lung, lymphoma and colorectal as top priorities. In an internal analysis of breast cancer imaging, summary data from three payers demonstrated utilization rates of advanced imaging increased between 2002 and 2009 in the study population, with a great deal of variability in use between different health plans. Assessing whether breast MRI affects treatment decisions was the top breast cancer study objective selected by the stakeholders. There were other high-priority research areas including whether MRI use improved survival that were not deemed feasible with the length of follow-up time following MRI adoption. Continuous stakeholder engagement greatly enhanced their enthusiasm for the project. We believe CER implementation will be more successful when undertaken by regional stakeholders.

IPDA PDS4 Project: Towards an International Planetary Data Standard

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martinez, Santa; Roatsch, Thomas; Capria, Maria Teresa; Heather, David; Yamamoto, Yukio; Hughes, Steven; Stein, Thomas; Cecconi, Baptiste; Prashar, Ajay; Batanov, Oleg; Gopala Krishna, Barla

2016-07-01

The International Planetary Data Alliance (IPDA) is an international collaboration of space agencies with the main objective of facilitating discovery, access and use of planetary data managed across international boundaries. For this purpose, the IPDA has adopted the NASA's Planetary Data System (PDS) standard as the de-facto archiving standard, and is working towards the internationalisation of the new generation of the standards, called PDS4. PDS4 is the largest upgrade in the history of the PDS, and is a significant step towards an online, distributed, model-driven and service-oriented architecture international archive. Following the successful deployment of PDS4 to support NASA's LADEE and MAVEN missions, PDS4 was endorsed by IPDA in 2014. This has led to the adoption of PDS4 by a number of international space agencies (ESA, JAXA, ISRO and Roscosmos, among others) for their upcoming missions. In order to closely follow the development of the PDS4 standards and to coordinate the international contribution and participation in its evolution, a group of experts from each international agency is dedicated to review different aspects of the standards and to capture recommendations and requirements to ensure the international needs are met. The activities performed by this group cover the assessment and implementation of all aspects of PDS4, including its use, documentation, tools, validation strategies and information model. This contribution will present the activities carried out by this group and how this partnership between PDS and IPDA provides an excellent foundation towards an international platform for planetary science research.

International standards for optical wireless communications: state-of-the-art and future directions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marciniak, Marian

2017-10-01

As the number of active OWC installations is growing fast, the standards for compatibility of co-existing neighbouring systems are being developed. The paper addresses the Laser Safety (IEC standards), ITU-T Study Group 15 standards (G.640 Co-location longitudinally compatible interfaces for free space optical systems), ITU-Radiocommunication Sector standards (P.1817-1 Propagation data required for the design of terrestrial free-space optical links), and the IEEE Work in Progress - standardization activity on Visible Light Communications. International standards of FSO communications have been reviewed and discussed. ITU, IEC, and IEEE International standards for Free-Space Optical links have been reviewed. The system reliability and availability as well as security issues will be addressed as well in the talk.

Simultaneous determination of three major lignans in rat plasma by LC-MS/MS and its application to a pharmacokinetic study after oral administration of Diphylleia sinensis extract.

PubMed

Zhao, Chengliang; Zhang, Nan; He, Weiyan; Li, Rui; Shi, Dan; Pang, Li; Dong, Ning; Xu, Hong; Ji, Honglei

2014-04-01

A sensitive and selective liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of three major lignans (podophyllotoxin, epipodophyllotoxin, and 4'-demethylpodophyllotoxin) in rat plasma using diphenhydramine as the internal standard. The analytes were detected using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer that was equipped with an electrospray ionization source in the positive ion and selected reaction monitoring modes. The linearity of the calibration curve was good, with coefficients of determination (r(2) ) >0.9914 for all of the analytes. The developed method was successfully applied for the simultaneous determination of the three lignans in rat plasma following oral administration of Diphylleia sinensis extract to rats. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Process analysis of recycled thermoplasts from consumer electronics by laser-induced plasma spectroscopy.

PubMed

Fink, Herbert; Panne, Ulrich; Niessner, Reinhard

2002-09-01

An experimental setup for direct elemental analysis of recycled thermoplasts from consumer electronics by laser-induced plasma spectroscopy (LIPS, or laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, LIBS) was realized. The combination of a echelle spectrograph, featuring a high resolution with a broad spectral coverage, with multivariate methods, such as PLS, PCR, and variable subset selection via a genetic algorithm, resulted in considerable improvements in selectivity and sensitivity for this complex matrix. With a normalization to carbon as internal standard, the limits of detection were in the ppm range. A preliminary pattern recognition study points to the possibility of polymer recognition via the line-rich echelle spectra. Several experiments at an extruder within a recycling plant demonstrated successfully the capability of LIPS for different kinds of routine on-line process analysis.

Isocratic non-aqueous reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of capsanthin and capsorubin in red peppers (Capsicum annuum L.), paprika and oleoresin.

PubMed

Weissenberg, M; Schaeffler, I; Menagem, E; Barzilai, M; Levy, A

1997-01-03

A simple, rapid high-performance liquid chromatography method has been devised in order to separate and quantify the xanthophylls capsorubin and capasanthin present in red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruits and preparations made from them (paprika and oleoresin). A reversed-phase isocratic non-aqueous system allows the separation of xanthophylls within a few minutes, with detection at 450 nm, using methyl red as internal standard to locate the various carotenoids and xanthophylls found in plant extracts. The selection of extraction solvents, mild saponification conditions, and chromatographic features is evaluated and discussed. The method is proposed for rapid screening of large plant populations, plant selection, as well as for paprika products and oleoresin, and also for nutrition and quality control studies.

[Differences and international standardization between acupuncture as therapy and as specialty].

PubMed

Ng, Szetuen

2017-01-12

The purpose of this study is to explore the differences of definition and clinical roles as well as international standardization between acupuncture as therapy and as specialty, which can provide reference evidence for specialization and internationalization of acupuncture. Owing to the clinical efficacy and safety, the credibility and controversy both exist in acupuncture; moreover, there is a lack of fair definition and international precedent regarding acupuncture specialty. Therefore, it is particularly essential to objectively compare the differences of definitions and clinical roles as well as criteria of international standardization for acupuncture as therapy and as specialty. It is believed acupuncture standardization can draw lessons from the international medical standards, evidence-based medicine and acupuncture theory from the following three major projects:acupuncture safety and contraindications; acupuncture indications and treatment guidelines; acupuncture indication classified into 3 levels of evidence-based acupuncture disease spectrum, as objective evidence of indication of acupuncture specialty.

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ON FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY MEASUREMENT FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION: STATUS AND PERSPECTIVES.

PubMed

Calmet, D; Ameon, R; Bombard, A; Brun, S; Byrde, F; Chen, J; Duda, J-M; Forte, M; Fournier, M; Fronka, A; Haug, T; Herranz, M; Husain, A; Jerome, S; Jiranek, M; Judge, S; Kim, S B; Kwakman, P; Loyen, J; LLaurado, M; Michel, R; Porterfield, D; Ratsirahonana, A; Richards, A; Rovenska, K; Sanada, T; Schuler, C; Thomas, L; Tokonami, S; Tsapalov, A; Yamada, T

2017-04-01

Radiological protection is a matter of concern for members of the public and thus national authorities are more likely to trust the quality of radioactivity data provided by accredited laboratories using common standards. Normative approach based on international standards aims to ensure the accuracy or validity of the test result through calibrations and measurements traceable to the International System of Units. This approach guarantees that radioactivity test results on the same types of samples are comparable over time and space as well as between different testing laboratories. Today, testing laboratories involved in radioactivity measurement have a set of more than 150 international standards to help them perform their work. Most of them are published by the International Standardization Organization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). This paper reviews the most essential ISO standards that give guidance to testing laboratories at different stages from sampling planning to the transmission of the test report to their customers, summarizes recent activities and achievements and present the perspectives on new standards under development by the ISO Working Groups dealing with radioactivity measurement in connection with radiological protection. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Evaluation and cross-validation of Environmental Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lemaire, Joseph

Before scientific models (statistical or empirical models based on experimental measurements; physical or mathematical models) can be proposed and selected as ISO Environmental Standards, a Commission of professional experts appointed by an established International Union or Association (e.g. IAGA for Geomagnetism and Aeronomy, . . . ) should have been able to study, document, evaluate and validate the best alternative models available at a given epoch. Examples will be given, indicating that different values for the Earth radius have been employed in different data processing laboratories, institutes or agencies, to process, analyse or retrieve series of experimental observations. Furthermore, invariant magnetic coordinates like B and L, commonly used in the study of Earth's radiation belts fluxes and for their mapping, differ from one space mission data center to the other, from team to team, and from country to country. Worse, users of empirical models generally fail to use the original magnetic model which had been employed to compile B and L , and thus to build these environmental models. These are just some flagrant examples of inconsistencies and misuses identified so far; there are probably more of them to be uncovered by careful, independent examination and benchmarking. A meter prototype, the standard unit length that has been determined on 20 May 1875, during the Diplomatic Conference of the Meter, and deposited at the BIPM (Bureau International des Poids et Mesures). In the same token, to coordinate and safeguard progress in the field of Space Weather, similar initiatives need to be undertaken, to prevent wild, uncontrolled dissemination of pseudo Environmental Models and Standards. Indeed, unless validation tests have been performed, there is guaranty, a priori, that all models on the market place have been built consistently with the same units system, and that they are based on identical definitions for the coordinates systems, etc... Therefore, preliminary analyses should be carried out under the control and authority of an established international professional Organization or Association, before any final political decision is made by ISO to select a specific Environmental Models, like for example IGRF and DGRF. Of course, Commissions responsible for checking the consistency of definitions, methods and algorithms for data processing might consider to delegate specific tasks (e.g. bench-marking the technical tools, the calibration procedures, the methods of data analysis, and the software algorithms employed in building the different types of models, as well as their usage) to private, intergovernmental or international organization/agencies (e.g.: NASA, ESA, AGU, EGU, COSPAR, . . . ); eventually, the latter should report conclusions to the Commissions members appointed by IAGA or any established authority like IUGG.

Role of inspectors in external review mechanisms: criteria for selection, training and appraisal.

PubMed

Plebani, M

2001-07-20

There is a wide consensus that an external review mechanism, both in the form of a peer review, accreditation and certification according to the ISO 9000 series, is more than its standards. The survey process, the role of inspectors and standard interpretation contribute to the essence of the programme itself. Above all, the criteria used for the selection, training and appraisal of inspectors are of paramount importance. While the ISO norms do not require certification bodies to employ "peer reviewers" for the healthcare sector, experience in this sector is the main criterion for recruiting inspectors in accreditation and peer review programmes. However, the ISO/IEC Guide 58, for the setting up and operation of a laboratory accreditation body, specifies that inspectors should have appropriate technical knowledge of the specific calibrations, tests or types of calibration or tests for which accreditation is sought. Training, updating and assessment of inspectors are clearly defined under ISO, but are also systematic under accreditation programmes. Part-time inspectors who are professionals currently practising in a healthcare facility and are in touch with the day-to-day work reality are preferred for accreditation programmes which have self-regulation, education and quality improvement as their main concerns, while full-time and external inspectors are used in external review mechanisms with registration and certification as their main concerns. As well as harmonising the standards for accreditation, it is important to obtain consensus on the criteria to use for the selection, training and assessment of inspectors in order to ensure that different national or international programmes gain mutual recognition.

Relevance of methods and standards for the assessment of measurement system performance in a High-Value Manufacturing Industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loftus, Pete; Giudice, Seb

2014-08-01

Measurements underpin the engineering decisions that allow products to be designed, manufactured, operated, and maintained. Therefore, the quality of measured data needs to be systematically assured to allow decision makers to proceed with confidence. The use of standards is one way of achieving this. This paper explores the relevance of international documentary standards to the assessment of measurement system capability in High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Industry. An internal measurement standard is presented which supplements these standards and recommendations are made for a cohesive effort to develop the international standards to provide consistency in such industrial applications.

7 CFR 51.485 - Good internal quality.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Good internal quality. 51.485 Section 51.485... STANDARDS) United States Standards for Grades of Cantaloups 1 Definitions § 51.485 Good internal quality. Good internal quality means that the combined juice from the edible portion of a sample of cantaloups...

Australian and New Zealand Fish Oil Products in 2016 Meet Label Omega-3 Claims and Are Not Oxidized.

PubMed

Nichols, Peter D; Dogan, Lalen; Sinclair, Andrew

2016-11-05

We provide new fish oil product results to assist industry in Australia and New Zealand and, ultimately, consumers in understanding the high product quality assurance protocols in place, together with the high product quality that has been determined by both industry and independent laboratories. Fish oil capsule products common to Australia and New Zealand were purchased in May 2016 in Richmond, Victoria, Australia. Products were from two groups; five standard fish oil products and five fish oil concentrates. Noting Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) requirement for use of standard methods, for all analyses undertaken a laboratory was selected that met the TGA criteria, including with accreditation. Total n -3 content exceeded the label-claimed content for all 10 products, with supplements containing on average 124% of the claimed content (range 115%-136%); eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (EPA + DHA) content averaged 109% of the label claim (range 99%-119%). All 10 products (100%) similarly met the international recommended peroxide value (PV) level. Anisidine value (pAV) met the international recommended level for eight of the 10 products, with two products known to contain flavorings that interfere with the pAV test. When accredited laboratories and standard protocols are used, Australian and New Zealand fish oil products have been shown to clearly meet their label claims for EPA + DHA content, and are not oxidized.

