Sample records for laboratory studies utilizing

  1. Changing resident test ordering behavior: a multilevel intervention to decrease laboratory utilization at an academic medical center.

    PubMed

    Vidyarthi, Arpana R; Hamill, Timothy; Green, Adrienne L; Rosenbluth, Glenn; Baron, Robert B

    2015-01-01

    Hospital laboratory test volume is increasing, and overutilization contributes to errors and costs. Efforts to reduce laboratory utilization have targeted aspects of ordering behavior, but few have utilized a multilevel collaborative approach. The study team partnered with residents to reduce unnecessary laboratory tests and associated costs through multilevel interventions across the academic medical center. The study team selected laboratory tests for intervention based on cost, volume, and ordering frequency (complete blood count [CBC] and CBC with differential, common electrolytes, blood enzymes, and liver function tests). Interventions were designed collaboratively with residents and targeted components of ordering behavior, including system changes, teaching, social marketing, academic detailing, financial incentives, and audit/feedback. Laboratory ordering was reduced by 8% cumulatively over 3 years, saving $2 019 000. By involving residents at every stage of the intervention and targeting multiple levels simultaneously, laboratory utilization was reduced and cost savings were sustained over 3 years. © 2014 by the American College of Medical Quality.

  2. Report of the Field and Laboratory Utilization Study Group. Appendix

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

    None

    1975-12-01

    These appendices (ERDA organization and management, summary of other resources, and FLU study considerations/inputs) provide detailed and quantitative information in support of the findings and recommendations presented in the report of the field and laboratory utilization study group. (RWR)

  3. Body fluid analysis: clinical utility and applicability of published studies to guide interpretation of today's laboratory testing in serous fluids.

    PubMed

    Block, Darci R; Algeciras-Schimnich, Alicia

    2013-01-01

    Requests for testing various analytes in serous fluids (e.g., pleural, peritoneal, pericardial effusions) are submitted daily to clinical laboratories. Testing of these fluids deviates from assay manufacturers' specifications, as most laboratory assays are optimized for testing blood or urine specimens. These requests add a burden to clinical laboratories, which need to validate assay performance characteristics in these fluids to exclude matrix interferences (given the different composition of body fluids) while maintaining regulatory compliance. Body fluid testing for a number of analytes has been reported in the literature; however, understanding the clinical utility of these analytes is critical because laboratories must address the analytic and clinical validation requirements, while educating clinicians on proper test utilization. In this article, we review the published data to evaluate the clinical utility of testing for numerous analytes in body fluid specimens. We also highlight the pre-analytic and analytic variables that need to be considered when reviewing published studies in body fluid testing. Finally, we provide guidance on how published studies might (or might not) guide interpretation of test results in today's clinical laboratories.

  4. An effective utilization management strategy by dual approach of influencing physician ordering and gate keeping.

    PubMed

    Elnenaei, Manal O; Campbell, Samuel G; Thoni, Andrea J; Lou, Amy; Crocker, Bryan D; Nassar, Bassam A

    2016-02-01

    There is increasing recognition of the importance of appropriate laboratory test utilization. We investigate the effect of a multifaceted educational approach that includes physician feedback on individual test ordering, in conjunction with targeted restriction, on the utilization of selected laboratory tests. Scientific evidence was compiled on the usefulness and limitations of tests suspected of being over utilized in our laboratories. A variety of approaches were used to deliver education on each of the targeted tests, with greater focus on primary care physicians (PCPs). Feedback on requesting behavior of these tests was also communicated to the latter group which included an educational component. Laboratory based restriction of testing was also exercised, including the unbundling of our electrolyte panel. PCP requesting patterns for the selected tests were found to be markedly skewed. The interventions implemented over the study period resulted in a substantial 51% reduction in overall ordering of five of the targeted tests equating to an annual marginal cost saving of $60,124. Unbundling of the electrolyte panel resulted in marginal cost savings that equated annually to $42,500 on chloride and $48,000 on total CO2. A multifaceted educational approach combined with feedback on utilization and laboratory driven gate-keeping significantly reduced the number of laboratory tests suspected of being redundant or unjustifiably requested. Laboratory professionals are well positioned to manage demand on laboratory tests by utilizing evidence base in developing specific test ordering directives and gate-keeping rules. Crown Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  5. Zero-gravity cloud physics laboratory: Experiment program definition and preliminary laboratory concept studies

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Eaton, L. R.; Greco, E. V.

    1973-01-01

    The experiment program definition and preliminary laboratory concept studies on the zero G cloud physics laboratory are reported. This program involves the definition and development of an atmospheric cloud physics laboratory and the selection and delineations of a set of candidate experiments that must utilize the unique environment of zero gravity or near zero gravity.

  6. 40 CFR 792.10 - Applicability to studies performed under grants and contracts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... AGENCY (CONTINUED) TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT (CONTINUED) GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE STANDARDS General... person utilizes the services of a consulting laboratory, contractor, or grantee to perform all or a part of a study to which this part applies, it shall notify the consulting laboratory, contractor, or...

  7. Laboratory Characteristics in Technical Education.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ives, Quay D.

    The research reported is intended to provide a body of information on technical-scientific shop and laboratory education in the field of technological education. The study seeks to address the dearth of organized information on the utilization of laboratories in the technical education context. Various programs involving use of laboratories are…

  8. CallWall: tracking resident calls to improve clinical utilization of pathology laboratories.

    PubMed

    Buck, Thomas P; Connor, Ian M; Horowitz, Gary L; Arnaout, Ramy A

    2011-07-01

    Clinical pathology (CP) laboratories are used for millions of tests each year. These lead to thousands of calls to CP residents. However, although laboratory utilization is a frequent topic of study, clinical utilization--the content of the interactions between clinicians and CP residents--is not. Because it reflects questions about laboratory utilization, clinical utilization could suggest ways to improve both training and care by reducing diagnostic error. To build and implement a secure, scalable Web-based system to allow CP residents at any hospital to track the calls they receive, the interaction's context, and the action taken as a result, with evidence where applicable, and to use this system to report on clinical utilization at a major academic hospital. Entries were analyzed from a nearly year-long period to describe the clinical utilization of CP at a large academic teaching hospital. Sixteen residents logged 847 calls during 10 months, roughly evenly distributed among transfusion medicine, chemistry, microbiology, and hematopathology. Calls covered 94 different analytes in chemistry and 71 different organisms or tests in microbiology. Analysis revealed areas where CP can improve clinical care through educating the clinical services, for example, about ordering Rh immune globulin, testosterone testing, and diagnosis of tick-borne diseases. Documenting calls also highlighted patterns among residents. Clinical utilization is a potentially rich knowledge base for improving patient care and resident training. Our resident call-tracking system is a useful way for measuring clinical utilization and mining it for actionable information.

  9. A Feasibility Study for Mobile Marketing and Distribution Occupational Laboratories in North Dakota.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kohns, Donald P.

    A study determined the feasibility of a mobile laboratory for marketing and distribution in North Dakota. It attempted to answer four questions: (1) What types of staffing, equipment, curriculum, and delivery systems are presently being utilized in mobile laboratories throughout the nation? (2) What significant information obtained from mobile…

  10. Utilization of Multimedia Laboratory: An Acceptance Analysis using TAM

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Modeong, M.; Palilingan, V. R.

    2018-02-01

    Multimedia is often utilized by teachers to present a learning materials. Learning that delivered by multimedia enables people to understand the information of up to 60% of the learning in general. To applying the creative learning to the classroom, multimedia presentation needs a laboratory as a space that provides multimedia needs. This study aims to reveal the level of student acceptance on the multimedia laboratories, by explaining the direct and indirect effect of internal support and technology infrastructure. Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is used as the basis of measurement on this research, through the perception of usefulness, ease of use, and the intention, it’s recognized capable of predicting user acceptance about technology. This study used the quantitative method. The data analysis using path analysis that focuses on trimming models, it’s performed to improve the model of path analysis structure by removing exogenous variables that have insignificant path coefficients. The result stated that Internal Support and Technology Infrastructure are well mediated by TAM variables to measure the level of technology acceptance. The implications suggest that TAM can measure the success of multimedia laboratory utilization in Faculty of Engineering UNIMA.

  11. The laboratory test utilization management toolbox

    PubMed Central

    Baird, Geoffrey

    2014-01-01

    Efficiently managing laboratory test utilization requires both ensuring adequate utilization of needed tests in some patients and discouraging superfluous tests in other patients. After the difficult clinical decision is made to define the patients that do and do not need a test, a wealth of interventions are available to the clinician and laboratorian to help guide appropriate utilization. These interventions are collectively referred to here as the utilization management toolbox. Experience has shown that some tools in the toolbox are weak and other are strong, and that tools are most effective when many are used simultaneously. While the outcomes of utilization management studies are not always as concrete as may be desired, what data is available in the literature indicate that strong utilization management interventions are safe and effective measures to improve patient health and reduce waste in an era of increasing financial pressure. PMID:24969916

  12. Application of solid-phase microextraction for in vivo laboratory and field sampling of pharmaceuticals in fish.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Simon Ningsun; Oakes, Ken D; Servos, Mark R; Pawliszyn, Janusz

    2008-08-15

    Previous field studies utilizing solid-phase microextraction (SPME) predominantly focused on volatile and semivolatile compounds in air or water. Earlier in vivo sampling studies utilizing SPME were limited to the liquid matrix (blood). The present study has expanded the SPME technique to semisolid tissues under laboratory and field conditions through the investigation of both theoretical and applied experimental approaches. Pre-equilibrium extraction and desorption were performed in vivo in two separate animals. Excellent linearity was found between the amounts extracted by SPME from the muscle of living fish and the waterborne concentrations of pharmaceuticals. A simple SPME method is also described to simultaneously determine free and total analyte concentrations in living tissue. The utility of in vivo SPME sampling was evaluated in wild fish collected from a number of different river locations under varying degrees of influence from municipal wastewater effluents. Diphenhydramine and diltiazem were detected in the muscle of fish downstream of a local wastewater treatment plant. Based on this study, SPME demonstrated several important advantages such as simplicity, sensitivity, and robustness under laboratory and in vivo field sampling conditions.

  13. A Study of the Utility of a Participative Approach to Employee Attitude Surveys as a Management Tool at the Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA Hospital in San Antonio, Texas

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1979-05-01

    Classification) A Study of the Utility of a Participative Approach to Employee Attitude Surveys as a Management Tool at the Audie L. Murphy Memoria VA...Engineering-49, Medical-38, Laboratory-32, Social Work-23, and RMS-19.) The responses of employees in all other services would be collectively identified...Laboratory 47 Social Work 78 All Others 50 TABLE 3 Positive Responses to Question Thirteen By Service Comparing responses by salary level the average positive

  14. Teach It, Don't Preach It: The Differential Effects of Directly-communicated and Self-generated Utility Value Information.

    PubMed

    Canning, Elizabeth A; Harackiewicz, Judith M

    2015-03-01

    Social-psychological interventions in education have used a variety of "self-persuasion" or "saying-is-believing" techniques to encourage students to articulate key intervention messages. These techniques are used in combination with more overt strategies, such as the direct communication of messages in order to promote attitude change. However, these different strategies have rarely been systematically compared, particularly in controlled laboratory settings. We focus on one intervention based in expectancy-value theory designed to promote perceptions of utility value in the classroom and test different intervention techniques to promote interest and performance. Across three laboratory studies, we used a mental math learning paradigm in which we varied whether students wrote about utility value for themselves or received different forms of directly-communicated information about the utility value of a novel mental math technique. In Study 1, we examined the difference between directly-communicated and self-generated utility-value information and found that directly-communicated utility-value information undermined performance and interest for individuals who lacked confidence, but that self-generated utility had positive effects. However, Study 2 suggests that these negative effects of directly-communicated utility value can be ameliorated when participants are also given the chance to generate their own examples of utility value, revealing a synergistic effect of directly-communicated and self-generated utility value. In Study 3, we found that individuals who lacked confidence benefited more when everyday examples of utility value were communicated, rather than career and school examples.

  15. ENHANCED BIOREMEDIATION UTILIZING HYDROGEN PEROXIDE AS A SUPPLEMENTAL SOURCE OF OXYGEN: A LABORATORY AND FIELD STUDY

    EPA Science Inventory

    Laboratory and field scale studies were conducted to investigate the feasibility of using hydrogen peroxide as a supplemental source of oxygen for bioremediation of an aviation gasoline fuel spill. Field samples of aviation gasoline contaminated aquifer material were artificially...

  16. A perspective on laboratory utilization management from Canada.

    PubMed

    Naugler, Christopher

    2014-01-01

    Utilization, particularly in chemistry and molecular testing, is growing rapidly in Canada at a time when laboratory budgets are shrinking. Canadian laboratories face particular challenges as the prevailing funding model limits the scope for new revenue generation. Aggressive and coordinated interventions to reduce over-utilization will be necessary to ensure the long-term viability of the current system. © 2013.

  17. Development of termination and utilization concepts for flat conductor cables. Volume 2: Utilization of small gage wire round conductor cables

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1972-01-01

    The practical use of small-gage round wire for electrical wiring in manned air and space vehicle environments is discussed. The investigation consisted on a study of wire construction and candidate wire harness concepts, fabrication of small-gage wire harnesses, and verification of promising configurations by laboratory evaluation. The wire constructions selected for harness fabrication are described. Results of the laboratory evaluation are included.

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

    Plemons, R.E.; Hopwood, W.H. Jr.; Hamilton, J.H.

    For a number of years the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant Laboratory has been analyzing coal predominately for the utilities department of the Y-12 Plant. All laboratory procedures, except a Leco sulfur method which used the Leco Instruction Manual as a reference, were written based on the ASTM coal analyses. Sulfur is analyzed at the present time by two methods, gravimetric and Leco. The laboratory has two major endeavors for monitoring the quality of its coal analyses. (1) A control program by the Plant Statistical Quality Control Department. Quality Control submits one sample for every nine samples submitted by the utilitiesmore » departments and the laboratory analyzes a control sample along with the utilities samples. (2) An exchange program with the DOE Coal Analysis Laboratory in Bruceton, Pennsylvania. The Y-12 Laboratory submits to the DOE Coal Laboratory, on even numbered months, a sample that Y-12 has analyzed. The DOE Coal Laboratory submits, on odd numbered months, one of their analyzed samples to the Y-12 Plant Laboratory to be analyzed. The results of these control and exchange programs are monitored not only by laboratory personnel, but also by Statistical Quality Control personnel who provide statistical evaluations. After analysis and reporting of results, all utilities samples are retained by the laboratory until the coal contracts have been settled. The utilities departments have responsibility for the initiation and preparation of the coal samples. The samples normally received by the laboratory have been ground to 4-mesh, reduced to 0.5-gallon quantities, and sealed in air-tight containers. Sample identification numbers and a Request for Analysis are generated by the utilities departments.« less

  19. Calculating cost savings in utilization management.

    PubMed

    MacMillan, Donna

    2014-01-01

    A major motivation for managing the utilization of laboratory testing is to reduce the cost of medical care. For this reason it is important to understand the basic principles of cost accounting in the clinical laboratory. The process of laboratory testing includes three distinct components termed the pre-analytic, analytic and post-analytic phases. Utilization management efforts may impact the cost structure of these three phases in different ways depending on the specific details of the initiative. Estimates of cost savings resulting from utilization management programs reported in the literature have often been fundamentally flawed due to a failure to understand basic concepts such as the difference between laboratory costs versus charges and the impact of reducing laboratory test volumes on the average versus marginal cost structure in the laboratory. This article will provide an overview of basic cost accounting principles in the clinical laboratory including both job order and process cost accounting. Specific examples will be presented to illustrate these concepts in various different scenarios. © 2013.

  20. Reduction of multi-dimensional laboratory data to a two-dimensional plot: a novel technique for the identification of laboratory error.

    PubMed

    Kazmierczak, Steven C; Leen, Todd K; Erdogmus, Deniz; Carreira-Perpinan, Miguel A

    2007-01-01

    The clinical laboratory generates large amounts of patient-specific data. Detection of errors that arise during pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes is difficult. We performed a pilot study, utilizing a multidimensional data reduction technique, to assess the utility of this method for identifying errors in laboratory data. We evaluated 13,670 individual patient records collected over a 2-month period from hospital inpatients and outpatients. We utilized those patient records that contained a complete set of 14 different biochemical analytes. We used two-dimensional generative topographic mapping to project the 14-dimensional record to a two-dimensional space. The use of a two-dimensional generative topographic mapping technique to plot multi-analyte patient data as a two-dimensional graph allows for the rapid identification of potentially anomalous data. Although we performed a retrospective analysis, this technique has the benefit of being able to assess laboratory-generated data in real time, allowing for the rapid identification and correction of anomalous data before they are released to the physician. In addition, serial laboratory multi-analyte data for an individual patient can also be plotted as a two-dimensional plot. This tool might also be useful for assessing patient wellbeing and prognosis.

  1. Teach It, Don’t Preach It: The Differential Effects of Directly-communicated and Self-generated Utility Value Information

    PubMed Central

    Canning, Elizabeth A.; Harackiewicz, Judith M.

    2015-01-01

    Social-psychological interventions in education have used a variety of “self-persuasion” or “saying-is-believing” techniques to encourage students to articulate key intervention messages. These techniques are used in combination with more overt strategies, such as the direct communication of messages in order to promote attitude change. However, these different strategies have rarely been systematically compared, particularly in controlled laboratory settings. We focus on one intervention based in expectancy-value theory designed to promote perceptions of utility value in the classroom and test different intervention techniques to promote interest and performance. Across three laboratory studies, we used a mental math learning paradigm in which we varied whether students wrote about utility value for themselves or received different forms of directly-communicated information about the utility value of a novel mental math technique. In Study 1, we examined the difference between directly-communicated and self-generated utility-value information and found that directly-communicated utility-value information undermined performance and interest for individuals who lacked confidence, but that self-generated utility had positive effects. However, Study 2 suggests that these negative effects of directly-communicated utility value can be ameliorated when participants are also given the chance to generate their own examples of utility value, revealing a synergistic effect of directly-communicated and self-generated utility value. In Study 3, we found that individuals who lacked confidence benefited more when everyday examples of utility value were communicated, rather than career and school examples. PMID:26495326

  2. LABORATORY CAPACITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF DRINKING WATER UTILITIES: A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

    EPA Science Inventory

    Fully-functioning analytical laboratories capable of producing quality data are essential components of well-run drinking water utilities. In Europe and the US, drinking water laboratory performance is closely monitored and regulated; this is not always the case in the less indu...

  3. Capillary Electrophoresis Analysis of Cations in Water Samples: An Experiment for the Introductory Laboratory

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Pursell, Christopher J.; Chandler, Bert; Bushey, Michelle M.

    2004-01-01

    Capillary electrophoresis is gradually working its way into the undergraduate laboratory curriculum. Typically, experiments utilizing this newer technology have been introduced into analytical or instrumental courses. The authors of this article have introduced an experiment into the introductory laboratory that utilizes capillary electrophoresis…

  4. Designing easy DNA extraction: Teaching creativity through laboratory practice.

    PubMed

    Susantini, Endang; Lisdiana, Lisa; Isnawati; Tanzih Al Haq, Aushia; Trimulyono, Guntur

    2017-05-01

    Subject material concerning Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid (DNA) structure in the format of creativity-driven laboratory practice offers meaningful learning experience to the students. Therefore, a laboratory practice in which utilizes simple procedures and easy-safe-affordable household materials should be promoted to students to develop their creativity. This study aimed to examine whether designing and conducting DNA extraction with household materials could foster students' creative thinking. We also described how this laboratory practice affected students' knowledge and views. A total of 47 students participated in this study. These students were grouped and asked to utilize available household materials and modify procedures using hands-on worksheet. Result showed that this approach encouraged creative thinking as well as improved subject-related knowledge. Students also demonstrated positive views about content knowledge, social skills, and creative thinking skills. This study implies that extracting DNA with household materials is able to develop content knowledge, social skills, and creative thinking of the students. © 2016 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 45(3):216-225, 2017. © 2016 The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

  5. Impact of nonintrusive clinical decision support systems on laboratory test utilization in a large academic centre.

    PubMed

    Eaton, Kevin P; Chida, Natasha; Apfel, Ariella; Feldman, Leonard; Greenbaum, Adena; Tuddenham, Susan; Kendall, Emily A; Pahwa, Amit

    2018-06-01

    The near-universal prevalence of electronic health records (EHRs) has made the utilization of clinical decision support systems (CDSS) an integral strategy for improving the value of laboratory ordering. Few studies have examined the effectiveness of nonintrusive CDSS on inpatient laboratory utilization in large academic centres. Red blood cell folate, hepatitis C virus viral loads and genotypes, and type and screens were selected for study. We incorporated the appropriate indications for these labs into text that accompanied the laboratory orders in our hospital's EHR. Providers could proceed with the order without additional clicks. An interrupted time-series analysis was performed, and the primary outcome was the rate of tests ordered on all inpatient medicine floors. The rate of folate tests ordered per monthly admissions showed no significant level change at the time of the intervention with only a slight decrease in rate of 0.0109 (P = .07). There was a 43% decrease in the rate of hepatitis C virus tests per monthly admissions immediately after the intervention with a decrease of 0.0135 tests per monthly admissions (P = .02). The rate of type and screens orders per patient days each month had a significant downward trend by 0.114 before the intervention (P = .04) but no significant level change at the time of the intervention or significant change in rate after the intervention. Our study suggests that nonintrusive CDSS should be evaluated for individual laboratory tests to ensure only effective alerts continue to be used so as to avoid increasing EHR fatigue. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  6. Effective utilization of clinical laboratories.

    PubMed

    Murphy, J; Henry, J B

    1978-11-01

    Effective utilization of clinical laboratories requires that underutilization, overutilization, and malutilization be appreciated and eliminated or reduced. Optimal patient care service, although subjective to a major extent, is reflected in terms of outcome and cost. Increased per diem charges, reduced hospital stay, and increased laboratory workload over the past decade all require each laboratory to examine its internal operations to achieve economy and efficiency as well as maximal effectiveness. Increased research and development, an active managerial role on the part of pathologists, internal self-assessment, and an aggressive response to sophisticated scientific and clinical laboratory data base requirements are not only desirable but essential. The importance of undergraduate and graduate medical education in laboratory medicine to insure understanding as well as effective utilization is stressed. The costs and limitations as well as the accuracy, precision, sensitivity, specificity, and pitfalls of measurements and examinations must also be fully appreciated. Medical malpractice and defensive medicine and the use of critical values, emergency and routine services, and an active clinical role by the pathologist are of the utmost value in assuring effective utilization of the laboratory. A model for the optimal use of the laboratory including economy and efficiency has been achieved in the blood bank in regard to optimal hemotherapy for elective surgery, assuring superior patient care in a cost effective and safe manner.

  7. 21 CFR 200.10 - Contract facilities (including consulting laboratories) utilized as extramural facilities by...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... Cosmetic Act specifically authorizes inspection of consulting laboratories as well as any factory... Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The Food and Drug Administration's position is that by the... Administration does not consider results of validation studies of analytical and assay methods and control...

  8. 21 CFR 200.10 - Contract facilities (including consulting laboratories) utilized as extramural facilities by...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... Cosmetic Act specifically authorizes inspection of consulting laboratories as well as any factory... Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The Food and Drug Administration's position is that by the... Administration does not consider results of validation studies of analytical and assay methods and control...

  9. 21 CFR 200.10 - Contract facilities (including consulting laboratories) utilized as extramural facilities by...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... Cosmetic Act specifically authorizes inspection of consulting laboratories as well as any factory... Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The Food and Drug Administration's position is that by the... Administration does not consider results of validation studies of analytical and assay methods and control...

  10. 21 CFR 200.10 - Contract facilities (including consulting laboratories) utilized as extramural facilities by...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... Cosmetic Act specifically authorizes inspection of consulting laboratories as well as any factory... Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The Food and Drug Administration's position is that by the... Administration does not consider results of validation studies of analytical and assay methods and control...

  11. 139. VIEW OF SOUTHWEST CORNER OF PROPELLANT UTILIZATION LABORATORY (213A), ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    139. VIEW OF SOUTHWEST CORNER OF PROPELLANT UTILIZATION LABORATORY (213A), LSB (BLDG. 751). SURPLUS PROPELLANT UTILIZATION CHECKOUT UNIT ON LAB BENCH WAS NOT ACTUALLY USED IN THIS ROOM. - Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Launch Pad 3 East, Napa & Alden Roads, Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, CA

  12. 76 FR 37814 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; New Animal Drugs...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-06-28

    ... laboratory studies with good laboratory practices, (4) name and address of each clinical investigator, (5... assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected... technology. New Animal Drugs for Investigational Uses--21 CFR Part 511 (OMB Control Number 0910-0117...

  13. Laboratory colonization of the blow flies, Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and Chrysomya rufifacies (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Chrysomya rufifacies is a blow fly commonly found in corpses at crime scene investigations. This study was designed to develop laboratory colonization methods for Ch. rufifacies and utilize Chrysomya megacephala as its larval food source. Both fly species were collected in the wild and easily colon...

  14. Diagnosing Appendicitis: Evidence-Based Review of the Diagnostic Approach in 2014

    PubMed Central

    Shogilev, Daniel J.; Duus, Nicolaj; Odom, Stephen R.; Shapiro, Nathan I.

    2014-01-01

    Introduction Acute appendicitis is the most common abdominal emergency requiring emergency surgery. However, the diagnosis is often challenging and the decision to operate, observe or further work-up a patient is often unclear. The utility of clinical scoring systems (namely the Alvarado score), laboratory markers, and the development of novel markers in the diagnosis of appendicitis remains controversial. This article presents an update on the diagnostic approach to appendicitis through an evidence-based review. Methods We performed a broad Medline search of radiological imaging, the Alvarado score, common laboratory markers, and novel markers in patients with suspected appendicitis. Results Computed tomography (CT) is the most accurate mode of imaging for suspected cases of appendicitis, but the associated increase in radiation exposure is problematic. The Alvarado score is a clinical scoring system that is used to predict the likelihood of appendicitis based on signs, symptoms and laboratory data. It can help risk stratify patients with suspected appendicitis and potentially decrease the use of CT imaging in patients with certain Alvarado scores. White blood cell (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), granulocyte count and proportion of polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells are frequently elevated in patients with appendicitis, but are insufficient on their own as a diagnostic modality. When multiple markers are used in combination their diagnostic utility is greatly increased. Several novel markers have been proposed to aid in the diagnosis of appendicitis; however, while promising, most are only in the preliminary stages of being studied. Conclusion While CT is the most accurate mode of imaging in suspected appendicitis, the accompanying radiation is a concern. Ultrasound may help in the diagnosis while decreasing the need for CT in certain circumstances. The Alvarado Score has good diagnostic utility at specific cutoff points. Laboratory markers have very limited diagnostic utility on their own but show promise when used in combination. Further studies are warranted for laboratory markers in combination and to validate potential novel markers. PMID:25493136

  15. Niches and coexistence of ant communities in Puerto Rico

    Treesearch

    J.A. Torres

    1984-01-01

    I studied ant coexistence in adjacent areas of upland tropical forest, grassland, and agricultural land in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico. Data on food utilization, daily activity, nesting sites, microhabitat utilization and interspecific aggression were collected. Ants' tolerance to 45 degree C was determined in the laboratory. Agricultural and grassland ants eat grain...

  16. A Study of Alternate Approaches to Utilization Review of Laboratory Services within an Army Medical Center

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1983-06-06

    solubility Hgb F quantitation, alkali denaturation Clot retraction Unstable Ggb studies Cryofibrinogen Methemoglobin Parasitology Blood , Occult and Gross...Performance Standards ........ .................... ... 24 4 Types of Information to be Recorded Under Course of Treatment . 25 5 Factors Contributing to...examine external environmental factors implicating the need for utilization review of ancillary services within an Army Medical Center. (Hereinafter the

  17. Analyzing Exonuclease-Induced Hyperchromicity by Uv Spectroscopy: An Undergraduate Biochemistry Laboratory Experiment

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ackerman, Megan M.; Ricciardi, Christopher; Weiss, David; Chant, Alan; Kraemer-Chant, Christina M.

    2016-01-01

    An undergraduate biochemistry laboratory experiment is described that utilizes free online bioinformatics tools along with readily available exonucleases to study the effects of base stacking and hydrogen bonding on the UV absorbance of DNA samples. UV absorbance of double-stranded DNA at the ?[subscript max] is decreased when the DNA bases are…

  18. Modeling Ballasted Tracks for Pollutants

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2012-08-01

    In this study, the Regional Transportation Districts (RTDs) light rail operations were examined for pollutant production and runoff. To : accomplish this, a laboratory study utilizing a rainfall-runoff facility was conducted. Input to this labo...

  19. Standard Operating Procedure Utilization for Tuberculosis Microscopy in Mekelle City, North Ethiopia.

    PubMed

    Weldu, Yemane; Gebru, Hagos; Kahsay, Getahun; Teweldemedhn, Gebremichael; Hagos, Yifter; Kahsay, Amlsha

    2017-01-01

    The aim of this study was to assess the utilization of standard operating procedures for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear microscopy. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in select health institutions in Mekelle City, Ethiopia, from July 1, 2015, through August 30, 2015. Using a simple random sampling technique, 18 health facilities were included in the study. Data were collected using a standard checklist and entered into Epi Info version 3.5.4 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA) for editing. Analysis was done using SPSS version 20 (SPSS, Chicago, IL). Of the 18 laboratory facilities, only seven (38.9%) had a legible AFB registration book. In three (16.7%) of the laboratories, heat fixation was not applied before adding primary staining reagent. In 12 (66.7%), the staining reagents had precipitates. Two laboratories had microscopes with mechanical stages that could not move freely on both axes. Seven (38.9%) of the laboratories reported samples to be negative before examining all required fields. Most laboratories, 16 (88.9%) and 17 (94.4%), respectively, did not run positive and negative controls after new batch reagent preparation. Tuberculosis microscopy was found to be substandard with clear gaps in documentation, sample collection, and processing. © American Society for Clinical Pathology, 2017. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com

  20. Reduction in Unnecessary Clinical Laboratory Testing Through Utilization Management at a US Government Veterans Affairs Hospital.

    PubMed

    Konger, Raymond L; Ndekwe, Paul; Jones, Genea; Schmidt, Ronald P; Trey, Marty; Baty, Eric J; Wilhite, Denise; Munshi, Imtiaz A; Sutter, Bradley M; Rao, Maddamsetti; Bashir, Chowdry M

    2016-03-01

    To implement an electronic laboratory utilization management system (laboratory expert system [LES]) to provide safe and effective reductions in unnecessary clinical laboratory testing. The LES is a set of frequency filter subroutines within the Veterans Affairs hospital and laboratory information system that was formulated by an interdisciplinary medical team. Since implementing the LES, total test volume has decreased by a mean of 11.18% per year compared with our pre-LES test volume. This change was not attributable to fluctuations in outpatient visits or inpatient days of care. Laboratory cost savings were estimated at $151,184 and $163,751 for 2012 and 2013, respectively. A significant portion of these cost savings was attributable to reductions in high-volume, large panel testing. No adverse effects on patient care were reported, and mean length of stay for patients remained unchanged. Electronic laboratory utilization systems can effectively reduce unnecessary laboratory testing without compromising patient care. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society for Clinical Pathology, 2016. This work is written by US Government employees and is in the public domain in the US.

  1. Laboratory study on the high-temperature capture of HCl gas by dry-injection of calcium-based sorbents.

    PubMed

    Shemwell, B; Levendis, Y A; Simons, G A

    2001-01-01

    This is a laboratory study on the reduction of combustion-generated hydrochloric acid (HCl) emissions by in-furnace dry-injection of calcium-based sorbents. HCl is a hazardous gaseous pollutant emitted in significant quantities by municipal and hazardous waste incinerators, coal-fired power plants, and other industrial furnaces. Experiments were conducted in a laboratory furnace at gas temperatures of 600-1000 degrees C. HCl gas diluted with N2, and sorbent powders fluidized in a stream of air were introduced into the furnace concurrently. Chlorination of the sorbents occurred in the hot zone of the furnace at gas residence times approximately 1 s. The sorbents chosen for these experiments were calcium formate (CF), calcium magnesium acetate (CMA), calcium propionate (CP), calcium oxide (CX), and calcium carbonate (CC). Upon release of organic volatiles, sorbents calcine to CaO at approximately 700 degrees C, and react with the HCl according to the reaction CaO + 2HCl <=> CaCl2 + H2O. At the lowest temperature case examined herein, 600 degrees C, direct reaction of HCl with CaCO3 may also be expected. The effectiveness of the sorbents to capture HCl was interpreted using the "pore tree" mathematical model for heterogeneous diffusion reactions. Results show that the thin-walled, highly porous cenospheres formed from the pyrolysis and calcination of CF, CMA, and CP exhibited high relative calcium utilization at the upper temperatures of this study. Relative utilizations under these conditions reached 80%. The less costly low-porosity sorbents, calcium carbonate and calcium oxide also performed well. Calcium carbonate reached a relative utilization of 54% in the mid-temperature range, while the calcium oxide reached an 80% relative utilization at the lowest temperature examined. The data matched theoretical predictions of sorbent utilization using the mathematical model, with activation energy and pre-exponential factors for the calcination reaction of 17,000 K and 300,000 (g gas/cm2/s/atm gas), respectively. Thus, the kinetics of the calcination reaction were found to be much faster (approximately 500 times) than those of the sulfation reaction examined previously in this laboratory.

  2. Utilizing an Artificial Outcrop to Scaffold Learning Between Laboratory and Field Experiences in a College-Level Introductory Geology Course

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wilson, Meredith

    Geologic field trips are among the most beneficial learning experiences for students as they engage the topic of geology, but they are also difficult environments to maximize learning. This action research study explored one facet of the problems associated with teaching geology in the field by attempting to improve the transition of undergraduate students from a traditional laboratory setting to an authentic field environment. Utilizing an artificial outcrop, called the GeoScene, during an introductory college-level non-majors geology course, the transition was studied. The GeoScene was utilized in this study as an intermediary between laboratory and authentic field based experiences, allowing students to apply traditional laboratory learning in an outdoor environment. The GeoScene represented a faux field environment; outside, more complex and tangible than a laboratory, but also simplified geologically and located safely within the confines of an educational setting. This exploratory study employed a mixed-methods action research design. The action research design allowed for systematic inquiry by the teacher/researcher into how the students learned. The mixed-methods approach garnered several types of qualitative and quantitative data to explore phenomena and support conclusions. Several types of data were collected and analyzed, including: visual recordings of the intervention, interviews, analytic memos, student reflections, field practical exams, and a pre/post knowledge and skills survey, to determine whether the intervention affected student comprehension and interpretation of geologic phenomena in an authentic field environment, and if so, how. Students enrolled in two different sections of the same laboratory course, sharing a common lecture, participated in laboratory exercises implementing experiential learning and constructivist pedagogies that focused on learning the basic geological skills necessary for work in a field environment. These laboratory activities were followed by an approximate 15 minute intervention at the GeoScene for a treatment group of students (n=13) to attempt to mitigate potential barriers, such as: self-efficacy, novelty space, and spatial skills, which hinder student performance in an authentic field environment. Comparisons were made to a control group (n=12), who did not participate in GeoScene activities, but completed additional exercises and applications in the laboratory setting. Qualitative data sources suggested that the GeoScene treatment was a positive addition to the laboratory studies and improved the student transition to the field environment by: (1) reducing anxiety and decreasing heightened stimulus associated with the novelty of the authentic field environment, (2) allowing a physical transition between the laboratory and field that shifted concepts learned in the lab to the field environment, and (3) improving critical analysis of geologic phenomena. This was corroborated by the quantitative data that suggested the treatment group may have outperformed the control group in geology content related skills taught in the laboratory, and supported by the GeoScene, while in an authentic field environment (p≤0.01, delta=0.507).

  3. The effect of inquiry science activity in educational productivity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shimizu, Kinya

    This is a study the effect of inquiry science activity on the science achievement of junior high school students. Since the post-sputnik curriculum improvement project, science educators have supported the effect of inquiry activities. In terms of the effect of laboratory activity, however, the literature review indicated that the controlled experimental studies have failed to present the effect of laboratory activities. For example, Blosser suggested more rigid experimental design, such as longer treatment and larger sample. On the other hand, some of the recent case studies of effect of laboratory are successful to support the effect and the other recent classroom ethnographic studies indicated that the laboratory activities are implemented in inappropriate situation. This study investigates the effect of inquiry activities by using the national survey to balance the internal and external validity. In order to control the environmental effect and student aptitude, the study adopted the structural model of science achievement suggested by Reynolds and Walberg in 1991. The study utilized the extensive student and teacher data reports from the Longitudinal Study of American Youth (LSAY) to examine these differences and interactions quantitatively. The study utilized two independent variables: (1) teachers' report of the degree of their teaching emphasis on inquiry skill, and (2) teachers' report of the frequency of hands-on method. The effects of these instructional qualities are estimated in terms of the science achievement score of their student. The study utilized path analysis techniques in order to understand the complex relationship among the nine productivity factors; which are (1) motivation, (2) prior ability, (3) development, (4) home environment, (5) peer environment, (6) media environment, (7) classroom environment, (8) instructional quantity, and (9) instructional quality. The result failed to support the effectiveness of the hands-on science teaching. On the other hand, when teacher emphasize the scientific inquiry skill in lower grade, the effect of inquiry emphasis present the significant impact.

  4. Quality of care provided to patients with diabetes mellitus in Puerto Rico; managed care versus fee-for-service experience.

    PubMed

    Rodríguez-Vigil, Efraín; Kianes-Pérez, Zaira

    2005-01-01

    To evaluate and compare the quality of diabetes care in a large managed care system and fee-for-service payment system in Puerto Rico. This retrospective cross-sectional study assessed the adherence to standards of diabetes care in 1,687,202 subjects--226,210 from a fee-for-service population and 1,460,992 from a managed care group. Patients with diabetes mellitus were identified from insurance claims reports. Type of health-care provider, service location, number of visits, and laboratory utilization were also assessed. From the analysis, we identified 90,616 patients with diabetes (5.4% of the overall study group). Of these, 66,587 (73.5%) were found to have at least one encounter with a physician in a medical visit. Of the 66,586 patients with diabetes who visited a physician, only 4% were treated by an endocrinologist. General laboratory utilization was 34% for the entire population of patients with diabetes studied. In the group of patients with documented laboratory tests, 93% had a documented fasting blood glucose test; in contrast, hemoglobin A lc testing was performed in only 9% of the patients. The fee-for-service group had a higher rate of visits to medical specialists and general laboratory utilization, whereas the managed care group had a higher rate of hospital admissions and emergency department visits. The quality of diabetes management and the subsequent outcomes are related to patient and health-care provider adherence to standards of care. In this analysis, we found that patients and physicians are responsible for low compliance with recognized standards of diabetes care in Puerto Rico. The lack of adequate management will lead to increased mortality, development and severity of chronic complications, and increased emergency department utilization. Therefore, health-care providers and payers should find ways to achieve more effective promotion of adherence to accepted standards of care for patients with diabetes.

  5. Modeling Ballasted Tracks for Runoff Coefficient C

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2012-08-01

    In this study, the Regional Transportation District (RTD)s light rail tracks were modeled to determine the Rational Method : runoff coefficient, C, values corresponding to ballasted tracks. To accomplish this, a laboratory study utilizing a : rain...

  6. Battelle's Marine Research Laboratory, Sequim

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

    Becker, C.D.; Strand, J.A.

    Scientists at Battelle's Marine Research Laboratory (MRL) in Sequim, Washington study the effect of human activities on marine ecosystems, with emphasis on near shore and estuarine environments. The laboratory provides research and development assistance to industry and government agencies engaged in management of marine technologies, operation of coastal power utilities, protection of the marine environment, and related areas. This paper outlines and discusses the functions of Battelle's MRL, it's history, it's unique features, it's areas of expertise, it's current programs, and it's cooperating agencies.

  7. Near-Peer Teaching in an Anatomy Course with a Low Faculty-to-Student Ratio

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Duran, Claudia Elisa Pamanes; Bahena, Eduardo Navarro; Rodriguez, Maria de los Angeles Garcia; Baca, Guillermo Jacobo; Uresti, Antonio Sanchez; Elizondo-Omana, Rodrigo Enrique; Lopez, Santos Guzman

    2012-01-01

    Near-peer teaching is an educational format which utilizes tutors who are more advanced in a curriculum's content to supervise students' activities and to act as instructors in laboratory settings. This format is often used in anatomy laboratory courses. The goal of the present study is to describe the design and implementation of near-peer…

  8. The Effect of Combining Analogy-Based Simulation and Laboratory Activities on Turkish Elementary School Students' Understanding of Simple Electric Circuits

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Unlu, Zeynep Koyunlu; Dokme, Ibilge

    2011-01-01

    The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the combination of both analogy-based simulation and laboratory activities as a teaching tool was more effective than utilizing them separately in teaching the concepts of simple electricity. The quasi-experimental design that involved 66 seventh grade students from urban Turkish elementary…

  9. Designing a User-Friendly Microcomputer-Based Laboratory Package through the Factor Analysis of Teacher Evaluations

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lavonen, Jari; Juuti, Kalle; Meisalo, Veijo

    2003-01-01

    In this study we analyse how the experiences of chemistry teachers on the use of a Microcomputer-Based Laboratory (MBL), gathered by a Likert-scale instrument, can be utilized to develop the new package "Empirica 2000." We used exploratory factor analysis to identify the essential features in a large set of questionnaire data to see how…

  10. Pathologists' roles in clinical utilization management. A financing model for managed care.

    PubMed

    Zhao, J J; Liberman, A

    2000-03-01

    In ancillary or laboratory utilization management, the roles of pathologists have not been explored fully in managed care systems. Two possible reasons may account for this: pathologists' potential contributions have not been defined clearly, and effective measurement of and reasonable compensation for the pathologist's contribution remains vague. The responsibilities of pathologists in clinical practice may include clinical pathology and laboratory services (which have long been well-defined and are compensated according to a resource-based relative value system-based coding system), laboratory administration, clinical utilization management, and clinical research. Although laboratory administration services have been compensated with mechanisms such as percentage of total service revenue or fixed salary, the involvement of pathologists seems less today than in the past, owing to increased clinical workload and time constraints in an expanding managed care environment, especially in community hospital settings. The lack of financial incentives or appropriate compensation mechanisms for the services likely accounts for the current situation. Furthermore, the importance of pathologist-driven utilization management in laboratory services lacks recognition among hospital administrators, managed care executives, and pathologists themselves, despite its potential benefits for reducing cost and enhancing quality of care. We propose a financial compensation model for such services and summarize its advantages.

  11. INTRODUCTION AND STUDY DESIGN

    EPA Science Inventory

    Under the sponsorship of the UNEP/ILO/IPCS, 17 laboratories from diverse regions of the world participated in evaluating the utility of four plant bioassays for detecting genetic hazards of environmental chemicals. he bioassays included in this collaborative study were Arabidopsi...

  12. Alternatives to type II cement : Part I, Preliminary laboratory studies.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1977-01-01

    In this study concrete mixtures incorporating fly ash are being investigated as possible alternatives to mixtures utilizing Type II cements. The mixture characteristics being considered are strength, resistance to freezing and thawing and sulfates, h...

  13. Determinants of Pediatric Echocardiography Laboratory Productivity: Analysis from the Second Survey of the American Society of Echocardiography Committee on Echocardiography Laboratory Productivity.

    PubMed

    Srivastava, Shubhika; Allada, Vivekanand; Younoszai, Adel; Lopez, Leo; Soriano, Brian D; Fleishman, Craig E; Van Hoever, Andrea M; Lai, Wyman W

    2016-10-01

    The American Society of Echocardiography Committee on Pediatric Echocardiography Laboratory Productivity aimed to study factors that could influence the clinical productivity of physicians and sonographers and assess longitudinal trends for the same. The first survey results indicated that productivity correlated with the total volume of echocardiograms. Survey questions were designed to assess productivity for (1) physician full-time equivalent (FTE) allocated to echocardiography reading (echocardiograms per physician FTE per day), (2) sonographer FTE (echocardiograms per sonographer FTE per year), and (3) machine utilization (echocardiograms per machine per year). Questions were also posed to assess work flow and workforce. For fiscal year 2013 or academic year 2012-2013, the mean number of total echocardiograms-including outreach, transthoracic, fetal, and transesophageal echocardiograms-per physician FTE per day was 14.3 ± 5.9, the mean number of echocardiograms per sonographer FTE per year was 1,056 ± 441, and the mean number of echocardiograms per machine per year was 778 ± 303. Both physician and sonographer productivity was higher at high-volume surgical centers and with echocardiography slots scheduled concordantly with clinic visits. Having an advanced imaging fellow and outpatient sedation correlated negatively with clinical laboratory productivity. Machine utilization was greater in laboratories with higher sonographer and physician productivity and lower for machines obtained before 2009. Measures of pediatric echocardiography laboratory staff productivity and machine utilization were shown to correlate positively with surgical volume, total echocardiography volumes, and concordant echocardiography scheduling; the same measures correlated negatively with having an advanced imaging fellow and outpatient sedation. There has been no significant change in staff productivity noted over two Committee on Pediatric Echocardiography Laboratory Productivity survey cycles, suggesting that hiring practices have matched laboratory volume increases. Copyright © 2016 American Society of Echocardiography. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  14. Say No to DMSO: Dimethylsulfoxide Inactivates Cisplatin, Carboplatin and Other Platinum Complexes

    PubMed Central

    Hall, Matthew D.; Telma, Katherine A.; Chang, Ki-Eun; Lee, Tobie D.; Madigan, James P.; Lloyd, John R.; Goldlust, Ian S.; Hoeschele, James D.; Gottesman, Michael M.

    2014-01-01

    The platinum drugs cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin are highly utilized in the clinic and as a consequence are extensively studied in the laboratory setting. In this study, we examined the literature and found a significant number of studies (11 - 34%) in prominent cancer journals utilizing cisplatin dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). However, dissolving cisplatin in DMSO for laboratory-based studies results in ligand displacement and changes the structure of the complex. We examined the effect of DMSO on platinum complexes, including cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin, finding that DMSO reacted with the complexes, inhibited their cytotoxicity and their ability to initiate cell death. These results render a substantial portion of the literature on cisplatin uninterpretable. Raising awareness of this significant issue in the cancer biology community is critical, and we make recommendations on appropriate solvation of platinum drugs for research. PMID:24812268

  15. Chemically stabilized soils.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2009-12-01

    The objective of this study was to conduct laboratory evaluations to quantify the effects of compaction and moisture conditions on the strength of chemically treated soils typical utilized in pavement construction in Mississippi.

  16. Utilizing Problem-Based Learning in Qualitative Analysis Lab Experiments

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hicks, Randall W.; Bevsek, Holly M.

    2012-01-01

    A series of qualitative analysis (QA) laboratory experiments utilizing a problem-based learning (PBL) module has been designed and implemented. The module guided students through the experiments under the guise of cleaning up a potentially contaminated water site as employees of an environmental chemistry laboratory. The main goal was the…

  17. Comparison of student achievement among two science laboratory types: traditional and virtual

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Reese, Mary Celeste

    Technology has changed almost every aspect of our daily lives. It is not surprising then that technology has made its way into the classroom. More and more educators are utilizing technological resources in creative ways with the intent to enhance learning, including using virtual laboratories in the sciences in place of the "traditional" science laboratories. This has generated much discussion as to the influence on student achievement when online learning replaces the face-to-face contact between instructor and student. The purpose of this study was to discern differences in achievement of two laboratory instruction types: virtual laboratory and a traditional laboratory. Results of this study indicate statistical significant differences in student achievement defined by averages on quiz scores in virtual labs compared with traditional face-to-face laboratories and traditional laboratories result in greater student learning gains than virtual labs. Lecture exam averages were also greater for students enrolled in the traditional laboratories compared to students enrolled in the virtual laboratories. To account for possible differences in ability among students, a potential extraneous variable, GPA and ACT scores were used as covariates.

  18. Zero-Gravity Atmospheric Cloud Physics Experiment Laboratory engineering concepts/design tradeoffs. Volume 1: Study results

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Greco, R. V.; Eaton, L. R.; Wilkinson, H. C.

    1974-01-01

    The work is summarized which was accomplished from January 1974 to October 1974 for the Zero-Gravity Atmospheric Cloud Physics Laboratory. The definition and development of an atmospheric cloud physics laboratory and the selection and delineation of candidate experiments that require the unique environment of zero gravity or near zero gravity are reported. The experiment program and the laboratory concept for a Spacelab payload to perform cloud microphysics research are defined. This multimission laboratory is planned to be available to the entire scientific community to utilize in furthering the basic understanding of cloud microphysical processes and phenomenon, thereby contributing to improved weather prediction and ultimately to provide beneficial weather control and modification.

  19. Establishing benchmarks and metrics for disruptive technologies, inappropriate and obsolete tests in the clinical laboratory.

    PubMed

    Kiechle, Frederick L; Arcenas, Rodney C; Rogers, Linda C

    2014-01-01

    Benchmarks and metrics related to laboratory test utilization are based on evidence-based medical literature that may suffer from a positive publication bias. Guidelines are only as good as the data reviewed to create them. Disruptive technologies require time for appropriate use to be established before utilization review will be meaningful. Metrics include monitoring the use of obsolete tests and the inappropriate use of lab tests. Test utilization by clients in a hospital outreach program can be used to monitor the impact of new clients on lab workload. A multi-disciplinary laboratory utilization committee is the most effective tool for modifying bad habits, and reviewing and approving new tests for the lab formulary or by sending them out to a reference lab. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. A Production Lab the Faculty Can Call Their Own.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Wilkening, Donald J.

    1979-01-01

    Presents a case study of the development of a faculty media production laboratory by Michigan State University's media center, describing funding, facilities, promotion, utilization, and future plans. (CMV)

  1. Extending health maintenance organization insurance to the uninsured. A controlled measure of health care utilization.