Australian and New Zealand Fish Oil Products in 2016 Meet Label Omega-3 Claims and Are Not Oxidized

PubMed Central

Nichols, Peter D.; Dogan, Lalen; Sinclair, Andrew

2016-01-01

We provide new fish oil product results to assist industry in Australia and New Zealand and, ultimately, consumers in understanding the high product quality assurance protocols in place, together with the high product quality that has been determined by both industry and independent laboratories. Fish oil capsule products common to Australia and New Zealand were purchased in May 2016 in Richmond, Victoria, Australia. Products were from two groups; five standard fish oil products and five fish oil concentrates. Noting Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) requirement for use of standard methods, for all analyses undertaken a laboratory was selected that met the TGA criteria, including with accreditation. Total n-3 content exceeded the label-claimed content for all 10 products, with supplements containing on average 124% of the claimed content (range 115%–136%); eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (EPA + DHA) content averaged 109% of the label claim (range 99%–119%). All 10 products (100%) similarly met the international recommended peroxide value (PV) level. Anisidine value (pAV) met the international recommended level for eight of the 10 products, with two products known to contain flavorings that interfere with the pAV test. When accredited laboratories and standard protocols are used, Australian and New Zealand fish oil products have been shown to clearly meet their label claims for EPA + DHA content, and are not oxidized. PMID:27827947

[Determination of endogenous agmatine in rat plasma by isotope dilution-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry].

PubMed

Qiu, Zhongli; Lin, Ying; Xiong, Zhili; Xie, Jianwei

2014-07-01

A method for the determination of endogenous agmatine in rat plasma was developed by isotope dilution-gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry (GC-NCI/MS). The plasma samples were analyzed after protein precipitation, evaporation, derivatization by hexafluoroacetone (HFAA), and clean-up on a Florisil SPE column. The GC-MS analysis utilized stable isotope d8-agmatine as internal standard. The samples after treatme were tested by negative chemical ionization with selected ion monitoring (SIM) which was set at m/z 492 (molecular ion of agmatine) and m/z 500 (molecular ion of internal standard). The limit of detection (LOD) of agmatine standard solution was 0.005 7 ng/mL. The calibration curve of the agmatine spiked in rat plasma showed a good linear relationship at the range of 1.14-57.0 ng/mL (r = 0.997). The recoveries of agmatine spiked in rat plasma ranged from 92.3% to 109.8%. Inter-day and intra-day precisions were less than 15%. The average concentration level of agmatine in rat plasma was (22 +/- 9) ng/mL, and there was no significant difference between male and female SD rats (p > 0.05). The method is high sensitive and specific, and can be used for the determination of endogenous agmatine in plasma. It provides a strong support for the subsequent research of agmatine.

A liquid chromatography method with single quadrupole mass spectrometry for quantitative determination of indomethacin in maternal plasma and urine of pregnant patients

PubMed Central

Wang, Xiaoming; Vernikovskaya, Daria I.; Nanovskaya, Tatiana N.; Rytting, Erik; Hankins, Gary D.V.; Ahmed, Mahmoud S.

2013-01-01

A liquid chromatography with single quadrupole mass spectrometry method was developed for the quantitative determination of indomethacin in the maternal plasma and urine of pregnant patients under treatment. A deuterium-labeled isotope of indomethacin (d4-indomethacin) was used as an internal standard. The maternal plasma and urine samples were acidified with 1.0 MHCl then extracted with chloroform to achieve the extraction recovery range of 94% to 104% with variation less than 11%. Chromatographic separation was achieved by a Waters Symmetry C18 column with isocratic elution of 0.05% (v/v) formic acid aqueous solution and acetonitrile (47:53, v/v). An in-source fragmentation was applied on the single quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization source at positive mode. The LC-ESI-MS quantification was performed in the selected ion monitoring mode targeting ions at m/z 139 for indomethacin and m/z 143 for its internal standard. The calibration curves were linear in the concentration ranges between 14.8 and 2.97×103 ng/mL for plasma samples and between 10.5 and 4.21×103 ng/mL for urine samples. The relative standard deviation of this method was less than 8% for intra- and inter-day assays, and the accuracy ranged between 90% and 108%. PMID:23474812

Therapeutic hypothermia for neonatal encephalopathy: JSPNM & MHLW Japan Working Group Practice Guidelines Consensus Statement from the Working Group on Therapeutic Hypothermia for Neonatal Encephalopathy, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW), Japan, and Japan Society for Perinatal and Neonatal Medicine (JSPNM).

PubMed

Takenouchi, Toshiki; Iwata, Osuke; Nabetani, Makoto; Tamura, Masanori

2012-02-01

Neonatal encephalopathy (NE) secondary to intrapartum asphyxia remains a major cause of post-natal death and permanent neurological deficits worldwide. Supportive therapy has been the mainstay of the treatment until recent series of large clinical trials demonstrating benefit of therapeutic hypothermia (TH) in this high risk population. Now the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) recommends TH as a standard of care with the protocols used in the large clinical trials as tentative standard protocols. Our goal is to develop a nationwide consensus practice guideline not only consistent with the international standard protocols but also practical and compatible with the current medical system in Japan. In summary, TH should be offered to newborn infants born ≥36 weeks gestational age and birth weight ≥1800 g exhibiting clinical signs of moderate to severe NE as well as evidence of hypoxia-ischemia, i.e. 10 min Apgar score ≤5, a need for resuscitation at 10 min, blood pH<7.00, or base deficit ≥16 mmol/L. TH should be conducted in the NICUs capable of multidisciplinary care and under the standard protocols, i.e. utilization of cooling device, target (rectal or esophageal) temperatures at 33.5±0.5 and 34.5±0.5°C for whole body and selective head cooling respectively, duration of TH for 72 h, gradual rewarming not exceeding the rate of 0.5°C/h. Long term follow-up with multidisciplinary approach including standardized psychological assessment is warranted. Copyright © 2011 The Japanese Society of Child Neurology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Multilevel Linkages between State Standards, Teacher Standards, and Student Achievement: Testing External versus Internal Standards-Based Education Models

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Jaekyung; Liu, Xiaoyan; Amo, Laura Casey; Wang, Weichun Leilani

2014-01-01

Drawing on national and state assessment datasets in reading and math, this study tested "external" versus "internal" standards-based education models. The goal was to understand whether and how student performance standards work in multilayered school systems under No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). Under the…

Polymerization Kinetics: Monitoring Monomer Conversion Using an Internal Standard and the Key Role of Sample "t[subscript 0]"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Colombani, Olivier; Langelier, Ophelie; Martwong, Ekkachai; Castignolles, Patrice

2011-01-01

The use of an internal standard is a conventional and convenient way to monitor the conversion of one or several monomers during a controlled radical polymerization. However, the validity of this technique relies on an accurate determination of the initial monomer-to-internal standard ratio, A[subscript 0], because all subsequent calculations of…

40 CFR 60.4202 - What emission standards must I meet for emergency engines if I am a stationary CI internal...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... emergency engines if I am a stationary CI internal combustion engine manufacturer? 60.4202 Section 60.4202... Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Manufacturers § 60.4202 What emission standards must I meet for emergency engines if I am a stationary CI internal combustion engine manufacturer? (a) Stationary CI...

The international standard for colistin*

PubMed Central

Lightbown, J. W.; Bond, J. M.; Grab, B.

1973-01-01

An International Standard for Colistin has been established and the International Unit defined as the activity contained in 0.00004878 mg of this preparation. The unit was defined on the basis of a collaborative assay in which nine laboratories from six different countries participated. The material used to prepare the international standard had been manufactured in Japan; it was shown to have a composition similar to that of material produced in Europe and to be suitable for the assay of colistin from the existing sources of manufacture. PMID:4541149

Redesign and initial validation of an instrument to assess the motivational qualities of music in exercise: the Brunel Music Rating Inventory-2.

PubMed

Karageorghis, Costas I; Priest, David-Lee; Terry, Peter C; Chatzisarantis, Nikos L D; Lane, Andrew M

2006-08-01

In the present study, a measure to assess the motivational qualities of music in exercise was redesigned, extending previous research efforts (Karageorghis et al., 1999). The original measure, the Brunel Music Rating Inventory (BMRI), had shown limitations in its factor structure and its applicability to non-experts in music selection. Redesign of the BMRI used in-depth interviews with eight participants (mean age 31.9 years, s = 8.9 years) to establish the initial item pool, which was examined using a series of confirmatory factor analyses. A single-factor model provided a good fit across three musical selections with different motivational qualities (comparative fit index, CFI: 0.95-0.98; standardized root mean residual, SRMR: 0.03-0.05). The single-factor model also demonstrated acceptable fit across two independent samples and both sexes using one piece of music (CFI: 0.86-1.00; SRMR: 0.04-0.07). The BMRI was designed for experts in selecting music for exercise (e.g. dance aerobic instructors), whereas the BMRI-2 can be used both by exercise instructors and participants. The psychometric properties of the BMRI-2 are stronger than those of the BMRI and it is easier to use. The BMRI-2 provides a valid and internally consistent tool by which music can be selected to accompany a bout of exercise or a training session. Furthermore, the BMRI-2 enables researchers to standardize music in experimental protocols involving exercise-related tasks.

International documentary standards and comparison of national physical measurement standards for the calibration of accelerometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Evans, David J.

2002-11-01

The documentary standards defining internationally adopted methodologies and protocols for calibrating transducers used to measure vibration are currently developed under the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee 108 Sub Committee 3 (Use and calibration of vibration and shock measuring instruments). Recent revisions of the documentary standards on primary methods for the calibration of accelerometers used to measure rectilinear motion have been completed. These standards can be, and have been, used as references in the technical protocols of key international and regional comparisons between National Measurement Institutes (NMIs) on the calibration of accelerometers. These key comparisons are occurring in part as a result of the creation of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement between NMIs which has appendices that document the uncertainties, and the comparisons completed in support of the uncertainties, claimed by the National Laboratories that are signatories of the MRA. The measurements for the first international and the first Interamerican System of Metrology (SIM) regional key comparisons in vibration have been completed. These intercomparisons were promulgated via the relatively new Consultative Committee for Acoustics, Ultrasound and Vibration (CCAUV) of the International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM) and SIM Metrology Working Group (MWG) 9, respectively.

WHO multicentre study for the development of growth standards from fetal life to childhood: the fetal component

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background In 2006 WHO presented the infant and child growth charts suggested for universal application. However, major determinants for perinatal outcomes and postnatal growth are laid down during antenatal development. Accordingly, monitoring fetal growth in utero by ultrasonography is important both for clinical and scientific reasons. The currently used fetal growth references are derived mainly from North American and European population and may be inappropriate for international use, given possible variances in the growth rates of fetuses from different ethnic population groups. WHO has, therefore, made it a high priority to establish charts of optimal fetal growth that can be recommended worldwide. Methods This is a multi-national study for the development of fetal growth standards for international application by assessing fetal growth in populations of different ethnic and geographic backgrounds. The study will select pregnant women of high-middle socioeconomic status with no obvious environmental constraints on growth (adequate nutritional status, non-smoking), and normal pregnancy history with no complications likely to affect fetal growth. The study will be conducted in centres from ten developing and industrialized countries: Argentina, Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Norway, and Thailand. At each centre, 140 pregnant women will be recruited between 8 + 0 and 12 + 6 weeks of gestation. Subsequently, visits for fetal biometry will be scheduled at 14, 18, 24, 28, 32, 36, and 40 weeks (+/− 1 week) to be performed by trained ultrasonographers. The main outcome of the proposed study will be the development of fetal growth standards (either global or population specific) for international applications. Discussion The data from this study will be incorporated into obstetric practice and national health policies at country level in coordination with the activities presently conducted by WHO to implement the use of the Child Growth Standards. PMID:24886101

Validation of a method for the determination of zolpidem in human plasma using LC with fluorescence detection.

PubMed

Ring, P R; Bostick, J M

2000-04-01

A sensitive and selective high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed for the determination of zolpidem in human plasma. Zolpidem and the internal standard (trazodone) were extracted from human plasma that had been made basic. The basic sample was loaded onto a conditioned Bond Elut C18 cartridge, rinsed with water and eluted with methanol. Forty microliters were then injected onto the LC system. Separation was achieved on a C18 column (150 x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) with a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile:50 mM potassium phosphate monobasic at pH 6.0 (4:6, v/v). Detection was by fluorescence, with excitation at 254 nm and emission at 400 nm. The retention times of zolpidem and internal standard were approximately 4.7 and 5.3 min, respectively. The LC run time was 8 min. The assay was linear in concentration range 1-400 ng/ml for zolpidem in human plasma. The analysis of quality control samples for zolpidem (3, 30, and 300 ng/ml) demonstrated excellent precision with relative standard deviations (RSD) of 3.7, 4.6, and 3.0%, respectively (n = 18). The method was accurate with all intraday (n = 6) and overall (n = 18) mean concentrations within 5.8% from nominal at all quality control sample concentrations. This method was also performed using a Gilson Aspec XL automated sample processor and autoinjector. The samples were manually fortified with internal standard and made basic. The aspec then performed the solid phase extraction and made injections of the samples onto the LC system. Using the automated procedure for analysis, quality control samples for zolpidem (3, 30, and 300 ng/ml) demonstrated acceptable precision with RSD values of 9.0, 4.9, and 5.1%, respectively (n = 12). The method was accurate with all intracurve (n = 4) and overall (n = 12) mean values being less than 10.8% from nominal at all quality control sample concentrations.

Standardised assessment of functioning in ADHD: consensus on the ICF Core Sets for ADHD.

PubMed

Bölte, Sven; Mahdi, Soheil; Coghill, David; Gau, Susan Shur-Fen; Granlund, Mats; Holtmann, Martin; Karande, Sunil; Levy, Florence; Rohde, Luis A; Segerer, Wolfgang; de Vries, Petrus J; Selb, Melissa

2018-02-12

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with significant impairments in social, educational, and occupational functioning, as well as specific strengths. Currently, there is no internationally accepted standard to assess the functioning of individuals with ADHD. WHO's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health-child and youth version (ICF) can serve as a conceptual basis for such a standard. The objective of this study is to develop a comprehensive, a common brief, and three age-appropriate brief ICF Core Sets for ADHD. Using a standardised methodology, four international preparatory studies generated 132 second-level ICF candidate categories that served as the basis for developing ADHD Core Sets. Using these categories and following an iterative consensus process, 20 ADHD experts from nine professional disciplines and representing all six WHO regions selected the most relevant categories to constitute the ADHD Core Sets. The consensus process resulted in 72 second-level ICF categories forming the comprehensive ICF Core Set-these represented 8 body functions, 35 activities and participation, and 29 environmental categories. A Common Brief Core Set that included 38 categories was also defined. Age-specific brief Core Sets included a 47 category preschool version for 0-5 years old, a 55 category school-age version for 6-16 years old, and a 52 category version for older adolescents and adults 17 years old and above. The ICF Core Sets for ADHD mark a milestone toward an internationally standardised functional assessment of ADHD across the lifespan, and across educational, administrative, clinical, and research settings.

A Comprehensive Strategy to Construct In-house Database for Accurate and Batch Identification of Small Molecular Metabolites.

PubMed

Zhao, Xinjie; Zeng, Zhongda; Chen, Aiming; Lu, Xin; Zhao, Chunxia; Hu, Chunxiu; Zhou, Lina; Liu, Xinyu; Wang, Xiaolin; Hou, Xiaoli; Ye, Yaorui; Xu, Guowang

2018-05-29

Identification of the metabolites is an essential step in metabolomics study to interpret regulatory mechanism of pathological and physiological processes. However, it is still a big headache in LC-MSn-based studies because of the complexity of mass spectrometry, chemical diversity of metabolites, and deficiency of standards database. In this work, a comprehensive strategy is developed for accurate and batch metabolite identification in non-targeted metabolomics studies. First, a well defined procedure was applied to generate reliable and standard LC-MS2 data including tR, MS1 and MS2 information at a standard operational procedure (SOP). An in-house database including about 2000 metabolites was constructed and used to identify the metabolites in non-targeted metabolic profiling by retention time calibration using internal standards, precursor ion alignment and ion fusion, auto-MS2 information extraction and selection, and database batch searching and scoring. As an application example, a pooled serum sample was analyzed to deliver the strategy, 202 metabolites were identified in the positive ion mode. It shows our strategy is useful for LC-MSn-based non-targeted metabolomics study.

Identifying Patients with Severe Sepsis Using Administrative Claims: Patient-Level Validation of the Angus Implementation of the International Consensus Conference Definition of Severe Sepsis

PubMed Central

Iwashyna, Theodore J.; Odden, Andrew; Rohde, Jeffrey; Bonham, Catherine; Kuhn, Latoya; Malani, Preeti; Chen, Lena; Flanders, Scott

2012-01-01

Background Severe sepsis is a common and costly problem. Although consistently defined clinically by consensus conference since 1991, there have been several different implementations of the severe sepsis definition using ICD-9-CM codes for research. We conducted a single center, patient-level validation of one common implementation of the severe sepsis definition, the so-called “Angus” implementation. Methods Administrative claims for all hospitalizations for patients initially admitted to general medical services from an academic medical center in 2009–2010 were reviewed. On the basis of ICD-9-CM codes, hospitalizations were sampled for review by three internal medicine-trained hospitalists. Chart reviews were conducted with a structured instrument, and the gold standard was the hospitalists’ summary clinical judgment on whether the patient had severe sepsis. Results 3,146 (13.5%) hospitalizations met ICD-9-CM criteria for severe sepsis by the Angus implementation (“Angus-positive”) and 20,142 (86.5%) were Angus-negative. Chart reviews were performed for 92 randomly-selected Angus-positive and 19 randomly-selected Angus-negative hospitalizations. Reviewers had a kappa of 0.70. The Angus implementation’s positive predictive value (PPV) was 70.7% (95%CI: 51.2%, 90.5%). The negative predictive value was 91.5% (95%CI: 79.0%, 100%). The sensitivity was 50.4% (95%CI: 14.8%, 85.7%). Specificity was 96.3% (95%CI: 92.4%, 100%). Two alternative ICD-9-CM implementations had high PPVs but sensitivities of less than 20%. Conclusions The Angus implementation of the international consensus conference definition of severe sepsis offers a reasonable but imperfect approach to identifying patients with severe sepsis when compared with a gold standard of structured review of the medical chart by trained hospitalists. PMID:23001437

Use of phenyl/tetrazolyl-functionalized magnetic microspheres and stable isotope labeled internal standards for significant reduction of matrix effect in determination of nine fluoroquinolones by liquid chromatography-quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Xu, Fei; Liu, Feng; Wang, Chaozhan; Wei, Yinmao

2018-02-01

In this study, the strategy of unique adsorbent combined with isotope labeled internal standards was used to significantly reduce the matrix effect for the enrichment and analysis of nine fluoroquinolones in a complex sample by liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-QqQ LIT -MS/MS). The adsorbent was prepared conveniently by functionalizing Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 microspheres with phenyl and tetrazolyl groups, which could adsorb fluoroquinolones selectively via hydrophobic, electrostatic, and π-π interactions. The established magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) method as well as using stable isotope labeled internal standards in the next MS/MS detection was able to reduce the matrix effect significantly. In the process of LC-QqQ LIT -MS/MS analysis, the precursor and product ions of the analytes were monitored quantitatively and qualitatively on a QTrap system equipped simultaneously with the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) and enhanced product ion (EPI) scan. Subsequently, the enrichment method combined with LC-QqQ LIT -MS/MS demonstrated good analytical features in terms of linearity (7.5-100.0 ng mL -1 , r > 0.9960), satisfactory recoveries (88.6%-118.3%) with RSDs < 12.0%, LODs = 0.5 μg kg -1 and LOQs = 1.5 μg kg -1 for all tested analytes. Finally, the developed MSPE-LC-QqQ LIT -MS/MS method had been successfully applied to real pork samples for food-safety risk monitoring in Ningxia Province, China. Graphical abstract Mechanism of reducing matrix effect through the as-prepared adsorbent.

How Do We Value Postoperative Recovery?: A Systematic Review of the Measurement Properties of Patient-reported Outcomes After Abdominal Surgery.

PubMed

Fiore, Julio F; Figueiredo, Sabrina; Balvardi, Saba; Lee, Lawrence; Nauche, Bénédicte; Landry, Tara; Mayo, Nancy E; Feldman, Liane S

2018-04-01

To appraise the level of evidence supporting the measurement properties of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in the context of postoperative recovery after abdominal surgery. There is growing interest in using PROMs to support value-based care in abdominal surgery; however, to draw valid conclusions regarding patient-reported outcomes data, PROMs with robust measurement properties are required. Eight databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Biosis, PsycINFO, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science) were searched for studies focused on the measurement properties of PROMs in the context of recovery after abdominal surgery. The methodological quality of individual studies was evaluated using the consensus-based COSMIN checklist. Evidence supporting the measurement properties of each PROM was synthetized according to standardized criteria and compared against the International Society of Quality of Life Research minimum standards for the selection of PROMs for outcomes research. We identified 35 studies evaluating 22 PROMs [12 focused on nonspecific surgical populations (55%), 4 focused on abdominal surgery (18%), and 6 generic PROMs (27%)]. The great majority of the studies (74%) received only poor or fair quality ratings. Measurement properties of PROMs were predominantly supported by limited or unknown evidence. None of the PROMs fulfilled International Society of Quality of Life Research's minimum standards, hindering specific recommendations. There is very limited evidence supporting the measurement properties of existing PROMs used in the context of recovery after abdominal surgery. This precludes the use of these PROMs to support value-based surgical care. Further research is required to bridge this major knowledge gap. International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO): CRD42014014349.

Development of a general method for quantifying IgG-based therapeutic monoclonal antibodies in human plasma using protein G purification coupled with a two internal standard calibration strategy using LC-MS/MS.

PubMed

Chiu, Huai-Hsuan; Liao, Hsiao-Wei; Shao, Yu-Yun; Lu, Yen-Shen; Lin, Ching-Hung; Tsai, I-Lin; Kuo, Ching-Hua

2018-08-17

Monoclonal antibody (mAb) drugs have generated much interest in recent years for treating various diseases. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) represents a high percentage of mAb drugs that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To facilitate therapeutic drug monitoring and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies, we developed a general liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method to quantify the concentration of IgG-based mAbs in human plasma. Three IgG-based drugs (bevacizumab, nivolumab and pembrolizumab) were selected to demonstrate our method. Protein G beads were used for sample pretreatment due to their universal ability to trap IgG-based drugs. Surrogate peptides that were obtained after trypsin digestion were quantified by using LC-MS/MS. To calibrate sample preparation errors and matrix effects that occur during LC-MS/MS analysis, we used two internal standards (IS) method that include the IgG-based drug-IS tocilizumab and post-column infused IS. Using two internal standards was found to effectively improve quantification accuracy, which was within 15% for all mAb drugs that were tested at three different concentrations. This general method was validated in term of its precision, accuracy, linearity and sensitivity for 3 demonstration mAb drugs. The successful application of the method to clinical samples demonstrated its' applicability in clinical analysis. It is anticipated that this general method could be applied to other mAb-based drugs for use in precision medicine and clinical studies. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The linear sizes tolerances and fits system modernization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glukhov, V. I.; Grinevich, V. A.; Shalay, V. V.

2018-04-01

The study is carried out on the urgent topic for technical products quality providing in the tolerancing process of the component parts. The aim of the paper is to develop alternatives for improving the system linear sizes tolerances and dimensional fits in the international standard ISO 286-1. The tasks of the work are, firstly, to classify as linear sizes the elements additionally linear coordinating sizes that determine the detail elements location and, secondly, to justify the basic deviation of the tolerance interval for the element's linear size. The geometrical modeling method of real details elements, the analytical and experimental methods are used in the research. It is shown that the linear coordinates are the dimensional basis of the elements linear sizes. To standardize the accuracy of linear coordinating sizes in all accuracy classes, it is sufficient to select in the standardized tolerance system only one tolerance interval with symmetrical deviations: Js for internal dimensional elements (holes) and js for external elements (shafts). The main deviation of this coordinating tolerance is the average zero deviation, which coincides with the nominal value of the coordinating size. Other intervals of the tolerance system are remained for normalizing the accuracy of the elements linear sizes with a fundamental change in the basic deviation of all tolerance intervals is the maximum deviation corresponding to the limit of the element material: EI is the lower tolerance for the of the internal elements (holes) sizes and es is the upper tolerance deviation for the outer elements (shafts) sizes. It is the sizes of the material maximum that are involved in the of the dimensional elements mating of the shafts and holes and determine the fits type.

Characterization of Lone Pine, California, tremolite asbestos and preparation of research material

USGS Publications Warehouse

Harper, Martin; Van Gosen, Bradley S.; Crankshaw, Owen S; Doorn, Stacy S; Ennis, J. Todd; Harrison, Sara E

2014-01-01

Well-characterized amphibole asbestos mineral samples are required for use as analytical standards and in future research projects. Currently, the National Institute for Standards and Technology Standard Reference Material samples of asbestos are listed as ‘Discontinued’. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has a goal under the Asbestos Roadmap of locating and characterizing research materials for future use. Where an initial characterization analysis determines that a collected material is appropriate for use as a research material in terms of composition and asbestiform habit, sufficient amounts of the material will be collected to make it publicly available. An abandoned mine near Lone Pine, California, contains a vein of tremolite asbestos, which was the probable source of a reference material that has been available for the past 17 years from the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) in the UK. Newly collected fibrous vein material from this mine was analyzed at Research Triangle Institute (RTI International) with some additional analysis by the US Geological Survey’s Denver Microbeam Laboratory. The analysis at RTI International included: (i) polarized light microscopy (PLM) with a determination of principal optical properties; (ii) X-ray diffraction; (iii) transmission electron microscopy, including energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and selected-area electron diffraction; and (iv) spindle stage analysis using PLM to determine whether individual fibers and bundles of the samples were polycrystalline or single-crystal cleavage fragments. The overall findings of the study indicated that the material is tremolite asbestos with characteristics substantially similar to the earlier distributed HSL reference material. A larger quantity of material was prepared by sorting, acid-washing and mixing for sub-division into vials of ~10g each. These vials have been transferred from NIOSH to RTI International, from where they can be obtained on request.

Assessing Immunity to Rubella Virus: a Plea for Standardization of IgG (Immuno)assays

PubMed Central

Bouthry, Elise; Huzly, Daniela; Ogee-Nwankwo, Adaeze; Hao, LiJuan; Adebayo, Adebola; Icenogle, Joseph; Sarasini, Antonella; Revello, Maria Grazia; Grangeot-Keros, Liliane

2016-01-01

Immunity to rubella virus (RV) is commonly determined by measuring specific immunoglobulin G (RV IgG). However, RV IgG results and their interpretation may vary, depending on the immunoassay, even though most commercial immunoassays (CIAs) have been calibrated against an international standard and results are reported in international units per milliliter. A panel of 322 sera collected from pregnant women that tested negative or equivocal for RV IgG in a prior test (routine screening) was selected. This panel was tested with two reference tests, immunoblotting (IB) and neutralization (Nt), and with 8 CIAs widely used in Europe. IB and Nt gave concordant results on 267/322 (82.9%) sera. Of these, 85 (26.4%) sera were negative and 182 (56.5%) sera were positive for both tests. All 85 IB/Nt-negative samples were classified as negative with all CIAs. Of the 182 IB/Nt-positive samples, 25.3 to 61.5% were classified as equivocal and 6 to 64.8% were classified as positive with the CIAs. Wide variations in titers in international units per milliliter were observed. In our series, more than half of the women considered susceptible to RV based on CIA results tested positive for RV antibodies by IB/Nt. Our data suggest that (i) sensitivity of CIAs could be increased by considering equivocal results as positive and (ii) the definition of immunity to RV as the 10-IU/ml usual cutoff as well as the use of quantitative results for clinical decisions may warrant reconsideration. A better standardization of CIAs for RV IgG determination is needed. PMID:27147722

Multidrug-resistant, extensively drug-resistant and pandrug-resistant bacteria: an international expert proposal for interim standard definitions for acquired resistance.