    PubMed

    Bograd, H; Ritzwoller, D P; Calonge, N; Shields, K; Hanrahan, M

    1997-04-02

    To investigate the utilization of health care services of previously uninsured low-income patients after becoming insured by a health maintenance organization (HMO). Retrospective study of utilization in a previously uninsured study group compared with an age- and sex-matched randomly selected control group of commercial HMO enrollees. Group model HMO. A study group of 346 previously uninsured low-income patients and 382 controls. utpatient visits for primary and specialty care, outpatient pharmacy, laboratory, and radiology use, and inpatient admissions and hospital days over a 2-year period. Self-reported health status measures were obtained to control for differences in health status. There were no differences between the study and control groups in hospital admissions, hospital days, and measures of outpatient laboratory, pharmacy, and radiology use. The odds of having an outpatient visit per patient per month was 30% higher for the study group. Approximately half the increase in the odds ratio for outpatient visits was related to the worse self-perceived health status of the study group. While both groups utilized more services in the early phase of their enrollment, the intensity of this start-up effect was similar for both groups. Compared with a commercial group of the same age and sex, the patterns of utilization were similar and the financial costs of care were only moderately more for a previously uninsured group provided with comprehensive HMO insurance. With the growth of managed care, these data should be beneficial in the development of health care programs for the growing number of uninsured Americans.

  2. [Onsite microbiology services and outsourcing microbiology and offsite laboratories--advantage and disadvantage, thinking of effective utilization].

    PubMed

    Hosokawa, Naoto

    2011-10-01

    In recent years, budget restrictions have prompted hospital managers to consider outsourcing microbiology service. But there are many advantages onsite microbiology services. Onsite microbiology services have some advantages. 1) High recovery rate of microorganism. 2) Shorter turn around time. 3) Easy to communicate between physician and laboratory technician. 4) Effective utilization of blood culture. 5) Getting early information about microorganism. 6) Making antibiogram (microbiological local factor). 7) Getting information for infection control. The disadvantages are operating costs and labor cost. The important point of maximal utilization of onsite microbiology service is close communication between physicians to microbiology laboratory. It will be able to provide prompt and efficient report to physicians through discussion about Gram stain findings, agar plate media findings and epidemiological information. The rapid and accurate identification of pathogen affords directed therapy, thereby decreasing the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and shortening the length of hospital stay and unnecessary ancillary procedures. When the physician use outsourcing microbiology services, should discuss with offsite laboratories about provided services. Infection control person has to arrange data of susceptibility about every isolate and monitoring multi-drug resistant organism. Not only onsite microbiology services but also outsourcing microbiology services, to communicate bedside and laboratory is most important point of effective utilization.

  3. Update Your Member Lab Compendium Data

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    The Compendium of Environmental Testing Laboratories is a limited-access online database of environmental laboratories nationwide that is available to EPA; Federal, State, and local emergency responders; laboratory personnel; and water utilities.

  4. Current evidence and future perspectives on the effective practice of patient-centered laboratory medicine.

    PubMed

    Hallworth, Mike J; Epner, Paul L; Ebert, Christoph; Fantz, Corinne R; Faye, Sherry A; Higgins, Trefor N; Kilpatrick, Eric S; Li, Wenzhe; Rana, S V; Vanstapel, Florent

    2015-04-01

    Systematic evidence of the contribution made by laboratory medicine to patient outcomes and the overall process of healthcare is difficult to find. An understanding of the value of laboratory medicine, how it can be determined, and the various factors that influence it is vital to ensuring that the service is provided and used optimally. This review summarizes existing evidence supporting the impact of laboratory medicine in healthcare and indicates the gaps in our understanding. It also identifies deficiencies in current utilization, suggests potential solutions, and offers a vision of a future in which laboratory medicine is used optimally to support patient care. To maximize the value of laboratory medicine, work is required in 5 areas: (a) improved utilization of existing and new tests; (b) definition of new roles for laboratory professionals that are focused on optimizing patient outcomes by adding value at all points of the diagnostic brain-to-brain cycle; (c) development of standardized protocols for prospective patient-centered studies of biomarker clinical effectiveness or extraanalytical process effectiveness; (d) benchmarking of existing and new tests in specified situations with commonly accepted measures of effectiveness; (e) agreed definition and validation of effectiveness measures and use of checklists for articles submitted for publication. Progress in these areas is essential if we are to demonstrate and enhance the value of laboratory medicine and prevent valuable information being lost in meaningless data. This requires effective collaboration with clinicians, and a determination to accept patient outcome and patient experience as the primary measure of laboratory effectiveness. © 2014 American Association for Clinical Chemistry.

  5. Application of infrared techniques to the study of atmospheric ozone

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Secroun, C.; Barbe, A.; Marche, P.; Jouve, P.

    The present investigation is concerned with the utilization of the infrared wavelength region for the study of the ozone in the atmosphere, taking into account three atmospheric windows including the wavelength ranges near 10, 5, and 3 micrometers. More than 3200 spectral lines could be assigned to different bands of the ozone spectrum. Laboratory studies formed one part of the investigation. Spectral frequencies, absorption line intensities, and linewidths were determined for ozone. Some of the obtained results were employed in connection with data provided by the radiometric probe LIMS on board the Nimbus-7 satellite. The second part of the investigation involved a study of the atmosphere. The same spectrometer as in the laboratory study was utilized, and the sun was employed as radiation source. The obtained results were compared with data provided by a Dobson spectrophotometer. Attention is also given to vertical concentration profiles. It is concluded that infrared absorption spectroscopy represents a suitable technique for studies of atmospheric ozone.

  6. Economic Education Laboratory: Initiating a Meaningful Economic Learning through Laboratory

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Noviani, Leny; Soetjipto, Budi Eko; Sabandi, Muhammad

    2015-01-01

    Laboratory is considered as one of the resources in supporting the learning process. The laboratory can be used as facilities to deepen the concepts, learning methods and enriching students' knowledge and skills. Learning process by utilizing the laboratory facilities can help lecturers and students in grasping the concept easily, constructing the…

  7. State of laboratory manual instruction in California community college introductory (non-majors) biology laboratory instruction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Priest, Michelle

    College students must complete a life science course prior to graduation for a bachelor's degree. Generally, the course has lecture and laboratory components. It is in the laboratory where there are exceptional opportunities for exploration, challenge and application of the material learned. Optimally, this would utilize the best of inquiry based approaches. Most community colleges are using a home-grown or self written laboratory manual for the direction of work in the laboratory period. Little was known about the motivation, development and adaptation of use. It was also not known about the future of the laboratory manuals in light of the recent learning reform in California Community Colleges, Student Learning Outcomes. Extensive interviews were conducted with laboratory manual authors to determine the motivation, process of development, who was involved and learning framework used in the creation of the manuals. It was further asked of manual authors their ideas about the future of the manual, the development of staff and faculty and finally, the role Student Learning Outcomes would play in the manual. Science faculty currently teaching the non-majors biology laboratories for at least two semesters were surveyed on-line about actual practice of the manual, assessment, manual flexibility, faculty training and incorporation of Student Learning Outcomes. Finally, an evaluation of the laboratory manual was done using an established Laboratory Task Analysis Instrument. Laboratory manuals were evaluated on a variety of categories to determine the level of inquiry instruction done by students in the laboratory section. The results were that the development of homegrown laboratory manuals was done by community colleges in the Los Angeles and Orange Counties in an effort to minimize the cost of the manual to the students, to utilize all the exercises in a particular lab and to effectively utilize the materials already owned by the department. Further, schools wanted to utilize the current faculty research expertise and knowledge. Unfortunately, laboratory manual authors had no real learning framework in the development of the manual. Based on the LAI, most manuals focused on the lowest levels of inquiry based instruction. Most manuals focused exercises on cell and molecular topics. The manuals had little student exploration, creation or design in the laboratory exercise and no option for repeating the exercise. There was a clear desire of faculty and authors to improve the laboratory experience and manual. Authors and faculty wished to include more inquiry and utilize the best of Student Learning Outcome (SLO) methodologies. Authors and the laboratory manuals have a major disconnect in that authors have clear desires inquiry based learning for the manual but do not effectively implement the inquiry based learning for various reasons. The manuals themselves, laboratory manuals themselves are not robust inquiry based learning models to maximize student learning. Authors and faculty are disconnected in that authors know what they want their manuals to do...but do not effectively communicate that to faculty. Finally, schools are in a "wait and see" approach as to when to integrate the latest learning theory mandated by the Chancellors Office -- Student Learning Outcomes.

  8. Competency assessment in laboratory medicine: Standardization and utility for technical staff assessment and recertification in Saudi Arabia.

    PubMed

    Nemenqani, Dalal M; Tekian, Ara; Park, Yoon Soo

    2017-04-01

    The assessment of technical staff members' competency has been a challenge for laboratory workers, to ensure patient safety and high quality services. The aim of this study was to (1) investigate awareness on best ways to assess lab competencies; (2) identify existing institutional methods of competency assessment and how staff perceptions; and (3) gather opinions of respondents about a proposed program for competency assessment in laboratory medicine. A cross-sectional survey was conducted, followed by an interview and discussion with laboratory stakeholders about a proposed competency assessment program that included all the six procedural elements of laboratory personnel competency assessment. An online questionnaire was sent via email to different hospitals in Saudi Arabia through survey monkey. A proposed competency assessment program was circulated via email to laboratory stakeholders who agreed to be enrolled in structured interviews. A total of 47 out of the 168 (25.3%) laboratory workers responded to the emailed survey administered via survey monkey. Among the survey respondents, 16 out of the 47 (34%) participated in the structured interview and the discussion and formed the community of practice group that provided insight and opinion about the proposed competency program. Among stakeholders, 87.2% practiced in accredited laboratories. Over half (52%) of respondents positively rated the proposed program. Results of interviews and discussions revealed suggestions about continuous ongoing assessment, such as the inclusion of laboratory quality management and safety as separate items to be unified for all sections. The proposed competency assessment program overcomes challenges noted in competency assessment and has been positively received by stakeholders. This program will be validated by a group of experts then implemented as part of a core curriculum for laboratory staff, in their assessment, certification, recertification, registration, evaluation and licensure in sample laboratories in Saudi Arabia. The program will be monitored and evaluated during and after implementation for processes and outcomes. Conclusions will be utilized for national competency program. This study represents an important step towards the implementation of a standardized laboratory competence assessment program at a national level.

  9. Clinical utility of routine laboratory testing to identify possible secondary causes in older men with osteoporosis: the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Study

    PubMed Central

    Fink, Howard A.; Litwack-Harrison, Stephanie; Taylor, Brent C.; Bauer, Douglas C.; Orwoll, Eric S.; Lee, Christine G.; Barrett-Connor, Elizabeth; Schousboe, John T.; Kado, Deborah M.; Garimella, Pranav S.; Ensrud, Kristine E.

    2016-01-01

    Purpose To evaluate the utility of recommended laboratory testing to identify secondary causes in older men with osteoporosis, we examined prevalence of laboratory abnormalities in older men with and without osteoporosis. Methods 1572 men aged ≥65 years in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men study completed bone mineral density (BMD) testing and a battery of laboratory measures, including serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone (PTH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), 25-OH vitamin D, total testosterone, spot urine calcium/creatinine ratio, spot urine albumin-creatinine ratio, creatinine-derived estimate glomerular filtration rate, 24-hour urine calcium, and 24-hour urine free cortisol. Using cross-sectional analyses, we calculated prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association of any and specific laboratory abnormalities with osteoporosis, and the number of men with osteoporosis needed to test to identify one additional laboratory abnormality compared to testing men without osteoporosis. Results Approximately 60% of men had ≥1 laboratory abnormality in both men with and without osteoporosis. Among individual tests, only vitamin D insufficiency (PR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.05–1.22) and high alkaline phosphatase (PR, 3.05; 95% CI, 1.52–6.11) were more likely in men with osteoporosis. Hypercortisolism and hyperthyroidism were uncommon and not significantly more frequent in men with osteoporosis. No osteoporotic men had hypercalciuria. Conclusions Though most of these older men had ≥1 laboratory abnormality, few routinely recommended individual tests were more common in men with osteoporosis than in those without osteoporosis. Possibly excepting vitamin D and alkaline phosphatase, benefit of routine laboratory testing to identify possible secondary causes in older osteoporotic men appears low. Results may not be generalizable to younger men or to older men in whom history and exam findings raise clinical suspicion for a secondary cause of osteoporosis. PMID:26458388

  10. 21 CFR 200.10 - Contract facilities (including consulting laboratories) utilized as extramural facilities by...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... (IND) Application, any information obtained during the inspection of an extramural facility having a... Administration does not consider results of validation studies of analytical and assay methods and control...

  11. Mining of hospital laboratory information systems: a model study defining age- and gender-specific reference intervals and trajectories for plasma creatinine in a pediatric population.

    PubMed

    Søeby, Karen; Jensen, Peter Bjødstrup; Werge, Thomas; Sørensen, Steen

    2015-09-01

    The knowledge of physiological fluctuation and variation of even commonly used biochemical quantities in extreme age groups and during development is sparse. This challenges the clinical interpretation and utility of laboratory tests in these age groups. To explore the utility of hospital laboratory data as a source of information, we analyzed enzymatic plasma creatinine as a model analyte in two large pediatric hospital samples. Plasma creatinine measurements from 9700 children aged 0-18 years were obtained from hospital laboratory databases and partitioned into high-resolution gender- and age-groups. Normal probability plots were used to deduce parameters of the normal distributions from healthy creatinine values in the mixed hospital datasets. Furthermore, temporal trajectories were generated from repeated measurements to examine developmental patterns in periods of changing creatinine levels. Creatinine shows great age dependence from birth throughout childhood. We computed and replicated 95% reference intervals in narrow gender and age bins and showed them to be comparable to those determined in healthy population studies. We identified pronounced transitions in creatinine levels at different time points after birth and around the early teens, which challenges the establishment and usefulness of reference intervals in those age groups. The study documents that hospital laboratory data may inform on the developmental aspects of creatinine, on periods with pronounced heterogeneity and valid reference intervals. Furthermore, part of the heterogeneity in creatinine distribution is likely due to differences in biological and chronological age of children and should be considered when using age-specific reference intervals.

  12. USING THE LANGUAGE LABORATORY.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    LADU, TORA TUVE

    TO ENCOURAGE UTILIZATION OF THE LANGUAGE LABORATORY AS A TEACHING TECHNIQUE, THIS BULLETIN DESCRIBES SUCH POSSIBLE USES OF THE LABORATORY AS PROGRAMING LESSONS, RECORDING, AND TESTING LANGUAGE SKILL DEVELOPMENT. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS OF THE LABORATORY IS THE PATTERN DRILL, DESCRIBED HERE FOR FRENCH, GERMAN, AND SPANISH. EXAMPLES ARE…

  13. Integrated Disinfection By-Products Mixtures Research: Results from the Four Lab Study

    EPA Science Inventory

    This study involves collaboration of four national laboratories/centers of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as scientists from universities and water utilities, and is termed the ‘Four Lab Study’. The purpose of this study is to address concerns related to...

  14. Utilization of Educationally Oriented Microcomputer Based Laboratories

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Fitzpatrick, Michael J.; Howard, James A.

    1977-01-01

    Describes one approach to supplying engineering and computer science educators with an economical portable digital systems laboratory centered around microprocessors. Expansion of the microcomputer based laboratory concept to include Learning Resource Aided Instruction (LRAI) systems is explored. (Author)

  15. Integrating Reservations and Queuing in Remote Laboratory Scheduling

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lowe, D.

    2013-01-01

    Remote laboratories (RLs) have become increasingly seen as a useful tool in supporting flexible shared access to scarce laboratory resources. An important element in supporting shared access is coordinating the scheduling of the laboratory usage. Optimized scheduling can significantly decrease access waiting times and improve the utilization level…

  16. Spacelab user implementation assessment study (software requirements analysis). Volume 1: Executive study

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1976-01-01

    The primary objective of this study was to develop an integrated approach for the development, implementation, and utilization of all software that is required to efficiently and cost-effectively support advanced technology laboratory flight and ground operations. It was recognized that certain aspects of the operations would be mandatory computerized services; computerization of other aspects would be optional. Thus, the analyses encompassed not only alternate computer utilization and implementations but trade studies of the programmatic effects of non-computerized versus computerized approaches to the operations. A general overview of the study is presented.

  17. Measurement of entropy generation within bypass transitional flow

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Skifton, Richard; Budwig, Ralph; McEligot, Donald; Crepeau, John

    2012-11-01

    A flat plate made from quartz was submersed in the Idaho National Laboratory's Matched Index of Refraction (MIR) flow facility. PIV was utilized to capture spatial vectors maps at near wall locations with five to ten points within the viscous sublayer. Entropy generation was calculated directly from measured velocity fluctuation derivatives. Two flows were studied: a zero pressure gradient and an adverse pressure gradient (β = -0.039). The free stream turbulence intensity to drive bypass transition ranged between 3% (near trailing edge) and 8% (near leading edge). The pointwise entropy generation rate will be utilized as a design parameter to systematically reduce losses. As a second observation, the pointwise entropy can be shown to predict the onset of transitional flow. This research was partially supported by the DOE EPSCOR program, grant DE-SC0004751 and by the Idaho National Laboratory. Center for Advanced Energy Studies.

  18. Quantitative lithologic mapping in spectral ratio feature space - Volcanic, sedimentary and metamorphic terrains

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Campos-Marquetti, Raul, Jr.; Rockwell, Barnaby

    1990-01-01

    The nature of spectral lithologic mapping is studied utilizing ratios centered around the wavelength means of TM imagery. Laboratory-derived spectra are analyzed to determine the two-dimensional relationships and distributions visible in spectral ratio feature space. The spectral distributions of various rocks and minerals in ratio feature space are found to be controlled by several spectrally dominant molecules. Three study areas were examined: Rawhide Mining District, Nevada; Manzano Mountains, New Mexico; and the Sevilleta Long Term Ecological Research site in New Mexico. It is shown that, in the comparison of two ratio plots of laboratory reflectance spectra, i.e., 0.66/0.485 micron versus 1.65/2.22 microns with those derived from TM data, several molecules spectrally dominate the reflectance characteristic of surface lithologic units. Utilizing the above ratio combination, two areas are successfully mapped based on their distribution in spectral ratio feature space.

  19. How do laboratory technicians perceive their role in the tuberculosis diagnostic process? A cross-sectional study among laboratory technicians in health centers of Central Java Province, Indonesia.

    PubMed

    Widjanarko, Bagoes; Widyastari, Dyah Anantalia; Martini, Martini; Ginandjar, Praba

    2016-01-01

    Detection of acid-fast bacilli in respiratory specimens serves as an initial pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis. Laboratories are the essential and fundamental part of all health systems. This study aimed to describe how laboratory technicians perceived their own self and work. This included perceived self-efficacy, perceived role, perceived equipment availability, perceived procedures, perceived reward and job, and perceived benefit of health education, as well as level of knowledge and attitudes related to work performance of laboratory technicians. This was a cross-sectional quantitative study involving 120 laboratory technicians conducted in Central Java. Interviews and observation were conducted to measure performance and work-related variables. Among 120 laboratory technicians, 43.3% showed fairly good performance. They complied with 50%-75% of all procedures, including sputum collection, laboratory tools utilization, sputum smearing, staining, smear examination, grading of results, and universal precaution practice. Perceived role, perceived self-efficacy, and knowledge of laboratory procedures were significantly correlated to performance, besides education and years of working as a laboratory technician. Perceived equipment availability was also significantly correlated to performance after the education variable was controlled. Most of the laboratory technicians believed that they have an important role in TB patients' treatment and should display proper self-efficacy in performing laboratory activities. The result may serve as a basic consideration to develop a policy for enhancing motivation of laboratory technicians in order to improve the TB control program.

  20. Bibliography of Literature for Avian Issues in Solar and Wind Energy and Other Activities

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

    Walston, Leroy J.; White, Ellen M.; Meyers, Stephanie A.

    2015-04-01

    Utility-scale solar energy has been a rapidly expanding energy sector in the United States in recent years and is expected to continue to grow. In 2014, concerns were raised over the risk of avian fatalities associated with utility-scale solar plants. With funding from the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Program, Argonne National Laboratory and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory studied the issue and released A Review of Avian Monitoring and Mitigation Information at Existing Utility-Scale Solar Facilities (ANL/EVS-15/2, March 2015). A comprehensive literature review included peer-reviewed journal articles on avian fatalities from solar energy facilities and other sources (e.g., windmore » energy, building collisions, etc.), project-specific technical reports on avian monitoring and fatality at solar facilities, information on mitigation measures and best management practices, and literature pertaining to avian behavioral patterns and habitat use. The source citations are listed in this bibliography; they are current through December 2014.« less

  1. Understanding the utility of emotional approach coping: evidence from a laboratory stressor and daily life

    PubMed Central

    Juth, Vanessa; Dickerson, Sally S.; Zoccola, Peggy M.; Lam, Suman

    2015-01-01

    Background Dispositional emotional approach coping (EAC) marks an adaptive tendency to process and express emotions. EAC’s association with cognitions, affect, and intra- and interindividual characteristics that may account for its utility was examined in response to an acute stressor and in daily life. Design This study included a laboratory stress task and ecological momentary assessment. Methods Healthy undergraduate students (n = 124; mean age: 20; women: 56%) completed a laboratory component (baseline survey, speech stress task, pre- and posttask measures) and five subsequent days of surveys via palm pilot (six surveys/day). Results Controlling for sex, neuroticism, and social support, greater EAC was associated with more positive cognitive appraisals, personal resources, and positive affect and less-negative affect during the lab stressor, and with more perceived control and positive affect in daily life. Significant EAC × sex interactions were found for poststressor affect: men with high EAC reported more positive affect and women with high EAC reported less negative affect. Conclusions Findings provide support that EAC’s utility may be independent of intra- and interindividual characteristics, and that men and women may benefit from EAC in different ways in regards to affect. The proclivity to use EAC may come with a resiliency that protects against stress and promotes general well-being. PMID:24804564

  2. Brookhaven National Laboratory technology transfer report, fiscal year 1987

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

    Not Available

    1987-01-01

    The Brookhaven Office of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA) inaugurated two major initiatives. The effort by our ORTA in collaboration with the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) has succeeded in alerting American industry to the potential of using a synchrotron x-ray source for high resolution lithography. We are undertaking a preconstruction study for the construction of a prototype commercial synchrotron and development of an advanced commercial cryogenic synchrotron (XLS). ORTA sponsored a technology transfer workshop where industry expressed its views on how to transfer accelerator technology during the construction of the prototype commercial machine. The Northeast Regional utility Initiative broughtmore » 14 utilities to a workshop at the Laboratory in November. One recommendation of this workshop was to create a Center at the Laboratory for research support on issues of interest to utilities in the region where BNL has unique capability. The ORTA has initiated discussions with the New York State Science and Technology Commission, Cornell University's world renowned Nannofabrication Center and the computer aided design capabilities at SUNY at Stony Brook to create, centered around the NSLS and the XLS, the leading edge semiconductor process technology development center when the XLS becomes operational in two and a half years. 1 fig.« less

  3. Understanding the utility of emotional approach coping: evidence from a laboratory stressor and daily life.

    PubMed

    Juth, Vanessa; Dickerson, Sally S; Zoccola, Peggy M; Lam, Suman

    2015-01-01

    Dispositional emotional approach coping (EAC) marks an adaptive tendency to process and express emotions. EAC's association with cognitions, affect, and intra- and interindividual characteristics that may account for its utility was examined in response to an acute stressor and in daily life. This study included a laboratory stress task and ecological momentary assessment. Healthy undergraduate students (n = 124; mean age: 20; women: 56%) completed a laboratory component (baseline survey, speech stress task, pre- and posttask measures) and five subsequent days of surveys via palm pilot (six surveys/day). Controlling for sex, neuroticism, and social support, greater EAC was associated with more positive cognitive appraisals, personal resources, and positive affect and less-negative affect during the lab stressor, and with more perceived control and positive affect in daily life. Significant EAC × sex interactions were found for poststressor affect: men with high EAC reported more positive affect and women with high EAC reported less negative affect. Findings provide support that EAC's utility may be independent of intra- and interindividual characteristics, and that men and women may benefit from EAC in different ways in regards to affect. The proclivity to use EAC may come with a resiliency that protects against stress and promotes general well-being.

  4. Demonstrating Bacterial Flagella.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Porter, John R.; And Others

    1992-01-01

    Describes an effective laboratory method for demonstrating bacterial flagella that utilizes the Proteus mirabilis organism and a special harvesting technique. Includes safety considerations for the laboratory exercise. (MDH)

  5. Understanding System Utilization as a Limitation Associated with Cybersecurity Laboratories--A Literature Analysis

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Pittman, Jason

    2013-01-01

    The use of laboratories as part of cybersecurity education is well evidenced in the existing literature. We are informed about the benefits, different types of laboratories and, in addition, underlying learning theories therein. Existing research also demonstrates that the success of employing cybersecurity laboratory exercises relies upon…

  6. Open-source Software for Demand Forecasting of Clinical Laboratory Test Volumes Using Time-series Analysis.

    PubMed

    Mohammed, Emad A; Naugler, Christopher

    2017-01-01

    Demand forecasting is the area of predictive analytics devoted to predicting future volumes of services or consumables. Fair understanding and estimation of how demand will vary facilitates the optimal utilization of resources. In a medical laboratory, accurate forecasting of future demand, that is, test volumes, can increase efficiency and facilitate long-term laboratory planning. Importantly, in an era of utilization management initiatives, accurately predicted volumes compared to the realized test volumes can form a precise way to evaluate utilization management initiatives. Laboratory test volumes are often highly amenable to forecasting by time-series models; however, the statistical software needed to do this is generally either expensive or highly technical. In this paper, we describe an open-source web-based software tool for time-series forecasting and explain how to use it as a demand forecasting tool in clinical laboratories to estimate test volumes. This tool has three different models, that is, Holt-Winters multiplicative, Holt-Winters additive, and simple linear regression. Moreover, these models are ranked and the best one is highlighted. This tool will allow anyone with historic test volume data to model future demand.

  7. Open-source Software for Demand Forecasting of Clinical Laboratory Test Volumes Using Time-series Analysis

    PubMed Central

    Mohammed, Emad A.; Naugler, Christopher

    2017-01-01

    Background: Demand forecasting is the area of predictive analytics devoted to predicting future volumes of services or consumables. Fair understanding and estimation of how demand will vary facilitates the optimal utilization of resources. In a medical laboratory, accurate forecasting of future demand, that is, test volumes, can increase efficiency and facilitate long-term laboratory planning. Importantly, in an era of utilization management initiatives, accurately predicted volumes compared to the realized test volumes can form a precise way to evaluate utilization management initiatives. Laboratory test volumes are often highly amenable to forecasting by time-series models; however, the statistical software needed to do this is generally either expensive or highly technical. Method: In this paper, we describe an open-source web-based software tool for time-series forecasting and explain how to use it as a demand forecasting tool in clinical laboratories to estimate test volumes. Results: This tool has three different models, that is, Holt-Winters multiplicative, Holt-Winters additive, and simple linear regression. Moreover, these models are ranked and the best one is highlighted. Conclusion: This tool will allow anyone with historic test volume data to model future demand. PMID:28400996

  8. Analytical performance evaluation of a high-volume hematology laboratory utilizing sigma metrics as standard of excellence.

    PubMed

    Shaikh, M S; Moiz, B

    2016-04-01

    Around two-thirds of important clinical decisions about the management of patients are based on laboratory test results. Clinical laboratories are required to adopt quality control (QC) measures to ensure provision of accurate and precise results. Six sigma is a statistical tool, which provides opportunity to assess performance at the highest level of excellence. The purpose of this study was to assess performance of our hematological parameters on sigma scale in order to identify gaps and hence areas of improvement in patient care. Twelve analytes included in the study were hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), red blood cell count (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), red cell distribution width (RDW), total leukocyte count (TLC) with percentages of neutrophils (Neutr%) and lymphocytes (Lymph %), platelet count (Plt), mean platelet volume (MPV), prothrombin time (PT), and fibrinogen (Fbg). Internal quality control data and external quality assurance survey results were utilized for the calculation of sigma metrics for each analyte. Acceptable sigma value of ≥3 was obtained for the majority of the analytes included in the analysis. MCV, Plt, and Fbg achieved value of <3 for level 1 (low abnormal) control. PT performed poorly on both level 1 and 2 controls with sigma value of <3. Despite acceptable conventional QC tools, application of sigma metrics can identify analytical deficits and hence prospects for the improvement in clinical laboratories. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  9. Meeting in San Francisco: Integrated Disinfection By-Products Mixtures Research: Results from the Four Lab Study

    EPA Science Inventory

    This study involves the collaboration of the four national laboratories of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as other scientists from universities and water utilities, and is termed the ‘Four Lab Study’. The purpose of this study is to address concerns rela...

  10. Internal Medicine Resident Engagement with a Laboratory Utilization Dashboard: Mixed Methods Study.

    PubMed

    Kurtzman, Gregory; Dine, Jessica; Epstein, Andrew; Gitelman, Yevgenly; Leri, Damien; Patel, Miltesh S; Ryskina, Kyra

    2017-09-01

    The objective of this study was to measure internal medicine resident engagement with an electronic medical record-based dashboard providing feedback on their use of routine laboratory tests relative to service averages. From January 2016 to June 2016, residents were e-mailed a snapshot of their personalized dashboard, a link to the online dashboard, and text summarizing the resident and service utilization averages. We measured resident engagement using e-mail read-receipts and web-based tracking. We also conducted 3 hour-long focus groups with residents. Using grounded theory approach, the transcripts were analyzed for common themes focusing on barriers and facilitators of dashboard use. Among 80 residents, 74% opened the e-mail containing a link to the dashboard and 21% accessed the dashboard itself. We did not observe a statistically significant difference in routine laboratory ordering by dashboard use, although residents who opened the link to the dashboard ordered 0.26 fewer labs per doctor-patient-day than those who did not (95% confidence interval, -0.77 to 0.25; = 0 .31). While they raised several concerns, focus group participants had positive attitudes toward receiving individualized feedback delivered in real time. © 2017 Society of Hospital Medicine.

  11. COMPOUND-SPECIFIC ISOTOPE ANALYSIS OF MTBE AND TBA FOR BIOREMEDIATION STUDIES

    EPA Science Inventory

    The utility of stable isotope ratios to detect biodegradation for a number of chemical compounds including MTBE and TBA has been demonstrated in a number of laboratory or field studies. Chemical reactions tend to favor molecules with the lighter isotopic species (e.g., 12C, 1H), ...

  12. Cross-laboratory comparative study of the impact of experimental and regression methodologies on salmonella thermal inactivation parameters in ground beef

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Isothermal inactivation studies are commonly used to quantify thermal inactivation kinetics of bacteria. Meta-analyses and comparisons utilizing results from multiple sources have revealed large variations in reported inactivation parameters for Salmonella, even in similar food materials. Different ...

  13. 6 CFR 25.6 - Procedures for designation of qualified anti-terrorism technologies.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... available or can be feasibly conducted or obtained, including test results produced by an independent laboratory or other entity engaged to test or verify the safety, utility, performance, in order to assess the...; (ii) Classified and otherwise confidential studies; (iii) Studies, tests, or other performance records...

  14. 6 CFR 25.6 - Procedures for designation of qualified anti-terrorism technologies.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... available or can be feasibly conducted or obtained, including test results produced by an independent laboratory or other entity engaged to test or verify the safety, utility, performance, in order to assess the...; (ii) Classified and otherwise confidential studies; (iii) Studies, tests, or other performance records...

  15. Using Operational Analysis to Improve Access to Pulmonary Function Testing.

    PubMed

    Ip, Ada; Asamoah-Barnieh, Raymond; Bischak, Diane P; Davidson, Warren J; Flemons, W Ward; Pendharkar, Sachin R

    2016-01-01

    Background. Timely pulmonary function testing is crucial to improving diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary diseases. Perceptions of poor access at an academic pulmonary function laboratory prompted analysis of system demand and capacity to identify factors contributing to poor access. Methods. Surveys and interviews identified stakeholder perspectives on operational processes and access challenges. Retrospective data on testing demand and resource capacity was analyzed to understand utilization of testing resources. Results. Qualitative analysis demonstrated that stakeholder groups had discrepant views on access and capacity in the laboratory. Mean daily resource utilization was 0.64 (SD 0.15), with monthly average utilization consistently less than 0.75. Reserved testing slots for subspecialty clinics were poorly utilized, leaving many testing slots unfilled. When subspecialty demand exceeded number of reserved slots, there was sufficient capacity in the pulmonary function schedule to accommodate added demand. Findings were shared with stakeholders and influenced scheduling process improvements. Conclusion. This study highlights the importance of operational data to identify causes of poor access, guide system decision-making, and determine effects of improvement initiatives in a variety of healthcare settings. Importantly, simple operational analysis can help to improve efficiency of health systems with little or no added financial investment.

  16. Description of Bacterial Respiratory Infections among Department of Defense Beneficiaries, Utilizing Electronic Clinical Laboratory Data, October 2008-September 2013

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-08-01

    i Description of bacterial respiratory infections among Department of Defense beneficiaries, utilizing electronic clinical laboratory...Description of Bacterial Respiratory Infections in the DOD, October 2008-September 2013 Prepared: 12 July 2014 EpiData Center Department ii...Description of Bacterial Respiratory Infections in the DOD, October 2008-September 2013 Prepared: 12 July 2014 EpiData Center Department Abstract

  17. Urban Studies Workshop. Shopping Centre Study. Rockfort, Illinois.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Vandenhazel, Bessel J.

    The urban environment itself can be a laboratory for learning, and the learning activities in this workbook utilize the shopping center as a study site. General objectives of this unit of study are (1) to investigate how shopping centers serve the community; (2) to integrate a number of curriculum skills and concepts; and (3) to investigate the…

  18. IDENTIFYING GENETIC ASSOCIATIONS WITH VARIABILITY IN METABOLIC HEALTH AND BLOOD COUNT LABORATORY VALUES: DIVING INTO THE QUANTITATIVE TRAITS BY LEVERAGING LONGITUDINAL DATA FROM AN EHR.

    PubMed

    Verma, Shefali S; Lucas, Anastasia M; Lavage, Daniel R; Leader, Joseph B; Metpally, Raghu; Krishnamurthy, Sarathbabu; Dewey, Frederick; Borecki, Ingrid; Lopez, Alexander; Overton, John; Penn, John; Reid, Jeffrey; Pendergrass, Sarah A; Breitwieser, Gerda; Ritchie, Marylyn D

    2017-01-01

    A wide range of patient health data is recorded in Electronic Health Records (EHR). This data includes diagnosis, surgical procedures, clinical laboratory measurements, and medication information. Together this information reflects the patient's medical history. Many studies have efficiently used this data from the EHR to find associations that are clinically relevant, either by utilizing International Classification of Diseases, version 9 (ICD-9) codes or laboratory measurements, or by designing phenotype algorithms to extract case and control status with accuracy from the EHR. Here we developed a strategy to utilize longitudinal quantitative trait data from the EHR at Geisinger Health System focusing on outpatient metabolic and complete blood panel data as a starting point. Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) as well as Complete Blood Counts (CBC) are parts of routine care and provide a comprehensive picture from high level screening of patients' overall health and disease. We randomly split our data into two datasets to allow for discovery and replication. We first conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) with median values of 25 different clinical laboratory measurements to identify variants from Human Omni Express Exome beadchip data that are associated with these measurements. We identified 687 variants that associated and replicated with the tested clinical measurements at p<5×10-08. Since longitudinal data from the EHR provides a record of a patient's medical history, we utilized this information to further investigate the ICD-9 codes that might be associated with differences in variability of the measurements in the longitudinal dataset. We identified low and high variance patients by looking at changes within their individual longitudinal EHR laboratory results for each of the 25 clinical lab values (thus creating 50 groups - a high variance and a low variance for each lab variable). We then performed a PheWAS analysis with ICD-9 diagnosis codes, separately in the high variance group and the low variance group for each lab variable. We found 717 PheWAS associations that replicated at a p-value less than 0.001. Next, we evaluated the results of this study by comparing the association results between the high and low variance groups. For example, we found 39 SNPs (in multiple genes) associated with ICD-9 250.01 (Type-I diabetes) in patients with high variance of plasma glucose levels, but not in patients with low variance in plasma glucose levels. Another example is the association of 4 SNPs in UMOD with chronic kidney disease in patients with high variance for aspartate aminotransferase (discovery p-value: 8.71×10-09 and replication p-value: 2.03×10-06). In general, we see a pattern of many more statistically significant associations from patients with high variance in the quantitative lab variables, in comparison with the low variance group across all of the 25 laboratory measurements. This study is one of the first of its kind to utilize quantitative trait variance from longitudinal laboratory data to find associations among genetic variants and clinical phenotypes obtained from an EHR, integrating laboratory values and diagnosis codes to understand the genetic complexities of common diseases.

  19. Fermentation: From Sensory Experience to Conceptual Understanding

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Moore, Eugene B.

    1977-01-01

    Presented is a laboratory exercise that utilizes the natural yeast carbonation method of making homemade root beer to study fermentation and the effect of variables upon the fermentation process. There are photographs, a sample data sheet, and procedural hints included. (Author/MA)

  20. Marketing and Distribution: What About Training Plans in the DE Project Laboratory?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Snyder, Ruth

    1977-01-01

    Managing a distributive education (DE) laboratory is a challenge. The laboratory is the simulated training station, with the instructor taking on the role of employer, managing student activities and learning. One tool to be utilized in managing a DE laboratory is a training plan. This article discusses the need for student training plans and the…

  1. The Effect of Vee Maps and Laboratory Reports on High- and Low-Order Content-Knowledge Achievement in Agriscience Education

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Thoron, Andrew C.; Rubenstein, Eric D.

    2013-01-01

    Instruction in the laboratory is essential to the success of a total agricultural education program. The development of students' critical thinking, argumentation skills, technical skills, reasoning ability, and engagement are all found within the agriscience laboratory. Yet, utilizing the laboratory setting to its maximum potential is challenging…

  2. An evaluation of outcomes following the replacement of traditional histology laboratories with self-study modules.

    PubMed

    Thompson, Andrew R; Lowrie, Donald J

    2017-06-01

    Changes in medical school curricula often require educators to develop teaching strategies that decrease contact hours while maintaining effective pedagogical methods. When faced with this challenge, faculty at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine converted the majority of in-person histology laboratory sessions to self-study modules that utilize multiple audiovisual modalities and a virtual microscope platform. Outcomes related to this shift were investigated through performance on in-house examinations, results of the United States Medical Licensing Examination ® (USMLE ® ) Step 1 Examination, and student feedback. Medical School College Admissions Test ® (MCAT ® ) scores were used as a covariate when comparing in-house examinations. Results revealed no significant change in performance on in-house examinations when the content being assessed was controlled (F(2, 506) = 0.676, P = 0.51). A significant improvement in overall practical examination grade averages was associated with the self-study modules (F(6, 1164) = 10.213, P < 0.01), but gradual changes in examination content may explain this finding. The histology and cell biology portion of USMLE Step 1 Examination remained consistent throughout the time period that was investigated. Student feedback regarding the self-study modules was positive and suggested that features such as instructor narrated videos were an important component of the self-study modules because they helped recreate the experience of in-person laboratory sessions. Positive outcomes from the student perspective and no drop in examination performance suggests that utilizing self-study modules for histology laboratory content may be an option for educators faced with the challenge of reducing contact hours without eliminating content. Anat Sci Educ 10: 276-285. © 2016 American Association of Anatomists. © 2016 American Association of Anatomists.

  3. Utilization of stat test priority in the clinical laboratory: a College of American Pathologists q-probes study of 52 institutions.

    PubMed

    Volmar, Keith E; Wilkinson, David S; Wagar, Elizabeth A; Lehman, Christopher M

    2013-02-01

    Utilization of stat testing priority is a balance between safe, efficient patient management and resource expenditure. To determine the rate of stat testing, compare rates among institutions, and determine the distribution of turnaround time expectations for different turnaround time priorities. During a 7-day period, participants prospectively determined the total number of chemistry, hematology, and coagulation billable tests from inpatients and emergency department patients. Among these, the total numbers of billable tests performed stat were identified. Laboratories also reported the levels of test priority they offered and turnaround expectations for each level of test priority. Fifty institutions submitted data for the study, with 2 additional participants submitting partial results. Participants identified 639 589 chemistry, hematology, and coagulation billable tests, with 229 896 (35.9%) performed stat. The stat rate varied from 21.3% at the 10th percentile to 55.4% at the 90th percentile, with a median of 37.0% of participants' tests performed stat. Laboratories include a mean of 206 tests in chemistry, hematology, and coagulation test menus, with 67% of these tests offered stat. The fraction of the test menu offered stat varied from 29.0% at the 10th percentile to 97.8% at the 90th percentile, with a median of 73.3% of tests on the menu offered stat. The most common number of testing priorities offered by participating laboratories was 3 (44.2%). Among the 52 participating laboratories, the median stat testing rate was 37.0% and a median 73.3% of the test menu was offered stat.

  4. Pharmacy students' use and perceptions of Apple mobile devices incorporated into a basic health science laboratory.

    PubMed

    Bryant, Jennifer E; Richard, Craig A H

    To describe pharmacy students' use of mobile devices in a basic health science laboratory and to report the students' perceptions on how solving cases with their mobile devices influenced their attitudes, abilities, and view on the use of mobile devices as tools for pharmacists. First-year pharmacy students utilized mobile devices to solve clinical case studies in a basic health sciences laboratory. A pre-survey and two post-surveys were administered to assess the students' comfort, awareness, use, and perceptions on the use of their mobile devices and apps. The pre-survey and first post-survey each had a response rate of 99%, and the second post-survey had a response rate of 100%. In comparing the pre-survey and first post-survey data, there was a statistically significant increase in the number of students that agreed or strongly agreed that they were more comfortable utilizing their mobile device (p = 0.025), they were more aware of apps for pharmacists (p < 0.005), and they have used more apps that can be useful for pharmacists (p < 0.005). The second post-survey demonstrated that over 78% of students agreed or strongly agreed that completing the case studies influenced them to be more comfortable with their mobile devices, to be more aware of apps that can be useful for pharmacists, and to be more agreeable with mobile device utilization by pharmacists in improving patient care. In addition, the second post-survey also demonstrated that 84% of students responded that using their mobile devices to solve the cases influenced them to either use their mobile device in a clinical setting for a clinical and/or pharmacy-related purpose for the first time or to use it more frequently for this purpose. The use of mobile devices to solve clinical cases in a first-year basic health science laboratory course was perceived as beneficial by students and influenced them to utilize their mobile device even more in a pharmacy practice setting. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  5. Thai clinical laboratory responsible to economic crisis.

    PubMed

    Sirisali, K; Vattanaviboon, P; Manochiopinij, S; Ananskulwat, W

    1999-01-01

    Nowadays, Thailand encounters a serious economic crisis. A clear consensus has been made that a cost-saving system must be the important tool. Both private and government organizations are engaged in this situation. We studied the cost-saving in the clinical laboratory. A questionnaire was distributed to 45 hospital laboratories located in Bangkok. Results showed that efforts to control the cost are the essential policy. There was a variety of factors contributing to the cost-saving process. The usage of public utility, non-recycle material and unnecessary utility were reconsidered. Besides, capital cost (wages and salary) personnel incentive are assessed. Forty three of the 45 respondents had attempted to reduce the cost via curtailing the unnecessary electricity. Eliminating the needless usage of telephone-call. water and unnecessary material was also an effective strategy. A reduction of 86.9%, 80 % and 80.0% of the mentioned factors respectively, was reported. An inventory system of the reagent, chemical and supplies was focused. Most of the laboratories have a policy on cost-saving by decreased the storage. Twenty eight of the 45 laboratories considered to purchase the cheaper with similar quality reagents instead. And some one would purchase a bulky pack when it is the best bargain. A specific system "contact reagent with a free rent instrument" has been used widely (33.3%). Finally, a new personnel management system has been chosen. Workload has rearranged and unnecessary extra-hour work was abandoned.

  6. Establishment of a Laboratory for Biofuels Research at the University of Kentucky

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

    Crocker, Mark; Crofcheck, Czarena; Andrews, Rodney

    2013-03-29

    This project was aimed at the development of the biofuels industry in Kentucky by establishing a laboratory to develop improved processes for biomass utilization. The facility is based at the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research and the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, and constitutes an “open” laboratory, i.e., its equipment is available to other Kentucky researchers working in the area. The development of this biofuels facility represents a significant expansion of research infrastructure, and will provide a lasting resource for biobased research endeavors at the University of Kentucky. In order to enhance the laboratory's capabilities andmore » contribute to on-going biofuels research at the University of Kentucky, initial research at the laboratory has focused on the following technical areas: (i) the identification of algae strains suitable for oil production, utilizing flue gas from coal-fired power plants as a source of CO 2; (ii) the conversion of algae to biofuels; and (iii) the development of methods for the analysis of lignin and its deconstruction products. Highlights from these activities include the development of catalysts for the upgrading of lipids to hydrocarbons by means of decarboxylation/decarbonylation (deCOx), a study of bio-oil production from the fast pyrolysis of algae (Scenedesmus), and the application of pyrolytic gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) to the characterization of high lignin biomass feedstocks.« less

  7. A Self-Paced Physical Geology Laboratory.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Watson, Donald W.

    1983-01-01

    Describes a self-paced geology course utilizing a diversity of instructional techniques, including maps, models, samples, audio-visual materials, and a locally developed laboratory manual. Mechanical features are laboratory exercises, followed by unit quizzes; quizzes are repeated until the desired level of competence is attained. (Author/JN)

  8. How do laboratory technicians perceive their role in the tuberculosis diagnostic process? A cross-sectional study among laboratory technicians in health centers of Central Java Province, Indonesia

    PubMed Central

    Widjanarko, Bagoes; Widyastari, Dyah Anantalia; Martini, Martini; Ginandjar, Praba

    2016-01-01

    Purpose Detection of acid-fast bacilli in respiratory specimens serves as an initial pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis. Laboratories are the essential and fundamental part of all health systems. This study aimed to describe how laboratory technicians perceived their own self and work. This included perceived self-efficacy, perceived role, perceived equipment availability, perceived procedures, perceived reward and job, and perceived benefit of health education, as well as level of knowledge and attitudes related to work performance of laboratory technicians. Methods This was a cross-sectional quantitative study involving 120 laboratory technicians conducted in Central Java. Interviews and observation were conducted to measure performance and work-related variables. Results Among 120 laboratory technicians, 43.3% showed fairly good performance. They complied with 50%–75% of all procedures, including sputum collection, laboratory tools utilization, sputum smearing, staining, smear examination, grading of results, and universal precaution practice. Perceived role, perceived self-efficacy, and knowledge of laboratory procedures were significantly correlated to performance, besides education and years of working as a laboratory technician. Perceived equipment availability was also significantly correlated to performance after the education variable was controlled. Conclusion Most of the laboratory technicians believed that they have an important role in TB patients’ treatment and should display proper self-efficacy in performing laboratory activities. The result may serve as a basic consideration to develop a policy for enhancing motivation of laboratory technicians in order to improve the TB control program. PMID:27660502

  9. Reliability on intra-laboratory and inter-laboratory data of hair mineral analysis comparing with blood analysis.

    PubMed

    Namkoong, Sun; Hong, Seung Phil; Kim, Myung Hwa; Park, Byung Cheol

    2013-02-01

    Nowadays, although its clinical value remains controversial institutions utilize hair mineral analysis. Arguments about the reliability of hair mineral analysis persist, and there have been evaluations of commercial laboratories performing hair mineral analysis. The objective of this study was to assess the reliability of intra-laboratory and inter-laboratory data at three commercial laboratories conducting hair mineral analysis, compared to serum mineral analysis. Two divided hair samples taken from near the scalp were submitted for analysis at the same time, to all laboratories, from one healthy volunteer. Each laboratory sent a report consisting of quantitative results and their interpretation of health implications. Differences among intra-laboratory and interlaboratory data were analyzed using SPSS version 12.0 (SPSS Inc., USA). All the laboratories used identical methods for quantitative analysis, and they generated consistent numerical results according to Friedman analysis of variance. However, the normal reference ranges of each laboratory varied. As such, each laboratory interpreted the patient's health differently. On intra-laboratory data, Wilcoxon analysis suggested they generated relatively coherent data, but laboratory B could not in one element, so its reliability was doubtful. In comparison with the blood test, laboratory C generated identical results, but not laboratory A and B. Hair mineral analysis has its limitations, considering the reliability of inter and intra laboratory analysis comparing with blood analysis. As such, clinicians should be cautious when applying hair mineral analysis as an ancillary tool. Each laboratory included in this study requires continuous refinement from now on for inducing standardized normal reference levels.

  10. Improving the Design of Laboratory Worksheets.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    McDowell, E. T.; Wadding, R. E. L.

    1985-01-01

    Describes a technique to improve the adaptation, development, and utilization of laboratory worksheets. Two sample worksheets (on decomposition of ethanol and on solubility of potassium chloride) are included. (JN)

  11. The utility of clinical findings to predict laboratory values in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

    PubMed

    So, Jane; Young, Elizabeth; Crnosija, Natalie; Chappelle, Joseph

    2016-04-01

    Preeclampsia is the 2nd leading cause of maternal mortality in the United States. Women with new-onset or worsening hypertension are commonly evaluated for laboratory abnormalities. We aim to investigate whether demographic and/or clinical findings correlate with abnormal laboratory values. A retrospective chart review of women who presented for evaluation of hypertension in pregnancy during 2010. Demographic information, medical history, symptoms, vital signs, and laboratory results were collected. Bivariate analysis was used to investigate associations between predictors and the outcome. Of the 481 women in the sample, 22 were identified as having abnormal laboratory test results (4.6%). Women who reported right upper quadrant pain or tenderness had significantly increased likelihood of having laboratory abnormalities compared to those without the complaint. Only a small percentage of women evaluated were determined to have abnormal laboratory findings, predominantly among women with severe preeclampsia. Right upper quadrant pain or tenderness was positively correlated with laboratory abnormalities. The restriction of laboratory analysis in women with clinical evidence of severe disease may be warranted - a broader study should, however, first be used to confirm our findings.