PubMed

Magiorakos, A-P; Srinivasan, A; Carey, R B; Carmeli, Y; Falagas, M E; Giske, C G; Harbarth, S; Hindler, J F; Kahlmeter, G; Olsson-Liljequist, B; Paterson, D L; Rice, L B; Stelling, J; Struelens, M J; Vatopoulos, A; Weber, J T; Monnet, D L

2012-03-01

Many different definitions for multidrug-resistant (MDR), extensively drug-resistant (XDR) and pandrug-resistant (PDR) bacteria are being used in the medical literature to characterize the different patterns of resistance found in healthcare-associated, antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. A group of international experts came together through a joint initiative by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to create a standardized international terminology with which to describe acquired resistance profiles in Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus spp., Enterobacteriaceae (other than Salmonella and Shigella), Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp., all bacteria often responsible for healthcare-associated infections and prone to multidrug resistance. Epidemiologically significant antimicrobial categories were constructed for each bacterium. Lists of antimicrobial categories proposed for antimicrobial susceptibility testing were created using documents and breakpoints from the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). MDR was defined as acquired non-susceptibility to at least one agent in three or more antimicrobial categories, XDR was defined as non-susceptibility to at least one agent in all but two or fewer antimicrobial categories (i.e. bacterial isolates remain susceptible to only one or two categories) and PDR was defined as non-susceptibility to all agents in all antimicrobial categories. To ensure correct application of these definitions, bacterial isolates should be tested against all or nearly all of the antimicrobial agents within the antimicrobial categories and selective reporting and suppression of results should be avoided. © 2011 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. No claim to original US government works.

Assessing Immunity to Rubella Virus: a Plea for Standardization of IgG (Immuno)assays.

PubMed

Bouthry, Elise; Furione, Milena; Huzly, Daniela; Ogee-Nwankwo, Adaeze; Hao, LiJuan; Adebayo, Adebola; Icenogle, Joseph; Sarasini, Antonella; Revello, Maria Grazia; Grangeot-Keros, Liliane; Vauloup-Fellous, Christelle

2016-07-01

Immunity to rubella virus (RV) is commonly determined by measuring specific immunoglobulin G (RV IgG). However, RV IgG results and their interpretation may vary, depending on the immunoassay, even though most commercial immunoassays (CIAs) have been calibrated against an international standard and results are reported in international units per milliliter. A panel of 322 sera collected from pregnant women that tested negative or equivocal for RV IgG in a prior test (routine screening) was selected. This panel was tested with two reference tests, immunoblotting (IB) and neutralization (Nt), and with 8 CIAs widely used in Europe. IB and Nt gave concordant results on 267/322 (82.9%) sera. Of these, 85 (26.4%) sera were negative and 182 (56.5%) sera were positive for both tests. All 85 IB/Nt-negative samples were classified as negative with all CIAs. Of the 182 IB/Nt-positive samples, 25.3 to 61.5% were classified as equivocal and 6 to 64.8% were classified as positive with the CIAs. Wide variations in titers in international units per milliliter were observed. In our series, more than half of the women considered susceptible to RV based on CIA results tested positive for RV antibodies by IB/Nt. Our data suggest that (i) sensitivity of CIAs could be increased by considering equivocal results as positive and (ii) the definition of immunity to RV as the 10-IU/ml usual cutoff as well as the use of quantitative results for clinical decisions may warrant reconsideration. A better standardization of CIAs for RV IgG determination is needed. Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Direct-injection mass spectrometric method for the rapid identification of fentanyl and norfentanyl in postmortem urine of six drug-overdose cases.

PubMed

Peer, Cody J; Shakleya, Diaa M; Younis, Islam R; Kraner, James C; Callery, Patrick S

2007-10-01

A rapid mass spectrometric method was developed for the identification of fentanyl and its major hepatic metabolite norfentanyl in postmortem urine of six drug-overdose victims involving fentanyl use. To reduce matrix effects or ion suppression, sample preparation consisted of centrifugation and solid-phase extraction. Deuterium-labeled internal standards ((2)H(5)-fentanyl and (2)H(5)-norfentanyl) were used to compensate for instrument variation in signal, analyte recovery during sample preparation, and ion suppression. Structural information for fentanyl and norfentanyl were collected using mass spectrometry (MS) with electrospray ionization (ESI) operated in the positive ion mode. Fentanyl (m/z 337) was found in each of the six overdose cases by the appearance of the MS-MS daughter ion on both an ion trap and a triple-quadrupole MS resulting from the fragmentation pathway of fentanyl (m/z 337 --> 188). Norfentanyl was detected in all six cases by the appearance of the MH(+) ion, m/z 233, with a single-quadrupole MS and confirmed in an ion trap MS. Ion suppression, as determined by the comparison of ion intensities from spiked samples in water with postmortem urine from the cases, ranged from 18% to 98% in three ESI sources. The use of stable isotope-labeled internal standards obviates sample preparation because ratios of analyte/internal standard remain constant in the presence of extensive matrix effects. This MS method provided sufficient sensitivity and selectivity for the rapid identification of fentanyl and norfentanyl in urine at levels >/= 10 ng/mL without prior analyte resolution by chromatography and with a total analysis time of less than 1 h.

Standard operating procedures in the disorders of orgasm and ejaculation.

PubMed

McMahon, Chris G; Jannini, Emmanuele; Waldinger, Marcel; Rowland, David

2013-01-01

Ejaculatory/orgasmic disorders are common male sexual dysfunctions and include premature ejaculation (PE), inhibited ejaculation, anejaculation, retrograde ejaculation, and anorgasmia. To provide recommendations and guidelines of the current state-of-the-art knowledge for management of ejaculation/orgasmic disorders in men as standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the treating health care professional. The International Society of Sexual Medicine Standards Committee assembled over 30 multidisciplinary experts to establish SOPs for various male and female sexual medicine topics. The SOP for the management of disorders of orgasm and ejaculation represents the opinion of four experts from four countries developed in a process over a 2-year period. Expert opinion was based on grading of evidence-based medical literature, limited expert opinion, widespread internal committee discussion, public presentation, and debate. PE management is largely dependent upon etiology. Lifelong PE is best managed with PE pharmacotherapy (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and/or topical anesthetics). The management of acquired PE is etiology specific and may include erectile dysfunction (ED) pharmacotherapy in men with comorbid ED. All men seeking treatment for PE should receive basic psychosexual education. Graded behavioral therapy is indicated when psychogenic or relationship factors are present and is often best combined with PE pharmacotherapy in an integrated treatment program. Delayed ejaculation, anejaculation, and/or anorgasmia may have a biogenic and/or psychogenic etiology. Men with age-related penile hypoanesthesia should be educated, reassured, and instructed in revised sexual techniques which maximize arousal. Retrograde ejaculation is managed by education, patient reassurance, and pharmacotherapy. Additional research is required to further the understanding of the disorders of ejaculation and orgasm. © 2012 International Society for Sexual Medicine.

Characterization of Lone Pine, California, Tremolite Asbestos and Preparation of Research Material

PubMed Central

Harper, Martin; Van Gosen, Bradley; Crankshaw, Owen S.; Doorn, Stacy S.; Ennis, Todd J.; Harrison, Sara E.

2016-01-01

Well-characterized amphibole asbestos mineral samples are required for use as analytical standards and in future research projects. Currently, the National Institute for Standards and Technology Standard Reference Material samples of asbestos are listed as ‘Discontinued’. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has a goal under the Asbestos Roadmap of locating and characterizing research materials for future use. Where an initial characterization analysis determines that a collected material is appropriate for use as a research material in terms of composition and asbestiform habit, sufficient amounts of the material will be collected to make it publicly available. An abandoned mine near Lone Pine, California, contains a vein of tremolite asbestos, which was the probable source of a reference material that has been available for the past 17 years from the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) in the UK. Newly collected fibrous vein material from this mine was analyzed at Research Triangle Institute (RTI International) with some additional analysis by the US Geological Survey’s Denver Microbeam Laboratory. The analysis at RTI International included: (i) polarized light microscopy (PLM) with a determination of principal optical properties; (ii) X-ray diffraction; (iii) transmission electron microscopy, including energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and selected-area electron diffraction; and (iv) spindle stage analysis using PLM to determine whether individual fibers and bundles of the samples were polycrystalline or single-crystal cleavage fragments. The overall findings of the study indicated that the material is tremolite asbestos with characteristics substantially similar to the earlier distributed HSL reference material. A larger quantity of material was prepared by sorting, acid-washing and mixing for sub-division into vials of ~10 g each. These vials have been transferred from NIOSH to RTI International, from where they can be obtained on request. PMID:25268000

DP 18: Anguina spp.

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is an international plant health agreement, established in 1952, that aims to protect cultivated and wild plants by preventing the introduction and spread of pests. International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) are the standards adopt...

77 FR 282 - Proposed Settlement Agreement

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-04

... revised the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Reciprocating Internal Combustion... the stationary internal combustion engine new source performance standards (ICE NSPS) to allow owners and operators of emergency stationary internal combustion engines to operate emergency stationary...

Evolution of activities in international biological standardization since the early days of the Health Organisation of the League of Nations.

PubMed

Sizaret, P

1988-01-01

The main activities in international biological standardization during the 18 years that followed the first international biological standardization meeting in London in 1921 were concerned with expressing the potencies of test preparations in comparison with reference materials. After the Second World War, however, it became clear that the testing of biological substances against international reference materials was only one among several measures for obtaining safe and potent products. The activities in international biological standardization were therefore widened so that, by the strict observance of specific manufacturing and control requirements, it was possible to gain further in safety and efficacy. At the end of 1987, 42 international requirements for biological substances were available and were being used as national requirements, sometimes after minor modification, by the majority of WHO's Member States. This is of utmost importance for the worldwide use of safe and potent biological products, including vaccines.

Reporting 'Denominator' data is essential for benchmarking and quality standards in ovarian cancer.

PubMed

Phillips, Andrew; Balega, Janos; Nevin, James; Singh, Kavita; Elattar, Ahmed; Kehoe, Sean; Sundar, Sudha

2017-07-01

Combined surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy is the internationally agreed standard therapy for advanced ovarian cancer (AOC). However international cancer registry datasets demonstrate a significant proportion of patients do not receive both or either therapies. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of total patient cohort data ('Denominator') on median overall survival (OS) and determine how frequently this was reported in literature. We retrospectively reviewed OS outcomes for 593 patients diagnosed with AOC for 77 months at a regional cancer centre. Patients were stratified into five progressively overlapping categories based on treatment received - Primary debulking surgery (PDS), PDS or Interval debulking (IDS), all surgery and those considered for IDS, patients receiving any treatment and total patient cohort. A systematic search of literature was performed. Median OS progressively decreased from 54.5 months in patients receiving PDS, 38.7 months in the PDS+IDS group, 35.4 months in the PDS/IDS+patients considered for IDS, 33.3 months in patients receiving any treatment and 30.2 months in the total patient cohort. OS in the surgically treated group was statistically significantly different from the OS in the total patient cohort (Denominator)(p=0.000353). Denominator descriptors were identified in 11% of studies. Denominator data is critical to understanding selection and OS in AOC. Published outcomes of selected cohorts should routinely incorporate outcomes for all women managed within the reporting Centre. This is essential for benchmarking and quality assurance in gynaecological cancer and should be an integral part of any publication on outcomes from AOC. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Bayesian model selection validates a biokinetic model for zirconium processing in humans

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background In radiation protection, biokinetic models for zirconium processing are of crucial importance in dose estimation and further risk analysis for humans exposed to this radioactive substance. They provide limiting values of detrimental effects and build the basis for applications in internal dosimetry, the prediction for radioactive zirconium retention in various organs as well as retrospective dosimetry. Multi-compartmental models are the tool of choice for simulating the processing of zirconium. Although easily interpretable, determining the exact compartment structure and interaction mechanisms is generally daunting. In the context of observing the dynamics of multiple compartments, Bayesian methods provide efficient tools for model inference and selection. Results We are the first to apply a Markov chain Monte Carlo approach to compute Bayes factors for the evaluation of two competing models for zirconium processing in the human body after ingestion. Based on in vivo measurements of human plasma and urine levels we were able to show that a recently published model is superior to the standard model of the International Commission on Radiological Protection. The Bayes factors were estimated by means of the numerically stable thermodynamic integration in combination with a recently developed copula-based Metropolis-Hastings sampler. Conclusions In contrast to the standard model the novel model predicts lower accretion of zirconium in bones. This results in lower levels of noxious doses for exposed individuals. Moreover, the Bayesian approach allows for retrospective dose assessment, including credible intervals for the initially ingested zirconium, in a significantly more reliable fashion than previously possible. All methods presented here are readily applicable to many modeling tasks in systems biology. PMID:22863152

Standards: The Keys to Domestic and International Competitiveness.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hunter, Robert D.

1993-01-01

Demonstrates the importance of standards for the competitiveness of U.S. companies and for international trade. The value of standards in research and development, marketing, design, purchasing, manufacturing, installation, and service is explained. Examples of specific standards and their application to the computer industry are included. (10…

EPA STANDARDS NETWORK FACT SHEET: ISO 14000: INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT STANDARDS

EPA Science Inventory

This flyer provides an overview of the ISO 14000 series of International standards, supplying a brief history, structure of the Technical Committee (TC) 207, structure of the U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to ISO TC-207, status of the Standards development as of June 1997, w...

Development of primary standards for mass spectrometry to increase accuracy in quantifying environmental contaminants.