  12. Identification of Components or Fractions Associated with Adverse Changes in Freeze Dried Chicken and Pork during Storage

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1978-06-01

    Products Util- ization and Marketing Research Laboratory, Richard B. Russcll Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States...was to determine the effect of the salt phosphate treatment on rehydration. Dr. Arthur J. Mercuri, Chief, Animal Products Utilization and Marketing ... Research Laboratory served as Project Lj.ader, with Fir. A. A. Klose and Dr. W. E. Townsend, Frincipal investigators, and Ms. Brenda Lyon, Technician

  13. 78 FR 9699 - Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-02-11

    ... Clinical Laboratories: Perception, Practices and Potential for Expanded Utility--NEW--The Office of Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services (OSELS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC... benefits and burden of performing PT. This information may be helpful to the CDC as the Clinical Laboratory...

  14. Aerobic Heterotrophic Bacterial Populations of Sewage and Activated Sludge

    PubMed Central

    Prakasam, T. B. S.; Dondero, N. C.

    1970-01-01

    An activated sludge from a sewage treatment plant and a laboratory activated sludge developed on an artificial waste were compared for their ability to utilize 11 aromatic compounds. There were several significant differences between them. The laboratory sludge contained higher numbers of organisms and metabolized the aromatics to a greater extent. Laboratory activated sludges acclimated to utilization of the aromatics differed from each other in population structure and the pattern of oxygen consumption with aromatic substrates. The oxidative patterns of uncontrolled mixed populations were unreliable for investigating metabolic pathways. Extracts of the various sludges elevated the plate counts of the sludges. PMID:5418946

  15. The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy Scripts: Updates on Clostridium difficile Infection: Advances in Laboratory Testing to Aid Diagnosis and Treatment.

    PubMed

    Lteif, Louis

    2017-02-01

    Clostridium difficile remains a major source of nosocomial infections and associated diarrhea. More recently, community-acquired cases are on the rise creating a concern for a serious public health threat. Appropriate infection control precautions as well as prevention and optimal management may help to avoid detrimental outbreaks. A key step is utilizing laboratory testing for quick and accurate diagnosis of potential cases. This overview article describes Clostridium difficile infection control and prevention methods and updates the most recent management strategies including a focus on the utilization and interpretation of laboratory diagnostic testing and appropriate treatment.

  16. A Remote Sensing Class Exercise To Study the Effects of "El Nino" in South America.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Moxey, Lucas Eduardo

    2002-01-01

    Describes an undergraduate physical science laboratory course exercising the utilization of satellite imagery for studying the floods that resulted in the Parana River region in South America during El Nino (1997-1998), and examines vegetation cover and spectral profiles from the study area in order to further understand and assess the changes…

  17. The rodent estrous cycle: Characterization of vaginal cytology and its utility in toxicological studies

    EPA Science Inventory

    An evaluation of the estrous cycle in laboratory rodents can be a useful measure of the integrity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian reproductive axis. It can also serve as a way of insuring that animals exhibiting abnormal cycling patterns are disincluded from a study prior t...

  18. Applying Research to Teacher Education: The University of Utah's Collaborative Approach. First Year Preliminary Report.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Driscoll, Amy

    In 1983, the National Institute of Education funded the Far West Laboratory for Educational Research and Development to conduct a study, Applying Research to Teacher Education (ARTE) Research Utilization in Elementary Teacher Education (RUETE). The ARTE:RUETE study's purpose is to develop preservice instruction incorporating current research…

  19. An epidemiologic cohort study reviewing the practice of blood product transfusions among a population of pediatric oncology patients.

    PubMed

    Lieberman, Lani; Liu, Yang; Portwine, Carol; Barty, Rebecca L; Heddle, Nancy M

    2014-10-01

    Despite the high utilization of blood products by pediatric oncology patients, literature in this population remains scarce. The primary objective of this study was to assess red blood cell (RBC) and platelet (PLT) utilization rates and transfusion thresholds in pediatric oncology patients. The secondary objective was to describe transfusion-related complications including RBC alloantibody development and transfusion reactions. This epidemiologic cohort study involved pediatric oncology patients at a Canadian academic children's hospital between April 2002 and December 2011. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and transfusion variables were collected from the Transfusion Registry for Utilization Statistics and Tracking database, a large database that captures more than 50 demographic and clinical variables as well as comprehensive transfusion information and laboratory test results. Of 647 pediatric oncology patients, 430 (66%) received a RBC or PLT transfusion or both during this time period. The median transfusion threshold before a RBC and PLT transfusion was a hemoglobin (Hb) value of 72 g/L (interquartile range [IQR], 68-76 g/L) and a PLT count of 16 × 10(9) /L (IQR, 10 × 10(9) -23 × 10(9) /L), respectively. Ninety-two percent of the issued RBC and PLT products (7507/8154) were cytomegalovirus negative and 90% were irradiated (7299/8154). RBC alloantibody development and transfusion reactions were reported infrequently in 0.5% (2/423) and 4.5% (8/179) of the patients, respectively. This study assessed utilization rates, transfusion thresholds, alloantibody development, and transfusion reactions in pediatric oncology patients. The descriptive results from this epidemiologic study provide baseline information to generate hypotheses to be tested in future interventional studies. © 2014 AABB.

  20. The assessment of stat laboratory test ordering practice and impact of targeted individual feedback in an urban teaching hospital.

    PubMed

    Sorita, Atsushi; Steinberg, Daniel I; Leitman, Michael; Burger, Alfred; Husk, Gregg; Sivaprasad, Latha

    2014-01-01

    Overuse of inpatient stat laboratory orders ("stat" is an abbreviation of the Latin word "statim," meaning immediately, without delay) is a major problem in the modern healthcare system. To understand patterns of stat laboratory ordering practices at our institution and to assess the effectiveness of individual feedback in reducing these orders. Medicine and General Surgery residents were given a teaching session about appropriate stat ordering practice in January 2010. Individual feedback was given to providers who were the highest utilizers of stat laboratory orders by their direct supervisors from February through June of 2010. The proportion of stat orders out of total laboratory orders per provider was the main outcome measure. All inpatient laboratory orders from September 2009 to June 2010 were analyzed. The median proportion of stat orders out of total laboratory orders was 41.6% for nontrainee providers (N = 500), 38.7% for Medicine residents (N = 125), 80.2% for General Surgery residents (N = 32), and 24.2% for other trainee providers (N = 150). Among 27 providers who received feedback (7 nontrainees, 16 Medicine residents, and 4 General Surgery residents), the proportion of stat laboratory orders per provider decreased by 15.7% (95% confidence interval: 5.6%-25.9%, P = 0.004) after feedback, whereas the decrease among providers who were high utilizers but did not receive feedback (N = 39) was not significant (4.5%; 95% confidence interval: 2.1%-11.0%, P = 0.18). Monthly trends showed reduction in the proportion of stat orders among Medicine and General Surgery residents, but not among other trainee providers. The frequency of stat ordering was highly variable among providers. Individual feedback to the highest utilizers of stat orders was effective in decreasing these orders. © 2013 Society of Hospital Medicine.

  1. New Rad Lab for Los Alamos

    ScienceCinema

    None

    2017-12-09

    The topping out ceremony for a key construction stage in the Los Alamos National Laboratory's newest facility, the Radiological Laboratory Utility & Office Building. This is part of the National Nu...  

  2. Battery energy storage market feasibility study

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

    Kraft, S.; Akhil, A.

    1997-07-01

    Under the sponsorship of the Department of Energy`s Office of Utility Technologies, the Energy Storage Systems Analysis and Development Department at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) contracted Frost and Sullivan to conduct a market feasibility study of energy storage systems. The study was designed specifically to quantify the energy storage market for utility applications. This study was based on the SNL Opportunities Analysis performed earlier. Many of the groups surveyed, which included electricity providers, battery energy storage vendors, regulators, consultants, and technology advocates, viewed energy storage as an important enabling technology to enable increased use of renewable energy and as amore » means to solve power quality and asset utilization issues. There are two versions of the document available, an expanded version (approximately 200 pages, SAND97-1275/2) and a short version (approximately 25 pages, SAND97-1275/1).« less

  3. [Hemodynamics studies with the new generation portable systems: cost-benefit analysis].

    PubMed

    Vergara, G

    2001-01-01

    Coronary angiography facilities are usually available only in major medical centers despite an increasing utilization in managing patients with ischemic heart disease. In recent years portable fluoroscopic imaging systems have been developed to reduce costs and bring coronary angiography services closer to patients. Our experience with the OEC Medical System 9600 demonstrates that the portable systems of new generation are reliable both regarding the quality of coronary angiograms and the routine use in a multipurpose cardiac catheterization laboratory. This statement is based on our 1-year experience (1999) with a caseload of 740 studies or procedures: 342 coronary angiographic studies, 159 electrophysiological studies, 74 radiofrequency catheter ablations, 126 pacemaker implantations/replacements, 16 cardioverter-defibrillator implantations/replacements, and 23 other studies or procedures. The mean cost of a coronary angiography was Itl 512,000 (265 Euro) in the in-house laboratory; it would have been Itl 694,000 (359 Euro) in the historical scenario, i.e. with referral to a 25 km distant laboratory, with Itl 182,000 (94 Euro) saved. Our experience is consistent with the accepted criteria of good laboratory performance and cost-effectiveness.

  4. A Content Analysis of General Chemistry Laboratory Manuals for Evidence of Higher-Order Cognitive Tasks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Domin, Daniel S.

    1999-01-01

    The science laboratory instructional environment is ideal for fostering the development of problem-solving, manipulative, and higher-order thinking skills: the skills needed by today's learner to compete in an ever increasing technology-based society. This paper reports the results of a content analysis of ten general chemistry laboratory manuals. Three experiments from each manual were examined for evidence of higher-order cognitive activities. Analysis was based upon the six major cognitive categories of Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. The results of this study show that the overwhelming majority of general chemistry laboratory manuals provide tasks that require the use of only the lower-order cognitive skills: knowledge, comprehension, and application. Two of the laboratory manuals were disparate in having activities that utilized higher-order cognition. I describe the instructional strategies used within these manuals to foster higher-order cognitive development.

  5. Collaborative analysis of wheat endosperm compressive material properties

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The objective measurement of cereal endosperm texture, for wheat (Triticum L.) in particular, is relevant to the milling, processing and utilization of grain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the inter-laboratory results of compression failure testing of wheat endosperm specimens of defi...

  6. ER-2: Flying Laboratory for Earth Science Studies

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Navarro, Robert

    2007-01-01

    The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC), (Edwards, California, USA) has two Lockheed Martin Corporation (Bethesda, Maryland) Earth Research-2 (ER-2) aircraft that serve as high-altitude and long-range flying laboratories. The ER-2 has been utilized to conduct scientific studies of stratospheric and tropospheric chemistry, land-use mapping, disaster assessment, preliminary testing and calibration and validation of satellite sensors. The ER-2 aircraft provides experimenters with a wide array of payload accommodation areas with suitable environment control with required electrical and mechanical interfaces. Missions may be flown out of DFRC or from remote bases worldwide. The NASA ER-2 is utilized by a variety of customers, including U.S. Government agencies, civilian organizations, universities, and state governments. The combination of the ER-2 s range, endurance, altitude, payload power, payload volume and payload weight capabilities complemented by a trained maintenance and operations team provides an excellent and unique platform system to the science community.

  7. Laboratory Workhorse: The Analytical Balance.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Clark, Douglas W.

    1979-01-01

    This report explains the importance of various analytical balances in the water or wastewater laboratory. Stressed is the proper procedure for utilizing the equipment as well as the mechanics involved in its operation. (CS)

  8. Reductions in indoor black carbon concentrations from improved biomass stoves in rural India.

    PubMed

    Patange, Omkar S; Ramanathan, Nithya; Rehman, I H; Tripathi, Sachi Nand; Misra, Amit; Kar, Abhishek; Graham, Eric; Singh, Lokendra; Bahadur, Ranjit; Ramanathan, V

    2015-04-07

    Deployment of improved biomass burning cookstoves is recognized as a black carbon (BC) mitigation measure that has the potential to achieve health benefits and climate cobenefits. Yet, few field based studies document BC concentration reductions (and resulting human exposure) resulting from improved stove usage. In this paper, data are presented from 277 real-world cooking sessions collected during two field studies to document the impacts on indoor BC concentrations inside village kitchens as a result of switching from traditional stoves to improved forced draft (FD) stoves. Data collection utilized new low-cost cellphone methods to monitor BC, cooking duration, and fuel consumption. A cross sectional study recorded a reduction of 36% in BC during cooking sessions. An independent paired sample study demonstrated a statistically significant reduction of 40% in 24 h BC concentrations when traditional stoves were replaced with FD stoves. Reductions observed in these field studies differ from emission factor reductions (up to 99%) observed under controlled conditions in laboratory studies. Other nonstove sources (e.g., kerosene lamps, ambient concentrations) likely offset the reductions. Health exposure studies should utilize reductions determined by field measurements inside village kitchens, in conjunction with laboratory data, to assess the health impacts of new cooking technologies.

  9. Mudflow utilization for construction materials of tertiary irrigation canal lining

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Azis, Subandiyah; Kustamar

    2017-11-01

    Mudflow in Siring Village, Sidoarjo Regency, Indonesia, has been in eruption since May 29, 2006. It still shows irregular large bursts which loaded in a sludge reservoir with capacity of 59 million m3. From 2007 until 2015, there were more than 20 studies which concluded that the mudflow could be used as a mixture of building materials. However, the studies were not detailed and needed further research. This research aims to investigate the use of mudflow as tertiary irrigation canal lining material. This research comes with several laboratory tests to obtain a mixture that is solid and water-resistant. The methods that were used are descriptive methods as follows: 1). Sampling of mudflow, to be analyzed in Material Testing Laboratory. 2). Sampling of soil at research site, to be analyzed in Soil Mechanics Laboratory 3). Mixing of materials which are consist of mudflow and other materials and doing strength test in the laboratory. 4). Installation of tertiary irrigation canal lining using materials that have been tested. 5). Observation of lining's strength inactive soil pressure-bearing and its impermeability. It is expected that the results of this research will be applied extensively throughout the tertiary irrigation canals, so mudflow can be utilized as raw materials that are environmentally friendly, which are able to help preserving the environment, also to reduce the removal of sand / rock in the river, which has been used for lining materials, that benefits in preventing damage to the river ecosystem.

  10. How well do general practitioners manage laboratory test results for patients with diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease?: A systematic review.

    PubMed

    McCaughey, Euan J; Li, Julie; Badrick, Tony C; Westbrook, Johanna I; Georgiou, Andrew

    2017-10-01

    To evaluate how well general practitioners (GPs) manage and respond to laboratory results for patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, EBM reviews, ProQuest and Scopus. Peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2000 and 2015 that assessed GPs' management of laboratory results for patients with DM or CVD. Study design and demographics, laboratory tests and key findings relating to GP management of laboratory results were extracted from studies. Thirteen articles were included, comprising seven studies which utilized surveys, four observational studies, one cohort study and one randomized controlled trial. Findings indicate that GPs often overestimate the risk of complications associated with DM and CVD based on laboratory results and have unrealistically high expectations regarding the precision of laboratory tests. Considerable variation existed in the use of repeat testing for diagnostic confirmation and in GPs' identification of the difference between two consecutive results required to indicate a change in patient condition. GPs also often failed to initiate appropriate treatment for patients with DM and CVD based on laboratory results. Feedback to GPs about their test ordering patterns and educational messages on laboratory results improved clinical outcomes. Evidence about how well GPs manage results and its impact on patient outcomes remains weak and inconclusive. This review identified a number of areas where interventions could support GPs to improve the interpretation and management of laboratory test results, including feedback to GPs and educational messages on test result reports. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press in association with the International Society for Quality in Health Care. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com

  11. Resource utilization and cost of influenza requiring hospitalization in Canadian adults: A study from the serious outcomes surveillance network of the Canadian Immunization Research Network.

    PubMed

    Ng, Carita; Ye, Lingyun; Noorduyn, Stephen G; Hux, Margaret; Thommes, Edward; Goeree, Ron; Ambrose, Ardith; Andrew, Melissa K; Hatchette, Todd; Boivin, Guy; Bowie, William; ElSherif, May; Green, Karen; Johnstone, Jennie; Katz, Kevin; Leblanc, Jason; Loeb, Mark; MacKinnon-Cameron, Donna; McCarthy, Anne; McElhaney, Janet; McGeer, Allison; Poirier, Andre; Powis, Jeff; Richardson, David; Sharma, Rohita; Semret, Makeda; Smith, Stephanie; Smyth, Daniel; Stiver, Grant; Trottier, Sylvie; Valiquette, Louis; Webster, Duncan; McNeil, Shelly A

    2018-03-01

    Consideration of cost determinants is crucial to inform delivery of public vaccination programs. To estimate the average total cost of laboratory-confirmed influenza requiring hospitalization in Canadians prior to, during, and 30 days following discharge. To analyze effects of patient/disease characteristics, treatment, and regional differences in costs. Study utilized previously recorded clinical characteristics, resource use, and outcomes of laboratory-confirmed influenza patients admitted to hospitals in the Serious Outcomes Surveillance (SOS), Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN), from 2010/11 to 2012/13. Unit costs including hospital overheads were linked to inpatient/outpatient resource utilization before and after admissions. Dataset included 2943 adult admissions to 17 SOS Network hospitals and 24 Toronto Invasive Bacterial Disease Network hospitals. Mean age was 69.5 years. Average hospital stay was 10.8 days (95% CI: 10.3, 11.3), general ward stays were 9.4 days (95% CI: 9.0, 9.8), and ICU stays were 9.8 days (95% CI: 8.6, 11.1) for the 14% of patients admitted to the ICU. Average cost per case was $14 612 CAD (95% CI: $13 852, $15 372) including $133 (95% CI: $116, $150) for medical care prior to admission, $14 031 (95% CI: $13 295, $14 768) during initial hospital stay, $447 (95% CI: $271, $624) post-discharge, including readmission within 30 days. The cost of laboratory-confirmed influenza was higher than previous estimates, driven mostly by length of stay and analyzing only laboratory-confirmed influenza cases. The true per-patient cost of influenza-related hospitalization has been underestimated, and prevention programs should be evaluated in this context. © 2017 The Authors. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  12. Economic analysis of Darrieus vertical axis wind turbine systems for the generation of utility grid electrical power. Volume IV. Summary and analysis of the A. T. Kearney and Alcoa Laboratories point design economic studies

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

    Sullivan, W.N.; Nellums, R.O.

    1979-08-01

    The A.T. Kearney and Alcoa economic studies are two independent attempts to assess the installed costs of a series of six Darrieus vertical axis wind turbine designs. The designs cover a range of sizes with peak outputs from 10 to 1600 kW. All are designed to produce utility grid electrical power. Volume IV of this report summarizes, compares, and analyzes the results of these studies. The Kearney and Alcoa final reports are included in the Appendices.

  13. Economic analysis of Darrieus vertical axis wind turbine systems for the generation of utility grid electrical power. Volume IV: summary and analysis of the A. T. Kearney and Alcoa Laboratories point design economic studies

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

    Sullivan, W.N.; Nellums, R.O.

    1979-08-01

    The A. T. Kearney and Alcoa economic studies are two independent attempts to assess the installed costs of a series of six Darrieus vertical axis wind turbine designs. The designs cover a range of sizes with peak outputs from 10 to 1600 kW. All are designed to produce utility grid electrical power. Volume IV of this report summarizes, compares, and analyzes the results of these studies. The Kearney and Alcoa final reports are included in the Appendices.

  14. Advanced reactor design study. Assessing nonbackfittable concepts for improving uranium utilization in light water reactors

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

    Fleischman, R.M.; Goldsmith, S.; Newman, D.F.

    1981-09-01

    The objective of the Advanced Reactor Design Study (ARDS) is to identify and evaluate nonbackfittable concepts for improving uranium utilization in light water reactors (LWRs). The results of this study provide a basis for selecting and demonstrating specific nonbackfittable concepts that have good potential for implementation. Lead responsibility for managing the study was assigned to the Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL). Nonbackfittable concepts for improving uranium utilization in LWRs on the once-through fuel cycle were selected separately for PWRs and BWRs due to basic differences in the way specific concepts apply to those plants. Nonbackfittable concepts are those that are toomore » costly to incorporate in existing plants, and thus, could only be economically incorporated in new reactor designs or plants in very early stages of construction. Essential results of the Advanced Reactor Design Study are summarized.« less

  15. Time management problems and discounted utility.

    PubMed

    König, Cornelius J; Kleinmann, Martin

    2007-05-01

    The lens of behavioral decision theory offers a new perspective for research on time management. The basic idea of this approach is that people discount future consequences of their time management decisions, meaning that they work on tasks with smaller but sooner outcomes rather than on tasks with larger but later outcomes. The authors performed 2 experimental studies to test whether people are sensitive to differences in the discounted utility of time management decisions. In Experiment 1, they used vignettes of typical time management situations; Experiment 2 was a laboratory simulation (an in-basket task that was part of a training assessment). Participants in both studies were German students. As expected, manipulating the discounted utility of options resulted in different time management decisions. In Experiment 1, reactions to time management situations were judged as less likely if the reactions had lower discounted utilities. In Experiment 2, people spent less time on an interruption.

  16. A Map for Clinical Laboratories Management Indicators in the Intelligent Dashboard.

    PubMed

    Azadmanjir, Zahra; Torabi, Mashallah; Safdari, Reza; Bayat, Maryam; Golmahi, Fatemeh

    2015-08-01

    management challenges of clinical laboratories are more complicated for educational hospital clinical laboratories. Managers can use tools of business intelligence (BI), such as information dashboards that provide the possibility of intelligent decision-making and problem solving about increasing income, reducing spending, utilization management and even improving quality. Critical phase of dashboard design is setting indicators and modeling causal relations between them. The paper describes the process of creating a map for laboratory dashboard. the study is one part of an action research that begins from 2012 by innovation initiative for implementing laboratory intelligent dashboard. Laboratories management problems were determined in educational hospitals by the brainstorming sessions. Then, with regard to the problems key performance indicators (KPIs) specified. the map of indicators designed in form of three layered. They have a causal relationship so that issues measured in the subsequent layers affect issues measured in the prime layers. the proposed indicator map can be the base of performance monitoring. However, these indicators can be modified to improve during iterations of dashboard designing process.

  17. Differences in carbon source utilization of Salmonella Oranienburg and Saintpaul isolated from river water.

    PubMed

    Medrano-Félix, Andrés; Estrada-Acosta, Mitzi; Peraza-Garay, Felipe; Castro-Del Campo, Nohelia; Martínez-Urtaza, Jaime; Chaidez, Cristóbal

    2017-08-01

    Long-term exposure to river water by non-indigenous micro-organisms such as Salmonella may affect metabolic adaptation to carbon sources. This study was conducted to determine differences in carbon source utilization of Salmonella Oranienburg and Salmonella Saintpaul (isolated from tropical river water) as well as the control strain Salmonella Typhimurium exposed to laboratory, river water, and host cells (Hep-2 cell line) growth conditions. Results showed that Salmonella Oranienburg and Salmonella Saintpaul showed better ability for carbon source utilization under the three growth conditions evaluated; however, S. Oranienburg showed the fastest and highest utilization on different carbon sources, including D-Glucosaminic acid, N-acetyl-D-Glucosamine, Glucose-1-phosphate, and D-Galactonic acid, while Salmonella Saintpaul and S. Typhimurium showed a limited utilization of carbon sources. In conclusion, this study suggests that environmental Salmonella strains show better survival and preconditioning abilities to external environments than the control strain based on their plasticity on diverse carbon sources use.

  18. [Contribution of HCV core antigen testing in HCV diagnosis by test from the company Abbott Laboratories].

    PubMed

    Trbusek, J

    2009-11-01

    Detection of HCV core antigen as direct marker of hepatitis C infection clearly improves diagnosis of this disease (especially reduction of window period) and brings broad clinical utilization. The company Abbott Laboratories offers fully automated laboratory test for measurement of HCV core antigen on ARCHITECT analyzers.

  19. 76 FR 80905 - TRICARE Evaluation of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Approved Laboratory Developed...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-12-27

    ... potential high utilization and potential high clinical impact on TRICARE beneficiaries. If no submission is... reviewed in numerical order beginning with the test listed as having the highest priority. Those selected... laboratories that use LDTs as well as FDA approved tests. Laboratories performing moderate or high complexity...

  20. Environmental Resource Management Issues in Agronomy: A Lecture/Laboratory Course

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Munn, D. A.

    2004-01-01

    Environmental Sciences Technology T272 is a course with a laboratory addressing problems in soil and water quality and organic wastes utilization to serve students from associate degree programs in laboratory science and environmental resources management at a 2-year technical college. Goals are to build basic lab skills and understand the role…

  1. Use of NDT equipment for construction quality control of hot mix asphalt pavements

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2006-08-01

    The focus of the study has been to evaluate the utility of seismic methods in the quality management of the hot mix asphalt layers. Procedures are presented to measure the target field moduli of hot mix asphalt (HMA) with laboratory seismic methods, ...

  2. Impact of agricultural adjuvants on the toxicity of the diamide insecticides chlorantraniliprole and flubendiamide toward different life stages of navel orangeworm (Amyelois transitella) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Five adjuvants, alone and in combination with two diamide insecticides (chlorantraniliprole and flubendiamide), were assessed for activity against the adults and eggs of navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella (Walker). Laboratory studies utilized a spray tower for application while field studies use...

  3. Notification: Evaluation of Laboratory Equipment Utilization

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    Project #OPE-FY14-0024, April 08, 2014. The Office of Inspector General plans to begin preliminary research on equipment utilization within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development.

  4. Utilization Management in the Blood Transfusion Service

    PubMed Central

    Peña, Jeremy Ryan Andrew; Dzik, Walter “Sunny”

    2015-01-01

    The scope of activity of the Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) makes it unique among the clinical laboratories. The combination of therapeutic and diagnostic roles necessitates a multi-faceted approach to utilization management in the BTS. We present our experience in utilization management in large academic medical center. PMID:24080431

  5. Transitioning the California Energy Commission Eligible Equipment List to a National Platform

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

    Truitt, Sarah; Nobler, Erin; Krasko, Vitaliy

    The Energy Commission called on the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL)'s Solar Technical Assistance Team to explore various pathways for supporting continued evolution of the list. NREL staff utilized the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE), California Solar Initiative (CSI) data, and information from in-depth interviews to better understand the impact of a lack of an updated list and suggest potential solutions. A total of 18 people from state energy offices, rebate program administrators, utilities, national testing laboratories, private companies, nonprofit organizations, and the federal government were interviewed between July and September 2013. CSI data were analyzedmore » to illustrate the monetary benefits of the algorithm behind calculating performance of PV modules included on the list. The primary objectives of this study are to: 1) Determine the impact of not maintaining the list, and 2) Explore alternatives to the State of California's maintenance of the list.« less

  6. Development of an advanced anaerobic digester design and a kinetic model for biogasification of water hyacinth/sludge blends

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

    Srivastava, V.; Fannin, K.F.; Biljetina, R.

    1986-07-01

    The Institute of Gas Technology (IGT) conducted a comprehensive laboratory-scale research program to develop and optimize the anaerobic digestion process for producing methane from water hyacinth and sludge blends. This study focused on digester design and operating techniques, which gave improved methane yields and production rates over those observed using conventional digesters. The final digester concept and the operating experience was utilized to design and operate a large-scale experimentla test unit (ETU) at Walt Disney World, Florida. This paper describes the novel digester design, operating techniques, and the results obtained in the laboratory. The paper also discusses a kinetic modelmore » which predicts methane yield, methane production rate, and digester effluent solids as a function of retention time. This model was successfully utilized to predict the performance of the ETU. 15 refs., 6 figs., 6 tabs.« less

  7. More physicians: improved availability or induced demand?

    PubMed

    Carlsen, F; Grytten, J

    1998-09-01

    A number of empirical studies have shown that there is a negative association between population:physician ratio and utilization of medical services. However, it is not clear whether this relationship reflects supplier-inducement, the effect of lower prices on patient demand, a supply response to variation in health status, or improved availability. In Norway, patient fees and state reimbursement fees are set centrally. Therefore, the correlation between utilization and population:physician ratio either reflects supplier-inducement, a supply response or an availability effect. We applied a theoretical model which distinguished between an inducement and an availability effect. The model was implemented on a cross-sectional data set which contained information about patient visits and laboratory tests for all fee-for-service primary care physicians in Norway. Since population:physician ratio is potentially endogenous, an instrumental variable approach is used. We found no evidence for inducement either for number of visits or for provision of laboratory services.

  8. An analysis of reference laboratory (send out) testing: an 8-year experience in a large academic medical center.

    PubMed

    MacMillan, Donna; Lewandrowski, Elizabeth; Lewandrowski, Kent

    2004-01-01

    Utilization of outside reference laboratories for selected laboratory testing is common in the United States. However, relatively little data exist in the literature describing the scope and impact of these services. In this study, we reviewed use of reference laboratory testing at the Massachusetts General Hospital, a large urban academic medical center in Boston, Massachusetts. A retrospective review of hospital and laboratory administrative records over an 8-year period from fiscal years (FY) 1995-2002. Over the 8 years studied, reference laboratory expenses increased 4.2-fold and totaled 12.4% of the total laboratory budget in FY 2002. Total reference laboratory test volume increased 4-fold to 68,328 tests in FY 2002 but represented only 1.06% of the total test volume in the hospital. The menu of reference laboratory tests comprised 946 tests (65.7% of the hospital test menu) compared to 494 (34.3%) of tests performed in house. The average unit cost of reference laboratory tests was essentially unchanged but was approximately 13 times greater than the average unit cost in the hospital laboratory. Much of the growth in reference laboratory cost can be attributed to the addition of new molecular, genetic, and microbiological assays. Four of the top 10 tests with the highest total cost in 2002 were molecular diagnostic tests that were recently added to the test menu. Reference laboratory testing comprises a major component of hospital clinical laboratory services. Although send out tests represent a small percentage of the total test volume, these services account for the majority of the hospital laboratory test menu and a disproportionate percentage of laboratory costs.

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

    Dagle, G.E.; Watson, C.R.

    Beagle dogs have been utilized extensively in biomedical research. The US Department of Energy`s (DOE) Office of Health and Environmental Research (OHER) has sponsored life-span dose-effect radiation studies in beagles at various laboratories. Because results from studies in the various laboratories were to be compared, all the investigators strove to use similar nomenclature and criteria to describe biological effects. For this reason, pathologists from these laboratories met on five occasions between 1976 and 1977 to discuss nomenclature and histologic criteria for diagnoses. At these meeting, criteria were discussed for histopathologic description of lesions in bone, liver, lung, hematopoietic and lymphoidmore » tissues, mammary gland, pituitary, testis, and thyroid. To provide further assurance of cooperation among the DOE laboratories involved, DOE organized several Task Groups in 1985, composed of staff members from the laboratories. The Task Group on Biological Effects was asked to standardize nomenclature and diagnostic criteria for pathology; this beagle pathology atlas is the result of that request. The atlas describes target organs of particular interest: lungs for radionuclides delivered by inhalation; bones for bone-seeking radionuclides; and hematopoietic and other soft tissues for external irradiation.« less

  10. Battery energy storage market feasibility study -- Expanded report

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

    Kraft, S.; Akhil, A.

    1997-09-01

    Under the sponsorship of the US Department of Energy`s Office of Utility Technologies, the Energy Storage Systems Analysis and Development Department at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) contracted Frost and Sullivan to conduct a market feasibility study of energy storage systems. The study was designed specifically to quantify the battery energy storage market for utility applications. This study was based on the SNL Opportunities Analysis performed earlier. Many of the groups surveyed, which included electricity providers, battery energy storage vendors, regulators, consultants, and technology advocates, viewed battery storage as an important technology to enable increased use of renewable energy and asmore » a means to solve power quality and asset utilization issues. There are two versions of the document available, an expanded version (approximately 200 pages, SAND97-1275/2) and a short version (approximately 25 pages, SAND97-1275/1).« less

  11. Evidence of clinical utility: an unmet need in molecular diagnostics for patients with cancer.

    PubMed

    Parkinson, David R; McCormack, Robert T; Keating, Susan M; Gutman, Steven I; Hamilton, Stanley R; Mansfield, Elizabeth A; Piper, Margaret A; Deverka, Patricia; Frueh, Felix W; Jessup, J Milburn; McShane, Lisa M; Tunis, Sean R; Sigman, Caroline C; Kelloff, Gary J

    2014-03-15

    This article defines and describes best practices for the academic and business community to generate evidence of clinical utility for cancer molecular diagnostic assays. Beyond analytical and clinical validation, successful demonstration of clinical utility involves developing sufficient evidence to demonstrate that a diagnostic test results in an improvement in patient outcomes. This discussion is complementary to theoretical frameworks described in previously published guidance and literature reports by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Institute of Medicine, and Center for Medical Technology Policy, among others. These reports are comprehensive and specifically clarify appropriate clinical use, adoption, and payer reimbursement for assay manufacturers, as well as Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments-certified laboratories, including those that develop assays (laboratory developed tests). Practical criteria and steps for establishing clinical utility are crucial to subsequent decisions for reimbursement without which high-performing molecular diagnostics will have limited availability to patients with cancer and fail to translate scientific advances into high-quality and cost-effective cancer care. See all articles in this CCR Focus section, "The Precision Medicine Conundrum: Approaches to Companion Diagnostic Co-development." ©2014 AACR.

  12. Accuracy of point-of-care serum creatinine devices for detecting patients at risk of contrast-induced nephropathy: a critical overview.

    PubMed

    Martínez Lomakin, Felipe; Tobar, Catalina

    2014-12-01

    Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a common event in hospitals, with reported incidences ranging from 1 to 30%. Patients with underlying kidney disease have an increased risk of developing CIN. Point-of-care (POC) creatinine devices are handheld devices capable of providing quantitative data on a patient's kidney function that could be useful in stratifying preventive measures. This overview aims to synthesize the current evidence on diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of POC creatinine devices in detecting patients at risk of CIN. Five databases were searched for diagnostic accuracy studies or clinical trials that evaluated the usefulness of POC devices in detecting patients at risk of CIN. Selected articles were critically appraised to assess their individual risk of bias by the use of standard criteria; 13 studies were found that addressed the diagnostic accuracy or clinical utility of POC creatinine devices. Most studies incurred a moderate to high risk of bias. Overall concordance between POC devices and reference standards (clinical laboratory procedures) was found to be moderate, with 95% limits of agreement often lying between -35.4 and +35.4 µmol/L (-0.4 and +0.4 mg/dL). Concordance was shown to decrease with worsening kidney function. Data on the clinical utility of these devices were limited, but a significant reduction in time to diagnosis was reported in two studies. Overall, POC creatinine devices showed a moderate concordance with standard clinical laboratory creatinine measurements. Several biases could have induced optimism in these estimations. Results obtained from these devices may be unreliable in cases of severe kidney failure. Randomized trials are needed to address the clinical utility of these devices.

  13. [Postgraduate training program in laboratory medicine at a clinical teaching hospital].

    PubMed

    Matsuo, Shuji

    2003-04-01

    The Tenri Hospital resident system was introduced in 1976 and the training program for laboratory medicine began in 1982. Thus, the author proposes goals for the the future on the basis of experience. It is appropriate that trainees study emergency tests, blood transfusion and microbiology(particularly Gram's stain and sputum culture) as practical matters, and in addition to these, learn how to reply to consultations from physicians, learn the laboratory flow(so-called laboratory system), and announce interpretations of laboratory data at reversed clinical pathological conference(R-CPC). The objectives of these training programs are to gain skills for appropriate laboratory utilization and interpretation, and develop communications and consultations with clinical pathologists and medical technologists. The key points of success in the training are close cooperation of the laboratory and teaching divisions. Particularly, cooperation with medical technologists is necessary, and it is essential medical practice for trainees because they will have to work with them in future. Finally it should be emphasized that there training has a limited effect because of the short duration. It is thus important to communicate and discuss clinical matters regularly in medicine.

  14. Comparison of cost-utility between automated peritoneal dialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

    PubMed

    Cortés-Sanabria, Laura; Paredes-Ceseña, Carlos A; Herrera-Llamas, Rebeca M; Cruz-Bueno, Yolanda; Soto-Molina, Herman; Pazarín, Leonardo; Cortés, Margarita; Martínez-Ramírez, Héctor R

    2013-11-01

    The use of automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) is increasing compared to continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Surprisingly, little data about health benefits and cost of APD exist, and virtually no information comparing the cost-utility between CAPD and APD is available. We undertook this study to evaluate and compare the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and cost-utility indexes in patients on CAPD vs. This was a prospective cohort of patients initiating dialysis (2008-2009). Two questionnaires were self-administered: European Research Questionnaire Quality of Life (EQ-5D) and Kidney Disease Quality of Life (short form, KDQOL-SF, Rand, Santa Monica, CA). Direct medical costs (DMC) were determined from the health provider perspective including the following medical resource utilization: outpatient clinic/emergency care, dialysis procedures, medications, laboratory tests, hospitalization, and surgery. Cost-utility indexes were calculated dividing total mean cost by indicators of the HRQOL. One hundred twenty-three patients were evaluated: 77 on CAPD and 46 on APD. Results of the EQ-5D and KDQOL-SF questionnaires were significantly better in APD compared to the CAPD group. Main costs in both APD and CAPD were attributed to hospitalization and dialysis procedures followed by medication and surgery. Outpatient clinic visits and laboratory tests were significantly more costly in CAPD than in APD, whereas dialysis procedures were more expensive in the latter. Cost-utility indexes were significantly better in APD compared to CAPD. A significant cost-utility advantage of APD vs. CAPD was observed. The annual DMC per-patient were not different between groups but the HRQOL was better in the APD compared to the CAPD group. Copyright © 2013 IMSS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  15. FEASIBILITY OF ULTRASONIC AND OTHER METHODS FOR DIRECT MEASUREMENT OF CONDENSER BIOFOULING

    EPA Science Inventory

    The report gives results of a literature review and laboratory studies of the potential of ultrasonic and other methods for in-situ measurement of biofouling on heat transfer surfaces (e.g., tubes) of electric utility steam condensers. Detection of the presence of biofouling in s...

  16. BIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF THE SEA URCHIN, ARBACIA PUNTULATA, TO LEAD CONTAMINATION FOR AN ESTUARINE ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT

    EPA Science Inventory

    An estuarine ecological risk assessment for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNS) Kittery, ME, was conducted utilizing the U.S. EPA's Framework for Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA). As part of the analysis phase of the ERA, laboratory studies were conducted to develop quantitative ...

  17. Lime utilization in the laboratory, field, and design of pavement layers : final report.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2017-01-01

    The objective of this study was to review and report the best practices of using lime (i.e., granulated lime, hydrated lime, and slurry lime) to dry soil, in working tables, and in pavement applications. The project also reviewed and documented the i...

  18. DEVELOPMENT, EVALUATION AND APPLICATION OF AN AUTOMATED EVENT PRECIPITATION SAMPLER FOR NETWORK OPERATION

    EPA Science Inventory

    In 1993, the University of Michigan Air Quality Laboratory (UMAQL) designed a new wet-only precipitation collection system that was utilized in the Lake Michigan Loading Study. The collection system was designed to collect discrete mercury and trace element samples on an event b...

  19. Performance evaluation of canine-associated Bacteroidales assays in a multi-laboratory comparison study

    EPA Science Inventory

    The contribution of fecal pollution from dogs in urbanized areas can be significant and is an often underestimated problem. Microbial source tracking methods (MST) utilizing quantitative PCR of dog-associated gene sequences encoding 16S rRNA of Bacteroidales are a useful tool to ...

  20. DIRECT DOSING OF PRE-WEANING RODENTS IN TOXICITY TESTING AND RESEARCH: DELIBERATIONS OF AN ILSI RSI EXPERT WORKING GROUP.

    EPA Science Inventory

    Laboratory animal studies that are designed to assess the effects of exposure of a test substance during postnatal development are commonly utilized in basic research and to evaluate potential hazard to children for chemical and pharmaceutical regulation. Direct dosing, defined ...

  1. Explosive Pulsed Power Experiments At The Phillips Laboratory

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1997-06-01

    Weapons and Survivability Directorate Phillips Laboratory Kirtland AFB, NM 87117 J. Graham, W. Sornrnars Albuquerque Division Maxwell Technologies... Phillips Laboratory Kirtland AFB, NM 87117 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10...pulse shaping/impedance matching systems are discussed. Introduction Air Force missions utilizing pulsed power technology increasingly require the

  2. Improvement of Student Understanding of How Kinetic Data Facilitates the Determination of Amino Acid Catalytic Function through an Alkaline Phosphatase Structure/Mechanism Bioinformatics Exercise

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Grunwald, Sandra K.; Krueger, Katherine J.

    2008-01-01

    Laboratory exercises, which utilize alkaline phosphatase as a model enzyme, have been developed and used extensively in undergraduate biochemistry courses to illustrate enzyme steady-state kinetics. A bioinformatics laboratory exercise for the biochemistry laboratory, which complements the traditional alkaline phosphatase kinetics exercise, was…

  3. Development of Robotics Applications in a Solid Propellant Mixing Laboratory

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1988-06-01

    implementation of robotic hardware and software into a laboratory environment requires a carefully structured series of phases which examines, in...strategy. The general methodology utilized in this project is discussed in Appendix A. The proposed laboratory robotics development program was structured ...Accessibility - Potential modifications - Safety precautions e) Robot Transport - Slider mechanisms - Linear tracks - Gantry configuration - Mobility f

  4. An Observational Measure of Children's Behavioural Style: Evidence Supporting a Multi-Method Approach to Studying Temperament

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Karp, Jennifer; Serbin, Lisa A.; Stack, Dale M.; Schwartzman, Alex E.

    2004-01-01

    This study demonstrates the potential utility of the Behavioural Style Observational System (BSOS) as a new observational measure of children's behavioural style. The BSOS is an objective, short and easy to use measure that can be readily adapted to a variety of home and laboratory situations. In the present study, 160 mother-child dyads from the…

  5. The MIST /MIUS Integration and Subsystems Test/ laboratory - A testbed for the MIUS /Modular Integrated Utility System/ program

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Beckham, W. S., Jr.; Keune, F. A.

    1974-01-01

    The MIUS (Modular Integrated Utility System) concept is to be an energy-conserving, economically feasible, integrated community utility system to provide five necessary services: electricity generation, space heating and air conditioning, solid waste processing, liquid waste processing, and residential water purification. The MIST (MIUS Integration and Subsystem Test) integrated system testbed constructed at the Johnson Space Center in Houston includes subsystems for power generation, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), wastewater management, solid waste management, and control and monitoring. The key design issues under study include thermal integration and distribution techniques, thermal storage, integration of subsystems controls and displays, incinerator performance, effluent characteristics, and odor control.

  6. Geology team

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1982-01-01

    Evaluating of the combined utility of narrowband and multispectral imaging in both the infrared and visible for the lithologic identification of geologic materials, and of the combined utility of multispectral imaging in the visible and infrared for lithologic mapping on a global bases are near term recommendations for future imaging capabilities. Long term recommendations include laboratory research into methods of field sampling and theoretical models of microscale mixing. The utility of improved spatial and spectral resolutions and radiometric sensitivity is also suggested for the long term. Geobotanical remote sensing research should be conducted to (1) separate geological and botanical spectral signatures in individual picture elements; (2) study geobotanical correlations that more fully simulate natural conditions; and use test sites designed to test specific geobotanical hypotheses.

  7. Multichannel analysis of surface-waves and integration of downhole acoustic televiewer imaging, ultrasonic Vs and Vp, and vertical seismic profiling in an NEHRP-standard classification, South of Concordia, Kansas, USA

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Raef, Abdelmoneam; Gad, Sabreen; Tucker-Kulesza, Stacey

    2015-10-01

    Seismic site characteristics, as pertaining to earthquake hazard reduction, are a function of the subsurface elastic moduli and the geologic structures. This study explores how multiscale (surface, downhole, and laboratory) datasets can be utilized to improve "constrained" average Vs30 (shear-wave velocity to a 30-meter depth). We integrate borehole, surface and laboratory measurements for a seismic site classification based on the standards of the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP). The seismic shear-wave velocity (Vs30) was derived from a geophysical inversion workflow that utilized multichannel analysis of surface-waves (MASW) and downhole acoustic televiewer imaging (DATI). P-wave and S-wave velocities, based on laboratory measurements of arrival times of ultrasonic-frequency signals, supported the workflow by enabling us to calculate Poisson's ratio, which was incorporated in building an initial model for the geophysical inversion of MASW. Extraction of core samples from two boreholes provided lithology and thickness calibration of the amplitudes of the acoustic televiewer imaging for each layer. The MASW inversion, for calculating Vs sections, was constrained with both ultrasonic laboratory measurements (from first arrivals of Vs and Vp waveforms at simulated in situ overburden stress conditions) and the downhole acoustic televiewer (DATV) amplitude logs. The Vs30 calculations enabled categorizing the studied site as NEHRP-class "C" - very dense soil and soft rock. Unlike shallow fractured carbonates in the studied area, S-wave and P-wave velocities at ultrasonic frequency for the deeper intact shale core-samples from two boreholes were in better agreement with the corresponding velocities from both a zero-offset vertical seismic profiling (VSP) and inversion of Rayleigh-wave velocity dispersion curves.

  8. ARC-1941-AAL-1731

    NASA Image and Video Library

    1941-12-23

    NACA Ames Aeronautical Laboratory aerial; 16ft, 7X10ft#1, 7x10ft#2 wind tunnels, Technical Services Bldg N-220, Utilities later Electrical Services Bldg N-219 and construction on the Science Laboratory, later Engineering Services Bldg N-203

  9. Introducing Virological Concepts Using an Insect Virus.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Sheppard, Roger F.

    1980-01-01

    A technique is presented which utilizes wax moth larvae in a laboratory investigation of an insect virus. Describes how an insect virus can be used to introduce undergraduate biology students to laboratory work on viruses and several virological concepts. (SA)

  10. Circular Dichroism of G-Quadruplex: A Laboratory Experiment for the Study of Topology and Ligand Binding

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Carvalho, Josue´; Queiroz, João A.; Cruz, Carla

    2017-01-01

    Circular dichroism (CD) has emerged as one of the standard biophysical techniques for the study of guaninequadruplex (G4) folding, cation effect, and ligand binding. The utility of this technique is based on its robustness, ease of use, and requirement of only small quantities of nucleic acid. This experiment is also extendable to the classroom…

  11. Dockres: a computer program that analyzes the output of virtual screening of small molecules

    PubMed Central

    2010-01-01

    Background This paper describes a computer program named Dockres that is designed to analyze and summarize results of virtual screening of small molecules. The program is supplemented with utilities that support the screening process. Foremost among these utilities are scripts that run the virtual screening of a chemical library on a large number of processors in parallel. Methods Dockres and some of its supporting utilities are written Fortran-77; other utilities are written as C-shell scripts. They support the parallel execution of the screening. The current implementation of the program handles virtual screening with Autodock-3 and Autodock-4, but can be extended to work with the output of other programs. Results Analysis of virtual screening by Dockres led to both active and selective lead compounds. Conclusions Analysis of virtual screening was facilitated and enhanced by Dockres in both the authors' laboratories as well as laboratories elsewhere. PMID:20205801

  12. Initiatives toward effective decision making and laboratory use.

    PubMed

    Benson, E S

    1980-09-01

    Escalating health care costs constitute a public issue of paramount importance today, Among the leading growth factors in this rise is the cost of hospital services, notably laboratory services. With respect to the clinical laboratory, rising costs appear to be almost entirely attributable to expanding utilization and introduction of new services. The clinical laboratory has gone through a technological revolution in two decades that has changed it from a largely manual to a highly automated system of great speed and capacity. This change had produced a change in the style of providing services, a change that includes the provision of quantities of unsolicited data. A parallel change in the style of use of the laboratory has taken place on the part of patient care physicians from a relatively sparing, problem oriented use pattern to a relatively lavish, data oriented one. These reciprocal changes have transformed medicine, in the United States, at least, into a relatively high laboratory use culture. Abandonment of the new technology and return to a simpler, more primitive laboratory world would be a drastic and most inappropriate response to the new situation. Furthermore, arbitrary measures such as rationing, quotas, and tariffs are, if enacted, almost certain to fail. The most effective long term strategies, though more demanding of time and effort, lie through modification of physician behavior through the pathways of education and research. Education and research initiatives now in progress can in time influence laboratory use patterns of physicians at all career levels, improving the logic of test use and providing more strategic, prudent, and cost effective overall laboratory utilization practices. These approaches will require much improved communication between laboratory and bedside and a new intense involvement of laboratory physicians and scientists in the tasks of helping to improve the use of laboratory tests and laboratory data.

  13. Capability of the Gas Analysis and Testing Laboratory at the NASA Johnson Space Center

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Broerman, Craig; Jimenez, Javier; Sweterlitsch, Jeff

    2012-01-01

    The Gas Analysis and Testing Laboratory is an integral part of the testing performed at the NASA Johnson Space Center. The Gas Analysis and Testing Laboratory is a high performance laboratory providing real time analytical instruments to support manned and unmanned testing. The lab utilizes precision gas chromatographs, gas analyzers and spectrophotometers to support the technology development programs within the NASA community. The Gas Analysis and Testing Laboratory works with a wide variety of customers and provides engineering support for user-specified applications in compressed gas, chemical analysis, general and research laboratory.

  14. Capability of the Gas Analysis and Testing Laboratory at the NASA Johnson Space Center

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Broerman, Craig; Jimenez, Javier; Sweterlitsch, Jeff

    2011-01-01

    The Gas Analysis and Testing Laboratory is an integral part of the testing performed at the NASA Johnson Space Center. The Gas Analysis and Testing Laboratory is a high performance laboratory providing real time analytical instruments to support manned and unmanned testing. The lab utilizes precision gas chromatographs, gas analyzers and spectrophotometers to support the technology development programs within the NASA community. The Gas Analysis and Testing Laboratory works with a wide variety of customers and provides engineering support for user-specified applications in compressed gas, chemical analysis, general and research laboratory

  15. Maintenance of the Language Laboratory. ERIC Focus Reports on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, Number 28.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Medley, Frank W.

    The purpose of this report is to identify the various aspects of language laboratory operation and maintenance as they relate to the teacher and the administrator, and to suggest certain practices which will result in more effective utilization of the installation. Discussion of the language laboratory includes: (1) selection of personnel, (2)…

  16. Correlation between mechanical and chemical degradation after outdoor and accelerated laboratory aging for multilayer photovoltaic backsheets

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lin, Chiao-Chi; Lyu, Yadong; Yu, Li-Chieh; Gu, Xiaohong

    2016-09-01

    Channel cracking fragmentation testing and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy were utilized to study mechanical and chemical degradation of a multilayered backsheet after outdoor and accelerated laboratory aging. A model sample of commercial PPE backsheet, namely polyethylene terephthalate/polyethylene terephthalate/ethylene vinyl acetate (PET/PET/EVA) was investigated. Outdoor aging was performed in Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA for up to 510 days, and complementary accelerated laboratory aging was conducted on the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) SPHERE (Simulated Photodegradation via High Energy Radiant Exposure). Fracture energy, mode I stress intensity factor and film strength were analyzed using an analytical model based on channel cracking fragmentation testing results. The correlation between mechanical and chemical degradation was discussed for both outdoor and accelerated laboratory aging. The results of this work provide preliminary understanding on failure mechanism of backsheets after weathering, laying the groundwork for linking outdoor and indoor accelerated laboratory testing for multilayer photovoltaic backsheets.

  17. The Gabriel Synthesis of Benzylamine

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Nigh, W. G.

    1975-01-01

    Describes an undergraduate organic chemistry laboratory experiment which utilizes the Gabriel Synthesis to demonstrate the acidity of imides and to provide an example of nucleophilic substitution reactions. The experiment also demonstrates the laboratory techniques involved in simple and steam distillation, filtration, extraction, and…

  18. The Significance of A Neglected Romanian Book - "The Methods of the Clinical Laboratory", by Ioan Manta and Alexandru Ciplea.

    PubMed

    Barsu, Cristian

    2017-04-06

    "The Methods of Clinical Laboratory" was the first comprehensive Romanian book in the medical laboratory field, having utility in clinical practice. It was written by Prof. Ioan Manta (1900-1979) and Alexandru Ciplea (1912-1988), both from the Cluj Faculty of Medicine. The volume was published for the first time in 1944, during the refuge of this Faculty in Sibiu, and for the second time in 1947, in Cluj. Our aim is to make a brief analysis of its structure and to put into evidence the importance of this book for the Romanian laboratory medicine, some techniques (e.g. microscopic techniques) keeping their validity until today. The authors made over 800 detailed presentations about: laboratory sampling and preservation techniques, different types of tests and methods for qualitative and quantitative determinations, techniques to prepare various solutions, microbiological culture media, laboratory stains and reagents, as well as maneuvering of some laboratory equipments. For each method, Manta and Ciplea presented: the principle of working method, reagents required, the working technique, mode of calculation, the result and its interpretation. It also includes some laboratory apparatus descriptions, as well as their mode of working. With regard to the scientific value and to the practical utility of this book, it remains a very important milestone in the Romanian medical literature of the XX-th century.

  19. Laboratory manager's financial handbook. The laboratory's importance to the financial stability of a health-care organization.

    PubMed

    Travers, E M

    1996-01-01

    From a financial standpoint, one of the most valuable assets in the survival of a health-care organization is the clinical laboratory. Laboratory directors, managers, and supervisors have indicated their overwhelming need to understand finance, especially cost management, to CLMA and to the author at national meetings and workshops, Tremendous financial pressures are being applied in health-care organizations across the country. Two strategic factors in their successful move into the 21st century are more appropriate test utilization and cost control in the laboratory.

  20. Dynamics of animal movement in an ecological context: dragonfly wing damage reduces flight performance and predation success.

    PubMed

    Combes, S A; Crall, J D; Mukherjee, S

    2010-06-23

    Much of our understanding of the control and dynamics of animal movement derives from controlled laboratory experiments. While many aspects of animal movement can be probed only in these settings, a more complete understanding of animal locomotion may be gained by linking experiments on relatively simple motions in the laboratory to studies of more complex behaviours in natural settings. To demonstrate the utility of this approach, we examined the effects of wing damage on dragonfly flight performance in both a laboratory drop-escape response and the more natural context of aerial predation. The laboratory experiment shows that hindwing area loss reduces vertical acceleration and average flight velocity, and the predation experiment demonstrates that this type of wing damage results in a significant decline in capture success. Taken together, these results suggest that wing damage may take a serious toll on wild dragonflies, potentially reducing both reproductive success and survival.

  1. Universal immunogenicity validation and assessment during early biotherapeutic development to support a green laboratory.

    PubMed

    Bautista, Ami C; Zhou, Lei; Jawa, Vibha

    2013-10-01

    Immunogenicity support during nonclinical biotherapeutic development can be resource intensive if supported by conventional methodologies. A universal indirect species-specific immunoassay can eliminate the need for biotherapeutic-specific anti-drug antibody immunoassays without compromising quality. By implementing the R's of sustainability (reduce, reuse, rethink), conservation of resources and greener laboratory practices were achieved in this study. Statistical analysis across four biotherapeutics supported identification of consistent product performance standards (cut points, sensitivity and reference limits) and a streamlined universal anti-drug antibody immunoassay method implementation strategy. We propose an efficient, fit-for-purpose, scientifically and statistically supported nonclinical immunogenicity assessment strategy. Utilization of a universal method and streamlined validation, while retaining comparability to conventional immunoassays and meeting the industry recommended standards, provides environmental credits in the scientific laboratory. Collectively, individual reductions in critical material consumption, energy usage, waste and non-environment friendly consumables, such as plastic and paper, support a greener laboratory environment.

  2. Modern dosimetric tools for 60Co irradiation at high containment laboratories

    PubMed Central

    Twardoski, Barri; Feldmann, Heinz; Bloom, Marshall E.; Ward, Joe

    2011-01-01

    Purpose To evaluate an innovative photo-fluorescent film as a routine dosimetric tool during 60Co irradiations at a high containment biological research laboratory, and to investigate whether manufacturer-provided chamber exposure rates can be used to accurately administer a prescribed dose to biological specimens. Materials and methods Photo-fluorescent, lithium fluoride film dosimeters and National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) transfer dosimeters were co-located in a self-shielded 60Co irradiator and exposed to γ-radiation with doses ranging from 5–85 kGy. Film dose-response relationships were developed for varying temperatures simulating conditions present when irradiating infectious biological specimens. Dose measurement results from NIST transfer dosimeters were compared to doses predicted using manufacturer-provided irradiator chamber exposure rates. Results The film dosimeter exhibited a photo-fluorescent response signal that was consistent and nearly linear in relationship to γ-radiation exposure over a wide dose range. The dosimeter response also showed negligible effects from dose fractionization and humidity. Significant disparities existed between manufacturer-provided chamber exposure rates and actual doses administered. Conclusion This study demonstrates the merit of utilizing dosimetric tools to validate the process of exposing dangerous and exotic biological agents to γ-radiation at high containment laboratories. The film dosimeter used in this study can be utilized to eliminate potential for improperly administering γ-radiation doses. PMID:21961968

  3. Requirements for Real-Time Laboratory Experimentation over the Internet.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Salzmann, C.; Latchman, H. A.; Gillet, D.; Crisalle, O. D.

    A prototype system based on an inverted pendulum is used to study the Quality of Service and discuss requirements of remote-experimentation systems utilized for carrying out control engineering experiments over the Internet. This class of applications involves the transmission over the network of a variety of data types with their own peculiar…

  4. Using Bacterial Growth on Insects to Assess Nutrient Impacts in Streams

    Treesearch

    A. Dennis Lemly

    2000-01-01

    A combination field and laboratory study was conducted to evaluate the ability of a recently developed bioindicator to detect detrimental nutrient conditions in streams. The method utilizes bacterial growth on aquatic insects to determine nutrient impacts. Field investigations indicated that elevated concentrations of nitrate and phosphate were associated with growth...

  5. EPA Method 1615. Measurement of Enterovirus and Norovirus Occurrence in Water by Culture and RT-qPCR. II. Total Culturable Virus Assay

    EPA Science Inventory

    A standardized method is required when national studies on virus occurrence in environmental and drinking waters utilize multiple analytical laboratories. The U.S Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) Method 1615 was developed with the goal of providing such a standard ...

  6. Comparative Toxicity of Eight Oil Dispersants, Louisiana Sweet Crude Oil (LSC) and Chemically Dispersed LSC to Two Aquatic Test Species

    EPA Science Inventory

    This study describes the acute toxicity of eight commercial oil dispersants, Louisiana sweet crude oil (LSC), and chemically dispersed LSC. The approach utilized consistent test methodologies within a single laboratory in assessing the relative acute toxicity of the eight dispers...

  7. Complex Phenomena Understanding in Electricity through Dynamically Linked Concrete and Abstract Representations

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Taramopoulos, A.; Psillos, D.

    2017-01-01

    The present study investigates the impact of utilizing virtual laboratory environments combining dynamically linked concrete and abstract representations in investigative activities on the ability of students to comprehend simple and complex phenomena in the field of electric circuits. Forty-two 16- to 17-year-old high school students participated…

  8. Impact of Collaborative Work on Technology Acceptance: A Case Study from Virtual Computing

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Konak, Abdullah; Kulturel-Konak, Sadan; Nasereddin, Mahdi; Bartolacci, Michael R.

    2017-01-01

    Aim/Purpose: This paper utilizes the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to examine the extent to which acceptance of Remote Virtual Computer Laboratories (RVCLs) is affected by students' technological backgrounds and the role of collaborative work. Background: RVCLs are widely used in information technology and cyber security education to provide…

  9. The Energy Relationships of Corn Production and Alcohol Fermentation.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Van Koevering, Thomas E.; And Others

    1987-01-01

    Proposes that the production of alcohol from corn be used as a practical application of scientific principles that deal with energy transformations. Discusses the solar energy available for growth, examining the utilization of solar energy by plants. Describes the conversion of corn to alcohol, with suggestions for classroom and laboratory study.…

  10. The application of nirvana to silvicultural studies

    Treesearch

    Chi-Leung So; Thomas Elder; Leslie Groom; John S. Kush; Jennifer Myszewski; Todd Shupe

    2006-01-01

    Previous results from this laboratory have shown that near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, coupled with multivariate analysis, can be a powerful tool for the prediction of wood quality. While wood quality measurements are of utility, their determination can be both time and labor intensive, thus limiting their use where large sample sizes are concerned. This paper will...

  11. Novel hybrid technology for early diagnostics of sepsis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Saknite, Inga; Grabovskis, Andris; Kazune, Sigita; Rubins, Uldis; Marcinkevics, Zbignevs; Volceka, Karina; Kviesis-Kipge, Edgars; Spigulis, Janis

    2017-02-01

    Sepsis is a potentially fatal disease with mortality rate as high as 50% in patients with septic shock; mortality rate can increase by 7.6% per hour if appropriate treatment is not started. Internationally accepted guidelines for diagnosis of sepsis rely on vital sign monitoring and laboratory tests in order to recognize organ failure. This pilot study aims to explore the potential of hyperspectral and thermal imaging techniques to identify and quantify early alterations in skin oxygenation and perfusion induced by sepsis. The study comprises both physiological model experiments on healthy volunteers in a laboratory environment, as well as screening case series of patients with septic shock in the intensive care department. Hyperspectral imaging is used to determine one of the main characteristic visual signs of skin oxygenation abnormalities - skin mottling, whereas changes in peripheral perfusion have been visualized by thermal imaging as heterogeneous skin temperature areas. In order to mimic septic skin mottling in a reproducible way in laboratory environment, arterial occlusion provocation test was utilized on healthy volunteers. Visualization of oxygen saturation by hyperspectral imaging allows diagnosing microcirculatory alterations induced by sepsis earlier than visual assessment of mottling. Thermal images of sepsis patients in the clinic clearly reveal hotspots produced by perforating arteries, as well as cold regions of low blood supply. The results of this pilot study show that thermal imaging in combination with hyperspectral imaging allows the determination of oxygen supply and utilization in critically ill septic patients.

  12. The Space Systems Environmental Test Facility Database (SSETFD), Website Development Status

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Snyder, James M.

    2008-01-01

    The Aerospace Corporation has been developing a database of U.S. environmental test laboratory capabilities utilized by the space systems hardware development community. To date, 19 sites have been visited by The Aerospace Corporation and verbal agreements reached to include their capability descriptions in the database. A website is being developed to make this database accessible by all interested government, civil, university and industry personnel. The website will be accessible by all interested in learning more about the extensive collective capability that the US based space industry has to offer. The Environments, Test & Assessment Department within The Aerospace Corporation will be responsible for overall coordination and maintenance of the database. Several US government agencies are interested in utilizing this database to assist in the source selection process for future spacecraft programs. This paper introduces the website by providing an overview of its development, location and search capabilities. It will show how the aerospace community can apply this new tool as a way to increase the utilization of existing lab facilities, and as a starting point for capital expenditure/upgrade trade studies. The long term result is expected to be increased utilization of existing laboratory capability and reduced overall development cost of space systems hardware. Finally, the paper will present the process for adding new participants, and how the database will be maintained.

  13. Resource utilization related to atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting.

    PubMed

    Hravnak, Marilyn; Hoffman, Leslie A; Saul, Melissa I; Zullo, Thomas G; Whitman, Gayle R

    2002-05-01

    Studies of resource utilization by patients with new-onset atrialfibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting have addressed only length of stay and bed charges. To compare resource utilization between patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation and patients without atrialfibrillation after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. Retrospective review of clinical and administrative electronic databases for 720 subjects who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass in 25 months at one medical center The prevalence of atrial fibrillation was determined, and resource utilization in various hospital cost centers was compared between subjects with and without atrialfibrillation. The prevalence of new-onset atrial fibrillation was 33.1%. Compared with subjects without atrialfibrillation, subjects with atrialfibrillation had a longer stay (5.8 +/- 2.4 vs. 4.4+/-1.2 days, P<.001), more days receiving mechanical ventilation (P =.002) and oxygen therapy (P<.001), and higher rates of readmission to the intensive care unit (4.6% vs. 0.2%, P<.001). Subjects with atrial fibrillation also had more laboratory tests (P<.001) and more days receiving cardiac drugs, heparin, diuretics, and electrolytes. Subjects with atrialfibrillation had higher total postoperative charges ($57261 +/- $17101 vs. $50905 +/- $10062, P = .001), a mean difference of $6356. The mean differences were greatest for bed charges ($1642), laboratory charges ($1215), pharmacy ($989), and respiratory care ($582). The economic impact of atrialfibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting has been underestimated.

  14. A laboratory-calibrated model of coho salmon growth with utility for ecological analyses

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Manhard, Christopher V.; Som, Nicholas A.; Perry, Russell W.; Plumb, John M.

    2018-01-01

    We conducted a meta-analysis of laboratory- and hatchery-based growth data to estimate broadly applicable parameters of mass- and temperature-dependent growth of juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). Following studies of other salmonid species, we incorporated the Ratkowsky growth model into an allometric model and fit this model to growth observations from eight studies spanning ten different populations. To account for changes in growth patterns with food availability, we reparameterized the Ratkowsky model to scale several of its parameters relative to ration. The resulting model was robust across a wide range of ration allocations and experimental conditions, accounting for 99% of the variation in final body mass. We fit this model to growth data from coho salmon inhabiting tributaries and constructed ponds in the Klamath Basin by estimating habitat-specific indices of food availability. The model produced evidence that constructed ponds provided higher food availability than natural tributaries. Because of their simplicity (only mass and temperature are required as inputs) and robustness, ration-varying Ratkowsky models have utility as an ecological tool for capturing growth in freshwater fish populations.

  15. The laboratory-clinician team: a professional call to action to improve communication and collaboration for optimal patient care in chromosomal microarray testing.

    PubMed

    Wain, Karen E; Riggs, Erin; Hanson, Karen; Savage, Melissa; Riethmaier, Darlene; Muirhead, Andrea; Mitchell, Elyse; Packard, Bethanny Smith; Faucett, W Andrew

    2012-10-01

    The International Standards for Cytogenomic Arrays (ISCA) Consortium is a worldwide collaborative effort dedicated to optimizing patient care by improving the quality of chromosomal microarray testing. The primary effort of the ISCA Consortium has been the development of a database of copy number variants (CNVs) identified during the course of clinical microarray testing. This database is a powerful resource for clinicians, laboratories, and researchers, and can be utilized for a variety of applications, such as facilitating standardized interpretations of certain CNVs across laboratories or providing phenotypic information for counseling purposes when published data is sparse. A recognized limitation to the clinical utility of this database, however, is the quality of clinical information available for each patient. Clinical genetic counselors are uniquely suited to facilitate the communication of this information to the laboratory by virtue of their existing clinical responsibilities, case management skills, and appreciation of the evolving nature of scientific knowledge. We intend to highlight the critical role that genetic counselors play in ensuring optimal patient care through contributing to the clinical utility of the ISCA Consortium's database, as well as the quality of individual patient microarray reports provided by contributing laboratories. Current tools, paper and electronic forms, created to maximize this collaboration are shared. In addition to making a professional commitment to providing complete clinical information, genetic counselors are invited to become ISCA members and to become involved in the discussions and initiatives within the Consortium.

  16. Experimental study on the strength of double shear timber connection using bamboo dowel fastener

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Anshari, Buan; Sugiartha, Wayan; Mahmud, Fathmah; Rofaida, Aryani; Pathurrahman

    2017-11-01

    Utilization of timber and bamboo as building materials was very promising for now and future. As renewable resources they have high mechanical properties, lightweight, environmentally friendly and economic. Utilization of bamboo as connector was rarely published. Therefore, this study focused on utilization of non-metal material as connector in timber structure especially for beam and column. This research was conducted in the laboratory to examine the strength of double shear timber connection by using glued in rods (bamboo dowel) as connector with variation of adhesive thickness. As control specimen was used bamboo dowel Ø14 mm without adhesive in double shear connection. The results showed that the strength of double shear timber connection by using glued in rods (bamboo dowel) as connector could increased by 41% to resist axial force higher than the control one.

  17. A Map for Clinical Laboratories Management Indicators in the Intelligent Dashboard

    PubMed Central

    Azadmanjir, Zahra; Torabi, Mashallah; Safdari, Reza; Bayat, Maryam; Golmahi, Fatemeh

    2015-01-01

    Introduction: management challenges of clinical laboratories are more complicated for educational hospital clinical laboratories. Managers can use tools of business intelligence (BI), such as information dashboards that provide the possibility of intelligent decision-making and problem solving about increasing income, reducing spending, utilization management and even improving quality. Critical phase of dashboard design is setting indicators and modeling causal relations between them. The paper describes the process of creating a map for laboratory dashboard. Methods: the study is one part of an action research that begins from 2012 by innovation initiative for implementing laboratory intelligent dashboard. Laboratories management problems were determined in educational hospitals by the brainstorming sessions. Then, with regard to the problems key performance indicators (KPIs) specified. Results: the map of indicators designed in form of three layered. They have a causal relationship so that issues measured in the subsequent layers affect issues measured in the prime layers. Conclusion: the proposed indicator map can be the base of performance monitoring. However, these indicators can be modified to improve during iterations of dashboard designing process. PMID:26483593

  18. Sensor Acquisition for Water Utilities: A Survey and Technology List

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

    Alai, M; Glascoe, L; Love, A

    2005-03-07

    The early detection of the deliberate biological and chemical contamination of water distribution systems is a necessary capability for securing the nation's water supply. Current and emerging early-detection technology capabilities and shortcomings need to be identified and assessed to provide government agencies and water utilities with an improved methodology for assessing the value of installing these technologies. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has tasked a multi-laboratory team to evaluate current and future needs to protect the nation's water distribution infrastructure by supporting an objective evaluation of current and new technologies. The primary deliverables from this Operational Technology Demonstration (OTD)more » are the following: (1) establishment of an advisory board for review and approval of testing protocols, technology acquisition processes and recommendations for technology test and evaluation in laboratory and field settings; (2) development of a technology acquisition process; (3) creation of laboratory and field testing and evaluation capability; and (4) testing of candidate technologies for insertion into a water early warning system. The initial phase of this study involves the development of two separate but complementary strategies to be reviewed by the advisory board: (1) a technology acquisition strategy, and (2) a technology evaluation strategy. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories are tasked with the first strategy, while Los Alamos, Pacific Northwest, and Oak Ridge National Laboratories are tasked with the second strategy. The first goal of the acquisition strategy is the development of a technology survey process that includes a review of previous sensor surveys and current test programs and then the development of a method to solicit and select existing and emerging sensor technologies for evaluation and testing. In this paper we discuss a survey of previous efforts by governmental agencies and private companies with the aim of facilitating a water sensor technology acquisition procedure. We provide a survey of previous sensor studies with regard to the use of Early Warning Systems (EWS) including earlier surveys, testing programs, and response studies. In the project we extend this earlier work by developing a list of important sensor specifications that are then used to help assemble a sensor selection criteria. A list of sensor technologies with their specifications is appended to this document. This list will assist the second goal of the project which is a recommendation of candidate technologies for laboratory and field testing.« less

  19. Occupational health hazards of working in the interventional laboratory: a multisite case control study of physicians and allied staff.

    PubMed

    Orme, Nicholas M; Rihal, Charanjit S; Gulati, Rajiv; Holmes, David R; Lennon, Ryan J; Lewis, Bradley R; McPhail, Ian R; Thielen, Kent R; Pislaru, Sorin V; Sandhu, Gurpreet S; Singh, Mandeep

    2015-03-03

    The occupational hazards of working in the interventional laboratory have been inadequately studied for physicians and remain unaddressed for nonphysician personnel. This study sought to determine whether the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal pain, cancer, and other medical conditions is higher among physicians and allied staff who work in interventional laboratories compared with employees who do not. Mayo Clinic employees who work in affiliated hospitals with interventional cardiology or interventional radiology laboratories took an electronic survey. Results were stratified on the basis of self-reported occupational exposure to procedures that involve radiation. There were 1,543 employees (mean age 43 ± 11.3 years, 33% male) who responded to the survey (response rate of 57%), and 1,042 (67.5%) reported being involved with procedures utilizing radiation. These employees reported experiencing work-related pain more often than the control group before (54.7% vs. 44.7%; p < 0.001) and after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, pre-existing musculoskeletal conditions, years in profession, and job description (odds ratio: 1.67; 95% confidence interval: 1.32 to 2.11; p < 0.001). Musculoskeletal pain varied significantly by job description, with the highest incidence reported by technicians (62%) and nurses (60%) followed by attending physicians (44%) and trainees (19%; p < 0.001). There was no difference in cancer prevalence between groups (9% vs. 9%; p = 0.96). Musculoskeletal pain is more common among healthcare workers who participate in interventional procedures and is highest in nonphysician employees. The diagnosis of cancer in employees who participate in procedures that utilize radiation was not elevated when compared to controls within the same departments, although any conclusion regarding causality is limited by the cross-sectional nature of the study, as well as the low overall prevalence of malignancy in our study group. Copyright © 2015 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  20. Testing activities at the National Battery Test Laboratory

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hornstra, F.; Deluca, W. H.; Mulcahey, T. P.

    The National Battery Test Laboratory (NBTL) is an Argonne National Laboratory facility for testing, evaluating, and studying advanced electric storage batteries. The facility tests batteries developed under Department of Energy programs and from private industry. These include batteries intended for future electric vehicle (EV) propulsion, electric utility load leveling (LL), and solar energy storage. Since becoming operational, the NBTL has evaluated well over 1400 cells (generally in the form of three- to six-cell modules, but up to 140-cell batteries) of various technologies. Performance characterization assessments are conducted under a series of charge/discharge cycles with constant current, constant power, peak power, and computer simulated dynamic load profile conditions. Flexible charging algorithms are provided to accommodate the specific needs of each battery under test. Special studies are conducted to explore and optimize charge procedures, to investigate the impact of unique load demands on battery performance, and to analyze the thermal management requirements of battery systems.

  1. Contextual Influences on Concordance between Maternal Report and Laboratory Observation of Toddler Fear

    PubMed Central

    Kiel, Elizabeth J.; Hummel, Alexandra C.

    2016-01-01

    Emotion and temperament researchers have faced an enduring issue of how to best measure children’s tendencies to express specific emotions. Inconsistencies between laboratory observation and parental report have made it challenging for researchers to determine the utility of these different forms of measurement. The current study examined the effect of laboratory episode characteristics (i.e., threat-level of the episode, maternal involvement) on concordance between maternal report and laboratory observation of toddler fear. The sample included 111 mother-toddler dyads who participated in a laboratory assessment when toddlers were approximately 24-months-old. Toddler fear was assessed both via maternal report and observation from a number of laboratory episodes that varied in their level of threat and whether mothers were free or constrained in their involvement in the task. Results indicated that maternal report related to the observed fear composites for low-threat, but not high-threat episodes. On the other hand, maternal involvement in the laboratory episodes did not moderate the relation between maternal report and laboratory observation of fear. These results suggest that the threat-level of laboratory episodes designed to elicit fear, but not maternal involvement in these episodes, may be important to take into consideration when assessing their relation to maternal report of fear and fearful temperament. PMID:27606826

  2. Procedures and equipment for staining large numbers of plant root samples for endomycorrhizal assay.

    PubMed

    Kormanik, P P; Bryan, W C; Schultz, R C

    1980-04-01

    A simplified method of clearing and staining large numbers of plant roots for vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizal assay is presented. Equipment needed for handling multiple samples is described, and two formulations for the different chemical solutions are presented. Because one formulation contains phenol, its use should be limited to basic studies for which adequate laboratory exhaust hoods are available and great clarity of fungal structures is required. The second staining formulation, utilizing lactic acid instead of phenol, is less toxic, requires less elaborate laboratory facilities, and has proven to be completely satisfactory for VA assays.

  3. Applications of nuclear techniques for in vivo body composition studies at Brookhaven National Laboratory

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

    Cohn, S.H.; Ellis, K.J.; Vartsky, D.

    1981-01-01

    A series of technical developments and their clinical applications in various nuclear technologies at Brookhaven National Laboratory is described. These include the development of a portable neutron activation facility for measuring cadmium in vivo in kidney and liver, a technique for the measurement of body iron utilizing nuclear resonant scattering of gamma rays, a non-invasive measure of the skeletal levels of lead by an x-ray fluorescence technique, and the development of a pulsed Van de Graaff generator as a source of pulsed neutrons for the measurement of lung silicon. (ACR)

  4. Experimental study of subcritical laboratory magnetized collisionless shocks using a laser-driven magnetic piston

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schaeffer, D. B.; Everson, E. T.; Bondarenko, A. S.; Clark, S. E.; Constantin, C. G.; Winske, D.; Gekelman, W.; Niemann, C.

    2015-11-01

    Recent experiments at the University of California, Los Angeles have successfully generated subcritical magnetized collisionless shocks, allowing new laboratory studies of shock formation relevant to space shocks. The characteristics of these shocks are compared with new data in which no shock or a pre-shock formed. The results are consistent with theory and 2D hybrid simulations and indicate that the observed shock or shock-like structures can be organized into distinct regimes by coupling strength. With additional experiments on the early time parameters of the laser plasma utilizing Thomson scattering, spectroscopy, and fast-gate filtered imaging, these regimes are found to be in good agreement with theoretical shock formation criteria.

  5. Innovative MIOR Process Utilizing Indigenous Reservoir Constituents

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

    D. O. Hitzman; A. K. Stepp; D. M. Dennis

    This research program is directed at improving the knowledge of reservoir ecology and developing practical microbial solutions for improving oil production. The goal is to identify indigenous microbial populations which can produce beneficial metabolic products and develop a methodology to stimulate those select microbes with nutrient amendments to increase oil recovery. This microbial technology has the capability of producing multiple oil-releasing agents. Experimental laboratory work is underway. Microbial cultures have been isolated from produced water samples. Comparative laboratory studies demonstrating in situ production of microbial products as oil recovery agents were conducted in sand packs with natural field waters withmore » cultures and conditions representative of oil reservoirs. Field pilot studies are underway.« less

  6. Test of the Equivalence Principle in an Einstein Elevator

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Shapiro, Irwin I.; Lorenzini, E. C.; Glashow, S.; Cosmo, M. L.; Cheimets, P.; Finkelstein, N.; Schneps, M.; Iafolla, V.; Nozzoli, S.

    2003-01-01

    The laboratory activity consisted in the construction of a laboratory prototype of a differential accelerometer. The laboratory prototype has been used to conduct key tests on the differential instrument. We demonstrated the ability to damp quickly transient oscillations by utilizing a resistive load in the feedback loops and then removing that load to reestablish a high quality factor of the detector. A rotating divide with tilt control was also built. This device was utilized to impart (through the Earth's gravity) common-mode perturbations to the differential accelerometer. These calibration disturbances have been used to trim the acceleration outputs of the individual proof masses in order to obtain a common-mode rejection factor better than 10(exp -4) in a sufficiently large frequency band centered at the spin frequency.

  7. Characterization of PTO and Idle Behavior for Utility Vehicles

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

    Duran, Adam W.; Konan, Arnaud M.; Miller, Eric S.

    This report presents the results of analyses performed on utility vehicle data composed primarily of aerial lift bucket trucks sampled from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Fleet DNA database to characterize power takeoff (PTO) and idle operating behavior for utility trucks. Two major data sources were examined in this study: a 75-vehicle sample of Odyne electric PTO (ePTO)-equipped vehicles drawn from multiple fleets spread across the United States and 10 conventional PTO-equipped Pacific Gas and Electric fleet vehicles operating in California. Novel data mining approaches were developed to identify PTO and idle operating states for each of the datasets usingmore » telematics and controller area network/onboard diagnostics data channels. These methods were applied to the individual datasets and aggregated to develop utilization curves and distributions describing PTO and idle behavior in both absolute and relative operating terms. This report also includes background information on the source vehicles, development of the analysis methodology, and conclusions regarding the study's findings.« less

  8. A preliminary study of preservative retention and penetration in ACQ-treated timbers using near infrared spectroscopy

    Treesearch

    Chi-Leung So; Thomas L. Eberhardt; Stan T. Lebow; Leslie H. Groom

    2006-01-01

    Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has been previously used in our laboratory to predict copper, chromium, and arsenic levels in samples of chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood. In the present study, we utilized our custom-made NIR scanning system, NIRVANA (near infrared visual and automated numerical analysis), to scan cross sections of ACQ (alkaline copper quat...

  9. Infrared spectrometry studies. Phase 4: Emittance spectra of selected targets from mission 108 airborne data

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lyon, R. J. P.

    1971-01-01

    Infrared radiance measurements from geological materials were studied. These involved laboratory and field spectroscopic measurements, both on the ground and airborne. A proven, feasible system is presented for airborne use over terrains with minimal vegetation. It has been shown that the spectral emittance concepts can be utilized in emittance ratio imagery which depicts the silicate composition of the terrain.

  10. Sensor Acquisition for Water Utilities: Survey, Down Selection Process, and Technology List

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

    Alai, M; Glascoe, L; Love, A

    2005-06-29

    The early detection of the biological and chemical contamination of water distribution systems is a necessary capability for securing the nation's water supply. Current and emerging early-detection technology capabilities and shortcomings need to be identified and assessed to provide government agencies and water utilities with an improved methodology for assessing the value of installing these technologies. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has tasked a multi-laboratory team to evaluate current and future needs to protect the nation's water distribution infrastructure by supporting an objective evaluation of current and new technologies. The LLNL deliverable from this Operational Technology Demonstration (OTD) wasmore » to assist the development of a technology acquisition process for a water distribution early warning system. The technology survey includes a review of previous sensor surveys and current test programs and a compiled database of relevant technologies. In the survey paper we discuss previous efforts by governmental agencies, research organizations, and private companies. We provide a survey of previous sensor studies with regard to the use of Early Warning Systems (EWS) that includes earlier surveys, testing programs, and response studies. The list of sensor technologies was ultimately developed to assist in the recommendation of candidate technologies for laboratory and field testing. A set of recommendations for future sensor selection efforts has been appended to this document, as has a down selection example for a hypothetical water utility.« less

  11. Audit of Use and Overuse of Serum Protein Immunofixation Electrophoresis and Serum Free Light Chain Assay in Tertiary Health Care: A Case for Algorithmic Testing to Optimize Laboratory Utilization.

    PubMed

    Heaton, Christopher; Vyas, Shikhar G; Singh, Gurmukh

    2016-04-01

    Overuse of laboratory tests is a persistent issue. We examined the use and overuse of serum immunofixation electrophoresis and serum free light chain assays to develop an algorithm for optimizing utilization. A retrospective review of all tests, for investigation of monoclonal gammopathies, for all patients who had any of these tests done from April 24, 2014, through July 25, 2014, was carried out. The test orders were categorized as warranted or not warranted according to criteria presented in the article. A total of 237 patients were tested, and their historical records included 1,503 episodes of testing for one or more of serum protein electrophoresis, serum immunofixation electrophoresis, and serum free light chain assays. Only 46% of the serum immunofixation and 42% serum free light chain assays were warranted. Proper utilization, at our institution alone, would have obviated $64,182.95/year in health care costs, reduced laboratory cost of reagent alone by $26,436.04/year, and put $21,904.92/year of part B reimbursement at risk. Fewer than half of the serum immunofixation and serum free light chain assays added value. The proposed algorithm for testing should improve utilization. Risk to part B billing may be a disincentive to reducing test utilization. © American Society for Clinical Pathology, 2016. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  12. Semiconductor laser joint study program with Rome Laboratory

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schaff, William J.; Okeefe, Sean S.; Eastman, Lester F.

    1994-09-01

    A program to jointly study vertical-cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSEL) for high speed vertical optical interconnects (VOI) has been conducted under an ES&E between Rome Laboratory and Cornell University. Lasers were designed, grown, and fabricated at Cornell University. A VCSEL measurement laboratory has been designed, built, and utilized at Rome Laboratory. High quality VCSEL material was grown and characterized by fabricating conventional lateral cavity lasers that emitted at the design wavelength of 1.04 microns. The VCSEL's emit at 1.06 microns. Threshold currents of 16 mA at 4.8 volts were obtained for 30 microns diameter devices. Output powers of 5 mW were measured. This is 500 times higher power than from the light emitting diodes employed previously for vertical optical interconnects. A new form of compositional grading using a cosinusoidal function has been developed and is very successful for reducing diode series resistance for high speed interconnection applications. A flip-chip diamond package compatible with high speed operation of 16 VCSEL elements has been designed and characterized. A flip-chip device binding effort at Rome Laboratory was also designed and initiated. This report presents details of the one-year effort, including process recipes and results.

  13. Comparison of Estrogen Receptor Assay Results from Pathology Reports with Results from Central Laboratory Testing: Implications for Population-Based Studies of Breast Cancer

    PubMed Central

    Collins, LC; Marotti, J; Baer, HJ; Deitz, AC; Colditz, GA; Tamimi, RM

    2014-01-01

    Population-based studies of women with breast cancer commonly utilize information culled from pathology reports rather than central pathology review. The reliability of this information, particularly with regard to tumor biomarker results, is of concern. To address this, we evaluated the concordance between estrogen receptor (ER) results as determined from the original pathology reports and ER results obtained on the same specimens following testing in a single laboratory. Tissue microarrays (TMAs) were constructed from paraffin blocks of 3,167 breast cancers that developed in women enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study. ER immunostains were performed on all TMA sections in single run. Results of ER immunostains performed on the TMA sections were compared with ER assay results abstracted from pathology reports. Among 1,851 cases of invasive breast cancer in which both ER results from pathology reports and central ER test results were available, the reported ER status and the ER status as determined from immunostains on TMAs were in agreement in 1,651 cases (87.3 %; kappa value 0.64, p<0.0001). When the comparison was restricted to ER assays originally performed by immunohistochemistry, the agreement rate increased to 92.3% (kappa value 0.78, p<0.0001). These results provide a framework for the accuracy of ER results abstracted from clinical records. Further, they suggest that utilizing ER assay results from pathology reports is a reasonable, albeit imperfect, alternative to central laboratory ER testing for large, population-based studies of patients with breast cancer. PMID:18230800

  14. Voltage Impacts of Utility-Scale Distributed Wind

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

    Allen, A.

    2014-09-01

    Although most utility-scale wind turbines in the United States are added at the transmission level in large wind power plants, distributed wind power offers an alternative that could increase the overall wind power penetration without the need for additional transmission. This report examines the distribution feeder-level voltage issues that can arise when adding utility-scale wind turbines to the distribution system. Four of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory taxonomy feeders were examined in detail to study the voltage issues associated with adding wind turbines at different distances from the sub-station. General rules relating feeder resistance up to the point of turbinemore » interconnection to the expected maximum voltage change levels were developed. Additional analysis examined line and transformer overvoltage conditions.« less

  15. Can One Lab Make a Difference?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Abbott, David S.; Saul, Jeffery M.; Parker, George W.; Beichner, Robert J.

    2000-01-01

    Investigates whether replacing a single traditional laboratory activity with a widely-used, non-microcomputer-based laboratory, research-based activity could produce improved conceptual understanding of a topic in electricity. Shows that a single instructional experience utilizing the research-based tutorial materials is superior to a traditional…

  16. Planning for Shops and Laboratories.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    North Carolina State Dept. of Public Instruction, Raleigh. Div. of School Planning.

    General guidelines for educators and architects in planning for industrial education, shops, and laboratory facilities necessary to the instructional program, are provided. Characteristics of the environment discussed are as follows--(1) spatial, (2) thermal, (3) visual, (4) sonic, and (5) aesthetic. Utility services covered are electrical power,…

  17. 75 FR 23781 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Administrative...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-05-04

    ... for the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 Categorization AGENCY: Food and Drug... notice solicits comments on administrative procedures for the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments..., including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility...

  18. Bibliography of FPL tropical forest utilization research–1910 to 1989

    Treesearch

    R. Sidney Boone; Lee R. Gjovik; George B. Harpole; James F. Laundrie; Robert R. Maeglin; Ronald W. Wolfe

    1990-01-01

    A complete annotated bibliography of all published and unpublished reports of the USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, on the subject of tropical woods. Research on tropical woods began soon after the formation of the Forest Products Laboratory in 1910 and continues today.

  19. Relationship of fatigue to the tensile stiffness of asphaltic concrete : final report on phase 1, laboratory investigation.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1972-01-01

    The correlation between asphaltic concrete tensile stiffness and fatigue life was determined in the laboratory. Constant strain fatigue tests were utilized and indirect tensile tests were selected because of their simplicity and applicability. Four a...

  20. Use of Web-based materials to enhance anatomy instruction in the health sciences.

    PubMed

    Granger, Noelle A; Calleson, Diane C; Henson, O W; Juliano, Eve; Wineski, Lawrence; McDaniel, Martha D; Burgoon, Jennifer M

    2006-07-01

    Teaching anatomy by dissection is under considerable pressure to evolve and/or even be eliminated, and curricular hours in the dissection laboratory are decreasing. As a possible means of easing this pressure, an online interactive anatomy program has been created to enhance the dissection experience, observational learning, and three-dimensional comprehension of human anatomy. An assessment was made of the utility of the program in preparing students for dissection laboratories and for examinations. The efficacy of the application was evaluated by first-year students and faculty with pre- and post-use surveys in anatomy courses at three medical schools. It was found that students felt better prepared if they utilized the Web site prior to their dissection laboratory, and faculty reported spending less time explaining basic concepts or techniques. It is concluded that a comprehensive online program significantly enhances the quality and efficiency of instruction in human anatomy in the dissection laboratory and could prove to be a useful tool at other institutions.

  1. Laboratory Facilities and Measurement Techniques for Beamed-Energy-Propulsion Experiments in Brazil

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    de Oliveira, Antonio Carlos; Chanes Júnior, José Brosler; Cordeiro Marcos, Thiago Victor; Pinto, David Romanelli; Santos Vilela, Renan Guilherme; Barros Galvão, Victor Alves; Mantovani, Arthur Freire; da Costa, Felipe Jean; dos Santos Assenção, José Adeildo; dos Santos, Alberto Monteiro; de Paula Toro, Paulo Gilberto; Sala Minucci, Marco Antonio; da Silveira Rêgo, Israel; Salvador, Israel Irone; Myrabo, Leik N.

    2011-11-01

    Laser propulsion is an innovative concept of accessing the space easier and cheaper where the propulsive energy is beamed to the aerospace vehicle in flight from ground—or even satellite-based high-power laser sources. In order to be realistic about laser propulsion, the Institute for Advanced Studies of the Brazilian Air Force in cooperation with the United States Air Force and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are seriously investigating its basic physics mechanisms and engineering aspects at the Henry T. Hamamatsu Laboratory of Hypersonic and Aerothermodynamics in São José dos Campos, Brazil. This paper describes in details the existing facilities and measuring systems such as high-power laser devices, pulsed-hypersonic wind tunnels and high-speed flow visualization system currently utilized in the laboratory for experimentation on laser propulsion.

  2. The performance assessment of undergraduate students in physics laboratory by using guided inquiry

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mubarok, H.; Lutfiyah, A.; Kholiq, A.; Suprapto, N.; Putri, N. P.

    2018-03-01

    The performance assessment of basic physics experiment among undergraduate physics students which includes three stages: pre-laboratory, conducting experiment and final report was explored in this study. The research used a descriptive quantitative approach by utilizing guidebook of basic physics experiment. The findings showed that (1) the performance of pre-laboratory rate among undergraduate physics students in good category (average score = 77.55), which includes the ability of undergraduate physics students’ theory before they were doing the experiment. (2) The performance of conducting experiment was in good category (average score = 78.33). (3) While the performance of final report was in moderate category (average score = 73.73), with the biggest weakness at how to analyse and to discuss the data and writing the abstract.

  3. Modelling utility-scale wind power plants. Part 1: Economics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Milligan, Michael R.

    1999-10-01

    As the worldwide use of wind turbine generators continues to increase in utility-scale applications, it will become increasingly important to assess the economic and reliability impact of these intermittent resources. Although the utility industry in the United States appears to be moving towards a restructured environment, basic economic and reliability issues will continue to be relevant to companies involved with electricity generation. This article is the first of two which address modelling approaches and results obtained in several case studies and research projects at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). This first article addresses the basic economic issues associated with electricity production from several generators that include large-scale wind power plants. An important part of this discussion is the role of unit commitment and economic dispatch in production cost models. This paper includes overviews and comparisons of the prevalent production cost modelling methods, including several case studies applied to a variety of electric utilities. The second article discusses various methods of assessing capacity credit and results from several reliability-based studies performed at NREL.

  4. The utilization rate of the regional health information exchange: how it impacts on health care delivery outcomes.

    PubMed

    Mäenpää, Tiina; Asikainen, Paula; Gissler, Mika; Siponen, Kimmo; Maass, Marianne; Saranto, Kaija; Suominen, Tarja

    2012-01-01

    Interest in improving quality and effectiveness is the primary driver for health information exchange efforts across a health care system to improve the provision of public health care services. The aim here was to describe and identify the impact of a regional health information exchange (HIE) using quantitative statistics for 2004-2008 in one hospital district in Finland. We conducted a comparative, longitudinal 5-year follow-up study to evaluate the utilization rates of HIE, and the impact on health care delivery outcomes. The selected outcomes were total laboratory tests, radiology examinations, appointments, emergency visits, and referrals. The HIE utilization rates increased annually in all 10 federations of municipalities, and the viewing of reference information increased steadily in each professional group over the 5-year study period. In these federations, a significant connection was found to the number of laboratory tests and radiology examinations, with a statistically significant increase in the number of viewed references and use of HIE. The higher the numbers of emergency visits and appointments, the higher the numbers of emergency referrals to specialized care, viewed references, and HIE usage among the groups of different health care professionals. There is increasing interest in HIE usage through regional health information system among health professionals to improve health care delivery regionally and bring information on the patient directly to care delivery. It will be important to study which changes in working methods in the service system are explained by RHIS. Also, the experiences of the change that has taken place should be studied among the different stakeholders, administrative representatives, and patients.

  5. The effects of calculator-based laboratories on standardized test scores

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stevens, Charlotte Bethany Rains

    Nationwide, the goal of providing a productive science and math education to our youth in today's educational institutions is centering itself around the technology being utilized in these classrooms. In this age of digital technology, educational software and calculator-based laboratories (CBL) have become significant devices in the teaching of science and math for many states across the United States. Among the technology, the Texas Instruments graphing calculator and Vernier Labpro interface, are among some of the calculator-based laboratories becoming increasingly popular among middle and high school science and math teachers in many school districts across this country. In Tennessee, however, it is reported that this type of technology is not regularly utilized at the student level in most high school science classrooms, especially in the area of Physical Science (Vernier, 2006). This research explored the effect of calculator based laboratory instruction on standardized test scores. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of traditional teaching methods versus graphing calculator teaching methods on the state mandated End-of-Course (EOC) Physical Science exam based on ability, gender, and ethnicity. The sample included 187 total tenth and eleventh grade physical science students, 101 of which belonged to a control group and 87 of which belonged to the experimental group. Physical Science End-of-Course scores obtained from the Tennessee Department of Education during the spring of 2005 and the spring of 2006 were used to examine the hypotheses. The findings of this research study suggested the type of teaching method, traditional or calculator based, did not have an effect on standardized test scores. However, the students' ability level, as demonstrated on the End-of-Course test, had a significant effect on End-of-Course test scores. This study focused on a limited population of high school physical science students in the middle Tennessee Putnam County area. The study should be reproduced in various school districts in the state of Tennessee to compare the findings.

  6. Use of the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory at Brookhaven National Laboratory to Conduct Charged Particle Radiobiology Studies Relevant to Ion Therapy

    PubMed Central

    Held, Kathryn D.; Blakely, Eleanor A.; Story, Michael D.; Lowenstein, Derek I.

    2016-01-01

    Although clinical studies with carbon ions have been conducted successfully in Japan and Europe, the limited radiobiological information about charged particles that are heavier than protons remains a significant impediment to exploiting the full potential of particle therapy. There is growing interest in the U.S. to build a cancer treatment facility that utilizes charged particles heavier than protons. Therefore, it is essential that additional radiobiological knowledge be obtained using state-of-the-art technologies and biological models and end points relevant to clinical outcome. Currently, most such ion radiotherapy-related research is being conducted outside the U.S. This article addresses the substantial contributions to that research that are possible at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), which is the only facility in the U.S. at this time where heavy-ion radiobiology research with the ion species and energies of interest for therapy can be done. Here, we briefly discuss the relevant facilities at NSRL and how selected charged particle biology research gaps could be addressed using those facilities. PMID:27195609

  7. Use of the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory at Brookhaven National Laboratory to Conduct Charged Particle Radiobiology Studies Relevant to Ion Therapy.

    PubMed

    Held, Kathryn D; Blakely, Eleanor A; Story, Michael D; Lowenstein, Derek I

    2016-06-01

    Although clinical studies with carbon ions have been conducted successfully in Japan and Europe, the limited radiobiological information about charged particles that are heavier than protons remains a significant impediment to exploiting the full potential of particle therapy. There is growing interest in the U.S. to build a cancer treatment facility that utilizes charged particles heavier than protons. Therefore, it is essential that additional radiobiological knowledge be obtained using state-of-the-art technologies and biological models and end points relevant to clinical outcome. Currently, most such ion radiotherapy-related research is being conducted outside the U.S. This article addresses the substantial contributions to that research that are possible at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), which is the only facility in the U.S. at this time where heavy-ion radiobiology research with the ion species and energies of interest for therapy can be done. Here, we briefly discuss the relevant facilities at NSRL and how selected charged particle biology research gaps could be addressed using those facilities.

  8. Fix it first : utilizing the seismic property analyzer and MMLS to develop guidelines for the use of polymer modified thin lift HMA vs. surface treatments.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2012-09-01

    The main objective of this study was to develop thin lift overlay mixtures with polymer modified asphalt for use in New England. As part of this : research a comprehensive literature review and internet survey was conducted. Moreover, laboratory test...

  9. Waterfowl of the Savannah River Plant: Comprehensive cooling water study. Final report

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

    Mayer, J.J.; Kennamer, R.A.; Hoppe, R.T.

    1986-06-01

    Thirty-one species of waterfowl have been documented on the Savannah River Plant (SPR). The Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL) has been conducting waterfowl research on the site for the past 15 years. This research has included work on waterfowl utilization of the SRP, wood duck reproductive biology, and waterfowl wintering ecology. Results are described.

  10. Applying Signal-Detection Theory to the Study of Observer Accuracy and Bias in Behavioral Assessment

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lerman, Dorothea C.; Tetreault, Allison; Hovanetz, Alyson; Bellaci, Emily; Miller, Jonathan; Karp, Hilary; Mahmood, Angela; Strobel, Maggie; Mullen, Shelley; Keyl, Alice; Toupard, Alexis

    2010-01-01

    We evaluated the feasibility and utility of a laboratory model for examining observer accuracy within the framework of signal-detection theory (SDT). Sixty-one individuals collected data on aggression while viewing videotaped segments of simulated teacher-child interactions. The purpose of Experiment 1 was to determine if brief feedback and…

  11. Reliability and Construct Validity of the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised for Latino, European American, and African American Male Inmates

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Sullivan, Elizabeth A.; Abramowitz, Carolyn S.; Lopez, Mabel; Kosson, David S.

    2006-01-01

    The utility of the psychopathy construct in predicting laboratory deficits, criminal behavior, response to intervention, and recidivism has been well documented in European American populations. However, less is known about the manifestation and correlates of psychopathy in Latino and African American populations. The present study examined the…

  12. ANAEROBIC BIOTRANSFORMATION OF 2,4-DINITROTOLUENE WITH ETHANOL AS PRIMARY SUBSTRATE: MUTUAL EFFECT OF THE SUBSTRATES ON THEIR BIOTRANSFORMATION

    EPA Science Inventory

    The effect of the initial concentration of 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) on its biotransformation and on the microbial utilization of ethanol was investigated. The culture used in this study was acclimated in a continuous flow laboratory fermentor with 2,4-DNT and ethanol as substrat...