PubMed

Oates, R P; Mcmanus, Michelle; Subbiah, Seenivasan; Klein, David M; Kobelski, Robert

2017-07-14

Internal standards are essential in electrospray ionization liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (ESI-LC-MS) to correct for systematic error associated with ionization suppression and/or enhancement. A wide array of instrument setups and interfaces has created difficulty in comparing the quantitation of absolute analyte response across laboratories. This communication demonstrates the use of primary standards as operational qualification standards for LC-MS instruments and their comparison with commonly accepted internal standards. In monitoring the performance of internal standards for perfluorinated compounds, potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP) presented lower inter-day variability in instrument response than a commonly accepted deuterated perfluorinated internal standard (d3-PFOS), with percent relative standard deviations less than or equal to 6%. The inter-day precision of KHP was greater than d3-PFOS over a 28-day monitoring of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), across concentrations ranging from 0 to 100μg/L. The primary standard trometamol (Trizma) performed as well as known internal standards simeton and tris (2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCPP), with intra-day precision of Trizma response as low as 7% RSD on day 28. The inter-day precision of Trizma response was found to be greater than simeton and TCPP, across concentrations of neonicotinoids ranging from 1 to 100μg/L. This study explores the potential of primary standards to be incorporated into LC-MS/MS methodology to improve the quantitative accuracy in environmental contaminant analysis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of medical record quality and communication skills among pediatric interns after standardized parent training history-taking in China.

PubMed

Yu, Mu Xue; Jiang, Xiao Yun; Li, Yi Juan; Shen, Zhen Yu; Zhuang, Si Qi; Gu, Yu Fen

2018-02-01

The effect of using standardized parent training history-taking on the quality of medical records and communication skills among pediatric interns was determined. Fifth-year interns who were undertaking a pediatric clinical practice rotation were randomized to intervention and control groups. All of the pediatric interns received history-taking training by lecture and bedside teaching. The pediatric interns in the intervention group also received standardized parent history-taking training. The following two outcome measures were used: the scores of medical records, which were written by the pediatric interns after history-taking from real parents of pediatric patients; and the communication assessment tool (CAT) assessed by real parents. The general information, history of present illness (HPI), past medical history, personal history, family history, diagnosis, diagnostic analysis, and differential diagnosis scores in the intervention group were significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05). Assessment of the CAT indicated that the real parents were more satisfied with the pediatric interns in the intervention group. Standardized parent training history-taking is effective in improving the quality of medical records by pediatric interns. Standardized parent training history-taking is a superior teaching tool for clinical reasoning ability, as well as communication skills in clinical pediatric practice.

In vitro vaccine potency testing: a proposal for reducing animal use for requalification testing.

PubMed

Brown, K; Stokes, W

2012-01-01

This paper proposes a program under which the use of animals for requalification of in vitro potency tests could be eliminated. Standard References (USDA/CVB nomenclature) would be developed, characterized, stored and monitored by selected reference laboratories worldwide. These laboratories would employ scientists skilled in protein and glycoprotein chemistry and equipped with state-of-the-art instruments for required analyses. After Standard References are established, the reference laboratories would provide them to the animal health industry as "gold standards". Companies would then establish and validate a correlation between the Standard Reference and the company Master Reference (USDA/CVB nomenclature) using an internal in vitro assay. After this correlation is established, the company could use the Standard References for qualifying, monitoring and requalifying company Master References without the use of animals. Such a program would eliminate the need for animals for requalification of Master References and the need for each company to develop and validate a battery of Master Reference Monitoring assays. It would also provide advantages in terms of reduced costs and reduced time for requalification testing. As such it would provide a strong incentive for companies to develop and use in vitro assays for potency testing.

Tuberculosis Management Practices by Private Practitioners in Andhra Pradesh, India

PubMed Central

Achanta, Shanta; Jaju, Jyoti; Kumar, Ajay M. V.; Nagaraja, Sharath Burugina; Shamrao, Srinivas Rao Motta; Bandi, Sasidhar Kumar; Kumar, Ashok; Satyanarayana, Srinath; Harries, Anthony David; Nair, Sreenivas Achutan; Dewan, Puneet K.

2013-01-01

Setting Private medical practitioners in Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Objectives To evaluate self-reported TB diagnostic and treatment practices amongst private medical practitioners against benchmark practices articulated in the International Standards of Tuberculosis Care (ISTC), and factors associated with compliance with ISTC. Design Cross- sectional survey using semi-structured interviews. Results Of 296 randomly selected private practitioners, 201 (68%) were assessed for compliance to ISTC diagnostic and treatment standards in TB management. Only 11 (6%) followed a combination of 6 diagnostic standards together and only 1 followed a combination of all seven treatment standards together. There were 28 (14%) private practitioners who complied with a combination of three core ISTC (cough for tuberculosis suspects, sputum smear examination and use of standardized treatment). Higher ISTC compliance was associated with caring for more than 20 TB patients annually, prior sensitization to TB control guidelines, and practice of alternate systems of medicine. Conclusion Few private practitioners in Visakhapatnam, India reported TB diagnostic and treatment practices that met ISTC. Better engagement of the private sector is urgently required to improve TB management practices and to prevent diagnostic delay and drug resistance. PMID:23967158

Review of codes, standards, and regulations for natural gas locomotives.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-06-01

This report identified, collected, and summarized relevant international codes, standards, and regulations with potential : applicability to the use of natural gas as a locomotive fuel. Few international or country-specific codes, standards, and regu...

International Comparison Test in Asia-Pacific Region for Impulse Voltage Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wakimoto, Takayuki; Ishii, Masaru; Goshima, Hisashi; Hino, Etsuhiro; Shimizu, Hiroyuki; Li, Yi; Ik-Soo, Kim

The national standard class divider for the lightning impulse voltage measurements in Japan was developed in 1998. After three years, the standard impulse voltage calibrator was manufactured, too. These standard equipment are used as an industrial standard, and the performance had been evaluated annually supported by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The standard impulse measuring system including the standard divider participated in the worldwide comparison test and its good performance was confirmed in 1999. Another international comparison test was carried out among three countries in the Asia-Pacific region in 2004 again and the standard measuring system participated in the test. In this paper, the details and the results of the international comparison tests in 2004 are described.

A sensitive and selective liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for quantitative analysis of efavirenz in human plasma.

PubMed

Srivastava, Praveen; Moorthy, Ganesh S; Gross, Robert; Barrett, Jeffrey S

2013-01-01

A selective and a highly sensitive method for the determination of the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI), efavirenz, in human plasma has been developed and fully validated based on high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Sample preparation involved protein precipitation followed by one to one dilution with water. The analyte, efavirenz was separated by high performance liquid chromatography and detected with tandem mass spectrometry in negative ionization mode with multiple reaction monitoring. Efavirenz and ¹³C₆-efavirenz (Internal Standard), respectively, were detected via the following MRM transitions: m/z 314.20243.90 and m/z 320.20249.90. A gradient program was used to elute the analytes using 0.1% formic acid in water and 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile as mobile phase solvents, at a flow-rate of 0.3 mL/min. The total run time was 5 min and the retention times for the internal standard (¹³C₆-efavirenz) and efavirenz was approximately 2.6 min. The calibration curves showed linearity (coefficient of regression, r>0.99) over the concentration range of 1.0-2,500 ng/mL. The intraday precision based on the standard deviation of replicates of lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 9.24% and for quality control (QC) samples ranged from 2.41% to 6.42% and with accuracy from 112% and 100-111% for LLOQ and QC samples. The inter day precision was 12.3% and 3.03-9.18% for LLOQ and quality controls samples, and the accuracy was 108% and 95.2-108% for LLOQ and QC samples. Stability studies showed that efavirenz was stable during the expected conditions for sample preparation and storage. The lower limit of quantification for efavirenz was 1 ng/mL. The analytical method showed excellent sensitivity, precision, and accuracy. This method is robust and is being successfully applied for therapeutic drug monitoring and pharmacokinetic studies in HIV-infected patients.

Development of a robust, sensitive and selective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay for the quantification of the novel macrocyclic peptide kappa opioid receptor antagonist [D-Trp]CJ-15,208 in plasma and application to an initial pharmacokinetic study.

PubMed

Khaliq, Tanvir; Williams, Todd D; Senadheera, Sanjeewa N; Aldrich, Jane V

2016-08-15

Selective kappa opioid receptor (KOR) antagonists may have therapeutic potential as treatments for substance abuse and mood disorders. Since [D-Trp]CJ-15,208 (cyclo[Phe-d-Pro-Phe-d-Trp]) is a novel potent KOR antagonist in vivo, it is imperative to evaluate its pharmacokinetic properties to assist the development of analogs as potential therapeutic agents, necessitating the development and validation of a quantitative method for determining its plasma levels. A method for quantifying [D-Trp]CJ-15,208 was developed employing high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in mouse plasma. Sample preparation was accomplished through a simple one-step protein precipitation method with acetonitrile, and [D-Trp]CJ-15,208 analyzed following HPLC separation on a Hypersil BDS C8 column. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM), based on the transitions m/z 578.1→217.1 and 245.0, was specific for [D-Trp]CJ-15,208, and MRM based on the transition m/z 566.2→232.9 was specific for the internal standard without interference from endogenous substances in blank mouse plasma. The assay was linear over the concentration range 0.5-500ng/mL with a mean r(2)=0.9987. The mean inter-day accuracy and precision for all calibration standards were 93-118% and 8.9%, respectively. The absolute recoveries were 85±6% and 81±9% for [D-Trp]CJ-15,208 and the internal standard, respectively. The analytical method had excellent sensitivity with a lower limit of quantification of 0.5ng/mL using a sample volume of 20μL. The method was successfully applied to an initial pharmacokinetic study of [D-Trp]CJ-15,208 following intravenous administration to mice. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Development of a robust, sensitive and selective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay for the quantification of the novel macrocyclic peptide kappa opioid receptor antagonist [D-Trp]CJ-15,208 in plasma and application to an initial pharmacokinetic study

PubMed Central

Khaliq, Tanvir; Williams, Todd D.; Senadheera, Sanjeewa N.; Aldrich, Jane V.

2016-01-01

Selective kappa opioid receptor (KOR) antagonists may have therapeutic potential as treatments for substance abuse and mood disorders. Since [D-Trp]CJ-15,208 (cyclo[Phe-D-Pro-Phe-D-Trp]) is a novel potent KOR antagonist in vivo, it is imperative to evaluate its pharmacokinetic properties to assist the development of analogs as potential therapeutic agents, necessitating the development and validation of a quantitative method for determining its plasma levels. A method for quantifying [D-Trp]CJ-15,208 was developed employing high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in mouse plasma. Sample preparation was accomplished through a simple one-step protein precipitation method with acetonitrile, and [D-Trp]CJ-15,208 analyzed following HPLC separation on a Hypersil BDS C8 column. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM), based on the transitions m/z 578.1 → 217.1 and 245.0, was specific for [D-Trp]CJ-15,208, and MRM based on the transition m/z 566.2 → 232.9 was specific for the internal standard without interference from endogenous substances in blank mouse plasma. The assay was linear over the concentration range 0.5–500 ng/mL with a mean r2 = 0.9987. The mean inter-day accuracy and precision for all calibration standards was 93–118% and 8.9%, respectively. The absolute recoveries were 85±6% and 81±9% for [D-Trp]CJ-15,208 and the internal standard, respectively. The analytical method had excellent sensitivity with a lower limit of quantification of 0.5 ng/mL using a sample volume of 20 μL. The method was successfully applied to an initial pharmacokinetic study of [D-Trp]CJ-15,208 following intravenous administration to mice. PMID:27318293

Standardization and future directions in pattern identification research: International brainstorming session.

PubMed

Jung, Jeeyoun; Park, Bongki; Lee, Ju Ah; You, Sooseong; Alraek, Terje; Bian, Zhao-Xiang; Birch, Stephen; Kim, Tae-Hun; Xu, Hao; Zaslawski, Chris; Kang, Byoung-Kab; Lee, Myeong Soo

2016-09-01

An international brainstorming session on standardizing pattern identification (PI) was held at the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine on October 1, 2013 in Daejeon, South Korea. This brainstorming session was convened to gather insights from international traditional East Asian medicine specialists regarding PI standardization. With eight presentations and discussion sessions, the meeting allowed participants to discuss research methods and diagnostic systems used in traditional medicine for PI. One speaker presented a talk titled "The diagnostic criteria for blood stasis syndrome: implications for standardization of PI". Four speakers presented on future strategies and objective measurement tools that could be used in PI research. Later, participants shared information and methodology for accurate diagnosis and PI. They also discussed the necessity for standardizing PI and methods for international collaborations in pattern research.

International Safety Regulation and Standards for Space Travel and Commerce

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pelton, J. N.; Jakhu, R.

The evolution of air travel has led to the adoption of the 1944 Chicago Convention that created the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), headquartered in Montreal, Canada, and the propagation of aviation safety standards. Today, ICAO standardizes and harmonizes commercial air safety worldwide. Space travel and space safety are still at an early stage of development, and the adoption of international space safety standards and regulation still remains largely at the national level. This paper explores the international treaties and conventions that govern space travel, applications and exploration today and analyzes current efforts to create space safety standards and regulations at the national, regional and global level. Recent efforts to create a commercial space travel industry and to license commercial space ports are foreseen as means to hasten a space safety regulatory process.

How Two Small Pharmacy Schools' Competency Standards Compare with an International Competency Framework and How Well These Schools Prepare Students for International Placements.