  13. 75 FR 60094 - Proposed Agency Information Collection

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-09-29

    ... utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information... Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, One Bethel Valley Road, P.O. Box 2008, MS-6038, Oak Ridge... to: Bruce Tonn, Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, One Bethel Valley...

  14. Microwave-Assisted Esterification: A Discovery-Based Microscale Laboratory Experiment

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Reilly, Maureen K.; King, Ryan P.; Wagner, Alexander J.; King, Susan M.

    2014-01-01

    An undergraduate organic chemistry laboratory experiment has been developed that features a discovery-based microscale Fischer esterification utilizing a microwave reactor. Students individually synthesize a unique ester from known sets of alcohols and carboxylic acids. Each student identifies the best reaction conditions given their particular…

  15. Using Laboratory Chemicals to Imitate Illicit Drugs in a Forensic Chemistry Activity

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hasan, Shawn; Bromfield-Lee, Deborah; Oliver-Hoyo, Maria T.; Cintron-Maldonado, Jose A.

    2008-01-01

    This forensic chemistry activity utilizes presumptive forensic testing procedures and laboratory chemicals that produce screening results similar to controlled substances. For obvious reasons, obtaining heavily regulated controlled substances to create an undergraduate student activity is not practical for most educational institutions. We were…

  16. National Utility Rate Database: Preprint

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

    Ong, S.; McKeel, R.

    2012-08-01

    When modeling solar energy technologies and other distributed energy systems, using high-quality expansive electricity rates is essential. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) developed a utility rate platform for entering, storing, updating, and accessing a large collection of utility rates from around the United States. This utility rate platform lives on the Open Energy Information (OpenEI) website, OpenEI.org, allowing the data to be programmatically accessed from a web browser, using an application programming interface (API). The semantic-based utility rate platform currently has record of 1,885 utility rates and covers over 85% of the electricity consumption in the United States.

  17. Management Academy LANL Business Systems: Property Management, Course #31036

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

    Shepherd, Michael J.; Rinke, Helen Mae; Hanson, Todd

    Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is responsible for the efficient economical management of all government property in its stewardship. This training explains the role LANL managers have in managing, controlling, and disposing of government property. The Laboratory's goal is good asset management. By properly managing property across the facility, Laboratory managers can help ASM improve government property utilization and extend asset life, while reducing asset-related operating costs and expenditures.

  18. Planning for Space Station Freedom laboratory payload integration

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Willenberg, Harvey J.; Torre, Larry P.

    1989-01-01

    Space Station Freedom is being developed to support extensive missions involving microgravity research and applications. Requirements for on-orbit payload integration and the simultaneous payload integration of multiple mission increments will provide the stimulus to develop new streamlined integration procedures in order to take advantage of the increased capabilities offered by Freedom. The United States Laboratory and its user accommodations are described. The process of integrating users' experiments and equipment into the United States Laboratory and the Pressurized Logistics Modules is described. This process includes the strategic and tactical phases of Space Station utilization planning. The support that the Work Package 01 Utilization office will provide to the users and hardware developers, in the form of Experiment Integration Engineers, early accommodation assessments, and physical integration of experiment equipment, is described. Plans for integrated payload analytical integration are also described.

  19. Definition of an XML markup language for clinical laboratory procedures and comparison with generic XML markup.

    PubMed

    Saadawi, Gilan M; Harrison, James H

    2006-10-01

    Clinical laboratory procedure manuals are typically maintained as word processor files and are inefficient to store and search, require substantial effort for review and updating, and integrate poorly with other laboratory information. Electronic document management systems could improve procedure management and utility. As a first step toward building such systems, we have developed a prototype electronic format for laboratory procedures using Extensible Markup Language (XML). Representative laboratory procedures were analyzed to identify document structure and data elements. This information was used to create a markup vocabulary, CLP-ML, expressed as an XML Document Type Definition (DTD). To determine whether this markup provided advantages over generic markup, we compared procedures structured with CLP-ML or with the vocabulary of the Health Level Seven, Inc. (HL7) Clinical Document Architecture (CDA) narrative block. CLP-ML includes 124 XML tags and supports a variety of procedure types across different laboratory sections. When compared with a general-purpose markup vocabulary (CDA narrative block), CLP-ML documents were easier to edit and read, less complex structurally, and simpler to traverse for searching and retrieval. In combination with appropriate software, CLP-ML is designed to support electronic authoring, reviewing, distributing, and searching of clinical laboratory procedures from a central repository, decreasing procedure maintenance effort and increasing the utility of procedure information. A standard electronic procedure format could also allow laboratories and vendors to share procedures and procedure layouts, minimizing duplicative word processor editing. Our results suggest that laboratory-specific markup such as CLP-ML will provide greater benefit for such systems than generic markup.

  20. Regional and Temporal Variation in Methamphetamine-Related Incidents: Applications of Spatial and Temporal Scan Statistics

    PubMed Central

    Sudakin, Daniel L.

    2009-01-01

    Introduction This investigation utilized spatial scan statistics, geographic information systems and multiple data sources to assess spatial clustering of statewide methamphetamine-related incidents. Temporal and spatial associations with regulatory interventions to reduce access to precursor chemicals (pseudoephedrine) were also explored. Methods Four statewide data sources were utilized including regional poison control center statistics, fatality incidents, methamphetamine laboratory seizures, and hazardous substance releases involving methamphetamine laboratories. Spatial clustering of methamphetamine incidents was assessed using SaTScan™. SaTScan™ was also utilized to assess space-time clustering of methamphetamine laboratory incidents, in relation to the enactment of regulations to reduce access to pseudoephedrine. Results Five counties with a significantly higher relative risk of methamphetamine-related incidents were identified. The county identified as the most likely cluster had a significantly elevated relative risk of methamphetamine laboratories (RR=11.5), hazardous substance releases (RR=8.3), and fatalities relating to methamphetamine (RR=1.4). A significant increase in relative risk of methamphetamine laboratory incidents was apparent in this same geographic area (RR=20.7) during the time period when regulations were enacted in 2004 and 2005, restricting access to pseudoephedrine. Subsequent to the enactment of these regulations, a significantly lower rate of incidents (RR 0.111, p=0.0001) was observed over a large geographic area of the state, including regions that previously had significantly higher rates. Conclusions Spatial and temporal scan statistics can be effectively applied to multiple data sources to assess regional variation in methamphetamine-related incidents, and explore the impact of preventive regulatory interventions. PMID:19225949

  1. NITROUS OXIDE EMISSIONS FROM FOSSIL FUEL COMBUSTION

    EPA Science Inventory

    The role of coal combustion as a significant global source of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions was reexamined through on-line emission measurements from six pulverized-coal-fired utility boilers and from laboratory and pilot-scale combustors. The full-scale utility boilers yielded d...

  2. New targets for expedient detection of viruses within shellfish

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Previously our laboratory developed an expedient method for extraction of viral RNA from food-borne virus contaminated bivalve shellfish, termed the GPTT protocol. This protocol utilizes either whole shellfish or dissected digestive diverticula. This four step protocol utilizes a high pH glycine or...

  3. Utilization of Genetic Testing Prior to Subspecialist Referral for Cerebellar Ataxia

    PubMed Central

    Fogel, Brent L.; Vickrey, Barbara G.; Walton-Wetzel, Jenny; Lieber, Eli

    2013-01-01

    Objective: To evaluate the utilization of laboratory testing in the diagnosis of cerebellar ataxia, including the completeness of initial standard testing for acquired causes, the early use of genetic testing, and associated clinical and nonclinical factors, among a cohort referred for subspecialty consultation. Methods: Data were abstracted from records of 95 consecutive ataxia patients referred to one neurogenetics subspecialist from 2006–2010 and linked to publicly available data on characteristics of referral clinicians. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models were used to analyze unique associations of clinical and nonclinical factors with laboratory investigation of acquired causes and with early genetic testing prior to referral. Results: At referral, 27 of 95 patients lacked evidence of any of 14 laboratory studies suggested for initial work-up of an acquired cause for ataxia (average number of tests=4.5). In contrast, 92% of patients had undergone brain magnetic resonance imaging prior to referral. Overall, 41.1% (n=39) had genetic testing prior to referral; there was no association between family history of ataxia and obtaining genetic testing prior to referral (p=0.39). The level of early genetic testing was 31.6%, primarily due to genetic testing despite an incomplete laboratory evaluation for acquired causes and no family history. A positive family history was consistently associated with less extensive laboratory testing (p=0.004), and referral by a neurologist was associated with higher levels of early genetic testing. Conclusions: Among consecutive referrals to a single center, a substantial proportion of sporadic cases had genetic testing without evidence of a work-up for acquired causes. Better strategies to guide decision making and subspecialty referrals in rare neurologic disorders are needed, given the cost and consequences of genetic testing. PMID:23725007

  4. Testing high SPF sunscreens: a demonstration of the accuracy and reproducibility of the results of testing high SPF formulations by two methods and at different testing sites.

    PubMed

    Agin, Patricia Poh; Edmonds, Susan H

    2002-08-01

    The goals of this study were (i) to demonstrate that existing and widely used sun protection factor (SPF) test methodologies can produce accurate and reproducible results for high SPF formulations and (ii) to provide data on the number of test-subjects needed, the variability of the data, and the appropriate exposure increments needed for testing high SPF formulations. Three high SPF formulations were tested, according to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) 1993 tentative final monograph (TFM) 'very water resistant' test method and/or the 1978 proposed monograph 'waterproof' test method, within one laboratory. A fourth high SPF formulation was tested at four independent SPF testing laboratories, using the 1978 waterproof SPF test method. All laboratories utilized xenon arc solar simulators. The data illustrate that the testing conducted within one laboratory, following either the 1978 proposed or the 1993 TFM SPF test method, was able to reproducibly determine the SPFs of the formulations tested, using either the statistical analysis method in the proposed monograph or the statistical method described in the TFM. When one formulation was tested at four different laboratories, the anticipated variation in the data owing to the equipment and other operational differences was minimized through the use of the statistical method described in the 1993 monograph. The data illustrate that either the 1978 proposed monograph SPF test method or the 1993 TFM SPF test method can provide accurate and reproducible results for high SPF formulations. Further, these results can be achieved with panels of 20-25 subjects with an acceptable level of variability. Utilization of the statistical controls from the 1993 sunscreen monograph can help to minimize lab-to-lab variability for well-formulated products.

  5. Combustion and Heat Transfer Studies Utilizing Advanced Diagnostics: Combustion Studies

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1992-11-01

    Research Zone With Combustion," Turbulent Shear Flows. VoL 5. pp. 337- and Development Center, Aero Propulsion and Power 346, Springer Verlg, New ...200 words) A long-term goal of the Air Force is to develop near-stoichiometric gas turbine combustors that will burn broad-specification fuels, and...laboratory combustors. Two novel methods for CARS slit function were developed ; these made possible precise and unambiguous measurements of flame

  6. A FEASIBILITY STUDY TO INVESTIGATE THE INSTRUMENTATION, ESTABLISHMENT, AND OPERATION OF A LEARNING LABORATORY FOR HARD-OF-HEARING CHILDREN, FINAL REPORT.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    STEPP, ROBERT E.

    TEN CHILDREN AGED 5-8 WERE SELECTED TO TEST A SELF-INSTRUCTIONAL, SELF-OPERATING SYSTEM TO DEVELOP LIPREADING SKILLS. THEIR HEARING DEFICIENCY RANGED FROM HARD OF HEARING TO PROFOUNDLY DEAF. THE SYSTEM CONSISTED OF THREE STUDY CARRELS, AN 8-MM CARTRIDGE-LOADING SOUND MOTION PICTURE PROJECTOR, AND AN OBSERVATION BOOTH UTILIZING A ONE-WAY MIRROR.…

  7. Implementation of a mentored professional development programme in laboratory leadership and management in the Middle East and North Africa.

    PubMed

    Perrone, L A; Confer, D; Scott, E; Livingston, L; Bradburn, C; McGee, A; Furtwangler, T; Downer, A; Mokdad, A H; Flandin, J F; Shotorbani, S; Asghar, H; Tolbah, H E; Ahmed, H J; Alwan, A; Martin, R

    2017-02-01

    Laboratories need leaders who can effectively utilize the laboratories' resources, maximize the laboratories'capacity to detect disease, and advocate for laboratories in a fluctuating health care environment. To address this need, the University of Washington, USA, created the Certificate Program in Laboratory Leadership and Management in partnership with WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, and implemented it with 17 participants and 11 mentors from clinical and public health laboratories in 10 countries (Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen) in 2014. Designed to teach leadership and management skills to laboratory supervisors, the programme enabled participants to improve laboratory testing quality and operations. The programme was successful overall, with 80% of participants completing it and making impactful changes in their laboratories. This success is encouraging and could serve as a model to further strengthen laboratory capacity in the Region.

  8. Bringing the Tools of Big Science to Bear on Local Environmental Challenges

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bronson, Scott; Jones, Keith W.; Brown, Maria

    2013-01-01

    We describe an interactive collaborative environmental education project that makes advanced laboratory facilities at Brookhaven National Laboratory accessible for one-year or multi-year science projects for the high school level. Cyber-enabled Environmental Science (CEES) utilizes web conferencing software to bring multi-disciplinary,…

  9. Making a Low-Cost Soda Can Ethanol Burner for Out-of-Laboratory Flame Test Demonstrations and Experiments

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Yu, Henson L. Lee; Domingo, Perfecto N., Jr.; Yanza, Elliard Roswell S.; Guidote, Armando M., Jr.

    2015-01-01

    This article demonstrates how to make a low-cost ethanol burner utilizing soda cans. It burns with a light blue flame suitable for out-of-laboratory flame test demonstrations where interference from a yellow flame needs to be avoided.

  10. A History of Educational Facilities Laboratories (EFL)

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Marks, Judy

    2009-01-01

    The Educational Facilities Laboratories (EFL), an independent research organization established by the Ford Foundation, opened its doors in 1958 under the direction of Harold B. Gores, a distinguished educator. Its purpose was to help schools and colleges maximize the quality and utility of their facilities, stimulate research, and disseminate…

  11. Fluid dynamics structures in a fire environment observed in laboratory-scale experiments

    Treesearch

    J. Lozano; W. Tachajapong; D.R. Weise; S. Mahalingam; M. Princevac

    2010-01-01

    Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements were performed in laboratory-scale experimental fires spreading across horizontal fuel beds composed of aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx) excelsior. The continuous flame, intermittent flame, and thermal plume regions of a fire were investigated. Utilizing a PIV system, instantaneous velocity fields for...

  12. Waterless Condensers for the Teaching Laboratory: An Adaptation of Traditional Glassware

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Baum, Erich W.; Esteb, John J.; Wilson, Anne M.

    2014-01-01

    A simple adaptation of traditional "chemistry kit" condensers for the organic chemistry teaching laboratory is described. These waterless condensers have been employed safely with most solvents. They can be easily fabricated, stored, and used in the same manner as water-cooled condensers. These condensers were utilized in several…

  13. Laboratory-Based and Autobiographical Retrieval Tasks Differ Substantially in Their Neural Substrates

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    McDermott, Kathleen B.; Szpunar, Karl K.; Christ, Shawn E.

    2009-01-01

    In designing experiments to investigate retrieval of event memory, researchers choose between utilizing laboratory-based methods (in which to-be-remembered materials are presented to participants) and autobiographical approaches (in which the to-be-remembered materials are events from the participant's pre-experimental life). In practice, most…

  14. Simple & Rapid Generation of Complex DNA Profiles for the Undergraduate Laboratory

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kass, David H.

    2007-01-01

    Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) profiles can be generated by a variety of techniques incorporating different types of DNA markers. Simple methods are commonly utilized in the undergraduate laboratory, but with certain drawbacks. In this article, the author presents an advancement of the "Alu" dimorphism technique involving two tetraplex polymerase…

  15. 75 FR 62401 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-10-08

    ... collection; Title of Information Collection: Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) of 1988 and... laboratories that perform testing on human beings to meet performance requirements (quality standards) in order... functions; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity...

  16. COMPARING BEHAVIORAL DOSE-EFFECT CURVES FOR HUMANS AND LABORATORY ANIMALS ACUTELY EXPOSED TO TOLUENE.

    EPA Science Inventory

    The utility of laboratory animal data in toxicology depends upon the ability to generalize the results quantitatively to humans. To compare the acute behavioral effects of inhaled toluene in humans to those in animals, dose-effect curves were fitted by meta-analysis of published...

  17. LABORATORY INVOLVEMENT IN PLANNING FOR AND RESPONDING TO CONTAMINATION THREATS TO DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS

    EPA Science Inventory


    EPA's National Homeland Security Research Center (Office of Research and Development) and Water Protection Task Force (Office of Water) have jointly developed a draft analytical guide that may be used by laboratories to plan for and provide support to a drinking water utility...

  18. This image, looking south, shows a typical corridor in the ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    This image, looking south, shows a typical corridor in the laboratory area of the building, where numerous pipes were required to carry the various utilities needed for procedure and safety equipment - Department of Energy, Mound Facility, Electronics Laboratory Building (E Building), One Mound Road, Miamisburg, Montgomery County, OH

  19. 77 FR 65714 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Requested:

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-10-30

    ... Drug Samples Tested by Non-Federal (State and Local Government) Crime Laboratories ACTION: 60-Day... functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; --Evaluate the... Analysis Data on Drug Samples Tested by Non-Federal (State and Local Government) Crime Laboratories. (3...

  20. Science teachers' utilization of Internet and inquiry-based laboratory lessons after an Internet-delivered professional development program

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, Kathryn Martell

    Much of the professional development in the past decades has been single incident experiences. The heart of inservice growth is the sustained development of current knowledge and practices, vital in science education, as reflected in the National Science Education Standards' inquiry and telecommunications components. This study was an exploration of an Internet-delivered professional development experience, utilizing multiple session interactive real-time data sources and semester-long sustained telementoring. Two groups of inservice teachers participated in the study, with only one group receiving a telementored coaching component. Measures of the dependent variable (delivery of an inquiry-based laboratory lesson sequence) were obtained by videotape, and predictive variables (self-analysis of teaching style and content delivery interviews) were administered to the forty veteran secondary school science teacher volunteers. Results showed that teachers in the group receiving semester-long coaching performed significantly better on utilizing the Internet for content research and inquiry-based lesson sequence delivery than the group not receiving the coaching. Members of the coached group were able to select a dedicated listserv, e-mail, chatline or telephone as the medium of coaching. While the members of the coached group used the listserv, the overwhelming preference was to be coached via the telephone. Qualitative analysis indicated that the telephone was selected for its efficiency of time, immediacy of response, and richer dialogue. Perceived barriers to the implementation of the Internet as a real-time data source in science classrooms included time for access, obsolesce of equipment, and logistics of computer to student ratios. These findings suggest that the group of science teachers studied (1) benefited from a sustained coaching experience for inquiry-based lesson delivery, (2) perceived the Internet as a source of content for their curriculum rather than a communication source, and (3) preferred the telephone as a coaching tool for its efficiency and convenience. Utilizing current pedagogy in science and telecommunication tools has served to whet the appetite of the study teachers to develop utilization of the Internet in their classes for real-time data acquisition.

  1. The autonomic laboratory

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Low, P. A.; Opfer-Gehrking, T. L.

    1999-01-01

    The autonomic nervous system can now be studied quantitatively, noninvasively, and reproducibly in a clinical autonomic laboratory. The approach at the Mayo Clinic is to study the postganglionic sympathetic nerve fibers of peripheral nerve (using the quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test [QSART]), the parasympathetic nerves to the heart (cardiovagal tests), and the regulation of blood pressure by the baroreflexes (adrenergic tests). Patient preparation is extremely important, since the state of the patient influences the results of autonomic function tests. The autonomic technologist in this evolving field needs to have a solid core of knowledge of autonomic physiology and autonomic function tests, followed by training in the performance of these tests in a standardized fashion. The range and utilization of tests of autonomic function will likely continue to evolve.

  2. Reinforcement learning interfaces for biomedical database systems.

    PubMed

    Rudowsky, I; Kulyba, O; Kunin, M; Parsons, S; Raphan, T

    2006-01-01

    Studies of neural function that are carried out in different laboratories and that address different questions use a wide range of descriptors for data storage, depending on the laboratory and the individuals that input the data. A common approach to describe non-textual data that are referenced through a relational database is to use metadata descriptors. We have recently designed such a prototype system, but to maintain efficiency and a manageable metadata table, free formatted fields were designed as table entries. The database interface application utilizes an intelligent agent to improve integrity of operation. The purpose of this study was to investigate how reinforcement learning algorithms can assist the user in interacting with the database interface application that has been developed to improve the performance of the system.

  3. Fuel and Emissions Reduction in Electric Power Take-Off Equipped Utility Vehicles

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

    Konan, Arnaud; Ragatz, Adam; Prohaska, Robert

    The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) evaluated the performance of Pacific Gas and Electric plug-in hybrid electric power take off (ePTO) utility trucks equipped with Altec, Inc.'s Jobsite Energy Management System. NREL collected on-road performance data from Class 5 utility 'trouble trucks' and Class 8 material handlers and developed representative drive cycles for chassis dynamometer testing. The drive cycles were analyzed and jobsite energy use was quantified for impacts and potential further hybridization for the utility truck vocation.

  4. Resource Utilization Related to Atrial Fibrillation After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

    PubMed Central

    Hravnak, Marilyn; Hoffman, Leslie A.; Saul, Melissa I.; Zullo, Thomas G.; Whitman, Gayle R.

    2013-01-01

    Background Studies of resource utilization by patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting have addressed only length of stay and bed charges. Objective To compare resource utilization between patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation and patients without atrial fibrillation after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods Retrospective review of clinical and administrative electronic databases for 720 subjects who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass in 25 months at one medical center. The prevalence of atrial fibrillation was determined, and resource utilization in various hospital cost centers was compared between subjects with and without atrial fibrillation. Results The prevalence of new-onset atrial fibrillation was 33.1%. Compared with subjects without atrial fibrillation, subjects with atrial fibrillation had a longer stay (5.8 ± 2.4 vs 4.4 ± 1.2 days, P< .001), more days receiving mechanical ventilation (P=.002) and oxygen therapy (P< .001), and higher rates of readmission to the intensive care unit (4.6% vs 0.2%, P< .001). Subjects with atrial fibrillation also had more laboratory tests (P< .001) and more days receiving cardiac drugs, heparin, diuretics, and electrolytes. Subjects with atrial fibrillation had higher total postoperative charges ($57261 ± $17 101 vs $50905 ± $10062, P= .001), a mean difference of $6356. The mean differences were greatest for bed charges ($1642), laboratory charges ($1215), pharmacy ($989), and respiratory care ($582). Conclusion The economic impact of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting has been underestimated. PMID:12022486

  5. Undeclared Formaldehyde Levels in Patient Consumer Products: Formaldehyde Test Kit Utility.

    PubMed

    Ham, Jason E; Siegel, Paul; Maibach, Howard

    2018-05-03

    Formaldehyde allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) may be due to products with free formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing agents, however, assessment of formaldehyde levels in such products is infrequently conducted. The present study quantifies total releasable formaldehyde from "in-use" products associated with formaldehyde ACD and tests the utility of commercially available formaldehyde spot test kits. Personal care products from 2 patients with ACD to formaldehyde were initially screened at the clinic for formaldehyde using a formaldehyde spot test kit. Formaldehyde positive products were sent to the laboratory for confirmation by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In addition, 4 formaldehyde spot test kits were evaluated for potential utility in a clinical setting. Nine of the 10 formaldehyde spot test kit positive products obtained from formaldehyde allergic patients had formaldehyde with total releasable formaldehyde levels ranging from 5.4 to 269.4 µg/g. Of these, only 2 shampoos tested listed a formaldehyde-releasing agent in the ingredients or product literature. Subsequently, commercially available formaldehyde spot test kits were evaluated in the laboratory for ability to identify formaldehyde in personal care products. Chemical based formaldehyde spot test were more reliable than the enzymatic based test in identifying product releasable formaldehyde content. It is concluded that product labeled ingredient lists and available information are often inadequate to confirm the potential for formaldehyde exposure and chemical based spot test kits may have utility for identification of potential formaldehyde exposure from personal care products.

  6. Application of the ionscan for the detection of methamphetamine and ephedrine in abondoned clandestine laboratories

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Brown, Patricia A.; Comparin, Jeffrey H.

    1995-01-01

    Clandestine methamphetamine laboratories are prevalent in southern California. The most common encountered synthesis results in vapor release, and drug residue being left behind. The suspected manufacturing area can be vacuumed and/or methanol wiped and screened immediately at the lab site using the Ionscan. Positive results are confirmed by obtaining vacuum sweep samples with subsequent analysis at the DEA Laboratory. This procedure has been utilized successfully for identifying methamphetamine and ephedrine from clandestine laboratories that have been abandoned and/or remodeled.

  7. We are what we do: Examining learner-generated content in the anatomy laboratory through the lens of activity theory.

    PubMed

    Doubleday, Alison F; Wille, Sarah J

    2014-01-01

    Video and photography are often used for delivering content within the anatomical sciences. However, instructors typically produce these resources to provide instructional or procedural information. Although the benefits of learner-generated content have been explored within educational research, virtually no studies have investigated the use of learner-generated video and photograph content within anatomy dissection laboratories. This study outlines an activity involving learner-generated video diaries and learner-generated photograph assignments produced during anatomy laboratory sessions. The learner-generated photographs and videos provided instructors with a means of formative assessment and allowed instructors to identify evidence of collaborative behavior in the laboratory. Student questionnaires (n = 21) and interviews (n = 5), as well as in-class observations, were conducted to examine student perspectives on the laboratory activities. The quantitative and qualitative data were examined using the framework of activity theory to identify contradictions between student expectations of, and engagement with, the activity and the actual experiences of the students. Results indicate that learner-generated photograph and video content can act as a rich source of data on student learning processes and can be used for formative assessment, for observing collaborative behavior, and as a starting point for class discussions. This study stresses the idea that technology choice for activities must align with instructional goals. This research also highlights the utility of activity theory as a framework for assessing classroom and laboratory activities, demonstrating that this approach can guide the development of laboratory activities. © 2014 American Association of Anatomists.

  8. Signature pathway expression of xylose utilization in the genetically engineered industrial yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Background: The limited xylose utilizing ability of native Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been a major obstacle for efficient cellulosic ethanol production from lignocellulosic materials. Haploid laboratory strains of S. cerevisiae are commonly used for genetic engineering to enable its xylose utiliza...

  9. IAPCS: A COMPUTER MODEL THAT EVALUATES POLLUTION CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR UTILITY BOILERS

    EPA Science Inventory

    The IAPCS model, developed by U.S. EPA`s Air and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory and made available to the public through the National Technical Information Service, can be used by utility companies, architectural and engineering companies, and regulatory agencies at all l...

  10. What's in a Trial? On the Importance of Distinguishing Between Experimental Lab Studies and Randomized Controlled Trials: The Case of Cognitive Bias Modification and Alcohol Use Disorders.

    PubMed

    Wiers, Reinout W; Boffo, Marilisa; Field, Matt

    2018-05-01

    Recently, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) redefined clinical trials to include any study involving behavioral or biomedical interventions. In line with a general framework from experimental medicine, we argue that it is crucial to distinguish between experimental laboratory studies aimed at revealing psychological mechanisms underlying behavior and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in clinical samples aimed at testing the efficacy of an intervention. As an illustration, we reviewed the current state of the evidence on the efficacy of cognitive bias modification (CBM) interventions in alcohol use disorders. A recent meta-analysis "cast serious doubts on the clinical utility of CBM interventions for addiction." That analysis combined experimental laboratory studies and RCTs. We demonstrated that, when studies are differentiated regarding study type (experimental laboratory study or RCT), mode of delivery (controlled experiment or Internet), and population (healthy volunteers or patients), the following effects are found: (a) short-lived effects of CBM on drinking behavior in experimental laboratory studies in students, but only when the bias is successfully manipulated; (b) small but robust effects of CBM on treatment outcome when administered as an adjunct to established treatments in clinical settings in RCTs with alcohol-dependent patients; and (c) nonspecific effects (reduced drinking irrespective of condition) in RCTs of CBM administered online to problem drinkers. We discuss how CBM might be improved when it is better integrated into regular treatment, especially cognitive behavioral therapy, and we conclude that disregarding the difference between experimental laboratory studies and RCTs can lead to invalid conclusions.

  11. The effects of moisture on molecular sieve oxygen concentrators.

    PubMed

    Ikels, K G; Theis, C F

    1985-01-01

    Molecular sieve oxygen generating systems are receiving extensive laboratory and flight evaluation. Assessment of the molecular system has generally been conducted in the laboratory using clean dry air. In aircraft, however, the molecular sieve generator is supplied with engine bleed air which may not always be totally free of contaminants and water. Recent studies using bed washout technics have shown that the molecular sieve units, with 50% of the beds deactivated with water, still function normally with respect to product gas flow and O2 concentration. By utilizing the technics described in this paper, the moisture content or state of hydration of the molecular sieve can readily be determined.

  12. Does the practice of blood film microscopy for detection and quantification of malaria parasites in northwest Ethiopia fit the standard?

    PubMed

    Biadglegne, Fantahun; Belyhun, Yeshambel; Ali, Jemal; Walle, Fisha; Gudeta, Nigussu; Kassu, Afework; Mulu, Andargachew

    2014-11-01

    The diagnosis of malaria in clinical laboratories mainly depends on blood smear microscopy and this technique remains the most widely used in Ethiopia. Despite the importance of blood smear microscopy for patient's diagnosis and treatment, little effort has been made to precisely determine and identify sources of error in malaria smear microscopic diagnosis and quantification of parasitaemia. The main objective of the present study was to assess the laboratory practices of health care laboratories carrying out blood films microscopy. A cross sectional study was conducted in northwestern Ethiopia involving 29 health care institutes. A structured and pretested questionnaire were used to collect relevant information on the physical conditions, laboratory logistics and laboratory practices carrying out blood smear microscopy. There was inadequacy of laboratory reagents, guidelines and materials. Most of the health institutes have been practicing re-utilization of microscope slides for malaria microscopy. The technical procedure (preparing of reagents, making of blood films and staining of the slides) were found to be below the standard in 50% of the health institutes. Refresher training and quality assessment has been done only in two and six of the health institutes in the past five years, respectively. In most of the health care laboratories studied, availability of laboratory logistics and technical practices for malaria microscopy were found to be below the standard set by World Health Organization. Improving logistics access for malaria microscopy at all level of health care is important to increase accuracy of diagnosis and quantification of malaria parasites. Moreover, continued training and regular supervision of the staff and implementation of quality control program in the area is also crucial.

  13. Variability in baseline laboratory measurements of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil).

    PubMed

    Ladwig, R; Vigo, A; Fedeli, L M G; Chambless, L E; Bensenor, I; Schmidt, M I; Vidigal, P G; Castilhos, C D; Duncan, B B

    2016-08-01

    Multi-center epidemiological studies must ascertain that their measurements are accurate and reliable. For laboratory measurements, reliability can be assessed through investigation of reproducibility of measurements in the same individual. In this paper, we present results from the quality control analysis of the baseline laboratory measurements from the ELSA-Brasil study. The study enrolled 15,105 civil servants at 6 research centers in 3 regions of Brazil between 2008-2010, with multiple biochemical analytes being measured at a central laboratory. Quality control was ascertained through standard laboratory evaluation of intra- and inter-assay variability and test-retest analysis in a subset of randomly chosen participants. An additional sample of urine or blood was collected from these participants, and these samples were handled in the same manner as the original ones, locally and at the central laboratory. Reliability was assessed with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), estimated through a random effects model. Coefficients of variation (CV) and Bland-Altman plots were additionally used to assess measurement variability. Laboratory intra and inter-assay CVs varied from 0.86% to 7.77%. From test-retest analyses, the ICCs were high for the majority of the analytes. Notably lower ICCs were observed for serum sodium (ICC=0.50; 95%CI=0.31-0.65) and serum potassium (ICC=0.73; 95%CI=0.60-0.83), due to the small biological range of these analytes. The CVs ranged from 1 to 14%. The Bland-Altman plots confirmed these results. The quality control analyses showed that the collection, processing and measurement protocols utilized in the ELSA-Brasil produced reliable biochemical measurements.

  14. Utility of common bile duct measurement in ED point of care ultrasound: A prospective study.

    PubMed

    Lahham, Shadi; Becker, Brent A; Gari, Abdulatif; Bunch, Steven; Alvarado, Maili; Anderson, Craig L; Viquez, Eric; Spann, Sophia C; Fox, John C

    2018-06-01

    Measurement of the common bile duct (CBD) is considered a fundamental component of biliary point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), but can be technically challenging. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether CBD diameter contributes to the diagnosis of complicated biliary pathology in emergency department (ED) patients with normal laboratory values and no abnormal biliary POCUS findings aside from cholelithiasis. We performed a prospective, observational study of adult ED patients undergoing POCUS of the right upper quadrant (RUQ) and serum laboratory studies for suspected biliary pathology. The primary outcome was complicated biliary pathology occurring in the setting of normal laboratory values and a POCUS demonstrating the absence of gallbladder wall thickening (GWT), pericholecystic fluid (PCF) and sonographic Murphy's sign (SMS). The association between CBD dilation and complicated biliary pathology was assessed using logistic regression to control for other factors, including laboratory findings, cholelithiasis and other sonographic abnormalities. A total of 158 patients were included in the study. 76 (48.1%) received non-biliary diagnoses and 82 (51.9%) were diagnosed with biliary pathology. Complicated biliary pathology was diagnosed in 39 patients. Sensitivity of CBD dilation for complicated biliary pathology was 23.7% and specificity was 77.9%. Of patients diagnosed with biliary pathology, none had isolated CBD dilatation. In the absence of abnormal laboratory values and GWT, PCF or SMS on POCUS, obtaining a CBD measurement is unlikely to contribute to the evaluation of this patient population. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  15. Clinical laboratory analytics: Challenges and promise for an emerging discipline.

    PubMed

    Shirts, Brian H; Jackson, Brian R; Baird, Geoffrey S; Baron, Jason M; Clements, Bryan; Grisson, Ricky; Hauser, Ronald George; Taylor, Julie R; Terrazas, Enrique; Brimhall, Brad

    2015-01-01

    The clinical laboratory is a major source of health care data. Increasingly these data are being integrated with other data to inform health system-wide actions meant to improve diagnostic test utilization, service efficiency, and "meaningful use." The Academy of Clinical Laboratory Physicians and Scientists hosted a satellite meeting on clinical laboratory analytics in conjunction with their annual meeting on May 29, 2014 in San Francisco. There were 80 registrants for the clinical laboratory analytics meeting. The meeting featured short presentations on current trends in clinical laboratory analytics and several panel discussions on data science in laboratory medicine, laboratory data and its role in the larger healthcare system, integrating laboratory analytics, and data sharing for collaborative analytics. One main goal of meeting was to have an open forum of leaders that work with the "big data" clinical laboratories produce. This article summarizes the proceedings of the meeting and content discussed.

  16. Clinical laboratory analytics: Challenges and promise for an emerging discipline

    PubMed Central

    Shirts, Brian H.; Jackson, Brian R.; Baird, Geoffrey S.; Baron, Jason M.; Clements, Bryan; Grisson, Ricky; Hauser, Ronald George; Taylor, Julie R.; Terrazas, Enrique; Brimhall, Brad

    2015-01-01

    The clinical laboratory is a major source of health care data. Increasingly these data are being integrated with other data to inform health system-wide actions meant to improve diagnostic test utilization, service efficiency, and “meaningful use.” The Academy of Clinical Laboratory Physicians and Scientists hosted a satellite meeting on clinical laboratory analytics in conjunction with their annual meeting on May 29, 2014 in San Francisco. There were 80 registrants for the clinical laboratory analytics meeting. The meeting featured short presentations on current trends in clinical laboratory analytics and several panel discussions on data science in laboratory medicine, laboratory data and its role in the larger healthcare system, integrating laboratory analytics, and data sharing for collaborative analytics. One main goal of meeting was to have an open forum of leaders that work with the “big data” clinical laboratories produce. This article summarizes the proceedings of the meeting and content discussed. PMID:25774320

  17. Clinical Laboratory Practice Recommendations for the Use of Cardiac Troponin in Acute Coronary Syndrome: Expert Opinion from the Academy of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry and the Task Force on Clinical Applications of Cardiac Bio-Markers of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine.

    PubMed

    Wu, Alan H B; Christenson, Robert H; Greene, Dina N; Jaffe, Allan S; Kavsak, Peter A; Ordonez-Llanos, Jordi; Apple, Fred S

    2018-04-01

    This document is an essential companion to the third iteration of the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry [NACB, 8 now the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) Academy] Laboratory Medicine Practice Guidelines (LMPG) on cardiac markers. The expert consensus recommendations were drafted in collaboration with the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine Task Force on Clinical Applications of Bio-Markers (IFCC TF-CB). We determined that there is sufficient clinical guidance on the use of cardiac troponin (cTn) testing from clinical practice groups. Thus, in this expert consensus document, we focused on clinical laboratory practice recommendations for high-sensitivity (hs)-cTn assays. This document utilized the expert opinion class of evidence to focus on the following 10 topics: ( a ) quality control (QC) utilization, ( b ) validation of the lower reportable analytical limits, ( c ) units to be used in reporting measurable concentrations for patients and QC materials, ( d ) 99th percentile sex-specific upper reference limits to define the reference interval; ( e ) criteria required to define hs-cTn assays, ( f ) communication with clinicians and the laboratory's role in educating clinicians regarding the influence of preanalytic and analytic problems that can confound assay results, ( g ) studies on hs-cTn assays and how authors need to document preanalytical and analytical variables, ( h ) harmonizing and standardizing assay results and the role of commutable materials, ( i ) time to reporting of results from sample receipt and sample collection, and ( j ) changes in hs-cTn concentrations over time and the role of both analytical and biological variabilities in interpreting results of serial blood collections. © 2017 American Association for Clinical Chemistry.

  18. Enhancing case definitions for surveillance of human monkeypox in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

    PubMed

    Osadebe, Lynda; Hughes, Christine M; Shongo Lushima, Robert; Kabamba, Joelle; Nguete, Beatrice; Malekani, Jean; Pukuta, Elisabeth; Karhemere, Stomy; Muyembe Tamfum, Jean-Jacques; Wemakoy Okitolonda, Emile; Reynolds, Mary G; McCollum, Andrea M

    2017-09-01

    Human monkeypox (MPX) occurs at appreciable rates in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV) has a similar presentation to that of MPX, and in areas where MPX is endemic these two illnesses are commonly mistaken. This study evaluated the diagnostic utility of two surveillance case definitions for MPX and specific clinical characteristics associated with laboratory-confirmed MPX cases. Data from a cohort of suspect MPX cases (identified by surveillance over the course of a 42 month period during 2009-2014) from DRC were used; real-time PCR diagnostic test results were used to establish MPX and VZV diagnoses. A total of 333 laboratory-confirmed MPX cases, 383 laboratory-confirmed VZV cases, and 36 cases that were determined to not be either MPX or VZV were included in the analyses. Significant (p<0.05) differences between laboratory-confirmed MPX and VZV cases were noted for several signs/symptoms including key rash characteristics. Both surveillance case definitions had high sensitivity and low specificities for individuals that had suspected MPX virus infections. Using 12 signs/symptoms with high sensitivity and/or specificity values, a receiver operator characteristic analysis showed that models for MPX cases that had the presence of 'fever before rash' plus at least 7 or 8 of the 12 signs/symptoms demonstrated a more balanced performance between sensitivity and specificity. Laboratory-confirmed MPX and VZV cases presented with many of the same signs and symptoms, and the analysis here emphasized the utility of including 12 specific signs/symptoms when investigating MPX cases. In order to document and detect endemic human MPX cases, a surveillance case definition with more specificity is needed for accurate case detection. In the absence of a more specific case definition, continued emphasis on confirmatory laboratory-based diagnostics is warranted.

  19. A new specimen management system using RFID technology.

    PubMed

    Shim, Hun; Uh, Young; Lee, Seung Hwan; Yoon, Young Ro

    2011-12-01

    The specimen management system with barcode needs to be improved in order to solve inherent problems in work performance. This study describes the application of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) which is the solution for the problems associated with specimen labeling and management. A new specimen management system and architecture with RFID technology for clinical laboratory was designed. The suggested system was tested in various conditions such as durability to temperature and aspect of effective utilization of new work flow under a virtual hospital clinical laboratory environment. This system demonstrates its potential application in clinical laboratories for improving work flow and specimen management. The suggested specimen management system with RFID technology has advantages in comparison to the traditional specimen management system with barcode in the aspect of mass specimen processing, robust durability of temperature, humidity changes, and effective specimen tracking.

  20. Virtual Laboratory Enabling Collaborative Research in Applied Vehicle Technologies

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lamar, John E.; Cronin, Catherine K.; Scott, Laura E.

    2005-01-01

    The virtual laboratory is a new technology, based on the internet, that has had wide usage in a variety of technical fields because of its inherent ability to allow many users to participate simultaneously in instruction (education) or in the collaborative study of a common problem (real-world application). The leadership in the Applied Vehicle Technology panel has encouraged the utilization of this technology in its task groups for some time and its parent organization, the Research and Technology Agency, has done the same for its own administrative use. This paper outlines the application of the virtual laboratory to those fields important to applied vehicle technologies, gives the status of the effort, and identifies the benefit it can have on collaborative research. The latter is done, in part, through a specific example, i.e. the experience of one task group.

  1. Applied use of cardiac and respiration measures: practical considerations and precautions.

    PubMed

    Wilson, G F

    1992-11-01

    Cardiac and respiratory measures can be successfully applied to "real world" environments and these measures have certain advantages over both performance and subjective measures that are typically used to monitor operator state and workload. However, because of large differences between laboratory and "real world" environments one must utilize caution in directly applying laboratory data and theories to the day-to-day world environment. While most workers are highly over-trained in their jobs, laboratory subjects are often under-trained in the cognitive tasks that are used to study cognitive activity. It is possible that a substantial portion of experimental effects reported in laboratory studies is due to learning effects. In addition, relatively small changes in cardiac and respiration measures are reported to experimental manipulations in the laboratory while a much larger range of changes are reported in "real world" environments. These differences highlight questions about laboratory/real world similarities and the need to develop a database of actual work environment data. A third area of concern is the relative lack of control over the experimental situation that is the case with most applied research. The possible confounding of changes due to cognitive and physical activity levels is a major concern and strategies for overcoming these problems are suggested. The potential for valuable contributions by cardiac and respiratory measures to applied research make overcoming these difficulties worthwhile.

  2. Error identification in a high-volume clinical chemistry laboratory: Five-year experience.

    PubMed

    Jafri, Lena; Khan, Aysha Habib; Ghani, Farooq; Shakeel, Shahid; Raheem, Ahmed; Siddiqui, Imran

    2015-07-01

    Quality indicators for assessing the performance of a laboratory require a systematic and continuous approach in collecting and analyzing data. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of errors utilizing the quality indicators in a clinical chemistry laboratory and to convert errors to the Sigma scale. Five-year quality indicator data of a clinical chemistry laboratory was evaluated to describe the frequency of errors. An 'error' was defined as a defect during the entire testing process from the time requisition was raised and phlebotomy was done until the result dispatch. An indicator with a Sigma value of 4 was considered good but a process for which the Sigma value was 5 (i.e. 99.977% error-free) was considered well controlled. In the five-year period, a total of 6,792,020 specimens were received in the laboratory. Among a total of 17,631,834 analyses, 15.5% were from within hospital. Total error rate was 0.45% and of all the quality indicators used in this study the average Sigma level was 5.2. Three indicators - visible hemolysis, failure of proficiency testing and delay in stat tests - were below 5 on the Sigma scale and highlight the need to rigorously monitor these processes. Using Six Sigma metrics quality in a clinical laboratory can be monitored more effectively and it can set benchmarks for improving efficiency.

  3. The Case for Laboratory Developed Procedures

    PubMed Central

    Sabatini, Linda M.; Tsongalis, Gregory J.; Caliendo, Angela M.; Olsen, Randall J.; Ashwood, Edward R.; Bale, Sherri; Benirschke, Robert; Carlow, Dean; Funke, Birgit H.; Grody, Wayne W.; Hayden, Randall T.; Hegde, Madhuri; Lyon, Elaine; Pessin, Melissa; Press, Richard D.; Thomson, Richard B.

    2017-01-01

    An explosion of knowledge and technology is revolutionizing medicine and patient care. Novel testing must be brought to the clinic with safety and accuracy, but also in a timely and cost-effective manner, so that patients can benefit and laboratories can offer testing consistent with current guidelines. Under the oversight provided by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, laboratories have been able to develop and optimize laboratory procedures for use in-house. Quality improvement programs, interlaboratory comparisons, and the ability of laboratories to adjust assays as needed to improve results, utilize new sample types, or incorporate new mutations, information, or technologies are positive aspects of Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments oversight of laboratory-developed procedures. Laboratories have a long history of successful service to patients operating under Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments. A series of detailed clinical examples illustrating the quality and positive impact of laboratory-developed procedures on patient care is provided. These examples also demonstrate how Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments oversight ensures accurate, reliable, and reproducible testing in clinical laboratories. PMID:28815200

  4. Text Messaging Improves Participation in Laboratory Testing in Adolescent Liver Transplant Patients.

    PubMed

    McKenzie, Rebecca B; Berquist, William E; Foley, Megan A; Park, K T; Windsheimer, Jered E; Litt, Iris F

    In solid organ transplant patients, non-participation in all aspects of the medical regimen is a prevalent problem associated with adverse consequences particularly in the adolescent and young adult (AYA) age group. This study is the first to evaluate the feasibility, utility and impact of a text messaging (TM) intervention to improve participation in laboratory testing in adolescent liver transplant patients. AYA patients, aged 12 to 21 years, were recruited for a prospective pilot trial evaluating a TM intervention delivered over a 1-year period. The intervention involved automated TM reminders with feedback administered according to a prescribed laboratory testing frequency. Participation rate in laboratory testing after the intervention was compared to the year prior. Patient responses and feedback by text and survey were used to assess feasibility, acceptability and use of the intervention. Forty-two patients were recruited and 33 patients remained enrolled for the study duration. Recipients of the TM intervention demonstrated a significant improvement in participation rate in laboratory testing from 58% to 78% (P<.001). This rate was also significantly higher than in non-intervention controls (P=.003). There was a high acceptability, response rate and a significant correlation with reported versus actual completion of laboratory tests by TM. TM reminders significantly improved participation in laboratory testing in AYA liver transplant patients. The intervention demonstrated feasibility, acceptability, and use with a high proportion of patients who engaged in and perceived a benefit from using this technology.

  5. Building Sustainability Change Management and Leadership Skills in Students: Lessons Learned from "Sustainability and the Campus" at the University of Michigan

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Shriberg, Michael; Harris, Kathryn

    2012-01-01

    Leading institutions of higher education are increasingly utilizing the campus as a laboratory not only for implementing "green projects" but also for developing the skill set of students to lead the deep organizational change necessary for sustainability. This case study of "Sustainability and the Campus" at the University of…

  6. The Laboratory for Individualized Breast Radiodensity Assessment (LIBRA) | Informatics Technology for Cancer Research (ITCR)

    Cancer.gov

    LIBRA is a fully-automatic breast density estimation software solution based on a published algorithm that works on either raw (i.e., “FOR PROCESSING”) or vendor post-processed (i.e., “FOR PRESENTATION”) digital mammography images. LIBRA has been applied to over 30,000 screening exams and is being increasingly utilized in larger studies.

  7. Bone Marrow Function in Development of Childhood Asthma

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2006-10-01

    hematopoietically active parvovirus , which necessitated repetition of these experiments in healthy mice to verify experimental results. Two replicates of...initially had difficulties performing these experiments due to parvovirus infection of our mice. We have recently repeated these studies utilizing...facilities in the Office of Laboratory Animal Resources of West Virginia University was the subject of an outbreak of parvovirus that proved

  8. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Laboratory Classroom Assessment of Methylphenidate Transdermal System in Children with ADHD

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    McGough, James J.; Wigal, Sharon B.; Abikoff, Howard; Turnbow, John M.; Posner, Kelly; Moon, Eliot

    2006-01-01

    Objective: This study evaluates the efficacy, duration of action, and tolerability of methylphenidate transdermal system (MTS) in children with ADHD. Method: Participants were dose optimized over 5 weeks utilizing patch doses of 10, 16, 20, and 27 mg applied in the morning and worn for 9 hours. Following optimization, 80 participants were…

  9. Near-peer teaching strategy in a large human anatomy course: perceptions of near-peer instructors.

    PubMed

    Reyes-Hernández, Cynthia Guadalupe; Carmona Pulido, Juan Manuel; De la Garza Chapa, Roberto Isaac; Serna Vázquez, Ruth Patricia; Alcalá Briones, Ricardo Daniel; Plasencia Banda, Perla Marina; Villarreal Silva, Eliud Enrique; Jacobo Baca, Guillermo; de la Garza Castro, Oscar; Elizondo Omaña, Rodrigo Enrique; Guzmán López, Santos

    2015-01-01

    Near-peer teaching (NPT) is a strategy in which senior students assume the instructor role with junior peers (mentees). Senior students develop unique skills and knowledge through NPT, an experience which extends their learning beyond content mastery. Different teaching modules featuring NPT were utilized in the human anatomy course at the School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico. Modules included: Theory, Clinical Hour, Imaging Anatomy, and Laboratory. The aim of this study was to assess instructor participants' perceptions on the benefits of the NPT strategy in the anatomy classroom. A survey was administered to anatomy course instructors who utilized NPT strategies during winter, fall, and spring semesters of the 2012-2013 school year. A total of 120 instructors were enrolled in the study. There were different perceptions of instructors' roles. Theory and Imaging Anatomy instructors considered themselves to be information providers and resource developers, whereas Clinical Hour and Laboratory instructors saw themselves more as facilitators, role models, and planners. All instructors' opinions on the benefits of NPT were positive. Thus, in this article, the authors find NPT to be a strategy that promotes self-learning, a vital skill. © 2014 American Association of Anatomists.