PubMed

Hawboldt, John; Nash, Rose; FitzPatrick, Beverly

2017-03-06

International standards of pharmacy curricula are necessary to ensure student readiness for international placements. This paper explores whether curricula from two pharmacy programs, in Australia and Canada, are congruent with international standards and if students feel prepared for international placements. Nationally prescribed educational standards for the two schools were compared to each other and then against the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Global Competency Framework. Written student reflections complemented this analysis. Mapping results suggested substantial agreement between the FIP framework and Australia and Canada, with two gaps being identified. Moreover, the students felt their programs prepared them for their international placements. Despite differences in countries, pharmacy programs, and health-systems all students acclimatized to their new practice sites. Implications are that if pharmacy programs align well with FIP, pharmacists should be able to integrate and practise in other jurisdictions that also align with the FIP. This has implications for the mobility of pharmacy practitioners to countries not of their origin of training.

Effectiveness and legitimacy of forest carbon standards in the OTC voluntary carbon market.

PubMed

Merger, Eduard; Pistorius, Till

2011-08-17

In recent years, the voluntary over-the-counter (OTC) carbon market has reached a significant market volume. It is particularly interesting for forest mitigation projects which are either ineligible in compliance markets or confronted with a plethora of technical and financial hurdles and lacking market demand. As the OTC market is not regulated, voluntary standards have been created to secure the social and environmental integrity of the traded mitigation projects and thus to ensure the quality of the resulting carbon credits. Building on a theoretical efficiency-legitimacy framework, this study aims to identify and analyse the characteristics and indicators that determine the efficiency and organisational legitimacy of standards for afforestation/reforestation carbon projects. All interviewed market actors consider third-party certification and standards as a crucial component of market functionality, which provide quality assurance mechanisms that reduce information asymmetries and moral hazard between the actors regarding the quality of carbon credits, and thus reduce transaction costs. Despite this development, the recent evolution of many new and differing standards is seen as a major obstacle that renders it difficult for project developers and buyers to select an appropriate standard. According to the interviewed experts the most important legitimating factors of standards are assurance of a sufficient level of quality of carbon credits, scientifically substantiated methodological accounting and independent third-party verification, independence of standard bodies, transparency, wide market acceptance, back-up of the wider community including experts and NGOs, rigorous procedures, and the resemblance to the Afforestation/Reforestation (A/R) CDM due to its international policy endorsements. In addition, standards must provide evidence that projects contribute to a positive social and environmental development, do no harm as a minimum requirement and build a strong track record of successful projects. Project developers require clear, easily and practically applicable standards at lowest possible costs with a high potential in order to achieve good carbon prices, while buyers require that standards are legitimate, credible and that no public criticism arises when carbon credits are purchased from projects certified by a certain standard. Despite the fragmented and immature state of the OTC market, standards act as 'market-making' intermediaries and contribute to the quality and transparency of the OTC market. However, the variety of different standards imposes new hurdles for their efficiency and often creates confusion instead of confidence among potential buyers. Despite the lacking legitimacy of the standards, pressures from the institutional environment on standards ensure a minimum quality of carbon credits (including positive social and environmental impacts of carbon credits) that serves as an insurance mechanism for the integrity of standards. Its unregulated nature and the pressure from an increasingly competitive environment provides innovative space to deliver efficient certification procedures without imposing unreasonably high transaction costs on market actors. Furthermore, voluntary standards imply a more innovative certification approach, as one legal authority could do, because standards have to compete for adopters backed by civil society organisations. Thereby, the forest sector in OTC voluntary market bears great opportunities to provide the forest sector with crucial lessons for international climate policy and governmental institutions when designing regulation for forest regulation such as international and national REDDplus schemes.

Crystal Symmetry Algorithms in a High-Throughput Framework for Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taylor, Richard

The high-throughput framework AFLOW that has been developed and used successfully over the last decade is improved to include fully-integrated software for crystallographic symmetry characterization. The standards used in the symmetry algorithms conform with the conventions and prescriptions given in the International Tables of Crystallography (ITC). A standard cell choice with standard origin is selected, and the space group, point group, Bravais lattice, crystal system, lattice system, and representative symmetry operations are determined. Following the conventions of the ITC, the Wyckoff sites are also determined and their labels and site symmetry are provided. The symmetry code makes no assumptions on the input cell orientation, origin, or reduction and has been integrated in the AFLOW high-throughput framework for materials discovery by adding to the existing code base and making use of existing classes and functions. The software is written in object-oriented C++ for flexibility and reuse. A performance analysis and examination of the algorithms scaling with cell size and symmetry is also reported.

Determination of boron in uranium aluminum silicon alloy by spectrophotometry and estimation of expanded uncertainty in measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramanjaneyulu, P. S.; Sayi, Y. S.; Ramakumar, K. L.

2008-08-01

Quantification of boron in diverse materials of relevance in nuclear technology is essential in view of its high thermal neutron absorption cross section. A simple and sensitive method has been developed for the determination of boron in uranium-aluminum-silicon alloy, based on leaching of boron with 6 M HCl and H 2O 2, its selective separation by solvent extraction with 2-ethyl hexane 1,3-diol and quantification by spectrophotometry using curcumin. The method has been evaluated by standard addition method and validated by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy. Relative standard deviation and absolute detection limit of the method are 3.0% (at 1 σ level) and 12 ng, respectively. All possible sources of uncertainties in the methodology have been individually assessed, following the International Organization for Standardization guidelines. The combined uncertainty is calculated employing uncertainty propagation formulae. The expanded uncertainty in the measurement at 95% confidence level (coverage factor 2) is 8.840%.

Development of an indirect enzyme linked immunoassay for abscisic acid. [Pisum sativum

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

Ross, G.S.; Elder, P.A.; McWha, J.A.

1987-09-01

AN INDIRECT METHOD OF ENZYME-LINKED-IMMUNOSORBENT-ASSAY (ELISA) IS REPORTED FOR ABSCISIC ACID (ABA), UTILIZING A THYROGLOBULIN-ABA CONJUGATE FOR COATING WELLS. THE ASSAY CAN USE COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES, IS SENSITIVE TO AS LITTLE AS 20 PICOGRAMS ABA PER WELL, AND IS MUCH MORE CONSERVATIVE OF ANTIBODY THAN DIRECT METHODS. THE MOST DILUTE ABA STANDARDS DID NOT RETAIN THEIR ANTIGENICITY DURING STORAGE, SO ABA STANDARD SETS WERE DILUTED IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO USE. THE INDIRECT ELISA WAS USED SUCCESSFULLY TO ESTIMATE ABA CONCENTRATIONS IN DEVELOPING COTYLEDONS OF PISUM SATIVUM L., AFTER ONLY LITTLE PRELIMINARY PURIFICATION. IT WAS VALIDATED FOR THIS TISSUE THROUGH THEmore » USE OF GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-ELECTRON CAPTURE DETECTION (GC-EC), AND CAPILLARY GC-SELECTED ION MONITORING (GC-MS-SIM) USING LABELLED ABA AS AN INTERNAL STANDARD. FULL SPECTRUM GC-MASS SPECTROMETRY WAS ALSO USED TO VERIFY THAT ABA WAS PRESENT IN A SAMPLE ASSAYED QUANTITATIVELY BY BOTH ELISA AND GC-MS-SIM.« less

New secure communication-layer standard for medical image management (ISCL)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kita, Kouichi; Nohara, Takashi; Hosoba, Minoru; Yachida, Masuyoshi; Yamaguchi, Masahiro; Ohyama, Nagaaki

1999-07-01

This paper introduces a summary of the standard draft of ISCL 1.00 which will be published by MEDIS-DC officially. ISCL is abbreviation of Integrated Secure Communication Layer Protocols for Secure Medical Image Management Systems. ISCL is a security layer which manages security function between presentation layer and TCP/IP layer. ISCL mechanism depends on basic function of a smart IC card and symmetric secret key mechanism. A symmetry key for each session is made by internal authentication function of a smart IC card with a random number. ISCL has three functions which assure authentication, confidently and integrity. Entity authentication process is done through 3 path 4 way method using functions of internal authentication and external authentication of a smart iC card. Confidentially algorithm and MAC algorithm for integrity are able to be selected. ISCL protocols are communicating through Message Block which consists of Message Header and Message Data. ISCL protocols are evaluating by applying to regional collaboration system for image diagnosis, and On-line Secure Electronic Storage system for medical images. These projects are supported by Medical Information System Development Center. These project shows ISCL is useful to keep security.

Assessing barriers to health insurance and threats to equity in comparative perspective: The Health Insurance Access Database

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Typologies traditionally used for international comparisons of health systems often conflate many system characteristics. To capture policy changes over time and by service in health systems regulation of public and private insurance, we propose a database containing explicit, standardized indicators of policy instruments. Methods The Health Insurance Access Database (HIAD) will collect policy information for ten OECD countries, over a range of eight health services, from 1990–2010. Policy indicators were selected through a comprehensive literature review which identified policy instruments most likely to constitute barriers to health insurance, thus potentially posing a threat to equity. As data collection is still underway, we present here the theoretical bases and methodology adopted, with a focus on the rationale underpinning the study instruments. Results These harmonized data will allow the capture of policy changes in health systems regulation of public and private insurance over time and by service. The standardization process will permit international comparisons of systems’ performance with regards to health insurance access and equity. Conclusion This research will inform and feed the current debate on the future of health care in developed countries and on the role of the private sector in these changes. PMID:22551599

Methane–oxygen electrochemical coupling in an ionic liquid: a robust sensor for simultaneous quantification†

PubMed Central

Wang, Zhe; Guo, Min; Baker, Gary A.; Stetter, Joseph R.; Lin, Lu; Mason, Andrew J.

2017-01-01

Current sensor devices for the detection of methane or natural gas emission are either expensive and have high power requirements or fail to provide a rapid response. This report describes an electrochemical methane sensor utilizing a non-volatile and conductive pyrrolidinium-based ionic liquid (IL) electrolyte and an innovative internal standard method for methane and oxygen dual-gas detection with high sensitivity, selectivity, and stability. At a platinum electrode in bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (NTf2)-based ILs, methane is electro-oxidized to produce CO2 and water when an oxygen reduction process is included. The in situ generated CO2 arising from methane oxidation was shown to provide an excellent internal standard for quantification of the electrochemical oxygen sensor signal. The simultaneous quantification of both methane and oxygen in real time strengthens the reliability of the measurements by cross-validation of two ambient gases occurring within a single sample matrix and allows for the elimination of several types of random and systematic errors in the detection. We have also validated this IL-based methane sensor employing both conventional solid macroelectrodes and flexible microfabricated electrodes using single- and double-potential step chronoamperometry. PMID:25093213

Update of Standard Practices for New Method Validation in Forensic Toxicology.

PubMed

Wille, Sarah M R; Coucke, Wim; De Baere, Thierry; Peters, Frank T

2017-01-01

International agreement concerning validation guidelines is important to obtain quality forensic bioanalytical research and routine applications as it all starts with the reporting of reliable analytical data. Standards for fundamental validation parameters are provided in guidelines as those from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the German speaking Gesellschaft fur Toxikologie und Forensische Chemie (GTFCH) and the Scientific Working Group of Forensic Toxicology (SWGTOX). These validation parameters include selectivity, matrix effects, method limits, calibration, accuracy and stability, as well as other parameters such as carryover, dilution integrity and incurred sample reanalysis. It is, however, not easy for laboratories to implement these guidelines into practice as these international guidelines remain nonbinding protocols, that depend on the applied analytical technique, and that need to be updated according the analyst's method requirements and the application type. In this manuscript, a review of the current guidelines and literature concerning bioanalytical validation parameters in a forensic context is given and discussed. In addition, suggestions for the experimental set-up, the pros and cons of statistical approaches and adequate acceptance criteria for the validation of bioanalytical applications are given. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.

[What's new in internal medecine?

PubMed

Jachiet, M; Rybojad, M; Bouaziz, J-D

2016-12-01

Answering the question « what's new in internal medecine in 2016? » is very challenging. We used 3 methods of article selection to reduce the selection bias: 3 authors, a systematic review of the articles discussed in the weekly bibliographic meeting of our unit (Dermatology department, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris, France) and a selection of the best articles by several internal medecine practitioners in Paris. Eleven « hot topics » were analyzed: i/lowering cholesterol level but not blood blessure has a significant impact on cardiovascular morbi-mortality in cardiovascular intermediate risk patients; ii/the « treat to treat target » is efficient in psoriatic arthritis; iii/ a genotype/ phenotype correlation favors the separation of ileal Crohn's disease, colonic Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis; iv/ tocilizumab treatment (anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody ) is very efficient in giant cell arteritis and slightly efficient in systemic sclerosis; v/ combination therapy using methotrexate plus steroids compared with steroids alone becomes the « gold standard » treatment for juvenile dermatomyositis; vi/ dupilumab treatment (antibody blocking IL-4 and IL-13 receptors) is not only efficient in atopic dermatitis but also in asthma; vii/ think of eosinophilic oesophagitis in a patient with atopic dermatitis and dypshagia or food impaction; viii/ genetic A2 protein dysfunction induces NF-kB hyperactivation and an autoinflammatory disorder with features similar to Behcet's disease; ix/ no new biotherapies have shown high efficacy in systemic lupus erythematosus; x/ nanoparticles loaded with autoantigens induce Tregs and Bregs and may be a promising therapeutic option to treat auto-immune disease in the future; xi/ ipilimumab treatment (anti-CTLA4 antibody, immune checkpoint inhibitor) may induce complete remission in acute myeloid leukemia patients relapsing after haematological stem cell transplantation. Year 2016 is full of great discoveries in internal medicine keeping the dermatologist brain fully open minded. © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. Tous droits réservés.

Standard operating procedures for vascular surgery in erectile dysfunction: revascularization and venous procedures.