  10. Diode lasers: From laboratory to industry

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nasim, Hira; Jamil, Yasir

    2014-03-01

    The invention of first laser in 1960 triggered the discovery of several new families of lasers. A rich interplay of different lasing materials resulted in a far better understanding of the phenomena particularly linked with atomic and molecular spectroscopy. Diode lasers have gone through tremendous developments on the forefront of applied physics that have shown novel ways to the researchers. Some interesting attributes of the diode lasers like cost effectiveness, miniature size, high reliability and relative simplicity of use make them good candidates for utilization in various practical applications. Diode lasers are being used by a variety of professionals and in several spectroscopic techniques covering many areas of pure and applied sciences. Diode lasers have revolutionized many fields like optical communication industry, medical science, trace gas monitoring, studies related to biology, analytical chemistry including elemental analysis, war fare studies etc. In this paper the diode laser based technologies and measurement techniques ranging from laboratory research to automated field and industry have been reviewed. The application specific developments of diode lasers and various methods of their utilization particularly during the last decade are discussed comprehensively. A detailed snapshot of the current state of the art diode laser applications is given along with a detailed discussion on the upcoming challenges.

  11. INNOVATIVE MIOR PROCESS UTILIZING INDIGENOUS RESERVOIR CONSTITUENTS

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

    D.O. Hitzman; A.K. Stepp; D.M. Dennis

    This research program was directed at improving the knowledge of reservoir ecology and developing practical microbial solutions and technologies for improving oil production. The goal was to identify and utilize indigenous microbial populations which can produce beneficial metabolic products and develop a methodology to stimulate those select microbes with nutrient amendments to increase oil recovery. This microbial technology has the capability of producing multiple oil-releasing agents. Experimental laboratory work in model sandpack cores was conducted using microbial cultures isolated from produced water samples. Comparative laboratory studies demonstrating in situ production of microbial products as oil recovery agents were conducted inmore » sand packs with natural field waters using cultures and conditions representative of oil reservoirs. Increased oil recovery in multiple model sandpack systems was achieved and the technology and results were verified by successful field studies. Direct application of the research results has lead to the development of a feasible, practical, successful, and cost-effective technology which increases oil recovery. This technology is now being commercialized and applied in numerous field projects to increase oil recovery. Two field applications of the developed technology reported production increases of 21% and 24% in oil recovery.« less

  12. Mortality and pathology in brown bullheads Amieurus nebulosus associated with a spontaneous Edwardsiella ictaluri outbreak under tank culture conditions

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Iwanowicz, L.R.; Griffin, A.R.; Cartwright, Deborah D.; Blazer, V.S.

    2006-01-01

    Brown bullheads Amieurus nebulosus (family Ictaluridae) are commonly used as a sentinel of environmental contamination. These fish are not generally cultured under laboratory conditions and little is known about their disease susceptibility. Here we report an outbreak of disease due to Edwardsiella ictaluri in a laboratory population of tank-reared, wild-caught brown bullheads. The isolate was positively identified as E. ictaluri using standard bacteriological substrate utilization tests and a monoclonal antibody specific for this bacterium. This pathogen causes a significant disease in channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus and is associated with disease in other ictalurid and non-ictalurid fishes. It appears that E. ictaluri is also a significant pathogen in brown bullheads and produces clinical signs and lesions similar but not identical to those observed in channel catfish. Since commercial sources of bullheads for laboratory tank studies are not available, precautions should be taken to prevent potential E. ictaluri disease outbreaks from wild-caught bullheads intended for laboratory research. ?? Inter-Research 2006.

  13. Mortality and pathology in brown bullheads Amieurus nebulosus associated with a spontaneous Edwardsiella ictaluri outbreak under tank culture conditions.

    PubMed

    Iwanowicz, Luke R; Griffin, Alison R; Cartwright, Deborah D; Blazer, Vicki S

    2006-06-23

    Brown bullheads Amieurus nebulosus (family Ictaluridae) are commonly used as a sentinel of environmental contamination. These fish are not generally cultured under laboratory conditions and little is known about their disease susceptibility. Here we report an outbreak of disease due to Edwardsiella ictaluri in a laboratory population of tank-reared, wild-caught brown bullheads. The isolate was positively identified as E. ictaluri using standard bacteriological substrate utilization tests and a monoclonal antibody specific for this bacterium. This pathogen causes a significant disease in channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus and is associated with disease in other ictalurid and non-ictalurid fishes. It appears that E. ictaluri is also a significant pathogen in brown bullheads and produces clinical signs and lesions similar but not identical to those observed in channel catfish. Since commercial sources of bullheads for laboratory tank studies are not available, precautions should be taken to prevent potential E. ictaluri disease outbreaks from wild-caught bullheads intended for laboratory research.

  14. USAF Development Of Optical Correlation Missile Guidance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kaehr, Ronald; Spector, Marvin

    1980-12-01

    In 1965, the Advanced Development Program (ADP)-679A of the Avionics Laboratory initiated development of guidance systems for stand-off tactical missiles. Employing project engineering support from the Aeronautical Systems Division, WPAFB, the Avionics Laboratory funded multiple terminal guidance concepts and related midcourse navigation technology. Optical correlation techniques which utilize prestored reference information for autonomous target acquisition offered the best near-term opportunity for meeting mission goals. From among the systems studied and flight tested, Aimpoint* optical area guidance provided the best and most consistent performance. Funded development by the Air Force ended in 1974 with a MK-84 guided bomb drop test demonstration at White Sands Missile Range and the subsequent transfer of the tactical missile guidance development charter to the Air Force Armament Laboratory, Eglin AFB. A historical review of optical correlation development within the Avionics Laboratory is presented. Evolution of the Aimpoint system is specifically addressed. Finally, a brief discussion of trends in scene matching technology is presented.

  15. Dynamics of animal movement in an ecological context: dragonfly wing damage reduces flight performance and predation success

    PubMed Central

    Combes, S. A.; Crall, J. D.; Mukherjee, S.

    2010-01-01

    Much of our understanding of the control and dynamics of animal movement derives from controlled laboratory experiments. While many aspects of animal movement can be probed only in these settings, a more complete understanding of animal locomotion may be gained by linking experiments on relatively simple motions in the laboratory to studies of more complex behaviours in natural settings. To demonstrate the utility of this approach, we examined the effects of wing damage on dragonfly flight performance in both a laboratory drop–escape response and the more natural context of aerial predation. The laboratory experiment shows that hindwing area loss reduces vertical acceleration and average flight velocity, and the predation experiment demonstrates that this type of wing damage results in a significant decline in capture success. Taken together, these results suggest that wing damage may take a serious toll on wild dragonflies, potentially reducing both reproductive success and survival. PMID:20236968

  16. Telepathology in cytopathology: challenges and opportunities.

    PubMed

    Collins, Brian T

    2013-01-01

    Telepathology in cytopathology is becoming more commonly utilized, and newer technologic infrastructures afford the laboratory a variety of options. The options and design of a telepathology system are driven by the clinical needs. This is primarily focused on providing rapid on-site evaluation service for fine needle aspiration. The clinical requirements and needs of a system are described. Available tools to design and implement a telepathology system are covered, including methods of image capture, network connectivity and remote viewing options. The primary telepathology method currently used and described involves the delivery via a network connection of a live video image to a remote site which is passively viewed by an internet web-based browser. By utilizing live video information and a voice connection to the on-site location, the remote viewer can collect clinical information and direct their view of the slides. Telepathology systems for use in cytopathology can be designed and implemented with commercially available infrastructure. It is necessary for the laboratory to validate the designed system and adhere to the required regulatory requirements. Telepathology for cytopathology can be reliably utilized by adapting existing technology, and newer advances hold great promise for further applications in the cytopathology laboratory. Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  17. Development of Processing Techniques for Advanced Thermal Protection Materials

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Selvaduray, Guna; Cox, Michael; Srinivasan, Vijayakumar

    1997-01-01

    Thermal Protection Materials Branch (TPMB) has been involved in various research programs to improve the properties and structural integrity of the existing aerospace high temperature materials. Specimens from various research programs were brought into the analytical laboratory for the purpose of obtaining and refining the material characterization. The analytical laboratory in TPMB has many different instruments which were utilized to determine the physical and chemical characteristics of materials. Some of the instruments that were utilized by the SJSU students are: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), X-ray Diffraction Spectrometer (XRD), Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Ultra Violet Spectroscopy/Visible Spectroscopy (UV/VIS), Particle Size Analyzer (PSA), and Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer (ICP-AES). The above mentioned analytical instruments were utilized in the material characterization process of the specimens from research programs such as: aerogel ceramics (I) and (II), X-33 Blankets, ARC-Jet specimens, QUICFIX specimens and gas permeability of lightweight ceramic ablators. In addition to analytical instruments in the analytical laboratory at TPMB, there are several on-going experiments. One particular experiment allows the measurement of permeability of ceramic ablators. From these measurements, physical characteristics of the ceramic ablators can be derived.

  18. Social Comparison or Utility: An Experimental Examination.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Rofe, Yacov; Lewin, Isaac

    1988-01-01

    Examined emotional comparison theory and utility theory in an analysis of effects of stress on affiliation in a laboratory setting. Two intense fear situations concerning the administration of painful electrical shocks were added to Schachter's (1959) original fear manipulation. Results showed that two new fear conditions resulted in marked…

  19. IET area plot and utilities plan. Includes drainage. Ralph M. ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    IET area plot and utilities plan. Includes drainage. Ralph M. Parsons 902-4-ANP-U-310. Date: February 1954. Approved by INEEL Classification Office for public release. INEEL code no. 035-0100-00-693-106898 - Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Test Area North, Scoville, Butte County, ID

  20. 87. ARAIII. GCRE reactor building (ARA608) Mechanical equipment room. Utility ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    87. ARA-III. GCRE reactor building (ARA-608) Mechanical equipment room. Utility air receiver, dryer, and compressor sit on their foundations prior to grouting. December 22, 1958. Ineel photo no. 58-6429. Photographer: Ken Mansfield. - Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Army Reactors Experimental Area, Scoville, Butte County, ID

  1. Frost-Shielding Methodology and Demonstration for Shallow Burial of Water and Sewer Utility Lines.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1998-06-01

    Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL), and the Owens - Corning Specialty and Foam Products Division as partners. Test sites utilizing shielded pipes...predictions and provided valuable guidance for the frost shield design. The industry partner participant in the CPAR project, Owens - Corning Specialty and Foam

  2. Utilizing polymer-coated vials to illustrate the fugacity and bioavailability of chlorinated pesticide residues in contaminated soils

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Fugacity and bioavailability concepts can be challenging topics to communicate effectively in the timeframe of an academic laboratory course setting. In this experiment, students observe partitioning of the residues over time into an artificial biological matrix. The three compounds utilized are o...

  3. Alternan Research at the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The Northern Regional Research Laboratory (later the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, or NCAUR) began operations on December 16, 1940. By the late 1940’s, Dr. Allene Jeanes was leading a team in an extensive research program on dextrans. Dextrans are glucan polysaccharides th...

  4. Alternan research at the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The Northern Regional Research Laboratory (later the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, or NCAUR) began operations on December 16, 1940. By the late 1940’s, Dr. Allene Jeanes was leading a team in an extensive research program on dextrans. Dextrans are glucan polysaccharides th...

  5. Role of Skill Laboratory Training in Medical Education - Students’ Perspective.

    PubMed

    Hashim, Rizwan; Qamar, Khadija; Khan, Muhammad Alamgir; Rehman, Sabah

    2016-03-01

    To evaluate the perceptions of medical students regarding their training utilizing facilities provided in the skill laboratory of a public sector medical college. Cross-sectional study. Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, from October to December 2014. Students of final year MBBS who had underwent skill laboratory training were recruited through convenience purposive sampling. Students not exposed to skill laboratory training were excluded. Data collection tool was a questionnaire having 23 questions with responses on Likert Scale as strongly disagree, disagree, agree and strongly agree coded as 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Data was analysed on SPSS version 22. There were 78 (57%) male and 59 (43%) female students out of 137, with mean age of 22.59 ±0.74 years. The response rate was 68.5%. Cronbach's Alpha test was 0.84 showing high reliability. The mean of sum of all the 23 items was 63.85 ±8.71, whereas item means was 2.78 ±0.38, reflecting a high inclination of students towards skill laboratory training. Frequency of students responding in favour of skill laboratory training was significantly high (p < 0.05). Medical students perceived skill laboratory training as a favoured learning strategy as compared to practising on real patients for acquisition of various aspects of clinical skills, knowledge and attitude.

  6. Best practices for veterinary toxicologic clinical pathology, with emphasis on the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

    PubMed

    Tomlinson, Lindsay; Boone, Laura I; Ramaiah, Lila; Penraat, Kelley A; von Beust, Barbara R; Ameri, Mehrdad; Poitout-Belissent, Florence M; Weingand, Kurt; Workman, Heather C; Aulbach, Adam D; Meyer, Dennis J; Brown, Diane E; MacNeill, Amy L; Bolliger, Anne Provencher; Bounous, Denise I

    2013-09-01

    The purpose of this paper by the Regulatory Affairs Committee (RAC) of the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP) is to review the current regulatory guidances (eg, guidelines) and published recommendations for best practices in veterinary toxicologic clinical pathology, particularly in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, and to utilize the combined experience of ASVCP RAC to provide updated recommendations. Discussion points include (1) instrumentation, validation, and sample collection, (2) routine laboratory variables, (3) cytologic laboratory variables, (4) data interpretation and reporting (including peer review, reference intervals and statistics), and (5) roles and responsibilities of clinical pathologists and laboratory personnel. Revision and improvement of current practices should be in alignment with evolving regulatory guidance documents, new technology, and expanding understanding and utility of clinical pathology. These recommendations provide a contemporary guide for the refinement of veterinary toxicologic clinical pathology best practices. © 2013 American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology.

  7. Use of Vee Maps in a College Science Laboratory.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lebowitz, Stacy J.

    Students (n=45) in an introductory course in hydrology used a Vee map to guide their laboratory investigation. The Vee mapping technique was utilized by groups of students working together during the investigation and was graded with a scoring rubric developed by the instructor. At the end of the investigation, students completed a survey…

  8. Utilizing On-Campus Foodservice Facilities as a Laboratory

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Dallmeyer, Martha A.

    2012-01-01

    In 2008, the Family and Consumer Sciences Department at Bradley University recognized the need to improve the quality of the laboratory experience in foodservice classes. A hands-on, real-world, learning experience was desired. Simultaneously, the university administration wanted to provide an on-campus foodservice for students from 8:00 p.m. to…

  9. Utilizing a Rat Delayed Implantation Model to Teach Integrative Endocrinology and Reproductive Biology

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Geisert, Rodney D.; Smith, Michael F.; Schmelzle, Amanda L.; Green, Jonathan A.

    2018-01-01

    In this teaching laboratory, the students are directed in an exercise that involves designing and performing an experiment to determine estrogen's role in regulating delayed implantation (diapause) in female rats. To encourage active participation by the students, a discussion question is provided before the laboratory exercise in which each…

  10. A DNA Melting Exercise for a Large Laboratory Class

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Levine, Lauren A.; Junker, Matthew; Stark, Myranda; Greenleaf, Dustin

    2015-01-01

    A simple and economical experimental setup is described that enables multiple individuals or groups within a laboratory class to measure the thermal melting of double stranded DNA simultaneously. The setup utilizes a basic spectrophotometer capable of measuring absorbance at 260 nm, UV plastic cuvettes, and a stirring hot plate. Students measure…

  11. A Vodcasted, Cross-Disciplinary, Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory Exercise Investigating the Effects of Methamphetamine on Aggression

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Shanks, Ryan A.; Southard, E. Megan; Tarnowski, Laura; Bruster, Matthew; Wingate, Stacia W.; Dalman, Nancy; Lloyd, Steven A.

    2011-01-01

    This article describes a laboratory experience utilizing videos to engage students in hypothesis-driven experimentation in behavioral neuroscience. It provides students with an opportunity to investigate the effects of chronic methamphetamine exposure on aggression in adult mice using a resident-intruder paradigm. Instructors and students only…

  12. Discovering Inexpensive, Effective Catalysts for Solar Energy Conversion: An Authentic Research Laboratory Experience

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Shaner, Sarah E.; Hooker, Paul D.; Nickel, Anne-Marie; Leichtfuss, Amanda R.; Adams, Carissa S.; de la Cerda, Dionisia; She, Yuqi; Gerken, James B.; Pokhrel, Ravi; Ambrose, Nicholas J.; Khaliqi, David; Stahl, Shannon S.; Schuttlefield Christus, Jennifer D.

    2016-01-01

    Electrochemical water oxidation is a major focus of solar energy conversion efforts. A new laboratory experiment has been developed that utilizes real-time, hands-on research to discover catalysts for solar energy conversion. The HARPOON, or Heterogeneous Anodes Rapidly Perused for Oxygen Overpotential Neutralization, experiment allows an array of…

  13. Integration of a Faculty's Ongoing Research into an Undergraduate Laboratory Teaching Class in Developmental Biology

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Nam, Sang-Chul

    2018-01-01

    Traditional developmental biology laboratory classes have utilized a number of different model organisms to allow students to be exposed to diverse biological phenomena in developing organisms. This traditional approach has mainly focused on the diverse morphological and anatomical descriptions of the developing organisms. However, modern…

  14. Biocatalyzed Regioselective Synthesis in Undergraduate Organic Laboratories: Multistep Synthesis of 2-Arachidonoylglycerol

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Johnston, Meghan R.; Makriyannis, Alexandros; Whitten, Kyle M.; Drew, Olivia C.; Best, Fiona A.

    2016-01-01

    In order to introduce the concepts of biocatalysis and its utility in synthesis to organic chemistry students, a multistep synthesis of endogenous cannabinergic ligand 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) was tailored for use as a laboratory exercise. Over four weeks, students successfully produced 2-AG, purifying and characterizing products at each…

  15. Double-Polymer-Modified Pencil Lead for Stripping Voltammetry of Perchlorate in Drinking Water

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Izadyar, Anahita; Kim, Yushin; Ward, Michelle M.; Amemiya, Shigeru

    2012-01-01

    The inexpensive and disposable electrode based on a double-polymer-modified pencil lead is proposed for upper-division undergraduate instrumental laboratories to enable the highly sensitive detection of perchlorate. Students fabricate and utilize their own electrodes in the 3-4 h laboratory session to learn important concepts and methods of…

  16. Description and Prediction of Age-Related Change in Everyday Task Performance.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Marsiske, Michael; Willis, Sherry L.

    Traditionally, assessment of the cognitive competencies of older adults has focused on abstract laboratory tests, which have often seemed quite unlike the demands of tasks encountered in everyday activities. Consequently, external validity of these laboratory tasks has been questioned, and their utility for assessing real-world competence has been…

  17. UTILIZATION OF BACTERIA TO REMEDIATE CONTAMINATED SOILS AND SEDIMENTS IN THE US: LASAGNA AND OTHER TREATMENTS

    EPA Science Inventory

    This is an overview of the work underway at USEPA/ORD/NRMRL's Center Hill Microbiology Laboratory on bioremediation of contaminated soils and sediments. The Laboratory has isolated and naturally selected for various isolates. An isolate that will be reviewed is CHL-004, a Pseudom...

  18. The "Virtual ChemLab" Project: A Realistic and Sophisticated Simulation of Organic Synthesis and Organic Qualitative Analysis

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Woodfield, Brian F.; Andrus, Merritt B.; Waddoups, Gregory L.; Moore, Melissa S.; Swan, Richard; Allen, Rob; Bodily, Greg; Andersen, Tricia; Miller, Jordan; Simmons, Bryon; Stanger, Richard

    2005-01-01

    A set of sophisticated and realistic laboratory simulations is created for use in freshman- and sophomore-level chemistry classes and laboratories called 'Virtual ChemLab'. A detailed assessment of student responses is provided and the simulation's pedagogical utility is described using the organic simulation.

  19. Mobile Audio Visual Instructional Laboratory Project Director's Report 1969-1970. A Title I, ESEA Project.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Goodman, Mark E.

    The mobile audiovisual instructional laboratory has been an effective instrument in bringing audiovisual materials into the inner-city schools of Minneapolis, Minn. In 1969-70, a total of 535 classroom teachers in elementary, secondary, and parochial schools received individual instruction in the production and utilization of audiovisual…

  20. Synthesis of a Fluorescent Acridone Using a Grignard Addition, Oxidation, and Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution Reaction Sequence

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Goodrich, Samuel; Patel, Miloni; Woydziak, Zachary R.

    2015-01-01

    A three-pot synthesis oriented for an undergraduate organic chemistry laboratory was developed to construct a fluorescent acridone molecule. This laboratory experiment utilizes Grignard addition to an aldehyde, alcohol oxidation, and iterative nucleophilic aromatic substitution steps to produce the final product. Each of the intermediates and the…

  1. LANDSAT TM image data quality analysis for energy-related applications

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wukelic, G. E.; Foote, H. P.; Petrie, G. M.; Barnard, J. C.; Eliason, J. R.

    1985-01-01

    This project represents a no-cost agreement between National Aeronautic Space Administration Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA GSFC) and the Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL). PNL is a Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory operted by Battelle Memorial Institute at its Pacific Northwest Laboratories in Richland, Washington. The objective of this investigation is to evaluate LANDSAT's thematic mapper (TM) data quality and utility characteristics from an energy research and technological perspective. Of main interest is the extent to which repetitive TM data might support DOE efforts relating to siting, developing, and monitoring energy-related facilities, and to basic geoscientific research. The investigation utilizes existing staff and facility capabilities, and ongoing programmatic activities at PNL and other DOE national laboratories to cooperatively assess the potential usefulness of the improved experimental TM data. The investigation involves: (1) both LANDSAT 4 and 5 TM data, (2) qualitative and quantitative use consideration, and 3) NASA P (corrected) and A (uncorrected) CCT analysis for a variety of sites of DOE interest. Initial results were presented at the LANDSAT Investigator's Workshops and at specialized LANDSAT TM sessions at various conferences.

  2. A tide prediction and tide height control system for laboratory mesocosms

    PubMed Central

    Long, Jeremy D.

    2015-01-01

    Experimental mesocosm studies of rocky shore and estuarine intertidal systems may benefit from the application of natural tide cycles to better replicate variation in immersion time, water depth, and attendant fluctuations in abiotic and edaphic conditions. Here we describe a stand-alone microcontroller tide prediction open-source software program, coupled with a mechanical tidal elevation control system, which allows continuous adjustment of aquarium water depths in synchrony with local tide cycles. We used this system to monitor the growth of Spartina foliosa marsh cordgrass and scale insect herbivores at three simulated shore elevations in laboratory mesocosms. Plant growth decreased with increasing shore elevation, while scale insect population growth on the plants was not strongly affected by immersion time. This system shows promise for a range of laboratory mesocosm studies where natural tide cycling could impact organism performance or behavior, while the tide prediction system could additionally be utilized in field experiments where treatments need to be applied at certain stages of the tide cycle. PMID:26623195

  3. Larger differences in utilization of rarely requested tests in primary care in Spain.

    PubMed

    Salinas, Maria; López-Garrigós, Maite; Flores, Emilio; Uris, Joaquín; Leiva-Salinas, Carlos

    2015-01-01

    The study was performed to compare and analyze the inter-departmental variability in the request of rarely requested laboratory tests in primary care, as opposed to other more common and highly requested tests. Data from production statistics for the year 2012 from 76 Spanish laboratories was used. The number of antinuclear antibodies, antistreptolysin O, creatinine, cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies, deaminated peptide gliadine IgA antibodies, glucose, protein electrophoresis, rheumatoid factor, transglutaminase IgA antibodies, urinalysis and uric acid tests requested was collected. The number of test requests per 1000 inhabitants was calculated. In order to explore the variability the coefficient of quartile dispersion was calculated. The smallest variation was seen for creatinine, glucose, uric acid and urinalysis; the most requested tests. The tests that were least requested showed the greatest variability. Our study shows through a very simplified approach, in a population close to twenty million inhabitants, how in primary care, the variability in the request of laboratory tests is inversely proportional to the request rate.

  4. Utilization of the Space food in Space Agriculture

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Katayama, Naomi; Yamashita, Masamichi; Hashimoto, Hirofumi; Space Agriculture Task Force

    2012-07-01

    It is important that we think about the utilization of the Space food in the space agriculture. In addition, these studies may lead the food problem on the earth on the solution. This study thought about the utilization of the food and thought about doing a stem and the root of vegetables performed water culture of with food. I order Japan Food Research Laboratories to do the nutritional analysis of the root of a lettuce cultivated by water culture. The analysis items were lipid, carbohydrates, energy, protein, water, ash, Na, P, Fe, Ca, K, Mg, Cu, Zn, Mn, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, dietary fiber(water soluble or insoluble). Most were water, but, as for the root of the lettuce, it was revealed that it was rich in a mineral (calcium, iron and magnesium).To eat the root of the lettuce will be good nutritional supply of minerals (calcium, iron) in the space life. In the result, water and mineral supply could make good use of in low calorie at loots of the lettuce. We want to think about the utilization of each food more in future.

  5. Inhibition of Acetoclastic Methanogenesis in Crude Oil- and Creosote-Contaminated Groundwater

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Warren, E.; Bekins, B.A.; Godsy, E.M.; Smith, V.K.

    2003-01-01

    The inhibition of acetoclastic methanogenesis in crude oil- and creosote-contaminated groundwater was studied. The crude oil and water-soluble components of creosote contributed to the inhibition of acetoclastic methanogens. Acetoclastic methanogenesis was much more susceptible to the toxic inhibition of crude oil and creosote than either hydrogen- or formate-utilizing methanogenesis. The effect of this toxic inhibition was apparent in the population of the methanogenic trophic groups near nonaqueous crude oil at the Bemidji, MN, site. At a crude oil-contaminated site, numbers of acetoclastic methanogens found close to crude oil were 100 times fewer than those of hydrogen- and formate-utilizing methanogens. In laboratory toxicity assays, crude oil collected from the site inhibited methane production from acetate but not from formate or hydrogen. Toxicity assays with aqueous creosote extract completely inhibited acetate utilization over the range of tested dilutions but only mildly affected formate and hydrogen utilization. Wastewater reactor studies indicated that this toxicity would result in a decrease in the biodegradation rate of contaminants at sites where toxic compounds are present.

  6. Forecasting staffing needs for productivity management in hospital laboratories.

    PubMed

    Pang, C Y; Swint, J M

    1985-12-01

    Daily and weekly prediction models are developed to help forecast hospital laboratory work load for the entire laboratory and individual sections of the laboratory. The models are tested using historical data obtained from hospital census and laboratory log books of a 90-bed southwestern hospital. The results indicate that the predictor variables account for 50%, 81%, 56%, and 82% of the daily work load variation for chemistry, hematology, and microbiology sections, and for the entire laboratory, respectively. Equivalent results for the weekly model are 53%, 72%, 12%, and 78% for the same respective sections. On the basis of the predicted work load, staffing assessment is made and a productivity monitoring system constructed. The purpose of such a system is to assist laboratory management in efforts to utilize laboratory manpower in a more efficient and cost-effective manner.

  7. Skylab mobile laboratory

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Primeaux, G. R.; Larue, M. A.

    1975-01-01

    The Skylab mobile laboratory was designed to provide the capability to obtain necessary data on the Skylab crewmen 30 days before lift-off, within 1 hour after recovery, and until preflight physiological baselines were reattained. The mobile laboratory complex consisted of six laboratories that supported cardiovascular, metabolic, nutrition and endocrinology, operational medicine, blood, and microbiology experiments; a utility package; and two shipping containers. The objectives and equipment requirements of the Skylab mobile laboratory and the data acquisition systems are discussed along with processes such as permanently mounting equipment in the individual laboratories and methods of testing and transporting the units. The operational performance, in terms of amounts of data collected, and the concept of mobile laboratories for medical and scientific experiments are evaluated. The Skylab mobile laboratory succeeded in facilitating the data collection and sample preservation associated with the three Skylab manned flights.

  8. A multidisciplinary research program directed toward utilization of solar energy through bioconversion of renewable resources

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Finnerty, W. R.

    1980-07-01

    Cellulytic bacteria, cellobiose fermentors, sulfate-reducing bacteria and methanogenic bacteria were isolated from established anaerobic mesophilic and thermophilic cellulose methane fermentations and these isolates, plus known laboratory strains, were employed to partially reconstitute highly active cellulose fermentations. These mixed cultures are utilized as model systems to study the parameters required for maximum production of CH4, H2 and chemical feedstocks such as acetate, ethanol, propionate, etc., from cellulose. The physiology of these reconstituted cultures is investigated as regards cultural conditions, microbial types, inoculum size, interspecies H2 transfer and specific regulatory phenomena, the accumulation of cellobiose and acetate.

  9. Utility-Scale Photovoltaic Deployment Scenarios of the Western United States: Implications for Solar Energy Zones in Nevada

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

    Frew, Bethany; Mai, Trieu; Krishnan, Venkat

    2016-12-01

    In this study, we use the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL's) Regional Energy Deployment System (ReEDS) capacity expansion model to estimate utility-scale photovoltaic (UPV) deployment trends from present day through 2030. The analysis seeks to inform the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's (BLM's) planning activities related to UPV development on federal lands in Nevada as part of the Resource Management Plan (RMP) revision for the Las Vegas and Pahrump field offices. These planning activities include assessing the demand for new or expanded additional Solar Energy Zones (SEZ), per the process outlined in BLM's Western Solar Plan process.

  10. Measuring the impact of a health information exchange intervention on provider-based notifiable disease reporting using mixed methods: a study protocol.

    PubMed

    Dixon, Brian E; Grannis, Shaun J; Revere, Debra

    2013-10-30

    Health information exchange (HIE) is the electronic sharing of data and information between clinical care and public health entities. Previous research has shown that using HIE to electronically report laboratory results to public health can improve surveillance practice, yet there has been little utilization of HIE for improving provider-based disease reporting. This article describes a study protocol that uses mixed methods to evaluate an intervention to electronically pre-populate provider-based notifiable disease case reporting forms with clinical, laboratory and patient data available through an operational HIE. The evaluation seeks to: (1) identify barriers and facilitators to implementation, adoption and utilization of the intervention; (2) measure impacts on workflow, provider awareness, and end-user satisfaction; and (3) describe the contextual factors that impact the effectiveness of the intervention within heterogeneous clinical settings and the HIE. The intervention will be implemented over a staggered schedule in one of the largest and oldest HIE infrastructures in the U.S., the Indiana Network for Patient Care. Evaluation will be conducted utilizing a concurrent design mixed methods framework in which qualitative methods are embedded within the quantitative methods. Quantitative data will include reporting rates, timeliness and burden and report completeness and accuracy, analyzed using interrupted time-series and other pre-post comparisons. Qualitative data regarding pre-post provider perceptions of report completeness, accuracy, and timeliness, reporting burden, data quality, benefits, utility, adoption, utilization and impact on reporting workflow will be collected using semi-structured interviews and open-ended survey items. Data will be triangulated to find convergence or agreement by cross-validating results to produce a contextualized portrayal of the facilitators and barriers to implementation and use of the intervention. By applying mixed research methods and measuring context, facilitators and barriers, and individual, organizational and data quality factors that may impact adoption and utilization of the intervention, we will document whether and how the intervention streamlines provider-based manual reporting workflows, lowers barriers to reporting, increases data completeness, improves reporting timeliness and captures a greater portion of communicable disease burden in the community.

  11. Development of the Global Measles Laboratory Network.

    PubMed

    Featherstone, David; Brown, David; Sanders, Ray

    2003-05-15

    The routine reporting of suspected measles cases and laboratory testing of samples from these cases is the backbone of measles surveillance. The Global Measles Laboratory Network (GMLN) has developed standards for laboratory confirmation of measles and provides training resources for staff of network laboratories, reference materials and expertise for the development and quality control of testing procedures, and accurate information for the Measles Mortality Reduction and Regional Elimination Initiative. The GMLN was developed along the lines of the successful Global Polio Laboratory Network, and much of the polio laboratory infrastructure was utilized for measles. The GMLN has developed as countries focus on measles control activities following successful eradication of polio. Currently more than 100 laboratories are part of the global network and follow standardized testing and reporting procedures. A comprehensive laboratory accreditation process will be introduced in 2002 with six quality assurance and performance indicators.

  12. Laboratory-based Salmonella surveillance in Fiji, 2004-2005.

    PubMed

    Dunn, John; Pryor, Jan; Saketa, Salanieta; Delai, Wasale; Buadromo, Eka; Kishore, Kamal; Naidu, Shakila; Greene, Sharon; Varma, Jay; Chiller, Tom

    2005-09-01

    Although foodborne diseases are an important public health problem worldwide, the burden of foodborne illness is not well described in most Pacific Island Countries and Territories. Laboratory-based surveillance programs can detect trends and outbreaks, estimate burden of illness, and allow subtyping of enteric pathogens (e.g. Salmonella serotyping), which is critical for linking illness to food vehicles and animal reservoirs. To enhance public health capacity in Fiji for foodborne disease surveillance, we developed the Salmonella Surveillance Project (SSP), a collaboration to pilot laboratory-based surveillance for Salmonella. A network of national and international partners was formed including epidemiologists, microbiologists, and environmental health personnel. Ministry of Health personnel were trained in foodborne disease surveillance and outbreak investigation. Three clinical microbiology laboratories from different parts of the country functioned as sentinel sites, reporting all laboratory-confirmed Salmonella infections using a standardized case report form. Non-Typhi Salmonella isolates were collected for serotyping. In 2004-2005, 86 non-Typhi Salmonella and 275 S. Typhi laboratory-confirmed infections were reported. Salmonella enterica serotype I 3,10: r:- and Salmonella enterica serotype Weltevreden were the most commonly isolated non-Typhi serotypes. In Fiji, the SSP utilized international partnerships to facilitate training, and to enhance laboratory capacity and surveillance for salmonellosis. Incorporating laboratory-based foodborne disease reporting into national disease surveillance will enable public health officials to describe the burden of foodborne illness, identify outbreaks, conduct analytic epidemiology studies, and improve food safety.

  13. [Quality use of commercial laboratory for clinical testing services - considering laboratory's role].

    PubMed

    Ogawa, Shinji

    2014-12-01

    The number of commercial laboratories for clinical testing in Japan run privately has decreased to about 30 companies, and their business is getting tougher. Branch Lab. and FMS businesses have not expanded recently due to the new reimbursement system which adds an additional sample management fee, becoming effective in 2010. This presentation gives an outline of each role for hospital and commercial laboratories, and their pros & cons considering the current medical situation. Commercial laboratories have investigated how to utilize ICT systems for sharing test information between hospitals and our facilities. It would be very helpful to clarify issues for each hospital. We will develop and create new values for clinical laboratory testing services and forge mutually beneficial relationships with medical institutions. (Review).

  14. Atmospheric and oceanographic research review, 1979

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1980-01-01

    Papers generated by atmospheric, oceanographic, and climatological research performed during 1979 at the Goddard Laboratory for Atmospheric Sciences are presented. The GARP/global weather research is aimed at developing techniques for the utilization and analysis of the FGGE data sets. Observing system studies were aimed at developing a GLAS TIROS N sounding retrieval system and preparing for the joint NOAA/NASA AMTS simulation study. The climate research objective is to support the development and effective utilization of space acquired data systems by developing the GLAS GCM for short range climate predictions, studies of the sensitivity of climate to boundary conditions, and predictability studies. Ocean/air interaction studies concentrated on the development of models for the prediction of upper ocean currents, temperatures, sea state, mixed layer depths, and upwelling zones, and on studies of the interactions of the atmospheric and oceanic circulation systems on time scales of a month or more.

  15. A Study of Concept Mapping as an Instructional Intervention in an Undergraduate General Chemistry Calorimetry Laboratory

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stroud, Mary W.

    This investigation, rooted in both chemistry and education, considers outcomes occurring in a small-scale study in which concept mapping was used as an instructional intervention in an undergraduate calorimetry laboratory. A quasi-experimental, multiple-methods approach was employed since the research questions posed in this study warranted the use of both qualitative and quantitative perspectives and evaluations. For the intervention group of students, a convenience sample, post-lab concept maps, written discussions, quiz responses and learning surveys were characterized and evaluated. Archived quiz responses for non-intervention students were also analyzed for comparison. Students uniquely constructed individual concept maps containing incorrect, conceptually correct and "scientifically thin" calorimetry characterizations. Students more greatly emphasized mathematical relationships and equations utilized during the calorimetry experiment; the meaning of calorimetry concepts was demonstrated to a lesser extent.

  16. Informatics applied to cytology

    PubMed Central

    Hornish, Maryanne; Goulart, Robert A.

    2008-01-01

    Automation and emerging information technologies are being adopted by cytology laboratories to augment Pap test screening and improve diagnostic accuracy. As a result, informatics, the application of computers and information systems to information management, has become essential for the successful operation of the cytopathology laboratory. This review describes how laboratory information management systems can be used to achieve an automated and seamless workflow process. The utilization of software, electronic databases and spreadsheets to perform necessary quality control measures are discussed, as well as a Lean production system and Six Sigma approach, to reduce errors in the cytopathology laboratory. PMID:19495402

  17. Electronic reporting of all reference laboratory results: An important step toward a truly all-encompassing, integrated health record.

    PubMed

    Kratz, Alexander

    2016-09-01

    Results from reference laboratories are often not easily available in electronic health records. This article describes a multi-pronged, long-term approach that includes bringing send-out tests in-house, upgrading the laboratory information system, interfacing more send-out tests and more reference laboratories, utilizing the "miscellaneous assay" option offered by some reference laboratories, and scanning all remaining paper reports from reference laboratories for display in the electronic health record. This allowed all laboratory results obtained in association with a patient visit, whether performed in-house or at a reference laboratory, to be available in the integrated electronic health record. This was achieved without manual data entry of reference laboratory results, thereby avoiding the risk of transcription errors. A fully integrated electronic health record that contains all laboratory results can be achieved by maximizing the number of interfaced reference laboratory assays and making all non-interfaced results available as scanned documents. © The Author(s) 2015.

  18. Near-peer teaching in an anatomy course with a low faculty-to-student ratio.

    PubMed

    Durán, Claudia Elisa Pámanes; Bahena, Eduardo Navarro; Rodríguez, María de Los Ángeles García; Baca, Guillermo Jacobo; Uresti, Antonio Sánchez; Elizondo-Omaña, Rodrigo Enrique; López, Santos Guzmán

    2012-01-01

    Near-peer teaching is an educational format which utilizes tutors who are more advanced in a curriculum's content to supervise students' activities and to act as instructors in laboratory settings. This format is often used in anatomy laboratory courses. The goal of the present study is to describe the design and implementation of near-peer teaching in an anatomy course and to evaluate students' perceptions of the program. A total of 700 students were registered for this anatomy course which employed near-peer instructors. Of enrolled students, 558 (79.7%) agreed to participate in this study. In general, the practical section (e.g., the clinical hour, image-based anatomy session, and gross anatomy laboratory) of the course was viewed more favorably compared to the theory section (54.8%, n = 306), with dissection and prosection in the laboratory rated as the most valued experiences (34.9%, n = 195). Near-peer teaching is a viable option that satisfies the demands of modern curricula using small groups. This format stimulates learning within courses that have large numbers of students and low faculty-to-student ratios. Copyright © 2012 American Association of Anatomists.

  19. Enabling laboratory EUV research with a compact exposure tool

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Brose, Sascha; Danylyuk, Serhiy; Tempeler, Jenny; Kim, Hyun-su; Loosen, Peter; Juschkin, Larissa

    2016-03-01

    In this work we present the capabilities of the designed and realized extreme ultraviolet laboratory exposure tool (EUVLET) which has been developed at the RWTH-Aachen, Chair for the Technology of Optical Systems (TOS), in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT) and Bruker ASC GmbH. Main purpose of this laboratory setup is the direct application in research facilities and companies with small batch production, where the fabrication of high resolution periodic arrays over large areas is required. The setup can also be utilized for resist characterization and evaluation of its pre- and post-exposure processing. The tool utilizes a partially coherent discharge produced plasma (DPP) source and minimizes the number of other critical components to a transmission grating, the photoresist coated wafer and the positioning system for wafer and grating and utilizes the Talbot lithography approach. To identify the limits of this approach first each component is analyzed and optimized separately and relations between these components are identified. The EUV source has been optimized to achieve the best values for spatial and temporal coherence. Phase-shifting and amplitude transmission gratings have been fabricated and exposed. Several commercially available electron beam resists and one EUV resist have been characterized by open frame exposures to determine their contrast under EUV radiation. Cold development procedure has been performed to further increase the resist contrast. By analyzing the exposure results it can be demonstrated that only a 1:1 copy of the mask structure can be fully resolved by the utilization of amplitude masks. The utilized phase-shift masks offer higher 1st order diffraction efficiency and allow a demagnification of the mask structure in the achromatic Talbot plane.

  20. THERMOREGULATION AND ITS INFLUENCE ON TOXICITY ASSESSMENT

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

    Gordon, Christopher J.; Spencer, Pamela J.; Hotchkiss, Jon

    2008-02-28

    The thermoregulatory system of laboratory rodents is susceptible to a variety of chemical toxicants. Because temperature directly affects the reaction of virtually all biological processes, it is critical to consider how changes in the thermoregulatory response to a toxicant may affect physiological, behavioral, and pathological endpoints. Researchers in industry and government laboratories are often faced with addressing how changes in body temperature of their experimental subjects may affect the outcome of a particular toxicity test and/or screening panel. However, many toxicologists are either unaware of the importance or ignore the potential impact of a toxic-induced change in body temperature. Thismore » paper endeavors to summarize the importance of thermoregulation in the study of toxicology and propose recommendations for thermometry that researchers may utilize in their toxicological studies.« less

  1. ETR BUILDING, TRA642, INTERIOR. FIRST FLOOR. INSIDE UTILITY CORRIDOR ALONG ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    ETR BUILDING, TRA-642, INTERIOR. FIRST FLOOR. INSIDE UTILITY CORRIDOR ALONG SOUTH PERIMETER WALL (COMMON TO ELECTRICAL BUILDING, TRA-648). CAMERA FACES WEST. INL NEGATIVE NO. HD46-16-2. Mike Crane, Photographer, 2/2005 - Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Test Reactor Area, Materials & Engineering Test Reactors, Scoville, Butte County, ID

  2. Some thoughts on wood utilization research

    Treesearch

    P. Koch

    1980-01-01

    For over 17 years our small group of scientists has worked to improve utilization of southern wood species. From these years of experience, I have distilled some thoughts on research objectives, attributes of scientists who accomplish the objectives, administration of research, and transferring results from laboratory to industry. I would like to share these thoughts...

  3. Water Utility Lime Sludge Reuse – An Environmental Sorbent for Power Utilities

    EPA Science Inventory

    Lime sludge can be used as an environmental sorbent to remove sulfur dioxide (SO2) and acid gases, by the ultra-fine CaCO3 particles, and to sequester mercury and other heavy metals, by the Natural Organic Matter and residual activated carbon. The laboratory experimental set up ...

  4. Utilizing Shulman's Table of Learning to Understand Learning in Professional Health Science Programs

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Mortier, Teresa; Yatczak, Jayne

    2016-01-01

    Understanding student learning in health science professional programs is both timely and relevant and is the focus of this article. "The Table of Learning" by Lee Shulman (2002) provided a tool for an interdisciplinary reflection surrounding student learning in clinical laboratory science and occupational therapy. Utilizing the taxonomy…

  5. Research Utilizing Problem Solving: Outcome Evaluation Report. Improving Teaching Competencies Program.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Murray, Stephen L.; And Others

    This report presents data collected about the impact of the Research Utilizing Problem Solving (RUPS) instructional system on the classrooms of teachers trained in two RUPS workshops, which were part of the Improving Teaching Competencies Program at the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. The report is divided into four chapters, the first…

  6. Trade-off of energy metabolites as well as body color phenotypes for starvation and desiccation resistance in montane populations of Drosophila melanogaster.

    PubMed

    Parkash, Ravi; Aggarwal, Dau Dayal

    2012-02-01

    Storage of energy metabolites has been investigated in different sets of laboratory selected desiccation or starvation resistant lines but few studies have examined such changes in wild-caught populations of Drosophila melanogaster. In contrast to parallel selection of desiccation and starvation tolerance under laboratory selection experiments, opposite clines were observed in wild populations of D. melanogaster. If resistance to desiccation and starvation occurs in opposite directions under field conditions, we may expect a trade-off for energy metabolites but such correlated changes are largely unknown. We tested whether there is a trade-off for storage as well as actual utilization of carbohydrates (trehalose and glycogen), lipids and proteins in D. melanogaster populations collected from different altitudes (512-2500 m). For desiccation resistance, darker flies (>50% body melanization) store more body water content and endure greater loss of water (higher dehydration tolerance) as compared to lighter flies (<30% body melanization). Based on within population analysis, we found evidence for coadapted phenotypes i.e. darker flies store and actually utilize more carbohydrates to confer greater desiccation resistance. In contrast, higher starvation resistance in lighter flies is associated with storage and actual utilization of greater lipid amount. However, darker and lighter flies did not vary in the rate of utilization of carbohydrates under desiccation stress; and of lipids under starvation stress. Thus, we did not find support for the hypothesis that a lower rate of utilization of energy metabolites may contribute to greater stress resistance. Further, for increased desiccation resistance of darker flies, about two-third of total energy budget is provided by carbohydrates. By contrast, lighter flies derive about 66% of total energy content from lipids which sustain higher starvation tolerance. Our results support evolutionary trade-off for storage as well as utilization of energy metabolites for desiccation versus starvation resistance in D. melanogaster. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  7. Evaluating the effectiveness of a laboratory-based professional development program for science educators

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Amolins, Michael Wayne

    The development of effective science educators has been a long-standing goal of the American education system. Numerous studies have suggested a breadth of professional development programs that have sought to utilize constructivist principles in order to orchestrate movement toward student-led, inquiry-based instruction. Very few, however, have addressed a missing link between the modern scientific laboratory and the traditional science classroom. While several laboratory-based training programs have begun to emerge in recent years, the skills necessary to translate this information into the classroom are rarely addressed. The result is that participants are often left without an outlet or the confidence to integrate these into their lessons. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a laboratory-based professional development program focused on classroom integration and reformed science teaching principles. This was measured by the ability to invigorate its seven participants in order to achieve higher levels of success and fulfillment in the classroom. These participants all taught at public high schools in South Dakota, including both rural and urban locations, and taught a variety of courses. Participants were selected for this study through their participation in the Sanford Research/USD Science Educator Research Fellowship Program. Through the use of previously collected data acquired by Sanford Research, this study attempted to detail the convergence of three assessments in order to demonstrate the growth and development of its participants. First, pre- and post-program surveys were completed in order to display the personal and professional growth of its participants. Second, pre- and post-program classroom observations employing the Reformed Teaching Observation Protocol allowed for the assessment of pedagogical modifications being integrated by each participant, as well as the success of such modifications in constructively administering student-led and inquiry-based instruction. Finally, pre- and post-program focus groups allowed for an intimate view into how each participant utilized their time in the classroom, and how each perceived job satisfaction, challenges, and self-efficacy. The findings of these assessments supported the hypothesis that laboratory-based professional development and focused instruction on the pedagogy and integration of reformed teaching principles were constructive in cultivating the student-led and inquiry-based environment desired in the modern science classroom.

  8. Contributions of CCLM to advances in quality control.

    PubMed

    Kazmierczak, Steven C

    2013-01-01

    Abstract The discipline of laboratory medicine is relatively young when considered in the context of the history of medicine itself. The history of quality control, within the context of laboratory medicine, also enjoys a relatively brief, but rich history. Laboratory quality control continues to evolve along with advances in automation, measurement techniques and information technology. Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM) has played a key role in helping disseminate information about the proper use and utility of quality control. Publication of important advances in quality control techniques and dissemination of guidelines concerned with laboratory quality control has undoubtedly helped readers of this journal keep up to date on the most recent developments in this field.

  9. Pacific Northwest Laboratory annual report for 1980 to the DOE Assistant Secretary for Environment. Part 5. Environmental assessment, control, health and safety

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

    Baalman, R.W.; Hays, I.D.

    1981-02-01

    Pacific Northwest Laboratory's (PNL) 1980 annual report to the DOE Assistant Secretary for Environment describes research in environment, health, and safety conducted during fiscal year 1980. Part 5 includes technology assessments for natural gas, enhanced oil recovery, oil shale, uranium mining, magnetic fusion energy, solar energy, uranium enrichment and industrial energy utilization; regional analysis studies of environmental transport and community impacts; environmental and safety engineering for LNG, oil spills, LPG, shale oil waste waters, geothermal liquid waste disposal, compressed air energy storage, and nuclear/fusion fuel cycles; operational and environmental safety studies of decommissioning, environmental monitoring, personnel dosimetry, and analysis ofmore » criticality safety; health physics studies; and epidemiological studies. Also included are an author index, organization of PNL charts and distribution lists of the annual report, along with lists of presentations and publications. (DLS)« less

  10. Laboratory study of effects of sonic boom shaping on subjective loudness and acceptability

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Leatherwood, Jack D.; Sullivan, Brenda M.

    1992-01-01

    A laboratory study was conducted to determine the effects of sonic boom signature shaping on subjective loudness and acceptability. The study utilized the sonic boom simulator at the Langley Research Center. A wide range of symmetrical, front-shock-minimized signature shapes were investigated together with a limited number of asymmetrical signatures. Subjective loudness judgments were obtained from 60 test subjects by using an 11-point numerical category scale. Acceptability judgments were obtained using the method of constant stimuli. Results were used to assess the relative predictive ability of several noise metrics, determine the loudness benefits of detailed boom shaping, and derive laboratory sonic boom acceptability criteria. These results indicated that the A-weighted sound exposure level, the Stevens Mark 7 Perceived Level, and the Zwicker Loudness Level metrics all performed well. Significant reductions in loudness were obtained by increasing front-shock rise time and/or decreasing front-shock overpressure of the front-shock minimized signatures. In addition, the asymmetrical signatures were rated to be slightly quieter than the symmetrical front-shock-minimized signatures of equal A-weighted sound exposure level. However, this result was based on a limited number of asymmetric signatures. The comparison of laboratory acceptability results with acceptability data obtained in more realistic situations also indicated good agreement.

  11. ONR Tokyo Scientific Bulletin. Volume 4, Number 4, October-December 1979,

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1979-12-01

    describing various biological rhythms, from oscillatory electrical activities of the brain to circadian fluctuations in bodily functions and task...Technology Division, Naval Research Laboratory, has concentrated his activities on the design and utilization of far infrared gas lasers for the study... activities of the International Indian Ocean Expedition (IIOE) and the plankton sorting center established at Cochin, for plankton samples taken during the

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

    Krasheninnikov, Sergei I.; Angus, Justin; Lee, Wonjae

    The goal of the Edge Simulation Laboratory (ESL) multi-institutional project is to advance scientific understanding of the edge plasma region of magnetic fusion devices via a coordinated effort utilizing modern computing resources, advanced algorithms, and ongoing theoretical development. The UCSD team was involved in the development of the COGENT code for kinetic studies across a magnetic separatrix. This work included a kinetic treatment of electrons and multiple ion species (impurities) and accurate collision operators.

  13. Utilizing an Artificial Outcrop to Scaffold Learning between Laboratory and Field Experiences in a College-Level Introductory Geology Course

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Wilson, Meredith

    2012-01-01

    Geologic field trips are among the most beneficial learning experiences for students as they engage the topic of geology, but they are also difficult environments to maximize learning. This action research study explored one facet of the problems associated with teaching geology in the field by attempting to improve the transition of undergraduate…

  14. Fabrication process scale-up and optimization for a boron-aluminum composite radiator

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Okelly, K. P.

    1973-01-01

    Design approaches to a practical utilization of a boron-aluminum radiator for the space shuttle orbiter are presented. The program includes studies of laboratory composite material processes to determine the feasibility of a structural and functional composite radiator panel, and to estimate the cost of its fabrication. The objective is the incorporation of boron-aluminum modulator radiator on the space shuttle.

  15. Evaluation of EMIT and RIA high volume test procedures for THC metabolites in urine utilizing GC/MS confirmation.

    PubMed

    Abercrombie, M L; Jewell, J S

    1986-01-01

    Results of EMIT, Abuscreen RIA, and GC/MS tests for THC metabolites in a high volume random urinalysis program are compared. Samples were field tested by non-laboratory personnel with an EMIT system using a 100 ng/mL cutoff. Samples were then sent to the Army Forensic Toxicology Drug Testing Laboratory (WRAMC) at Fort Meade, Maryland, where they were tested by RIA (Abuscreen) using a statistical 100 ng/mL cutoff. Confirmations of all RIA positives were accomplished using a GC/MS procedure. EMIT and RIA results agreed for 91% of samples. Data indicated a 4% false positive rate and a 10% false negative rate for EMIT field testing. In a related study, results for samples which tested positive by RIA for THC metabolites using a statistical 100 ng/mL cutoff were compared with results by GC/MS utilizing a 20 ng/mL cutoff for the THCA metabolite. Presence of THCA metabolite was detected in 99.7% of RIA positive samples. No relationship between quantitations determined by the two tests was found.

  16. Optimal Sparse Upstream Sensor Placement for Hydrokinetic Turbines

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cavagnaro, Robert; Strom, Benjamin; Ross, Hannah; Hill, Craig; Polagye, Brian

    2016-11-01

    Accurate measurement of the flow field incident upon a hydrokinetic turbine is critical for performance evaluation during testing and setting boundary conditions in simulation. Additionally, turbine controllers may leverage real-time flow measurements. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) is capable of rendering a flow field over a wide spatial domain in a controlled, laboratory environment. However, PIV's lack of suitability for natural marine environments, high cost, and intensive post-processing diminish its potential for control applications. Conversely, sensors such as acoustic Doppler velocimeters (ADVs), are designed for field deployment and real-time measurement, but over a small spatial domain. Sparsity-promoting regression analysis such as LASSO is utilized to improve the efficacy of point measurements for real-time applications by determining optimal spatial placement for a small number of ADVs using a training set of PIV velocity fields and turbine data. The study is conducted in a flume (0.8 m2 cross-sectional area, 1 m/s flow) with laboratory-scale axial and cross-flow turbines. Predicted turbine performance utilizing the optimal sparse sensor network and associated regression model is compared to actual performance with corresponding PIV measurements.

  17. Numerical modeling of experimental observations on gas formation and multi-phase flow of carbon dioxide in subsurface formations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pawar, R.; Dash, Z.; Sakaki, T.; Plampin, M. R.; Lassen, R. N.; Illangasekare, T. H.; Zyvoloski, G.

    2011-12-01

    One of the concerns related to geologic CO2 sequestration is potential leakage of CO2 and its subsequent migration to shallow groundwater resources leading to geochemical impacts. Developing approaches to monitor CO2 migration in shallow aquifer and mitigate leakage impacts will require improving our understanding of gas phase formation and multi-phase flow subsequent to CO2 leakage in shallow aquifers. We are utilizing an integrated approach combining laboratory experiments and numerical simulations to characterize the multi-phase flow of CO2 in shallow aquifers. The laboratory experiments involve a series of highly controlled experiments in which CO2 dissolved water is injected in homogeneous and heterogeneous soil columns and tanks. The experimental results are used to study the effects of soil properties, temperature, pressure gradients and heterogeneities on gas formation and migration. We utilize the Finite Element Heat and Mass (FEHM) simulator (Zyvoloski et al, 2010) to numerically model the experimental results. The numerical models capture the physics of CO2 exsolution, multi-phase fluid flow as well as sand heterogeneity. Experimental observations of pressure, temperature and gas saturations are used to develop and constrain conceptual models for CO2 gas-phase formation and multi-phase CO2 flow in porous media. This talk will provide details of development of conceptual models based on experimental observation, development of numerical models for laboratory experiments and modelling results.

  18. 1. Exterior view of Signal Transfer Building (T28A), looking southwest. ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    1. Exterior view of Signal Transfer Building (T-28A), looking southwest. This structure houses controls for propellant transfer, instrumentation for testing, test data transmission receivers, data verification equipment, and centralized utilities for the Systems Integration Laboratory complex. The gantries of the Systems Integration Laboratory Building (T-28) are visible to the rear of this structure. - Air Force Plant PJKS, Systems Integration Laboratory, Signal Transfer Building, Waterton Canyon Road & Colorado Highway 121, Lakewood, Jefferson County, CO

  19. NLS Flight Simulation Laboratory (FSL) documentation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1995-01-01

    The Flight Simulation Laboratory (FSL) Electronic Documentation System design consists of modification and utilization of the MSFC Integrated Engineering System (IES), translation of the existing FSL documentation to an electronic format, and generation of new drawings to represent the Engine Flight Simulation Laboratory design and implementation. The intent of the electronic documentation is to provide ease of access, local print/plot capabilities, as well as the ability to correct and/or modify the stored data by network users who are authorized to access this information.

  20. Comparison of field and laboratory forest fuel ignition energies and extrapolation to high-yield weapons

    Treesearch

    F.M. Sauer

    1956-01-01

    Comparisons are made between Ignition energies of forest fuels, including newspaper, determined during Operations BUSTER, SNAPPER and UPSHOT-KNOTHOLE and laboratory exposures made utilizing the Forest Service thermal source. Agreement is excellent for fuels exposed normal to the radiant flux when fuel moisture content is considered. Ignition of fuels exposed at...

  1. A Linked Series of Laboratory Exercises in Molecular Biology Utilizing Bioinformatics and GFP

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Medin, Carey L.; Nolin, Katie L.

    2011-01-01

    Molecular biologists commonly use bioinformatics to map and analyze DNA and protein sequences and to align different DNA and protein sequences for comparison. Additionally, biologists can create and view 3D models of protein structures to further understand intramolecular interactions. The primary goal of this 10-week laboratory was to introduce…

  2. Theoretical and practical considerations for teaching diagnostic electronic-nose technologies to clinical laboratory technicians

    Treesearch

    Alphus D. Wilson

    2012-01-01

    The rapid development of new electronic technologies and instruments, utilized to perform many current clinical operations in the biomedical field, is changing the way medical health care is delivered to patients. The majority of test results from laboratory analyses, performed with these analytical instruments often prior to clinical examinations, are frequently used...

  3. An Asymptotic Approach to the Development of a Green Organic Chemistry Laboratory

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Goodwin, Thomas E.

    2004-01-01

    Green chemistry is the utilization of a set of principles that reduces or eliminates the use or generation of hazardous substances in the design, manufacture and application of chemical products. Some of the philosophical questions and practical decisions that have guided the greening of the organic chemistry laboratory at Hendrix College in…

  4. Advanced methods for teaching electronic-nose technologies to diagnosticians and clinical laboratory technicians

    Treesearch

    Alphus D. Wilson

    2012-01-01

    Electronic-detection technologies and instruments increasingly are being utilized in the biomedical field to perform a wide variety of clinical operations and laboratory analyses to facilitate the delivery of health care to patients. The introduction of improved electronic instruments for diagnosing diseases and for administering treatments has required new training of...

  5. Complementary Spectroscopic Assays for Investigating Protein-Ligand Binding Activity: A Project for the Advanced Chemistry Laboratory

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Mascotti, David P.; Waner, Mark J.

    2010-01-01

    A protein-ligand binding, guided-inquiry laboratory project with potential application across the advanced undergraduate curriculum is described. At the heart of the project are fluorescence and spectrophotometric assays utilizing biotin-4-fluorescein and streptavidin. The use of the same stock solutions for an assay that may be examined by two…

  6. Comparison of Student Achievement among Two Science Laboratory Types: Traditional and Virtual

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Reese, Mary Celeste

    2013-01-01

    Technology has changed almost every aspect of our daily lives. It is not surprising then that technology has made its way into the classroom. More and more educators are utilizing technological resources in creative ways with the intent to enhance learning, including using virtual laboratories in the sciences in place of the…

  7. Evaluation of an Online Instructional Database Accessed by QR Codes to Support Biochemistry Practical Laboratory Classes

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Yip, Tor; Melling, Louise; Shaw, Kirsty J.

    2016-01-01

    An online instructional database containing information on commonly used pieces of laboratory equipment was created. In order to make the database highly accessible and to promote its use, QR codes were utilized. The instructional materials were available anytime and accessed using QR codes located on the equipment itself and within undergraduate…

  8. Practice Makes Pretty Good: Assessment of Primary Literature Reading Abilities across Multiple Large-Enrollment Biology Laboratory Courses

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Sato, Brian K.; Kadandale, Pavan; He, Wenliang; Murata, Paige M. N.; Latif, Yama; Warschauer, Mark

    2014-01-01

    Primary literature is essential for scientific communication and is commonly utilized in undergraduate biology education. Despite this, there is often little time spent "training" our students how to critically analyze a paper. To address this, we introduced a primary literature module in multiple upper-division laboratory courses. In…

  9. Aerodynamic Interactions between Pairs of Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Brownstein, Ian; Dabiri, John

    2017-11-01

    Increased power production has been observed in downstream vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) when positioned offset from the wake of upstream turbines. This effect was found to exist in both laboratory and field environments with pairs of co- and counter-rotating turbines. It is hypothesized that the observed power production enhancement is due to flow acceleration adjacent to the upstream turbine caused by bluff body blockage, which increases the incident freestream velocity on appropriately positioned downstream turbines. This type of flow acceleration has been observed in computational and laboratory studies of VAWTs and will be further investigated here using 3D-PTV measurements around pairs of laboratory-scale VAWTs. These measurements will be used to understand the mechanisms behind the performance enhancement effect and seek to determine optimal separation distances and angles between turbines based on turbine design parameters. These results will lead to recommendations for optimizing the power production of VAWT wind farms which utilize this effect.

  10. A review of the current state of digital plate reading of cultures in clinical microbiology.

    PubMed

    Rhoads, Daniel D; Novak, Susan M; Pantanowitz, Liron

    2015-01-01

    Digital plate reading (DPR) is increasingly being adopted as a means to facilitate the analysis and improve the quality and efficiency within the clinical microbiology laboratory. This review discusses the role of DPR in the context of total laboratory automation and explores some of the platforms currently available or in development for digital image capturing of microbial growth on media. The review focuses on the advantages and challenges of DPR. Peer-reviewed studies describing the utility and quality of these novel DPR systems are largely lacking, and professional guidelines for DPR implementation and quality management are needed. Further development and more widespread adoption of DPR is anticipated.

  11. Mathematical model investigation of long-term transport of ocean-dumped sewage sludge related to remote sensing

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kuo, C. Y.; Modena, T. D.

    1979-01-01

    An existing, three-dimensional, Eulerian-Lagrangian finite-difference model was modified and used to examine the transport processes of dumped sewage sludge in the New York Bight. Both in situ and laboratory data were utilized in an attempt to approximate model inputs such as mean current speed, horizontal diffusion coefficients, particle size distributions, and specific gravities. The results presented are a quantitative description of the fate of a negatively buoyant sewage sludge plume resulting from continuous and instantaneous barge releases. Concentrations of the sludge near the surface were compared qualitatively with those remotely sensed. Laboratory study was performed to investigate the behavior of sewage sludge dumping in various ambient density conditions.

  12. A review of the current state of digital plate reading of cultures in clinical microbiology

    PubMed Central

    Rhoads, Daniel D.; Novak, Susan M.; Pantanowitz, Liron

    2015-01-01

    Digital plate reading (DPR) is increasingly being adopted as a means to facilitate the analysis and improve the quality and efficiency within the clinical microbiology laboratory. This review discusses the role of DPR in the context of total laboratory automation and explores some of the platforms currently available or in development for digital image capturing of microbial growth on media. The review focuses on the advantages and challenges of DPR. Peer-reviewed studies describing the utility and quality of these novel DPR systems are largely lacking, and professional guidelines for DPR implementation and quality management are needed. Further development and more widespread adoption of DPR is anticipated. PMID:26110091

  13. Effects of Gender and Load on Combative Movement Performance. Volume I

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1982-02-01

    Discuss ion 49 References 51 Appendices A Clothing and Equipment Used in This Study 53 B ANOVA Summary Tables 63 b3 LIST OF FIGURES Page Figure 1...Performance Introduction This is the first of four studies on the biomechanics of load carrying behavior being carried out in the Biomechanics Laboratory at...were taken on each subject and the weights of their utility clothes , boots, and sneakers were determined and recorded. Direct measurements were made of

  14. Schlieren Imaging of a Single-Ejector, Multi-Tube Pulsed Detonation Engine (Postprint)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2009-01-01

    studies have shown the potential of an ejector to almost double the thrust of a pulsed detonation engine ( PDE ) tube [1-3]. Axial misalignment of the... Detonation Research Facility in the Air Force Research Laboratory were used for this study. The PDE utilizes automotive valving to feed up to four... detonation tubes. The damped thrust stand was setup to measure PDE thrust alone for baseline tests or total thrust from ejector and PDE . This

  15. Methods to assess reproductive effects of environmental chemicals: studies of cadmium and boron administered orally.

    PubMed Central

    Dixon, R L; Lee, I P; Sherins, R J

    1976-01-01

    Results of a U.S.S.R.--U.S. cooperative laboratory effort to improve and validate experimental techniques used to assess subtle reproductive effects in male laboratory animals are reported. The present studies attempted to evaluate the reproductive toxicity of cadmium as cadmium chloride and boron as borax (Na2B4O7) and to investigate the mechanism of toxicity in the rat following acute and subchronic oral exposure. In vitro cell separation techniques, in vivo serial mating tests, and plasma assays for hormones were utilized. Effects on the seminal vesicle and prostate were evaluated with chemical and enzyme assays. Clinical chemistry was monitored routinely. Acute oral doses, expressed as boron were 45, 150, and 450 mg/kg while doses for cadmium equivalent were 6.25, 12.5, and 25 mg/kg. Rats were also allowed free access to drinking water containing either boron (0.3, 1.0, and 6.0 mg/l.) or cadmium (0.001, and 0.l mg/l.) for 90 days. Randomly selected animals were studied following 30, 60, and 90 days of treatment. These initial studies, utilizing a variety of methods to assess the reproductive toxicity of environmental substances in male animals, suggest that cadmium and boron at the concentrations and dose regimens tested are without significant reproductive toxicity. PMID:1269508

  16. Association between Electronic Health Records and Health Care Utilization

    PubMed Central

    Edwards, A.; Kern, L.M.

    2015-01-01

    Summary Background The federal government is investing approximately $20 billion in electronic health records (EHRs), in part to address escalating health care costs. However, empirical evidence that provider use of EHRs decreases health care costs is limited. Objective To determine any association between EHRs and health care utilization. Methods We conducted a cohort study (2008–2009) in the Hudson Valley, a multi-payer, multiprovider community in New York State. We included 328 primary care physicians in predominantly small practices (median practice size four primary care physicians), who were caring for 223,772 patients. Data from an independent practice association was used to determine adoption of EHRs. Claims data aggregated across five commercial health plans was used to characterize seven types of health care utilization: primary care visits, specialist visits, radiology tests, laboratory tests, emergency department visits, hospital admissions, and readmissions. We used negative binomial regression to determine associations between EHR adoption and each utilization outcome, adjusting for ten physician characteristics. Results Approximately half (48%) of the physicians were using paper records and half (52%) were using EHRs. For every 100 patients seen by physicians using EHRs, there were 14 fewer specialist visits (adjusted p < 0.01) and 9 fewer radiology tests (adjusted p = 0.01). There were no significant differences in rates of primary care visits, laboratory tests, emergency department visits, hospitalizations or readmissions. Conclusions Patients of primary care providers who used EHRs were less likely to have specialist visits and radiology tests than patients of primary care providers who did not use EHRs. PMID:25848412

  17. ECUT: Energy Conversion and Utilization Technologies program. Industry, university and research interest in the US Department of Energy ECUT biocatalysis research activity

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wilcox, R. E.

    1983-01-01

    The results of a Research Opportunity Notice (RON) disseminated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy Conversion and Utilization Technologies (ECUT) Program's Biocatalysis Research Activity are presented. The RON was issued in late April of 1983 and solicited expressions of interest from petrochemical and chemical companies, bioengineering firms, biochemical engineering consultants, private research laboratories, and universities for participating in a federal research program to investigate potential applications of biotechnology in producing chemicals. The RON results indicate that broad interest exists within the nation's industry, universities, and research institutes for the Activity and its planned research and development program.

  18. Access to laboratory testing: the impact of managed care in the Pacific Northwest.

    PubMed

    LaBeau, K M; Simon, M; Steindel, S J

    1999-01-01

    Patient access to health-care services has become an important issue owing to the growth of managed care organizations and the number of patients enrolled. To better understand the current issues related to access to laboratory testing, with a particular focus on the impact of managed care, we gathered information from a network of clinical laboratories in the Pacific Northwest. Two questionnaires were sent to the 257 Laboratory Medicine Sentinel Monitoring Network participants in November 1995 and March 1996 to investigate trends in the availability and utilization of laboratory testing services and changes in onsite testing menus. Although laboratories reported that managed care was a factor in their decisions about laboratory practices, testing decisions were more likely made for business reasons, based on medical practice changes and marketplace influences not associated with managed care.

  19. [A Perspective on Innovation for Efficient Medical Practice in View of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Education and Training in Laboratory Medicine].

    PubMed

    Kawai, Tadashi

    2015-10-01

    Continuous advances in medical laboratory technology have driven major changes in the practice of laboratory medicine over the past two decades. The importance of the overall quality of a medical laboratory has been ever-increasing in order to improve and ensure the quality and safety of clinical practice by physicians in any type of medical facility. Laboratory physicians and professional staff should challenge themselves more than ever in various ways to cooperate and contribute with practicing physicians for the appropriate utilization of laboratory testing. This will certainly lead to a decrease in inappropriate or unnecessary laboratory testing, resulting in reducing medical costs. In addition, not only postgraduate, but also undergraduate medical education/training systems must be markedly innovated, considering recent rapid progress in electronic information and communication technologies.

  20. Laboratory Test Utilization Management: General Principles and Applications in Hematopathology.

    PubMed

    Reichard, Kaaren K; Wood, Adam J

    2016-03-01

    As the cost of health care continues to rise and reimbursement rates decrease, there is a growing demand and need to cut overall costs, enhance quality of services, and maintain as a top priority the needs and safety of the patient. In this article, we provide an introduction to test utilization and outline a general approach to creating an efficient, cost-effective test utilization strategy. We also present and discuss 2 test utilization algorithms that are evidence-based and may be of clinical utility as we move toward the future of doing the necessary tests at the right time. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. An analysis of laboratory activities found in "Applications In Biology/Chemistry: A Contextual Approach to Laboratory Science"

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Haskins, Sandra Sue

    The purpose of this study was to quantitatively determine whether the material found in ABC promotes scientific inquiry through the inclusion of science process skills, and to quantitatively determine the type (experimental, comparative, or descriptive) and character (wet-lab, paper and pencil, model, or computer) of laboratory activities. The research design allowed for an examination of the frequency and type of science process skills required of students in 79 laboratory activities sampled from all 12 units utilizing a modified 33-item laboratory analysis inventory (LAI) (Germane et al, 1996). Interrater reliability for the science process skills was completed on 19 of the laboratory activities with a mean score of 86.1%. Interrater reliability for the type and character of the laboratory, on the same 19 laboratory activities, was completed with mean scores of 79.0% and 96.5%, respectively. It was found that all laboratory activities provide a prelaboratory activity. In addition, the science process skill category of student performance is required most often of students with the skill of learning techniques or manipulating apparatus occurring 99% of the time. The science process skill category observed the least was student planning and design, occurring only 3% of the time. Students were rarely given the opportunity to practice science process skills such as developing and testing hypotheses through experiments they have designed. Chi-square tests, applied at the .05 level of significance, revealed that there was a significant difference in the type of laboratory activities; comparative laboratory activities appeared more often (59%). In addition the character of laboratory activities, "wet-lab" activities appeared more often (90%) than any of the others.

  2. Complementary health insurance, out- of- pocket expenditures, and health services utilization: A population- based survey.

    PubMed

    Homaie Rad, Enayatollah; Kavosi, Zahra; Moghadamnia, Mohammad Taghi; Arefnezhad, Masoud; Arefnezhad, Masoumeh; Felezi Nasiri, Banfashe

    2017-01-01

    Background: Studies have shown that people using complementary health insurances have more access to health services than others. In the present study, we aimed at finding the differences between out- of- pocket payments and health service utilizations in complementary health insurances (CHIs) users and nonusers. Methods: Propensity score matching was used to compare the 2 groups. First, confounder variables were identified, and then propensity score matching was used to compare out- of- pocket expenditures with dental, general physician, hospital inpatient, emergency services, nursing, midwifery, laboratory services, specialists and rehabilitation services utilization. Results: Our results revealed no significant differences between the 2 groups in out- of- pocket health expenditures. Also, the specialist visits, inpatient services at the hospital, and dental services were higher in people who used CHIs compared to nonusers. Conclusion: People did not change their budget share for health care services after using CHIs. The payments were equal for people who were not CHIs users due to the increase in the quantity of the services.

  3. A combined field and laboratory design for assessing the impact of night shift work on police officer operational performance.

    PubMed

    Waggoner, Lauren B; Grant, Devon A; Van Dongen, Hans P A; Belenky, Gregory; Vila, Bryan

    2012-11-01

    This study assessed the utility of a combined field and laboratory research design for measuring the impact of consecutive night shift work on the sleepiness, vigilance, and driving performance of police patrol officers. For police patrol officers working their normal night shift duty cycles, simulated driving performance and psychomotor vigilance were measured in a laboratory on two separate occasions: in the morning after the last of five consecutive 10.7-h night shifts, and at the same time in the morning after three consecutive days off duty. Order of participation in conditions was randomized among subjects. Subjects experienced manipulation of sleep schedules due to working night shifts in a real operational environment, but performance testing was conducted under controlled laboratory conditions. N = 29 active-duty police patrol officers (27 male, 2 female; age 37.1 ± 6.3 years) working night shift schedules participated in this study. Simulated driving performance, psychomotor vigilance, and subjective sleepiness were significantly degraded following 5 consecutive night shifts as compared to 3 consecutive days off duty, indicating that active-duty police officers are susceptible to performance degradation as a consequence of working nights. This combined field and laboratory research design succeeded in bridging the gap between the realism of the operational environment and the control of laboratory performance testing, demonstrating that this is a useful approach for addressing the relationship between shift work induced fatigue and critical operational task performance.

  4. Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program FY98

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

    Hansen, T.; Chartock, M.

    1999-02-05

    The Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL or Berkeley Lab) Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program FY 1998 report is compiled from annual reports submitted by principal investigators following the close of the fiscal year. This report describes the supported projects and summarizes their accomplishments. It constitutes a part of the Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) program planning and documentation process that includes an annual planning cycle, projection selection, implementation, and review. The LBNL LDRD program is a critical tool for directing the Laboratory's forefront scientific research capabilities toward vital, excellent, and emerging scientific challenges. The program providesmore » the resources for LBNL scientists to make rapid and significant contributions to critical national science and technology problems. The LDRD program also advances LBNL's core competencies, foundations, and scientific capability, and permits exploration of exciting new opportunities. All projects are work in forefront areas of science and technology. Areas eligible for support include the following: Advanced study of hypotheses, concepts, or innovative approaches to scientific or technical problems; Experiments and analyses directed toward ''proof of principle'' or early determination of the utility of new scientific ideas, technical concepts, or devices; and Conception and preliminary technical analyses of experimental facilities or devices.« less

  5. Clinical pathologist in Korea--training program and its roles in laboratories.

    PubMed

    Cho, Han-Ik; Lee, Kap No; Park, Jong-Woo; Park, Hyosoon; Kwak, Yun Sik

    2002-01-01

    A rapid development of practice of laboratory medicine in Korea owes its success to the clinical pathologists (CP), who have played a role of a pathfinder for laboratories. The Korean CP postgraduate education (residency) program is unique in that it is exclusively for laboratory medicine. The training program for clinical pathologists includes diagnostic hematology, diagnostic immunology, clinical microbiology, clinical chemistry, blood bank, diagnostic genetics, informatics and laboratory management. The program has produced a strong group of about 600 laboratory physicians, officially clinical pathologists since 1963. Most of Korean clinical pathologists work as laboratory directors, directors of university hospital laboratories or teaching faculty members in medical schools. The roles of clinical pathologists are laboratory management, interpretation of laboratory test results, clinical consulting services to clinicians and patients, ordering secondary tests after reviews of requested test results and utilization management. The clinical pathologists have developed clinical laboratories to be a main contributor for improved medical practice. During the last 40 years under the turbulent healthcare system, clinical pathologists have significantly contributed to safeguard the laboratory interests. The education program and the role of clinical pathologists are described.

  6. Robotics in biomedical chromatography and electrophoresis.

    PubMed

    Fouda, H G

    1989-08-11

    The ideal laboratory robot can be viewed as "an indefatigable assistant capable of working continuously for 24 h a day with constant efficiency". The development of a system approaching that promise requires considerable skill and time commitment, a thorough understanding of the capabilities and limitations of the robot and its specialized modules and an intimate knowledge of the functions to be automated. The robot need not emulate every manual step. Effective substitutes for difficult steps must be devised. The future of laboratory robots depends not only on technological advances in other fields, but also on the skill and creativity of chromatographers and other scientists. The robot has been applied to automate numerous biomedical chromatography and electrophoresis methods. The quality of its data can approach, and in some cases exceed, that of manual methods. Maintaining high data quality during continuous operation requires frequent maintenance and validation. Well designed robotic systems can yield substantial increase in the laboratory productivity without a corresponding increase in manpower. They can free skilled personnel from mundane tasks and can enhance the safety of the laboratory environment. The integration of robotics, chromatography systems and laboratory information management systems permits full automation and affords opportunities for unattended method development and for future incorporation of artificial intelligence techniques and the evolution of expert systems. Finally, humanoid attributes aside, robotic utilization in the laboratory should not be an end in itself. The robot is a useful tool that should be utilized only when it is prudent and cost-effective to do so.

  7. Day as a Pathologist: Utilization of Technology to Guide Students in Exploring Careers in Breast Cancer Pathology

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Adler, Jacob J.; Judd, Mariah V.; Bringman, Lauren R.; Wells, Clark D.; Marrs, Kathleen A.

    2013-01-01

    We developed an interactive laboratory that allows students to identify and grade tissue samples from human breast biopsies, using techniques similar to those used by actual pathologists. This unique lab develops a practical and intellectual understanding of basic tissue structures that make up living systems, utilizing technology to bring…

  8. Use of the CO I Gene as a Species Indicator for Forensically Important Flies: A Forensic Entomology Laboratory Exercise

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Honda, Jeffrey Y.

    2008-01-01

    Forensic entomologists utilize insects (particularly flies) to establish the time interval between death and body discovery. This important piece of information may answer questions as to the circumstances of the individual's death and insects are now routinely utilized and recognized as being important forensic indicators. Of extreme importance…

  9. Housing conditions and stimulus females: a robust social discrimination task for studying male rodent social recognition

    PubMed Central

    Macbeth, Abbe H.; Edds, Jennifer Stepp; Young, W. Scott

    2010-01-01

    Social recognition (SR) enables rodents to distinguish between familiar and novel conspecifics, largely through individual odor cues. SR tasks utilize the tendency for a male to sniff and interact with a novel individual more than a familiar individual. Many paradigms have been used to study the roles of the neuropeptides oxytocin and vasopressin in SR. However, inconsistencies in results have arisen within similar mouse strains, and across different paradigms and laboratories, making reliable testing of social recognition difficult. The current protocol details a novel approach that is replicable across investigators and in different strains of mice. We created a protocol that utilizes gonadally intact, singly housed females presented within corrals to group-housed males. Housing females singly prior to testing is particularly important for reliable discrimination. This methodology will be useful for studying short-term social memory in rodents, and may also be applicable for longer-term studies. PMID:19816420

  10. A Comparative Assessment of Resource Efficiency in Petroleum Refining

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

    Han, Jeongwoo; Forman, G; Elgowainy, Amgad

    2015-10-01

    Because of increasing environmental and energy security concerns, a detailed understanding of energy efficiency and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the petroleum refining industry is critical for fair and equitable energy and environmental policies. To date, this has proved challenging due in part to the complex nature and variability within refineries. In an effort to simplify energy and emissions refinery analysis, we delineated LP modeling results from 60 large refineries from the US and EU into broad categories based on crude density (API gravity) and heavy product (HP) yields. Product-specific efficiencies and process fuel shares derived from this study weremore » incorporated in Argonne National Laboratory's GREET life-cycle model, along with regional upstream GHG intensities of crude, natural gas and electricity specific to the US and EU regions. The modeling results suggest that refineries that process relatively heavier crude inputs and have lower yields of HPs generally have lower energy efficiencies and higher GHG emissions than refineries that run lighter crudes with lower yields of HPs. The former types of refineries tend to utilize energy-intensive units which are significant consumers of utilities (heat and electricity) and hydrogen. Among the three groups of refineries studied, the major difference in the energy intensities is due to the amount of purchased natural gas for utilities and hydrogen, while the sum of refinery feed inputs are generally constant. These results highlight the GHG emissions cost a refiner pays to process deep into the barrel to produce more of the desirable fuels with low carbon to hydrogen ratio. (c) 2015 Argonne National Laboratory. Published by Elsevier Ltd.« less

  11. Tethered gravity laboratories study

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lucchetti, F.

    1990-01-01

    The scope of the study is to investigate ways of controlling the microgravity environment of the International Space Station by means of a tethered system. Four main study tasks were performed. First, researchers analyzed the utilization of the tether systems to improve the lowest possible steady gravity level on the Space Station and the tether capability to actively control the center of gravity position in order to compensate for activities that would upset the mass distribution of the Station. The purpose of the second task was to evaluate the whole of the experiments performable in a variable gravity environment and the related beneficial residual accelerations, both for pure and applied research in the fields of fluid, materials, and life science, so as to assess the relevance of a variable g-level laboratory. The third task involves the Tethered Variable Gravity Laboratory. The use of the facility that would crawl along a deployed tether and expose experiments to varying intensities of reduced gravity is discussed. Last, a study performed on the Attitude Tether Stabilizer concept is discussed. The stabilization effect of ballast masses tethered to the Space Station was investigated as a means of assisting the attitude control system of the Station.

  12. A survey on the utilization of disposable quadrant articulators.

    PubMed

    Thornton, Linda J

    2002-01-01

    This study evaluated utilization of the six most popular disposable quadrant articulators presently used in crown fabrication. Most general practitioners and crown and bridge laboratory technicians reported that they frequently or always used disposable quadrant articulators for single units and simple three-unit fixed partial dentures. All evaluated articulators demonstrated an inability to maintain and repeat the centric stop position. The disposable quadrant articulator, used in combination with dual-arch impressions, is a viable method for fabricating single and short-span restorations. While a nonrepeatable centric stop was present in all six articulators evaluated, the method was considered a time-efficient and cost-saving alternative to traditional all-metal simple-hinge articulators.

  13. Traditional Knowledge and Nutritive Value of Indigenous Foods in the Oraon Tribal Community of Jharkhand: An Exploratory Cross-sectional Study

    PubMed Central

    Ghosh-Jerath, Suparna; Singh, Archna; Kamboj, Preeti; Goldberg, Gail; Magsumbol, Melina S.

    2015-01-01

    Traditional knowledge and nutritional value of indigenous foods of the Oraon tribal community in Jharkhand, India was explored. Focus group discussions were conducted with adult members to identify commonly consumed indigenous foods. Taxonomic classification and quantitative estimation of nutritive value were conducted in laboratories or utilized data from Indian food composition database. More than 130 varieties of indigenous foods were identified, many of which were rich sources of micronutrients like calcium, iron, vitamin A, and folic acid. Some were reported having medicinal properties. Utilization and ease of assimilation of indigenous foods into routine diets can be leveraged to address malnutrition in tribal communities. PMID:25902000

  14. Graphene Oxide as Mine of Knowledge: Using Graphene Oxide to Teach Undergraduate Students Core Chemistry and Nanotechnology Concepts

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kondratowicz, Izabela; Z?elechowska, Kamila

    2017-01-01

    The aim of this laboratory experiment is to utilize graphene oxide (GO) material to introduce undergraduate students to many well-known concepts of general chemistry. GO is a new nanomaterial that has generated worldwide interest and can be easily produced in every well-equipped undergraduate chemical laboratory. An in-depth examination of GO…

  15. An Undergraduate Laboratory Experiment that Utilizes a Glass Fiber Filter Assay to Determine the Steroid Specificity and Equilibrium Binding Properties of Glucocorticoid Receptors.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    John, Nancy J.; Firestone, Gary L.

    1987-01-01

    Describes two complementary laboratory exercises that use the glass fiber assay to assess receptor specificity and hormone binding affinity in rat liver cytoplasmic extracts. Details the methods, materials and protocol of the experiments. Discusses the basic concepts illustrated and the feasibility of using the experiments at the undergraduate…

  16. Evaluation of Title I Program, Community School Distrlct 31, New York City. 1978-79 School Year. Final Report, E.D.L. Reading Lab.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Knight, Michael E.

    This program was designed to improve reading skills and to provide intensive remediation for students in grades six through nine. Specialized materials and equipment were provided by Educational Development Laboratories (EDL). The EDL Reading Laboratory utilized the Learning 100 program, a multi-modality developmental and remedial program. Small…

  17. Organic Spectroscopy Laboratory: Utilizing IR and NMR in the Identification of an Unknown Substance

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Glagovich, Neil M.; Shine, Timothy D.

    2005-01-01

    A laboratory experiment that emphasizes the interpretation of both infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra in the elucidation of the structure of an unknown compound was developed. The method helps students determine [to the first power]H- and [to the thirteenth power]C-NMR spectra from the structures of compounds and to…

  18. Remote Access to Scientific Laboratory Equipment and Competency-Based Approach to Science and Technology Education

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Mazuritskiy, M. I.; Safontsev, S. A.; Konoplev, B. G.; Boldyreva, A. M.

    2014-01-01

    This article describes the competency-based approach to e-learning education that utilizes remote access to the laboratory equipment. The main focus of the paper is the structure and design of the e-learning system used in the Southern Federal University (Russia). The article discusses the related pedagogical strategies and presents system's…

  19. 9 CFR 147.31 - Laboratory procedures recommended for the real-time polymerase chain reaction test for Mycoplasma...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... the real-time polymerase chain reaction test for Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MGLP ReTi). 147.31 Section... Examination Procedures § 147.31 Laboratory procedures recommended for the real-time polymerase chain reaction... lp gene. (c) MGLP ReTi. Primers and probe should be utilized in a 25 µl reaction containing 12.5 µl...

  20. 9 CFR 147.31 - Laboratory procedures recommended for the real-time polymerase chain reaction test for Mycoplasma...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... the real-time polymerase chain reaction test for Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MGLP ReTi). 147.31 Section... Examination Procedures § 147.31 Laboratory procedures recommended for the real-time polymerase chain reaction... lp gene. (c) MGLP ReTi. Primers and probe should be utilized in a 25 µl reaction containing 12.5 µl...

  1. Gene Amplification by PCR and Subcloning into a GFP-Fusion Plasmid Expression Vector as a Molecular Biology Laboratory Course

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bornhorst, Joshua A.; Deibel, Michael A.; Mulnix, Amy B.

    2004-01-01

    A novel experimental sequence for the advanced undergraduate laboratory course has been developed at Earlham College. Utilizing recent improvements in molecular techniques for a time-sensitive environment, undergraduates were able to create a chimera of a selected gene and green fluorescent protein (GFP) in a bacterial expression plasmid over the…

  2. A First Laboratory Utilizing NMR for Undergraduate Education: Characterization of Edible Fats and Oils by Quantitative [superscript 13]C NMR

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Fry, Charles G.; Hofstetter, Heike; Bowman, Matthew D.

    2017-01-01

    Quantitative [superscript 13]C NMR provides a straightforward method of analyzing edible oils in undergraduate chemistry laboratories. [superscript 13]C spectra are relatively easy to understand, and are much simpler to analyze and workup than corresponding [superscript 1]H spectra. Average chain length, degree of saturation, and average…

  3. Using a Simulated Industrial Setting for the Development of an Improved Solvent System for the Recrystallization of Benzoic Acid: A Student-Centered Project

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hightower, Timothy R.; Heeren, Jay D.

    2006-01-01

    Recrystallization of benzoic acid is an excellent way to remove insoluble impurities. In a traditional organic laboratory experiment, insoluble impurities are removed through the recrystallization of benzoic acid utilizing water as the recrystallization solvent. It was our goal to develop a peer-led, problem-solving organic laboratory exercise…

  4. How Do Experienced Physicians Access and Evaluate Laboratory Test Results for the Chronic Patient? A Qualitative Analysis.

    PubMed

    Torsvik, Torbjørn; Lillebo, Børge; Hertzum, Morten

    2018-04-01

     Electronic health records may present laboratory test results in a variety of ways. Little is known about how the usefulness of different visualizations of laboratory test results is influenced by the complex and varied process of clinical decision making.  The purpose of this study was to investigate how clinicians access and utilize laboratory test results when caring for patients with chronic illness.  We interviewed 10 attending physicians about how they access and assess laboratory tests when following up patients with chronic illness. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed qualitatively.  Informants preferred different visualizations of laboratory test results, depending on what aspects of the data they were interested in. As chronic patients may have laboratory test results that are permanently outside standardized reference ranges, informants would often look for significant change, rather than exact values. What constituted significant change depended on contextual information (e.g., the results of other investigations, intercurrent diseases, and medical interventions) spread across multiple locations in the electronic health record. For chronic patients, the temporal relations between data could often be of special interest. Informants struggled with finding and synthesizing fragmented information into meaningful overviews.  The presentation of laboratory test results should account for the large variety of associated contextual information needed for clinical comprehension. Future research is needed to improve the integration of the different parts of the electronic health record. Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart.

  5. Mid-Pacific Marine Laboratory. Annual report for the period, 1 October 1977--30 September 1978

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

    Reese, E.S.; Johnson, V.R. Jr.

    1979-03-01

    Studies on behavior included reproduction and sociobiology of reef fishes and aggression, hearing, and ultrasonic telemetry in sharks. Ecological studies included population, growth, and mortality studies on birds, corals, crustacea, echinoderms, fishes, molluscs, and rats. Geochemistry studies included biogeochemistry of reef organisms and hydrogeochemistry of groundwater. Geology studies included bioerosion of sea urchins, biology of endolithic processes, and survey of soils. Oceanography studies were conducted on lagoon circulation. Physiological studies were conducted on symbiosis in corals and utilization of organic material by Foraminifera. Studies on systematics of algae, echinoderms, and fishes were conducted. (HLW)

  6. Electronic medical records and efficiency and productivity during office visits.

    PubMed

    Furukawa, Michael F

    2011-04-01

    To estimate the relationship between electronic medical record (EMR) use and efficiency of utilization and provider productivity during visits to US office-based physicians. Cross-sectional analysis of the 2006-2007 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. The sample included 62,710 patient visits to 2625 physicians. EMR systems included demographics, clinical notes, prescription orders, and laboratory and imaging results. Efficiency was measured as utilization of examinations, laboratory tests, radiology procedures, health education, nonmedication treatments, and medications. Productivity was measured as total services provided per 20-minute period. Survey-weighted regressions estimated association of EMR use with services provided, visit intensity/duration, and productivity. Marginal effects were estimated by averaging across all visits and by major reason for visit. EMR use was associated with higher probability of any examination (7.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.4%, 13.1%); any laboratory test (5.7%, 95% CI = 2.6%, 8.8%); any health education (4.9%, 95% CI = 0.2%, 9.6%); and fewer laboratory tests (-7.1%, 95% CI = -14.2%, -0.1%). During pre/post surgery visits, EMR use was associated with 7.3% (95% CI= -12.9%, -1.8%) fewer radiology procedures. EMR use was not associated with utilization of nonmedication treatments and medications, or visit duration. During routine visits for a chronic problem, EMR use was associated with 11.2% (95% CI = 5.7%, 16.8%) more diagnostic/screening services provided per 20-minute period. EMR use had a mixed association with efficiency and productivity during office visits. EMRs may improve provider productivity, especially during visits for a new problem and routine chronic care.

  7. Delivering a lab experience to students in remote road-less locations in Alaska

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Spencer, Vanessa; Solie, Daniel

    2010-02-01

    Bush Physics is a pilot physics course offered by the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Taught both as a distance delivery course for rural students and as a traditional course to students in Fairbanks, it is designed to prepare rural (predominantly Alaska Native) students for success in STEM programs. While the lecture portion is successfully distance-delivered using teleconference, delivering the laboratory portion effectively has been more challenging. Bush Physics has been taught twice previously to a total of 24 students who otherwise would not have had access to physics instruction. Methods utilized to help distance education students complete the laboratory credit include mailing equipment kits, emailing pictures and video descriptions, travel to certain villages to do experiments during weekends and utilizing on-site mentors. Past results and feedback have improved the laboratory section for spring 2010. We plan to use testing and student surveys to begin to quantify improvement in student mathematical ability and reasoning. )

  8. BDE 47 AND PCB 153 INCREASE THYROXINE CATABOLISM IN PRIMARY RAT AND HUMAN HEPATOCYTES: THE UTILITY OF HEPATOCYTES AS SCREENING TOOLS FOR POTENTIAL THYROID HORMONE DISRUPTORS

    EPA Science Inventory

    Studies demonstrate that exposure to 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE 47) and 2,2',4,4',5,5'· hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB 153) decrease serum thyroxine (T4)levels in laboratory animals 1,2,3. The T4 decrease in rodents is thought to occur through the induction of UDP-glucurono...

  9. Circadian Rhythms of Heart Rate and Locomotion After Treatment With Low-Dose Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2006-01-01

    with pyridostigmine bromide (PB), a carbamate AChE by air conditioned vans and air-freight to the Laboratory inhibitor that does not cross the blood ...15. SUBJECT TERMS Nerve agents, sarin, pyridostigmine bromide, cerebral glucose utilization, cerebrovascular circulation, low dose cholinesterase ...March 2006" Accepted 12 May 2006 ABSTRACT: This study tested the hypothesis that repeated exposure to low levels of sarin, pyridostigmine bromide (PB

  10. Accuracy of the Estimated Core Temperature (ECTemp) Algorithm in Estimating Circadian Rhythm Indicators

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2017-04-12

    measurement of CT outside of stringent laboratory environments. This study evaluated ECTempTM, a heart rate-based extended Kalman Filter CT...based CT-estimation algorithms [7, 13, 14]. One notable example is ECTempTM, which utilizes an extended Kalman Filter to estimate CT from...3. The extended Kalman filter mapping function variance coefficient (Ct) was computed using the following equation: = −9.1428 ×

  11. Implement Family Member Assessment Component in the Millennium Cohort Study

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-10-01

    Hospital , Camp Pendleton, CA Tyler C. Smith, MS, PhD, DoD Center for Deployment Health Research, NHRC, San Diego CA Col Timothy S. Wells, USAF, BSC, Air...physical health, relationship quality, deployment/ reunion , and service utilization. In addition, data will be linked to medical records collected...Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH; and Margaret Ryan from the Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, Camp Pendleton, CA. Additionally, the

  12. The NASA Earth Research-2 (ER-2) Aircraft: A Flying Laboratory for Earth Science Studies

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Navarro, Robert

    2007-01-01

    The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, has two Lockheed Martin Corporation (Bethesda, Maryland) Earth Research-2 (ER2) aircraft that serve as high-altitude and long-range flying laboratories. The ER-2 aircraft has been successfully utilized to conduct scientific studies of stratospheric and tropospheric chemistry, land-use mapping, disaster assessment, preliminary testing and calibration and validation of satellite sensors. The research missions for the ER-2 aircraft are planned, implemented, and managed by the Dryden Flight Research Center Science Mission Directorate. Maintenance and instrument payload integration is conducted by Dryden personnel. The ER-2 aircraft provides experimenters with a wide array of payload accommodations areas with suitable environment control with required electrical and mechanical interfaces. Missions may be flown out of Dryden or from remote bases worldwide, according to research requirements. The NASA ER-2 aircraft is utilized by a variety of customers, including U.S. Government agencies, civilian organizations, universities, and state governments. The combination of the ER-2 aircraft s range, endurance, altitude, payload power, payload volume and payload weight capabilities complemented by a trained maintenance and operations team provides an excellent and unique platform system to the science community and other customers.

  13. Understanding variations in secondary findings reporting practices across U.S. genome sequencing laboratories.

    PubMed

    Ackerman, Sara L; Koenig, Barbara A

    2018-01-01

    Increasingly used for clinical purposes, genome and exome sequencing can generate clinically relevant information that is not directly related to the reason for testing (incidental or secondary findings). Debates about the ethical implications of secondary findings were sparked by the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) 2013 policy statement, which recommended that laboratories report pathogenic alterations in 56 genes. Although wide variation in laboratories' secondary findings policies has been reported, little is known about its causes. We interviewed 18 laboratory directors and genetic counselors at 10 U.S. laboratories to investigate the motivations and interests shaping secondary findings reporting policies for clinical exome sequencing. Analysis of interview transcripts and laboratory documents was informed by sociological theories of standardization. Laboratories varied widely in terms of the types of secondary findings reported, consent-form language, and choices offered to patients. In explaining their adaptation of the ACMG report, our participants weighed genetic information's clinical, moral, professional, and commercial value in an attempt to maximize benefits for patients and families, minimize the costs of sequencing and analysis, adhere to professional norms, attract customers, and contend with the uncertain clinical implications of much of the genetic information generated. Nearly all laboratories in our study voluntarily adopted ACMG's recommendations, but their actual practices varied considerably and were informed by laboratory-specific judgments about clinical utility and patient benefit. Our findings offer a compelling example of standardization as a complex process that rarely leads simply to uniformity of practice. As laboratories take on a more prominent role in decisions about the return of genetic information, strategies are needed to inform patients, families, and clinicians about the differences between laboratories' practices and ensure that the consent process prompts a discussion of the value of additional genetic information for patients and their families.

  14. Visual cues to geographical orientation during low-level flight

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Battiste, Vernol; Delzell, Suzanne

    1991-01-01

    A field study of an operational Emergency Medical Service (EMS) unit was conducted to investigate the relationships among geographical orientation, pilot decision making, and workload in EMS flights. The map data collected during this study were compared to protocols gathered in the laboratory, where pilots viewed a simulated flight over different types of unfamiliar terrain and verbally identified the features utilized to maintain geographical orientation. The EMS pilot's questionnaire data were compared with data from non-EMS helicopter pilots with comparable flight experience.

  15. Bioregenerative Life Support System Research as part of the DLR EDEN Initiative

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bamsey, Matthew; Schubert, Daniel; Zabel, Paul; Poulet, Lucie; Zeidler, Conrad

    In 2011, the DLR Institute of Space Systems launched a research initiative called EDEN - Evolution and Design of Environmentally-closed Nutrition-Sources. The research initiative focuses on bioregenerative life support systems, especially greenhouse modules, and technologies for future crewed vehicles. The EDEN initiative comprises several projects with respect to space research, ground testing and spin-offs. In 2014, EDEN’s new laboratory officially opened. This new biological cleanroom laboratory comprises several plant growth chambers incorporating a number of novel controlled environment agriculture technologies. This laboratory will be the nucleus for a variety of plant cultivation experiments within closed environments. The utilized technologies are being advanced using the pull of space technology and include such items as stacked growth systems, PAR-specific LEDs, intracanopy lighting, aeroponic nutrient delivery systems and ion-selective nutrient sensors. The driver of maximizing biomass output per unit volume and energy has much application in future bioregenerative life support systems but can also provide benefit terrestrially. The EDEN laboratory also includes several specially constructed chambers for advancing models addressing the interaction between bioregenerative and physical-chemical life support systems. The EDEN team is presently developing designs for containerized greenhouse modules. One module is planned for deployment to the German Antarctic Station, Neumayer III. The shipping container based system will provide supplementation to the overwintering crew’s diet, provide psychological benefit while at the same time advancing the technology and operational readiness of harsh environment plant production systems. In addition to hardware development, the EDEN team has participated in several early phase designs such as for the ESA Greenhouse Module for Space System and for large-scale vertical farming. These studies often utilize the Institute of Space Systems Concurrent Engineering Facility.