PubMed

Sohn, Michael; Hatzinger, Martin; Goldstein, Irwin; Krishnamurti, Sudhakar

2013-01-01

The impact of penile blood supply on erectile function was recognized some 500 years ago. At the turn of the 20th century first results of penile venous ligation were published and in 1973 the first surgical attempts to restore penile arterial inflow were undertaken. Numerous techniques were published in the meantime, but inclusion criteria, patient selection, and success evaluation differed extremely between study groups. To develop evidence-based standard operating procedures (SOPs) for vascular surgery in erectile dysfunction, based on recent state of the art consensus reports and recently published articles in peer-reviewed journals. Based on the recent publication of the consensus process during the 2009 International Consultation on Sexual Medicine in Paris, recommendations are derived for diagnosis and surgical treatment of vascular erectile dysfunction. In addition several recent publications in this field not mentioned in the consensus statements are included in the discussion. The Oxford system of evidence-based review was systematically applied. Due to the generally low level of evidence in this field expert opinions were accepted, if published after a well-defined consensus process in peer-reviewed journals. Referring to penile revascularization it may be concluded, that in the face of missing randomized trials, only recommendations grade D may be given: this kind of surgery may be offered to men less than 55 years, who are nonsmokers, nondiabetic, and demonstrate isolated arterial stenoses in the absence of generalized vascular disease. The evidence level for recommendations concerning penile venous ligations may be even lower. Too many unsolved controversies exist and universal diagnostic criteria for patient selection as well as operative technique selection have not been unequivocally established. This kind of surgery is still considered investigational but may be offered in special situations on an individualized basis in an investigational or research setting after obtaining written consent, using both pre- and postoperatively validated measuring instruments of success evaluation. SOPs for penile revascularization procedures can be developed, concerning a highly selected patient group with isolated arterial stenoses. Based on the available data it is not yet possible to define SOPs for surgical treatment of corporal veno-occlusive dysfunction. © 2012 International Society for Sexual Medicine.

Bird's Eye View - A 3-D Situational Awareness Tool for the Space Station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dershowitz, Adam; Chamitoff, Gregory

2002-01-01

Even as space-qualified computer hardware lags well behind the latest home computers, the possibility of using high-fidelity interactive 3-D graphics for displaying important on board information has finally arrived, and is being used on board the International Space Station (ISS). With the quantity and complexity of space-flight telemetry, 3-D displays can greatly enhance the ability of users, both onboard and on the ground, to interpret data quickly and accurately. This is particularly true for data related to vehicle attitude, position, configuration, and relation to other objects on the ground or in-orbit Bird's Eye View (BEV) is a 3-D real-time application that provides a high degree of Situational Awareness for the crew. Its purpose is to instantly convey important motion-related parameters to the crew and mission controllers by presenting 3-D simulated camera views of the International Space Station (ISS) in its actual environment Driven by actual telemetry, and running on board, as well as on the ground, the user can visualize the Space Station relative to the Earth, Sun, stars, various reference frames, and selected targets, such as ground-sites or communication satellites. Since the actual ISS configuration (geometry) is also modeled accurately, everything from the alignment of the solar panels to the expected view from a selected window can be visualized accurately. A virtual representation of the Space Station in real time has many useful applications. By selecting different cameras, the crew or mission control can monitor the station's orientation in space, position over the Earth, transition from day to night, direction to the Sun, the view from a particular window, or the motion of the robotic arm. By viewing the vehicle attitude and solar panel orientations relative to the Sun, the power status of the ISS can be easily visualized and understood. Similarly, the thermal impacts of vehicle attitude can be analyzed and visually confirmed. Communication opportunities can be displayed, and line-of-sight blockage due to interference by the vehicle structure (or the Earth) can be seen easily. Additional features in BEV display targets on the ground and in-orbit, including cities, communication sites, landmarks, satellites, and special sites of scientific interest for Earth observation and photography. Any target can be selected and tracked. This gives the user a continual line-of-sight to the target of current interest, and real-time knowledge about its visibility. Similarly, the vehicle ground-track, and an option to show "visibility circles" around displayed ground sites, provide continuous insight regarding current and future visibility to any target BEV was designed with inputs from many disciplines in the flight control and operations community both at NASA and from the International Partners. As such, BEV is setting the standards for interactive 3-D graphics for spacecraft applications. One important contribution of BEV is a generic graphical interface for camera control that can be used for any 3-D applications. This interface has become part of the International Display and Graphics Standards for the 16-nation ISS partnership. Many other standards related to camera properties, and the display of 3-D data, also have been defined by BEV. Future enhancements to BEV will include capabilities related to simulating ahead of the current time. This will give the user tools for analyzing off-nominal and future scenarios, as well as for planning future operations.

40 CFR 60.4233 - What emission standards must I meet if I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI internal...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI internal combustion engine? 60.4233 Section 60.4233... Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Owners and Operators § 60.4233 What emission standards must I meet if I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI internal combustion engine? (a) Owners and operators...

40 CFR 60.4233 - What emission standards must I meet if I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI internal...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI internal combustion engine? 60.4233 Section 60.4233... Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Owners and Operators § 60.4233 What emission standards must I meet if I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI internal combustion engine? (a) Owners and operators...

40 CFR 60.4233 - What emission standards must I meet if I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI internal...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI internal combustion engine? 60.4233 Section 60.4233... Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Owners and Operators § 60.4233 What emission standards must I meet if I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI internal combustion engine? (a) Owners and operators...

40 CFR 60.4233 - What emission standards must I meet if I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI internal...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI internal combustion engine? 60.4233 Section 60.4233... Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Owners and Operators § 60.4233 What emission standards must I meet if I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI internal combustion engine? (a) Owners and operators...

40 CFR 60.4233 - What emission standards must I meet if I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI internal...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI internal combustion engine? 60.4233 Section 60.4233... Combustion Engines Emission Standards for Owners and Operators § 60.4233 What emission standards must I meet if I am an owner or operator of a stationary SI internal combustion engine? (a) Owners and operators...

Assessment of air quality benefits from the national pollution control policy of thermal power plants in China: A numerical simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhanshan; Pan, Libo; Li, Yunting; Zhang, Dawei; Ma, Jin; Sun, Feng; Xu, Wenshuai; Wang, Xingrun

2015-04-01

In 2010, an emission inventory of air pollutants in China was created using the Chinese Bulletin of the Environment, the INTEX-B program, the First National Pollution Source Census, the National Generator Set Manual, and domestic and international research studies. Two emission scenarios, the standard failed emission scenario (S1) and the standard successful emission scenario (S2), were constructed based upon the Instructions for the Preparation of Emission Standards for Air Pollutants from Thermal Power Plants (second draft). The Fifth-Generation NCAR/Penn State Mesoscale Model (MM5) and the U.S. EPA Models-3 Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model were applied to China to study the air quality benefits from Emission Standards for Air Pollutants from Thermal Power Plants GB13223-2011. The performance of MM5 and CMAQ was evaluated with meteorological data from Global Surface Data from the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) and the daily Air Pollution Index (API) reported by Chinese local governments. The results showed that the implementation of the new standards could reduce the concentration of air pollutants and acid deposition in China by varying degrees. The new standards could reduce NO2 pollution in China. By 2020, for the scenario S2, the area with an NO2 concentration higher than the second-level emission standard, and the average NO2 concentration in 31 selected provinces would be reduced by 55.2% and 24.3%, respectively. The new standards could further reduce the concentration of declining SO2 in China. By 2020, for S2, the area with an SO2 concentration higher than the second-level emission standard and the average SO2 concentration in the 31 selected provinces would be reduced by 40.0% and 31.6%, respectively. The new standards could also reduce PM2.5 pollution in China. By 2020, for S2, the area with a PM2.5 concentration higher than the second-level emission standard and the average concentration of PM2.5 in the 31 selected provinces would be reduced by 17.2% and 14.7%, respectively. The new standard could reduce nitrogen deposition pollution in China. By 2020, for S2, the area with a nitrogen deposition concentration >2.0 tons·km-2 and the total nitrogen deposition in China would be reduced by 28.6% and 16.8%, respectively. The new standards could reduce sulfur deposition pollution in China. By 2020, for S2, the area with a sulfur deposition >1.5 tons·km-2 and the total sulfur deposition in China would be reduced by 55.3% and 21.0%, respectively.

Entropy-based gene ranking without selection bias for the predictive classification of microarray data.

PubMed

Furlanello, Cesare; Serafini, Maria; Merler, Stefano; Jurman, Giuseppe

2003-11-06

We describe the E-RFE method for gene ranking, which is useful for the identification of markers in the predictive classification of array data. The method supports a practical modeling scheme designed to avoid the construction of classification rules based on the selection of too small gene subsets (an effect known as the selection bias, in which the estimated predictive errors are too optimistic due to testing on samples already considered in the feature selection process). With E-RFE, we speed up the recursive feature elimination (RFE) with SVM classifiers by eliminating chunks of uninteresting genes using an entropy measure of the SVM weights distribution. An optimal subset of genes is selected according to a two-strata model evaluation procedure: modeling is replicated by an external stratified-partition resampling scheme, and, within each run, an internal K-fold cross-validation is used for E-RFE ranking. Also, the optimal number of genes can be estimated according to the saturation of Zipf's law profiles. Without a decrease of classification accuracy, E-RFE allows a speed-up factor of 100 with respect to standard RFE, while improving on alternative parametric RFE reduction strategies. Thus, a process for gene selection and error estimation is made practical, ensuring control of the selection bias, and providing additional diagnostic indicators of gene importance.

Relationship between internal medicine program board examination pass rates, accreditation standards, and program size.

PubMed

Falcone, John L; Gonzalo, Jed D

2014-01-19

To determine Internal Medicine residency program compliance with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education 80% pass-rate standard and the correlation between residency program size and performance on the American Board of Internal Medicine Certifying Examination. Using a cross-sectional study design from 2010-2012 American Board of Internal Medicine Certifying Examination data of all Internal Medicine residency pro-grams, comparisons were made between program pass rates to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education pass-rate standard. To assess the correlation between program size and performance, a Spearman's rho was calculated. To evaluate program size and its relationship to the pass-rate standard, receiver operative characteristic curves were calculated. Of 372 Internal Medicine residency programs, 276 programs (74%) achieved a pass rate of =80%, surpassing the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education minimum standard. A weak correlation was found between residency program size and pass rate for the three-year period (p=0.19, p<0.001). The area underneath the receiver operative characteristic curve was 0.69 (95% Confidence Interval [0.63-0.75]), suggesting programs with less than 12 examinees/year are less likely to meet the minimum Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education pass-rate standard (sensitivity 63.8%, specificity 60.4%, positive predictive value 82.2%, p<0.001). Although a majority of Internal Medicine residency programs complied with Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education pass-rate standards, a quarter of the programs failed to meet this requirement. Program size is positively but weakly associated with American Board of Internal Medicine Certifying Examination performance, suggesting other unidentified variables significantly contribute to program performance.

Analytical methods for determining fire resistance of timber members

Treesearch

Robert H. White

2008-01-01

The fire resistance ratings of wood members and assemblies, as of other materials, have traditionally been obtained by testing the assembly in a furnace in accordance with ASTM International (ASTM) Standard E119, International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standard 834, and similar standards. These ratings are published in listings, such as Underwriters...

Interrogating Identity: The International Standard School in Indonesia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sakhiyya, Zulfa

2011-01-01

This paper examines the impact of the International Standard School (ISS) on the identity of Indonesia as a postcolonial nation. According to the Indonesian Ministry of National Education, an ISS is "a school which complies with the National Standard of Education and enriches its standards from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and…

The Meaning of Curriculum-Related Examination Standards in Scotland and England: A Home-International Comparison

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baird, Jo-Anne; Gray, Lena

2016-01-01

The ways in which examination standards are conceptualised and operationalised differently across nations has not been given sufficient attention. The international literature on standard-setting has been dominated by the psychometrics tradition. Broader conceptualisations of examination standards have been discussed in the literature in England,…

The Paediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organisation provisional criteria for the evaluation of response to therapy in juvenile dermatomyositis.

PubMed

Ruperto, Nicolino; Pistorio, Angela; Ravelli, Angelo; Rider, Lisa G; Pilkington, Clarissa; Oliveira, Sheila; Wulffraat, Nico; Espada, Graciela; Garay, Stella; Cuttica, Ruben; Hofer, Michael; Quartier, Pierre; Melo-Gomes, Jose; Reed, Ann M; Wierzbowska, Malgorzata; Feldman, Brian M; Harjacek, Miroslav; Huppertz, Hans-Iko; Nielsen, Susan; Flato, Berit; Lahdenne, Pekka; Michels, Harmut; Murray, Kevin J; Punaro, Lynn; Rennebohm, Robert; Russo, Ricardo; Balogh, Zsolt; Rooney, Madeleine; Pachman, Lauren M; Wallace, Carol; Hashkes, Philip; Lovell, Daniel J; Giannini, Edward H; Gare, Boel Andersson; Martini, Alberto

2010-11-01

To develop a provisional definition for the evaluation of response to therapy in juvenile dermatomyositis (DM) based on the Paediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organisation juvenile DM core set of variables. Thirty-seven experienced pediatric rheumatologists from 27 countries achieved consensus on 128 difficult patient profiles as clinically improved or not improved using a stepwise approach (patient's rating, statistical analysis, definition selection). Using the physicians' consensus ratings as the "gold standard measure," chi-square, sensitivity, specificity, false-positive and-negative rates, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, and kappa agreement for candidate definitions of improvement were calculated. Definitions with kappa values >0.8 were multiplied by the face validity score to select the top definitions. The top definition of improvement was at least 20% improvement from baseline in 3 of 6 core set variables with no more than 1 of the remaining worsening by more than 30%, which cannot be muscle strength. The second-highest scoring definition was at least 20% improvement from baseline in 3 of 6 core set variables with no more than 2 of the remaining worsening by more than 25%, which cannot be muscle strength (definition P1 selected by the International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies group). The third is similar to the second with the maximum amount of worsening set to 30%. This indicates convergent validity of the process. We propose a provisional data-driven definition of improvement that reflects well the consensus rating of experienced clinicians, which incorporates clinically meaningful change in core set variables in a composite end point for the evaluation of global response to therapy in juvenile DM. Copyright © 2010 by the American College of Rheumatology.

Rapid Identification of Cell-Specific, Internalizing RNA Aptamers with Bioinformatics Analyses of a Cell-Based Aptamer Selection

PubMed Central

Thiel, William H.; Bair, Thomas; Peek, Andrew S.; Liu, Xiuying; Dassie, Justin; Stockdale, Katie R.; Behlke, Mark A.; Miller, Francis J.; Giangrande, Paloma H.

2012-01-01

Background The broad applicability of RNA aptamers as cell-specific delivery tools for therapeutic reagents depends on the ability to identify aptamer sequences that selectively access the cytoplasm of distinct cell types. Towards this end, we have developed a novel approach that combines a cell-based selection method (cell-internalization SELEX) with high-throughput sequencing (HTS) and bioinformatics analyses to rapidly identify cell-specific, internalization-competent RNA aptamers. Methodology/Principal Findings We demonstrate the utility of this approach by enriching for RNA aptamers capable of selective internalization into vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Several rounds of positive (VSMCs) and negative (endothelial cells; ECs) selection were performed to enrich for aptamer sequences that preferentially internalize into VSMCs. To identify candidate RNA aptamer sequences, HTS data from each round of selection were analyzed using bioinformatics methods: (1) metrics of selection enrichment; and (2) pairwise comparisons of sequence and structural similarity, termed edit and tree distance, respectively. Correlation analyses of experimentally validated aptamers or rounds revealed that the best cell-specific, internalizing aptamers are enriched as a result of the negative selection step performed against ECs. Conclusions and Significance We describe a novel approach that combines cell-internalization SELEX with HTS and bioinformatics analysis to identify cell-specific, cell-internalizing RNA aptamers. Our data highlight the importance of performing a pre-clear step against a non-target cell in order to select for cell-specific aptamers. We expect the extended use of this approach to enable the identification of aptamers to a multitude of different cell types, thereby facilitating the broad development of targeted cell therapies. PMID:22962591

Official USP Reference Standards: metrology concepts, overview, and scientific issues and opportunities.

PubMed

Williams, Roger L

2006-01-23

The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) is a private standards-setting body created in 1820 by practitioners who wished to promote the quality of therapeutic products in commerce. The principal product of USP, then and now, is the United StatesPharmacopeia (USP), to which was added the National Formulary (NF) in 1975. The two compendia are published as a combined text annually (USP-NF). Originally a book of process standards, USP-NF evolved over time into compendia containing primarily product standards that are expressed in monographs for therapeutic ingredients, products, and excipients. As a public health service, USP supplies official USP Reference Standards to manufacturers and others who wish to test an article according to selected procedures of a monograph or General Chapter. During the past decade, understanding of USP monographs and official USP Reference Standards as a means of controlling the quality of a therapeutic article has evolved, based on advances in metrology, on activities in the International Conference on Harmonization of Technical Requirements for the Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH), and on considerations by the USP Council of Experts and its Expert Committees and USP staff. This article discusses the evolution of this understanding, focusing on drug substances and excipients for well-characterized small molecules and their corresponding dosage forms.

Validated HPLC-UV method for determination of naproxen in human plasma with proven selectivity against ibuprofen and paracetamol.

PubMed

Filist, Monika; Szlaska, Iwona; Kaza, Michał; Pawiński, Tomasz

2016-06-01

Estimating the influence of interfering compounds present in the biological matrix on the determination of an analyte is one of the most important tasks during bioanalytical method development and validation. Interferences from endogenous components and, if necessary, from major metabolites as well as possible co-administered medications should be evaluated during a selectivity test. This paper describes a simple, rapid and cost-effective HPLC-UV method for the determination of naproxen in human plasma in the presence of two other analgesics, ibuprofen and paracetamol. Sample preparation is based on a simple liquid-liquid extraction procedure with a short, 5 s mixing time. Fenoprofen, which is characterized by a similar structure and properties to naproxen, was first used as the internal standard. The calibration curve is linear in the concentration range of 0.5-80.0 µg/mL, which is suitable for pharmacokinetic studies following a single 220 mg oral dose of naproxen sodium. The method was fully validated according to international guidelines and was successfully applied in a bioequivalence study in humans. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma topical issue 2016: treatment of metastatic cancer.

PubMed

Pham, M N; Apolo, A B; De Santis, M; Galsky, M D; Leibovich, B C; Pisters, L L; Siefker-Radtke, A O; Sonpavde, G; Steinberg, G D; Sternberg, C N; Tagawa, S T; Weizer, A Z; Woods, M E; Milowsky, M I

2017-03-01

To review the management of metastatic upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) including recent advances in targeted and immune therapies as an update to the 2014 joint international consultation on UTUC, co-sponsored by the Société Internationale d'Urologie and International Consultation on Urological Diseases. A PubMed database search was performed between January 2013 and May 2016 related to the treatment of metastatic UTUC, and 54 studies were selected for inclusion. The management of patients with metastatic UTUC is primarily an extrapolation from evidence guiding the management of metastatic urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. The first-line therapy for metastatic UTUC is platinum-based combination chemotherapy. Standard second-line therapies are limited and ineffective. Patients with UTUC who progress following platinum-based chemotherapy are encouraged to participate in clinical trials. Recent advances in genomic profiling present exciting opportunities to guide the use of targeted therapy. Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors has demonstrated extremely promising results. Retrospective studies provide support for post-chemotherapy surgery in appropriately selected patients. The management of metastatic UTUC requires a multi-disciplinary approach. New insights from genomic profiling using targeted therapies, novel immunotherapies, and surgery represent promising avenues for further therapeutic exploration.

Standard Errors for National Trends in International Large-Scale Assessments in the Case of Cross-National Differential Item Functioning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sachse, Karoline A.; Haag, Nicole

2017-01-01

Standard errors computed according to the operational practices of international large-scale assessment studies such as the Programme for International Student Assessment's (PISA) or the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) may be biased when cross-national differential item functioning (DIF) and item parameter drift are…

ISO 639-1 and ISO 639-2: International Standards for Language Codes. ISO 15924: International Standard for Names of Scripts.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Byrum, John D.

This paper describes two international standards for the representation of the names of languages. The first (ISO 639-1), published in 1988, provides two-letter codes for 136 languages and was produced primarily to meet terminological needs. The second (ISO 639-2) appeared in late 1998 and includes three-letter codes for 460 languages. This list…

In Situ Catalytic Groundwater Treatment Using Pd-Catalysts and Horizontal Flow Treatment Wells

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-02-01

1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene Hexachlorobutadiene Naphthalene 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene Internal Standards Fluorobenzene 2-Bromo- 1 - chloropropane a Retention...internal standard method using a purge-and-trap. Internal standards were: Fluorobenzene for PID, 2-Bromo- 1 - chloropropane for HECD. b Detector does not...information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and

Interference from Indian diet on the internal standard in a commercial method for the measurement of urinary metanephrines by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.

PubMed

Madhavaram, Hima; Woollard, Gerald A

2014-05-01

Urinary metanephrines are widely used in the diagnosis of catecholamine secreting tumours. Over the past two years we have been using the commercial Recipe(®) ClinRep(®) Complete Kit for Metanephrines in Urine coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography and coulometric detection. It was noticed that the internal standards on the patient chromatograms were sporadically raised due to interference. The interference had identical chromatographic and electrochemical properties to the Recipe(®) internal standard (undisclosed identity). Inspection of the patient names showed it seemingly had a higher frequency and magnitude in patients of Indian origin. The source of the interference was tracked by dietary observation and intervention to curry leaves, a common component of Indian foods. The interference was chromatographically and electrochemically indistinguishable from the internal standard. The mass spectrum of the pentafluoropropionate derivative of the interference matched the Recipe(®) internal standard and was identified as methoxyhydroxybenzylamine by library match. The component co-elutes exactly with internal standard and artifactually decreases the metanephrine and normetanephrine results. It is surprising that it has not been described previously. Patients being assessed for catecholamine secreting tumours should be advised to withdraw from eating Indian foods at least 24 h prior to commencement of urinary collection.

Improving quality of tuberculosis care in India.

PubMed

Pai, Madhukar; Satyanarayana, Srinath; Hopewell, Phil

2014-01-01

In India, the quality of care that tuberculosis (TB) patients receive varies considerably and is often not in accordance with the national and international standards. In this article, we provide an overview of the third (latest) edition of the International Standards of Tuberculosis Care (ISTC). These standards are supported by the existing World Health Organization guidelines and policy statements pertaining to TB care and have been endorsed by a number of international organizations. We call upon all health care providers in the country to practice TB care that is consistent with these standards, as well as the upcoming Standards for TB Care in India (STCI).

77 FR 57524 - Stage 3 Helicopter Noise Certification Standards

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-18

... standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The proposal of these more stringent... Organization (ICAO) is the international body with the responsibility for the development of international..., organizations, and governmental jurisdictions subject to regulation.'' To achieve that principle, the RFA...

In vivo and in vitro testing for selenium and selenium compounds bioavailability assessment in foodstuff.

PubMed

Moreda-Piñeiro, Jorge; Moreda-Piñeiro, Antonio; Bermejo-Barrera, Pilar

2017-03-04

The assessment of selenium and selenium species bioavailability in foodstuff is of special concern on the context of human nutrition. In vivo (human and animal), and in vitro tests are important approaches for estimating the bioavailability of toxic and essential compounds to humans. An overview on in vivo and in vitro bioavailability assays for releasing selenium and selenium species in foodstuffs is summarized. Se and Se species content in a foodstuff critically influence Se bioavailability and bioactivity to humans and animals. Se bioavailability is affected by foodstuff-matrix major composition and minor components. Foodstuffs processing and/or treatments could enhancement or decrease Se bioavailability. Experimental conditions such as the selection of healthy status of examined people (in in vivo humans approaches), the selection of animal model (in vivo animals approaches), or the selection of GI conditions (in in vitro tests) could determines the results. Thus, international standardized protocol for in vivo and in vitro approaches assessment is mandatory.

The measurement of acetanilide in plasma by spectrophotometric and selected ion monitoring methods.

PubMed

Baty, J D; Playfer, J; Evans, D A; Lamb, J

1977-08-01

Plasma samples from volunteers who had received an oral dose of acetanilide have been analysed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry and ultraviolet absorption techniques. The gas chromatography mass spectrometry method involved extraction of the plasma and analysis of the acetanilide using selected ion monitoring with a deuterated internal standard. In the ultraviolet method the plasma was hydrolysed with acid to convert the acetanilide to aniline, and this compound was diazotized and coupled with N-1-naphthylethylene-diamine. The absorbance of the resulting complex was read at 550 nm. Acetanilide levels in plasma determined by the selected ion monitoring method were significantly lower than those measured by spectrophotometry. Pharmacokinetic data calculated from the results obtained using these two assays are very different and illustrate the need for an accurate and specific method of analysis. The major metabolites of acetanilide are shown not to interfere with these assays and the results suggest the possible presence of a new metabolite of acetanilide.

Systematic Assessment of Seven Solvent and Solid-Phase Extraction Methods for Metabolomics Analysis of Human Plasma by LC-MS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sitnikov, Dmitri G.; Monnin, Cian S.; Vuckovic, Dajana

2016-12-01

The comparison of extraction methods for global metabolomics is usually executed in biofluids only and focuses on metabolite coverage and method repeatability. This limits our detailed understanding of extraction parameters such as recovery and matrix effects and prevents side-by-side comparison of different sample preparation strategies. To address this gap in knowledge, seven solvent-based and solid-phase extraction methods were systematically evaluated using standard analytes spiked into both buffer and human plasma. We compared recovery, coverage, repeatability, matrix effects, selectivity and orthogonality of all methods tested for non-lipid metabolome in combination with reversed-phased and mixed-mode liquid chromatography mass spectrometry analysis (LC-MS). Our results confirmed wide selectivity and excellent precision of solvent precipitations, but revealed their high susceptibility to matrix effects. The use of all seven methods showed high overlap and redundancy which resulted in metabolite coverage increases of 34-80% depending on LC-MS method employed as compared to the best single extraction protocol (methanol/ethanol precipitation) despite 7x increase in MS analysis time and sample consumption. The most orthogonal methods to methanol-based precipitation were ion-exchange solid-phase extraction and liquid-liquid extraction using methyl-tertbutyl ether. Our results help facilitate rational design and selection of sample preparation methods and internal standards for global metabolomics.

Systematic Assessment of Seven Solvent and Solid-Phase Extraction Methods for Metabolomics Analysis of Human Plasma by LC-MS

PubMed Central

Sitnikov, Dmitri G.; Monnin, Cian S.; Vuckovic, Dajana

2016-01-01

The comparison of extraction methods for global metabolomics is usually executed in biofluids only and focuses on metabolite coverage and method repeatability. This limits our detailed understanding of extraction parameters such as recovery and matrix effects and prevents side-by-side comparison of different sample preparation strategies. To address this gap in knowledge, seven solvent-based and solid-phase extraction methods were systematically evaluated using standard analytes spiked into both buffer and human plasma. We compared recovery, coverage, repeatability, matrix effects, selectivity and orthogonality of all methods tested for non-lipid metabolome in combination with reversed-phased and mixed-mode liquid chromatography mass spectrometry analysis (LC-MS). Our results confirmed wide selectivity and excellent precision of solvent precipitations, but revealed their high susceptibility to matrix effects. The use of all seven methods showed high overlap and redundancy which resulted in metabolite coverage increases of 34–80% depending on LC-MS method employed as compared to the best single extraction protocol (methanol/ethanol precipitation) despite 7x increase in MS analysis time and sample consumption. The most orthogonal methods to methanol-based precipitation were ion-exchange solid-phase extraction and liquid-liquid extraction using methyl-tertbutyl ether. Our results help facilitate rational design and selection of sample preparation methods and internal standards for global metabolomics. PMID:28000704