  16. Non-linear relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and subsequent hip fracture.

    PubMed

    de Koning, L; Henne, D; Hemmelgarn, B R; Woods, P; Naugler, C

    2013-07-01

    Serum 25-OH vitamin D levels were compared in 254 hip fracture subjects and 2,402 matched control subjects. There was a significant inverse association between 25-OH vitamin D and hip fracture only between 0 and 70 nmol/L. Vitamin D is integral to bone metabolism, however the utility of serum 25-OH vitamin D as a risk marker for hip fractures is controversial. We conducted a case-control study of patients admitted to the hospitals with hip fractures in Calgary, Alberta, (catchment population 1.4 million) between January 1, 2007 and August 31, 2011. We searched the laboratory information system of Calgary Laboratory Services for serum 25-OH vitamin D levels within 6 months prior to admission on patients admitted to hospital with hip fractures. Cases were identified through the Calgary Laboratory Services laboratory information system and were matched to controls for age, sex, and month of testing. The hip fracture-25-OH vitamin D association was examined using multiple linear and spline regression. Of 305 subjects initially identified with hip fractures, serum 25-OH vitamin D levels were available for 254 (83 %). These were matched to 2,402 control subjects. We observed a significant (p < 0.01) non-linear relationship such that 25-OH vitamin D was inversely associated with hip fracture only below 70 nmol/L (odds ratio = 0.81 per 10 nmol/L increase; 95 % CI 0.86-0.93). The utility of 25-OH vitamin D level as a risk marker for hip fracture depends on the cut-off level used and was of potential use only for lower levels of 25-OH vitamin D.

  17. Development of sensorial experiments and their implementation into undergraduate laboratories

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bromfield Lee, Deborah Christina

    "Visualization" of chemical phenomena often has been limited in the teaching laboratories to the sense of sight. We have developed chemistry experiments that rely on senses other than eyesight to investigate chemical concepts, make quantitative determinations, and familiarize students with chemical techniques traditionally designed using only eyesight. Multi-sensory learning can benefit all students by actively engaging them in learning through stimulation or an alternative way of experiencing a concept or ideas. Perception of events or concepts usually depends on the information from the different sensory systems combined. The use of multi-sensory learning can take advantage of all the senses to reinforce learning as each sense builds toward a more complete experience of scientific data. Research has shown that multi-sensory representations of scientific phenomena is a valuable tool for enhancing understanding of chemistry as well as displacing misconceptions through experience. Multi-sensory experiences have also been shown to enrich memory performance. There are few experiments published which utilize multiple senses in the teaching laboratory. The sensorial experiments chosen were conceptually similar to experiments currently performed in undergraduate laboratories; however students collect different types of data using multi-sensory observations. The experiments themselves were developed by using chemicals that would provide different sensory changes or capitalizing on sensory observations that were typically overlooked or ignored and obtain similar and precise results as in traditional experiments. Minimizing hazards and using safe practices are especially essential in these experiments as students utilize senses traditionally not allowed to be used in the laboratories. These sensorial experiments utilize typical equipment found in the teaching laboratories as well as inexpensive chemicals in order to aid implementation. All experiments are rigorously tested for accuracy and all chemicals examined for safety prior to implementation. The pedagogical objectives were established of to provide the ability to develop and stimulate students' conceptual understanding. The educational assessments of these experiments are are fashioned using the framework chosen (Marzano and Kendall). All the experiments are designed as collaborative, inquiry-based experiments in aims of enhancing the students understanding of the subject and promote critical thinking skills. These experiments use an investigative approach rather than verification methods. Terminology and misconceptions of the experiment were evaluated to prevent misunderstanding or confusion during the experiment. Interventions to address these misconceptions and learning problems associated with the experiment were developed. We have developed the Learning Lab Report, LLR, as an alternative model for the traditional laboratory reports, with the goal of transforming the traditional reports into something more useful for both students and instructors. The educational strategies are employed to develop this format in order to promote students to think critically about the concepts and take an active involvement in learning. From the results of the LLR, all experiments were reviewed and re-written to address any learning problems. The sensorial experiments study several topics usually covered in the first 2 years of the chemistry curriculum (general and organic chemistry courses). The experiments implemented, organic qualitative analysis, esterification kinetics, Le Chatelier equilibrium, thermometric titrations and ASA kinetics, worked effectively as students were able to draw correct conclusions about the concepts from the data obtained. An olfactory titration using the smell of the rutabaga vegetable has been developed and thoroughly tested. The LLR was utilized with the equilibrium, titration and acetyl salicylic acid experiments. The details of the development, implementation of these sensorial experiments and the LLR and student results are discussed.

  18. Ground Based Program for the Physical Analysis of Macromolecular Crystal Growth

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Malkin, Alexander J.

    1999-01-01

    In a reported period in situ atomic force microscopy was utilized in our laboratory to study mechanisms of growth and kinetics of crystallization of ten protein and virus crystals. These included canavalin, thaumatin, apoferritin, lipase, catalase, t-RNA, lysozyme, xylanase, turnip yellow mosaic virus (TYMV) and satellite tobacco mosaic virus (STMV). We have also designed and constructed in our laboratory both in situ conventional two-beam Michelson and phase shift Mach-Zenhder interferometers. Computer software for the processing of the interferometric images was developed as well. Interferometric techniques were applied for studies of growth kinetics and transport phenomena in crystallization of several macromolecular crystals. As a result of this work we have published 21 papers and have given many presentations at international and national meetings. A list of these publications and conference presentations is attached.

  19. Barriers and facilitators to reducing frequent laboratory testing for patients who are stable on warfarin: a mixed methods study of de-implementation in five anticoagulation clinics.

    PubMed

    Barnes, Geoffrey D; Misirliyan, Sevan; Kaatz, Scott; Jackson, Elizabeth A; Haymart, Brian; Kline-Rogers, Eva; Kozlowski, Jay; Krol, Gregory; Froehlich, James B; Sales, Anne

    2017-07-14

    Patients on chronic warfarin therapy require regular laboratory monitoring to safely manage warfarin. Recent studies have challenged the need for routine monthly blood draws in the most stable warfarin-treated patients, suggesting the safety of less frequent laboratory testing (up to every 12 weeks). De-implementation efforts aim to reduce the use of low-value clinical practices. To explore barriers and facilitators of a de-implementation effort to reduce the use of frequent laboratory tests for patients with stable warfarin management in nurse/pharmacist-run anticoagulation clinics, we performed a mixed-methods study conducted within a state-wide collaborative quality improvement collaborative. Using a mixed-methods approach, we conducted post-implementation semi-structured interviews with a total of eight anticoagulation nurse or pharmacist staff members at five participating clinic sites to assess barriers and facilitators to de-implementing frequent international normalized ratio (INR) laboratory testing among patients with stable warfarin control. Interview guides were based on the Tailored Implementation for Chronic Disease (TICD) framework. Informed by interview themes, a survey was developed and administered to all anticoagulation clinical staff (n = 62) about their self-reported utilization of less frequent INR testing and specific barriers to de-implementing the standard (more frequent) INR testing practice. From the interviews, four themes emerged congruent with TICD domains: (1) staff overestimating their actual use of less frequent INR testing (individual health professional factors), (2) barriers to appropriate patient engagement (incentives and resources), (3) broad support for an electronic medical record flag to identify potentially eligible patients (incentives and resources), and (4) the importance of personalized nurse/pharmacist feedback (individual health professional factors). In the survey (65% response rate), staff report offering less frequent INR testing to 56% (46-66%) of eligible patients. Most survey responders (n = 24; 60%) agreed that an eligibility flag in the electronic medical record would be very helpful. Twenty-four (60%) respondents agreed that periodic, personalized feedback on use of less frequent INR testing would also be helpful. Leveraging information system notifications, reducing additional work load burden for participating patients and providers, and providing personalized feedback are strategies that may improve adoption and utilization new policies in anticoagulation clinics that focus on de-implementation.

  20. Wake characteristics of wind turbines in utility-scale wind farms

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, Xiaolei; Foti, Daniel; Sotiropoulos, Fotis

    2017-11-01

    The dynamics of turbine wakes is affected by turbine operating conditions, ambient atmospheric turbulent flows, and wakes from upwind turbines. Investigations of the wake from a single turbine have been extensively carried out in the literature. Studies on the wake dynamics in utility-scale wind farms are relatively limited. In this work, we employ large-eddy simulation with an actuator surface or actuator line model for turbine blades to investigate the wake dynamics in utility-scale wind farms. Simulations of three wind farms, i.e., the Horns Rev wind farm in Denmark, Pleasant Valley wind farm in Minnesota, and the Vantage wind farm in Washington are carried out. The computed power shows a good agreement with measurements. Analysis of the wake dynamics in the three wind farms is underway and will be presented in the conference. This work was support by Xcel Energy (RD4-13). The computational resources were provided by National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

  1. Modelling utility-scale wind power plants. Part 2: Capacity credit

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Milligan, Michael R.

    2000-10-01

    As the worldwide use of wind turbine generators in utility-scale applications continues to increase, it will become increasingly important to assess the economic and reliability impact of these intermittent resources. Although the utility industry appears to be moving towards a restructured environment, basic economic and reliability issues will continue to be relevant to companies involved with electricity generation. This article is the second in a two-part series that addresses modelling approaches and results that were obtained in several case studies and research projects at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). This second article focuses on wind plant capacity credit as measured with power system reliability indices. Reliability-based methods of measuring capacity credit are compared with wind plant capacity factor. The relationship between capacity credit and accurate wind forecasting is also explored. Published in 2000 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  2. [Measures to prevent patient identification errors in blood collection/physiological function testing utilizing a laboratory information system].

    PubMed

    Shimazu, Chisato; Hoshino, Satoshi; Furukawa, Taiji

    2013-08-01

    We constructed an integrated personal identification workflow chart using both bar code reading and an all in-one laboratory information system. The information system not only handles test data but also the information needed for patient guidance in the laboratory department. The reception terminals at the entrance, displays for patient guidance and patient identification tools at blood-sampling booths are all controlled by the information system. The number of patient identification errors was greatly reduced by the system. However, identification errors have not been abolished in the ultrasound department. After re-evaluation of the patient identification process in this department, we recognized that the major reason for the errors came from excessive identification workflow. Ordinarily, an ultrasound test requires patient identification 3 times, because 3 different systems are required during the entire test process, i.e. ultrasound modality system, laboratory information system and a system for producing reports. We are trying to connect the 3 different systems to develop a one-time identification workflow, but it is not a simple task and has not been completed yet. Utilization of the laboratory information system is effective, but is not yet perfect for patient identification. The most fundamental procedure for patient identification is to ask a person's name even today. Everyday checks in the ordinary workflow and everyone's participation in safety-management activity are important for the prevention of patient identification errors.

  3. 48 CFR 52.222-2 - Payment for Overtime Premiums.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... in connection with administration, protection, transportation, maintenance, standby plant protection, operation of utilities, or accounting; (3) To perform tests, industrial processes, laboratory procedures...

  4. Shared-resource computing for small research labs.

    PubMed

    Ackerman, M J

    1982-04-01

    A real time laboratory computer network is described. This network is composed of four real-time laboratory minicomputers located in each of four division laboratories and a larger minicomputer in a centrally located computer room. Off the shelf hardware and software were used with no customization. The network is configured for resource sharing using DECnet communications software and the RSX-11-M multi-user real-time operating system. The cost effectiveness of the shared resource network and multiple real-time processing using priority scheduling is discussed. Examples of utilization within a medical research department are given.

  5. Sub-25-nm laboratory x-ray microscopy using a compound Fresnel zone plate.

    PubMed

    von Hofsten, Olov; Bertilson, Michael; Reinspach, Julia; Holmberg, Anders; Hertz, Hans M; Vogt, Ulrich

    2009-09-01

    Improving the resolution in x-ray microscopes is of high priority to enable future applications in nanoscience. However, high-resolution zone-plate optics often have low efficiency, which makes implementation in laboratory microscopes difficult. We present a laboratory x-ray microscope based on a compound zone plate. The compound zone plate utilizes multiple diffraction orders to achieve high resolution while maintaining reasonable efficiency. We analyze the illumination conditions necessary for this type of optics in order to suppress stray light and demonstrate microscopic imaging resolving 25 nm features.

  6. Optical/thermal analysis methodology for a space-qualifiable RTP furnace

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bugby, D.; Dardarian, S.; Cole, E.

    1993-01-01

    A methodology to predict the coupled optical/thermal performance of a reflective cavity heating system was developed and a laboratory test to verify the method was carried out. The procedure was utilized to design a rapid thermal processing (RTP) furnace for the Robot-Operated Material Processing in Space (ROMPS) Program which is a planned STS HH-G canister experiment involving robotics and material processing in microgravity. The laboratory test employed a tungsten-halogen reflector/lamp to heat thin, p-type silicon wafers. Measurements instrumentation consisted of 5-mil Pt/Pt-Rh thermocouples and an optical pyrometer. The predicted results, utilizing an optical ray-tracing program and a lumped-capacitance thermal analyzer, showed good agreement with the measured data for temperatures exceeding 1300 C.

  7. Rapid prototyping of an adaptive light-source for mobile manipulators with EasyKit and EasyLab

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wojtczyk, Martin; Barner, Simon; Geisinger, Michael; Knoll, Alois

    2008-08-01

    While still not common in day-to-day business, mobile robot platforms form a growing market in robotics. Mobile platforms equipped with a manipulator for increased flexibility have been used successfully in biotech laboratories for sample management as shown on the well-known ESACT meetings. Navigation and object recognition is carried out by the utilization of a mounted machine vision camera. To cope with the different illumination conditions in a large laboratory, development of an adaptive light source was indispensable. We present our approach of rapid developing a computer controlled, adaptive LED light within one single business day, by utilizing the hardware toolbox EasyKit and our appropriate software counterpart EasyLab.

  8. Clinical laboratory as an economic model for business performance analysis

    PubMed Central

    Buljanović, Vikica; Patajac, Hrvoje; Petrovečki, Mladen

    2011-01-01

    Aim To perform SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis of a clinical laboratory as an economic model that may be used to improve business performance of laboratories by removing weaknesses, minimizing threats, and using external opportunities and internal strengths. Methods Impact of possible threats to and weaknesses of the Clinical Laboratory at Našice General County Hospital business performance and use of strengths and opportunities to improve operating profit were simulated using models created on the basis of SWOT analysis results. The operating profit as a measure of profitability of the clinical laboratory was defined as total revenue minus total expenses and presented using a profit and loss account. Changes in the input parameters in the profit and loss account for 2008 were determined using opportunities and potential threats, and economic sensitivity analysis was made by using changes in the key parameters. The profit and loss account and economic sensitivity analysis were tools for quantifying the impact of changes in the revenues and expenses on the business operations of clinical laboratory. Results Results of simulation models showed that operational profit of €470 723 in 2008 could be reduced to only €21 542 if all possible threats became a reality and current weaknesses remained the same. Also, operational gain could be increased to €535 804 if laboratory strengths and opportunities were utilized. If both the opportunities and threats became a reality, the operational profit would decrease by €384 465. Conclusion The operational profit of the clinical laboratory could be significantly reduced if all threats became a reality and the current weaknesses remained the same. The operational profit could be increased by utilizing strengths and opportunities as much as possible. This type of modeling may be used to monitor business operations of any clinical laboratory and improve its financial situation by implementing changes in the next fiscal period. PMID:21853546

  9. Clinical laboratory as an economic model for business performance analysis.

    PubMed

    Buljanović, Vikica; Patajac, Hrvoje; Petrovecki, Mladen

    2011-08-15

    To perform SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis of a clinical laboratory as an economic model that may be used to improve business performance of laboratories by removing weaknesses, minimizing threats, and using external opportunities and internal strengths. Impact of possible threats to and weaknesses of the Clinical Laboratory at Našice General County Hospital business performance and use of strengths and opportunities to improve operating profit were simulated using models created on the basis of SWOT analysis results. The operating profit as a measure of profitability of the clinical laboratory was defined as total revenue minus total expenses and presented using a profit and loss account. Changes in the input parameters in the profit and loss account for 2008 were determined using opportunities and potential threats, and economic sensitivity analysis was made by using changes in the key parameters. The profit and loss account and economic sensitivity analysis were tools for quantifying the impact of changes in the revenues and expenses on the business operations of clinical laboratory. Results of simulation models showed that operational profit of €470 723 in 2008 could be reduced to only €21 542 if all possible threats became a reality and current weaknesses remained the same. Also, operational gain could be increased to €535 804 if laboratory strengths and opportunities were utilized. If both the opportunities and threats became a reality, the operational profit would decrease by €384 465. The operational profit of the clinical laboratory could be significantly reduced if all threats became a reality and the current weaknesses remained the same. The operational profit could be increased by utilizing strengths and opportunities as much as possible. This type of modeling may be used to monitor business operations of any clinical laboratory and improve its financial situation by implementing changes in the next fiscal period.

  10. A laboratory-based study of the relationship between childhood abuse and experiential avoidance among inner-city substance users: the role of emotional nonacceptance.

    PubMed

    Gratz, Kim L; Bornovalova, Marina A; Delany-Brumsey, Ayesha; Nick, Bettina; Lejuez, C W

    2007-09-01

    Despite the theorized centrality of experiential avoidance in abuse-related psychopathology, empirical examinations of the relationship between childhood abuse and experiential avoidance remain limited. The present study adds to the extant literature on this relationship, providing a laboratory-based investigation of the relationships between childhood sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, experiential avoidance (indexed as unwillingness to persist on 2 psychologically distressing laboratory tasks), and self-reported emotional nonacceptance among a sample of 76 inner-city treatment-seeking substance users. As hypothesized, results provide evidence for heightened experiential avoidance and emotional nonacceptance among individuals with moderate-severe sexual, physical, and emotional abuse (compared to individuals reporting none-low abuse). However, although emotional nonacceptance was associated with increased risk for experiential avoidance, it mediated the relationship between childhood abuse and experiential avoidance only for emotional abuse. As such, results suggest that one mechanism through which emotional abuse in particular leads to experiential avoidance is emotional nonacceptance. Findings suggest the utility of interventions aimed at decreasing experiential avoidance and promoting emotional acceptance among abused individuals.

  11. Laboratory for Energy-Related Health Research: Annual report, fiscal year 1987

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

    Abell, D.L.

    1989-04-01

    The laboratory's research objective is to provide new knowledge for an improved understanding of the potential bioenvironmental and occupational health problems associated with energy utilization. Our purpose is to contribute to the safe and healthful development of energy resources for the benefit of mankind. This research encompasses several areas of basic investigation that relate to toxicological and biomedical problems associated with potentially toxic chemical and radioactive substances and ionizing radiation, with particular emphasis on carcinogenicity. Studies of systemic injury and nuclear-medical diagnostic and therapeutic methods are also involved. This program is interdisciplinary; it involves physics, chemistry, environmental engineering, biophysics andmore » biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, physiology, immunology, toxicology, both human and veterinary medicine, nuclear medicine, pathology, hematology, radiation biology, reproductive biology, oncology, biomathematics, and computer science. The principal themes of the research at LEHR center around the biology, radiobiology, and health status of the skeleton and its blood-forming constituents; the toxicology and properties of airborne materials; the beagle as an experimental animal model; carcinogenesis; and the scaling of the results from laboratory animal studies to man for appropriate assessment of risk.« less

  12. Student Autonomy and its Effects on Student Enjoyment in a Traditional Mechanics Course for First-Year Engineering Students

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Perera, Janaki I.; Quinlivan, Brendan T.; Simonovich, Jennifer A.; Towers, Emily; Zadik, Oren H.; Zastavker, Yevgeniya V.

    2012-02-01

    In light of recent literature in educational psychology, this study investigates instructional support and students' autonomy at a small technical undergraduate school. Grounded theory is used to analyze twelve semi-structured open-ended interviews about engineering students' experiences in Introductory Mechanics that includes Lecture, Recitation, and Laboratory components. Using data triangulation with each course component as a unit of analysis, this study examines students' course enjoyment as a function of instructional support and autonomy. The Lecture utilizes traditional instructor-centered pedagogy with predominantly passive learning and no student autonomy. The Recitation creates an active learning environment through small group work with a moderate degree of autonomy. The Laboratory is designed around self-guided project-based activities with significant autonomy. Despite these differences, all three course components provide similar levels of instructional support. The data reveal that students enjoy the low autonomy provided by Lecture and Recitations while finding the Laboratory frustrating. Analyses indicate that the differences in autonomy contribute to students' misinterpretation of the three course components' value within the context of the entire course.

  13. MSFC Sortie Laboratory Environmental Control System (ECS) phase B design study results

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ignatonis, A. J.; Mitchell, K. L.

    1974-01-01

    Phase B effort of the Sortie Lab program has concluded. Results of that effort are presented which pertain to the definitions of the environmental control system (ECS). Numerous design studies were performed in Phase B to investigate system feasibility, complexity, weight, and cost. The results and methods employed for these design studies are included. An autonomous Sortie Lab ECS was developed which utilizes a deployed space radiator. Total system weight was projected to be 1814.4 kg including the radiator and fluids. ECS power requirements were estimated at 950 watts.

  14. A laboratory comparison of evacuation devices on aerosol reduction.

    PubMed

    Jacks, Mary E

    2002-01-01

    Aerosols are defined as airborne particles that range in size from 0.5 to 10 microns (micron). They are produced during ultrasonic instrumentation, but they can be reduced. Irrigant solutions, which produce the therapeutic effects of lavage, also combine with blood, saliva, and bacteria to produce potentially harmful airborne particulates. The American Dental Association (ADA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend utilization of high volume evacuation, rubber dam, and patient positioning for aerosol control. But for the non-assisted dental hygienist, these recommendations are difficult to implement. This study was designed to compare the concentration of airborne particulates from ultrasonic scaling, utilizing three different methods of evacuation. In a laboratory setting, ultrasonic airborne particulates were generated utilizing a 25,000 cps magnetostrictive ultrasonic scaling instrument. Three evacuation devises were compared for effectiveness: a standard saliva ejector intraorally positioned; and two extraorally positioned, hands-free high-volume evacuation (HFHVE) techniques. One of these devices had a standard attachment, and, the other had a funnel-shaped attachment. Measurement of airborne particles was performed with a DataRAM Real-Time Aerosol Monitor. This study (N = 21) found a significant reduction in the number of airborne particulates with either form of extraoral HFHVE attachment in place. Standard attachments and funnel-shaped attachments to HFHVE resulted in reduction of particulates by 90.8% and 89.7%, respectively, when compared to the intraorally positioned standard saliva ejector. Utilizing either form of HFHVE during ultrasonic instrumentation significantly reduced the number of aerosolized particulates that reached the breathing space of the client and clinician. This lends support for the ADA and CDC recommendation that HVE be used during aerosol producing procedures. Currently, no preventive measure is 100% effective; therefore, clinicians are encouraged to use additional methods to minimize the number of airborne particulates produced during intraoral instrumentation.

  15. Food-specific serum IgE and IgG reactivity in dogs with and without skin disease: lack of correlation between laboratories.

    PubMed

    Hardy, Jonathan I; Hendricks, Anke; Loeffler, Anette; Chang, Yu-Mei; Verheyen, Kristien L; Garden, Oliver A; Bond, Ross

    2014-10-01

    Despite conflicting data on their utility and no reports on interlaboratory reproducibility, serum food-specific antibodies are commonly assayed in first-opinion canine practice. To determine both the variability of test results between two laboratories and the frequencies and magnitudes of food reactivity in dogs of different disease status. Sera were obtained from eight dogs with cutaneous adverse food reaction (Group A), 22 with nonfood-induced atopic dermatitis (Group B), 30 with an allergic/inflammatory phenotype (Group C), 12 with miscellaneous skin diseases (Group D) and nine healthy dogs (Group E). Paired sera were submitted to two laboratories (A and B) for assays of food-specific IgE and IgG antibodies. Numbers of positive IgE and IgG tests determined by each laboratory in Groups A, B, D and E were comparable (Group C not included). Significant differences in the magnitude of IgE reactivity between groups for each allergen were seen only for lamb (Laboratory A, P = 0.003); lamb reactivity in Group D exceeded Group E (P = 0.004) but was comparable between all other groups. Agreement (kappa statistic) between the two laboratories' tests was 'moderate' for one antigen (potato IgE), 'fair' for four (corn IgE, rice IgE and IgG and soya bean IgG), 'slight' for eight (six IgE and two IgG) and 'less than chance' for the remaining six antigens (three IgE and three IgG). These laboratories' tests appear to have dubious predictive clinical utility because they neither correlate nor distinguish between dogs of different disease status. © 2014 ESVD and ACVD.

  16. Adsorption of Arsenic by Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: A Versatile, Inquiry-Based Laboratory for a High School or College Science Course

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    VanDorn, Daniel; Ravalli, Matthew T.; Small, Mary Margaret; Hillery, Barbara; Andreescu, Silvana

    2011-01-01

    There has been much interest in magnetite (Fe[subscript 3]O[subscript 4]) due to its utility in adsorbing high concentrations of arsenic in contaminated water. The magnetic properties of the material allow for simple dispersion and removal from an aqueous system. An inquiry-based laboratory has been developed that illustrates these unique…

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

    Ma, Zhiwen; Eichman, Josh; Kurtz, Jennifer

    This National Renewable Energy Laboratory industry-inspired Laboratory Directed Research and Development project evaluates the feasibility and economics of using fuel cell backup power systems in cell towers to provide grid services (e.g., balancing, ancillary services, demand response). The work is intended to evaluate the integration of thousands of under-utilized, clean, efficient, and reliable fuel cell systems that are already installed in cell towers for potential grid and ancillary services.

  18. PARK-IT! Elementary School Land Laboratories in Toledo City Parks. Curriculum Activity Guide, Grades 2-3.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    DuFour, Marilyn Berry; Courter, Linda Kothera; Garvin, Dennis M.

    The project PARK-IT! represents a unique partnership between a public elementary school and a city park in which students and teachers utilize a small naturalized area of the park as a Land Laboratory, and in return become its stewards. The project also includes this curriculum activity guide which can assist teachers in using the Land Lab with…

  19. Determination of Fe Content of Some Food Items by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS): A Guided-Inquiry Learning Experience in Instrumental Analysis Laboratory

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Fakayode, Sayo O.; King, Angela G.; Yakubu, Mamudu; Mohammed, Abdul K.; Pollard, David A.

    2012-01-01

    This article presents a guided-inquiry (GI) hands-on determination of Fe in food samples including plantains, spinach, lima beans, oatmeal, Frosted Flakes cereal (generic), tilapia fish, and chicken using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS). The utility of the GI experiment, which is part of an instrumental analysis laboratory course,…

  20. PARK-IT! Elementary School Land Laboratories in Toledo City Parks. Curriculum Activity Guide, Grades K-1.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    DuFour, Marilyn Berry; Courter, Linda Kothera; Garvin, Dennis M.

    The project PARK-IT! represents a unique partnership between a public elementary school and a city park in which students and teachers utilize a small naturalized area of the park as a Land Laboratory, and in return become its stewards. The project also includes this curriculum activity guide which can assist teachers in using the Land Lab with…

  1. PARK-IT! Elementary School Land Laboratories in Toledo City Parks. Curriculum Activity Guide, Grades 4-6.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    DuFour, Marilyn Berry; Courter, Linda Kothera; Garvin, Dennis M.

    The project PARK-IT! represents a unique partnership between a public elementary school and a city park in which students and teachers utilize a small naturalized area of the park as a Land Laboratory, and in return become its stewards. The project also includes this curriculum activity guide which can assist teachers in using the Land Lab with…

  2. Active Learning: A Small Group Histology Laboratory Exercise in a Whole Class Setting Utilizing Virtual Slides and Peer Education

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bloodgood, Robert A.

    2012-01-01

    Histology laboratory instruction is moving away from the sole use of the traditional combination of light microscopes and glass slides in favor of virtual microscopy and virtual slides. At the same time, medical curricula are changing so as to reduce scheduled time for basic science instruction as well as focusing on student-centered learning…

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

    Roberts, Jesse D.; Chang, Grace; Magalen, Jason

    A modified version of an indust ry standard wave modeling tool was evaluated, optimized, and utilized to investigate model sensitivity to input parameters a nd wave energy converter ( WEC ) array deployment scenarios. Wave propagation was investigated d ownstream of the WECs to evaluate overall near - and far - field effects of WEC arrays. The sensitivity study illustrate d that wave direction and WEC device type we r e most sensitive to the variation in the model parameters examined in this study . Generally, the changes in wave height we re the primary alteration caused by the presencemore » of a WEC array. Specifically, W EC device type and subsequently their size directly re sult ed in wave height variations; however, it is important to utilize ongoing laboratory studies and future field tests to determine the most appropriate power matrix values for a particular WEC device and configuration in order to improve modeling results .« less

  4. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, a revolution in clinical microbial identification.

    PubMed

    Bizzini, A; Greub, G

    2010-11-01

    Until recently, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) techniques for the identification of microorganisms remained confined to research laboratories. In the last 2 years, the availability of relatively simple to use MALDI-TOF MS devices, which can be utilized in clinical microbiology laboratories, has changed the laboratory workflows for the identification of pathogens. Recently, the first prospective studies regarding the performance in routine bacterial identification showed that MALDI-TOF MS is a fast, reliable and cost-effective technique that has the potential to replace and/or complement conventional phenotypic identification for most bacterial strains isolated in clinical microbiology laboratories. For routine bacterial isolates, correct identification by MALDI-TOF MS at the species level was obtained in 84.1-93.6% of instances. In one of these studies, a protein extraction step clearly improved the overall valid identification yield, from 70.3% to 93.2%. This review focuses on the current state of use of MALDI-TOF MS for the identification of routine bacterial isolates and on the main difficulties that may lead to erroneous or doubtful identifications. © 2010 The Authors. Clinical Microbiology and Infection © 2010 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.

  5. Wireless vibration monitoring for damage detection of highway bridges

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Whelan, Matthew J.; Gangone, Michael V.; Janoyan, Kerop D.; Jha, Ratneshwar

    2008-03-01

    The development of low-cost wireless sensor networks has resulted in resurgence in the development of ambient vibration monitoring methods to assess the in-service condition of highway bridges. However, a reliable approach towards assessing the health of an in-service bridge and identifying and localizing damage without a priori knowledge of the vibration response history has yet to be formulated. A two-part study is in progress to evaluate and develop existing and proposed damage detection schemes. The first phase utilizes a laboratory bridge model to investigate the vibration response characteristics induced through introduction of changes to structural members, connections, and support conditions. A second phase of the study will validate the damage detection methods developed from the laboratory testing with progressive damage testing of an in-service highway bridge scheduled for replacement. The laboratory bridge features a four meter span, one meter wide, steel frame with a steel and cement board deck composed of sheet layers to regulate mass loading and simulate deck wear. Bolted connections and elastomeric bearings provide a means for prescribing variable local stiffness and damping effects to the laboratory model. A wireless sensor network consisting of fifty-six accelerometers accommodated by twenty-eight local nodes facilitates simultaneous, real-time and high-rate acquisition of the vibrations throughout the bridge structure. Measurement redundancy is provided by an array of wired linear displacement sensors as well as a scanning laser vibrometer. This paper presents the laboratory model and damage scenarios, a brief description of the developed wireless sensor network platform, an overview of available test and measurement instrumentation within the laboratory, and baseline measurements of dynamic response of the laboratory bridge model.

  6. Utilization of a clinical microbiology service at a Cambodian paediatric hospital and its impact on appropriate antimicrobial prescribing.

    PubMed

    Fox-Lewis, Shivani; Pol, Sreymom; Miliya, Thyl; Day, Nicholas P J; Turner, Paul; Turner, Claudia

    2018-02-01

    Antimicrobial resistance threatens human health worldwide. Antimicrobial misuse is a major driver of resistance. Promoting appropriate antimicrobial use requires an understanding of how clinical microbiology services are utilized, particularly in resource-limited settings. To assess the appropriateness of antimicrobial prescribing and the factors affecting utilization of the established clinical microbiology service (CMS). The CMS comprises the microbiology laboratory, clinical microbiologists (infection doctors) and antimicrobial treatment guidelines. This mixed-methods study was conducted at a non-governmental Cambodian paediatric hospital. Empirical and post-culture antimicrobial prescriptions were reviewed from medical records. The random sample included 10 outpatients per week in 2016 (retrospective) and 20 inpatients per week for 4 weeks in the medical, neonatal and intensive care wards (prospective). Post-culture prescriptions were assessed in patients with positive blood and cerebrospinal fluid cultures from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2016. Focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews with clinicians explored barriers and facilitators to use of the CMS. Only 31% of outpatients were prescribed empirical antimicrobials. Post-culture prescriptions (394/443, 89%) were more likely to be appropriate than empirical prescriptions (447/535, 84%), based on treatment guidelines, microbiology advice and antimicrobial susceptibility test results (P = 0.015). Being comprehensive, accessible and trusted enabled CMS utilization. Clinical microbiologists provided a crucial human interface between the CMS and physicians. The main barriers were a strong clinical hierarchy and occasional communication difficulties. Antimicrobial prescribing in this hospital was largely appropriate. A culturally appropriate human interface linking the laboratory and physicians is essential in providing effective microbiology services and ensuring appropriate antimicrobial prescribing in resource-limited settings. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.

  7. A feasibility study of returning clinically actionable somatic genomic alterations identified in a research laboratory.

    PubMed

    Arango, Natalia Paez; Brusco, Lauren; Mills Shaw, Kenna R; Chen, Ken; Eterovic, Agda Karina; Holla, Vijaykumar; Johnson, Amber; Litzenburger, Beate; Khotskaya, Yekaterina B; Sanchez, Nora; Bailey, Ann; Zheng, Xiaofeng; Horombe, Chacha; Kopetz, Scott; Farhangfar, Carol J; Routbort, Mark; Broaddus, Russell; Bernstam, Elmer V; Mendelsohn, John; Mills, Gordon B; Meric-Bernstam, Funda

    2017-06-27

    Molecular profiling performed in the research setting usually does not benefit the patients that donate their tissues. Through a prospective protocol, we sought to determine the feasibility and utility of performing broad genomic testing in the research laboratory for discovery, and the utility of giving treating physicians access to research data, with the option of validating actionable alterations in the CLIA environment. 1200 patients with advanced cancer underwent characterization of their tumors with high depth hybrid capture sequencing of 201 genes in the research setting. Tumors were also tested in the CLIA laboratory, with a standardized hotspot mutation analysis on an 11, 46 or 50 gene platform. 527 patients (44%) had at least one likely somatic mutation detected in an actionable gene using hotspot testing. With the 201 gene panel, 945 patients (79%) had at least one alteration in a potentially actionable gene that was undetected with the more limited CLIA panel testing. Sixty-four genomic alterations identified on the research panel were subsequently tested using an orthogonal CLIA assay. Of 16 mutations tested in the CLIA environment, 12 (75%) were confirmed. Twenty-five (52%) of 48 copy number alterations were confirmed. Nine (26.5%) of 34 patients with confirmed results received genotype-matched therapy. Seven of these patients were enrolled onto genotype-matched targeted therapy trials. Expanded cancer gene sequencing identifies more actionable genomic alterations. The option of CLIA validating research results can provide alternative targets for personalized cancer therapy.

  8. Economic impact of rapid diagnostic methods in Clinical Microbiology: Price of the test or overall clinical impact.

    PubMed

    Cantón, Rafael; Gómez G de la Pedrosa, Elia

    2017-12-01

    The need to reduce the time it takes to establish a microbiological diagnosis and the emergence of new molecular microbiology and proteomic technologies has fuelled the development of rapid and point-of-care techniques, as well as the so-called point-of-care laboratories. These laboratories are responsible for conducting both techniques partially to response to the outsourcing of the conventional hospital laboratories. Their introduction has not always been accompanied with economic studies that address their cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit and cost-utility, but rather tend to be limited to the unit price of the test. The latter, influenced by the purchase procedure, does not usually have a regulated reference value in the same way that medicines do. The cost-effectiveness studies that have recently been conducted on mass spectrometry in the diagnosis of bacteraemia and the use of antimicrobials have had the greatest clinical impact and may act as a model for future economic studies on rapid and point-of-care tests. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica. All rights reserved.

  9. The ATLAS project: The effects of a constructionist digital laboratory project on undergraduate laboratory performance.

    PubMed

    Shoepe, Todd C; Cavedon, Dana K; Derian, Joseph M; Levy, Celine S; Morales, Amy

    2015-01-01

    Anatomical education is a dynamic field where developments in the implementation of constructive, situated-learning show promise in improving student achievement. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of an individualized, technology heavy project in promoting student performance in a combined anatomy and physiology laboratory course. Mixed-methods research was used to compare two cohorts of anatomy laboratories separated by the adoption of a new laboratory atlas project, which were defined as preceding (PRE) and following the adoption of the Anatomical Teaching and Learning Assessment Study (ATLAS; POST). The ATLAS project required the creation of a student-generated, photographic atlas via acquisition of specimen images taken with tablet technology and digital microscope cameras throughout the semester. Images were transferred to laptops, digitally labeled and photo edited weekly, and compiled into a digital book using Internet publishing freeware for final project submission. An analysis of covariance confirmed that student final examination scores were improved (P < 0.05) following the implementation of the laboratory atlas project (PRE, n = 75; POST, n = 90; means ± SE; 74.9 ± 0.9 versus 78.1 ± 0.8, respectively) after controlling for cumulative student grade point average. Analysis of questionnaires collected (n = 68) from the post group suggested students identified with atlas objectives, appreciated the comprehensive value in final examination preparation, and the constructionism involved, but recommended alterations in assignment logistics and the format of the final version. Constructionist, comprehensive term-projects utilizing student-preferred technologies could be used to improve performance toward student learning outcomes. © 2014 American Association of Anatomists.

  10. Classification of superficial lesions of the eye with an optical biopsy system: First trials with the Los Alamos instrument

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

    Glickman, R.D.; Gritz, D.C.; Held, K.S.

    the clinical diagnosis of a lesion often requires that a histological analysis be made of a physical specimen of the suspect tissue. In the present work, the authors have utilized an optical biopsy system (OBS) developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory which is safe for patient use and provides a large amount of optical data from the sampled tissue. An earlier version of this system has been used to study age-related changes in the ocular lens (10). The purpose of the present study is to establish the potential clinical utility of the OBS by determining if characteristic features in themore » optical signatures, obtained from a variety of ophthalmic lesions, are correlated with the histological features of tissue biopsies obtained from these patients.« less

  11. Isolation, Purification, and Culture of Primary Murine Sensory Neurons.

    PubMed

    Katzenell, Sarah; Cabrera, Jorge R; North, Brian J; Leib, David A

    2017-01-01

    Cultured primary neurons have been of extraordinary value for the study of neuronal anatomy, cell biology, and physiology. While use of neuronal cell lines has ease and utility, there are often caveats that arise due to their mitotic nature. This methods article presents detailed methodology for the preparation, purification, and culture of adult murine sensory neurons for the study of herpes simplex virus lytic and latent infections. While virology is the application for our laboratory, these cultures also have broad utility for neurobiologists and cell biologists. While these primary cultures have been highly informative, the methodology is challenging to many investigators. Through publication of this highly detailed protocol, it is our hope that the use of this culture system can spread in the field to allow more rapid progress in furthering our understanding of neurotropic virus infection.

  12. Development of Designer Diamond Technology for High Pressure High Temperature Experiments in Support of Stockpile Stewardship Program

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

    Vohra, Yogesh, K.

    The role of nitrogen in the fabrication of designer diamond was systematically investigated by adding controlled amount of nitrogen in hydrogen/methane/oxygen plasma. This has led to a successful recipe for reproducible fabrication of designer diamond anvils for high-pressure high-temperature research in support of stockpile stewardship program. In the three-year support period, several designer diamonds fabricated with this new growth chemistry were utilized in high-pressure experiments at UAB and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The designer diamond anvils were utilized in high-pressure studies on heavy rare earth metals, high pressure melting studies on metals, and electrical resistance measurements on iron-based layered superconductorsmore » under high pressures. The growth chemistry developed under NNSA support can be adapted for commercial production of designer diamonds.« less

  13. Progress report on nuclear spectroscopic studies

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

    Bingham, C.R.; Guidry, M.W.; Riedinger, L.L.

    1994-02-18

    The Nuclear Physics group at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) is involved in several aspects of heavy-ion physics including both nuclear structure and reaction mechanisms. While the main emphasis is on experimental problems, the authors have maintained a strong collaboration with several theorists in order to best pursue the physics of their measurements. During the last year they have had several experiments at the ATLAS at Argonne National Laboratory, the GAMMASPHERE at the LBL 88 Cyclotron, and with the NORDBALL at the Niels Bohr Institute Tandem. Also, they continue to be very active in the WA93/98 collaboration studying ultra-relativisticmore » heavy ion physics utilizing the SPS accelerator at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland and in the PHENIX Collaboration at the RHIC accelerator under construction at Brookhaven National Laboratory. During the last year their experimental work has been in three broad areas: (1) the structure of nuclei at high angular momentum, (2) the structure of nuclei far from stability, and (3) ultra-relativistic heavy-ion physics. The results of studies in these particular areas are described in this document. These studies concentrate on the structure of nuclear matter in extreme conditions of rotational motion, imbalance of neutrons and protons, or very high temperature and density. Another area of research is heavy-ion-induced transfer reactions, which utilize the transfer of nucleons to states with high angular momentum to learn about their structure and to understand the transfer of particles, energy, and angular momentum in collisions between heavy ions.« less

  14. Clinical utility of automated assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction using artificial intelligence-assisted border detection.

    PubMed

    Rahmouni, Hind W; Ky, Bonnie; Plappert, Ted; Duffy, Kevin; Wiegers, Susan E; Ferrari, Victor A; Keane, Martin G; Kirkpatrick, James N; Silvestry, Frank E; St John Sutton, Martin

    2008-03-01

    Ejection fraction (EF) calculated from 2-dimensional echocardiography provides important prognostic and therapeutic information in patients with heart disease. However, quantification of EF requires planimetry and is time-consuming. As a result, visual assessment is frequently used but is subjective and requires extensive experience. New computer software to assess EF automatically is now available and could be used routinely in busy digital laboratories (>15,000 studies per year) and in core laboratories running large clinical trials. We tested Siemens AutoEF software (Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany) to determine whether it correlated with visual estimates of EF, manual planimetry, and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Siemens AutoEF is based on learned patterns and artificial intelligence. An expert and a novice reader assessed EF visually by reviewing transthoracic echocardiograms from consecutive patients. An experienced sonographer quantified EF in all studies using Simpson's method of disks. AutoEF results were compared to CMR. Ninety-two echocardiograms were analyzed. Visual assessment by the expert (R = 0.86) and the novice reader (R = 0.80) correlated more closely with manual planimetry using Simpson's method than did AutoEF (R = 0.64). The correlation between AutoEF and CMR was 0.63, 0.28, and 0.51 for EF, end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes, respectively. The discrepancies in EF estimates between AutoEF and manual tracing using Simpson's method and between AutoEF and CMR preclude routine clinical use of AutoEF until it has been validated in a number of large, busy echocardiographic laboratories. Visual assessment of EF, with its strong correlation with quantitative EF, underscores its continued clinical utility.

  15. Variation in practice and resource utilization associated with the diagnosis and management of appendicitis at freestanding children's hospitals: implications for value-based comparative analysis.

    PubMed

    Rice-Townsend, Samuel; Barnes, Jeff N; Hall, Matthew; Baxter, Jessica L; Rangel, Shawn J

    2014-06-01

    To characterize the scope and magnitude of practice variation associated with the diagnosis and treatment of appendicitis at freestanding children's hospitals. Variation in care has been associated with poor outcomes and is believed to be a key driver of excess health care spending. Retrospective cohort study of 13,328 patients treated with appendicitis at 34 children's hospitals (9/2010-9/2011). Patients were divided into complicated and uncomplicated cohorts and examined for interhospital variation in the use of diagnostic imaging (computed tomography or ultrasonography), laboratory tests, parenteral nutrition (PN), peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC), and hospital cost. The number and distribution of statistical outliers were calculated for all measures. Significant variation was found for all measures, including a 3.5-fold difference in preoperative imaging (aggregate rate: 49.0%, range across hospitals: 21.2%-73.5%, P < 0.001) and a 5-fold difference in preoperative laboratory utilization (aggregate median: 2 tests/encounter, range: 1-5 tests/encounter, P < 0.001). For patients with complicated appendicitis, we characterized a 12-fold difference in postoperative imaging (aggregate rate: 19.4%, range: 4.9%-61.6%, P < 0.001), a 48-fold difference in PICC lines (aggregate rate: 18.9%, range: 1.7%-81.8%, P < 0.001), and a 100-fold difference in PN utilization (aggregate rate: 9.3%, range: 0.4%-42.0%, P < 0.001). Median hospital cost differed 4-fold for patients with uncomplicated disease (aggregate median: $6804, range: $4200-$16,796, P < 0.001) and 4.6-fold for patients with complicated disease (aggregate median: $13,138, range: $5419-$24,779, P < 0.001). Statistical outliers on the basis of high and low utilization were identified for all measures. Significant variation exists in practice, resource utilization, and treatment-related cost associated with the management of appendicitis at freestanding children's hospitals. Value-based measures are needed for benchmarking and to prioritize collaborative quality improvement efforts.

  16. Studying human disease genes in Caenorhabditis elegans: a molecular genetics laboratory project.

    PubMed

    Cox-Paulson, Elisabeth A; Grana, Theresa M; Harris, Michelle A; Batzli, Janet M

    2012-01-01

    Scientists routinely integrate information from various channels to explore topics under study. We designed a 4-wk undergraduate laboratory module that used a multifaceted approach to study a question in molecular genetics. Specifically, students investigated whether Caenorhabditis elegans can be a useful model system for studying genes associated with human disease. In a large-enrollment, sophomore-level laboratory course, groups of three to four students were assigned a gene associated with either breast cancer (brc-1), Wilson disease (cua-1), ovarian dysgenesis (fshr-1), or colon cancer (mlh-1). Students compared observable phenotypes of wild-type C. elegans and C. elegans with a homozygous deletion in the assigned gene. They confirmed the genetic deletion with nested polymerase chain reaction and performed a bioinformatics analysis to predict how the deletion would affect the encoded mRNA and protein. Students also performed RNA interference (RNAi) against their assigned gene and evaluated whether RNAi caused a phenotype similar to that of the genetic deletion. As a capstone activity, students prepared scientific posters in which they presented their data, evaluated whether C. elegans was a useful model system for studying their assigned genes, and proposed future directions. Assessment showed gains in understanding genotype versus phenotype, RNAi, common bioinformatics tools, and the utility of model organisms.

  17. Studying Human Disease Genes in Caenorhabditis elegans: A Molecular Genetics Laboratory Project

    PubMed Central

    Cox-Paulson, Elisabeth A.; Grana, Theresa M.; Harris, Michelle A.; Batzli, Janet M.

    2012-01-01

    Scientists routinely integrate information from various channels to explore topics under study. We designed a 4-wk undergraduate laboratory module that used a multifaceted approach to study a question in molecular genetics. Specifically, students investigated whether Caenorhabditis elegans can be a useful model system for studying genes associated with human disease. In a large-enrollment, sophomore-level laboratory course, groups of three to four students were assigned a gene associated with either breast cancer (brc-1), Wilson disease (cua-1), ovarian dysgenesis (fshr-1), or colon cancer (mlh-1). Students compared observable phenotypes of wild-type C. elegans and C. elegans with a homozygous deletion in the assigned gene. They confirmed the genetic deletion with nested polymerase chain reaction and performed a bioinformatics analysis to predict how the deletion would affect the encoded mRNA and protein. Students also performed RNA interference (RNAi) against their assigned gene and evaluated whether RNAi caused a phenotype similar to that of the genetic deletion. As a capstone activity, students prepared scientific posters in which they presented their data, evaluated whether C. elegans was a useful model system for studying their assigned genes, and proposed future directions. Assessment showed gains in understanding genotype versus phenotype, RNAi, common bioinformatics tools, and the utility of model organisms. PMID:22665589

  18. A Review of Gas-Cooled Reactor Concepts for SDI Applications

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1989-08-01

    710 program .) Wire- Core Reactor (proposed by Rockwell). The wire- core reactor utilizes thin fuel wires woven between spacer wires to form an open...reactor is based on results of developmental studies of nuclear rocket propulsion systems. The reactor core is made up of annular fuel assemblies of...XE Addendum to Volume II. NERVA Fuel Development , Westinghouse Astronuclear Laboratory, TNR-230, July 15’ 1972. J I8- Rover Program Reactor Tests

  19. Characteristics of edge breakdowns on Teflon samples

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Yadlowsky, E. J.; Hazelton, R. C.; Churchill, R. J.

    1980-01-01

    The characteristics of electrical discharges induced on silverbacked Teflon samples irradiated by a monoenergetic electron beam have been studied under controlled laboratory conditions. Measurements of breakdown threshold voltages indicate a marked anisotropy in the electrical breakdown properties of Teflon: differences of up to 10 kV in breakdown threshold voltage are observed depending on the sample orientation. The material anisotropy can be utilized in spacecraft construction to reduce the magnitude of discharge currents.

  20. Hand controller study of force and control mode

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Morris, A. Terry

    1992-01-01

    The objectives are to compare and evaluate the utility and effectiveness of various input control devices, e.g., hand controllers, with respect to the relative importance of force and operation control mode (rate or position) for Space Station Freedom (SSF) related tasks. The topics are presented in viewgraph form and include the: Intelligent Research Systems Lab (ISRL) experimental design; Telerobotic Systems Research Laboratory (TSRL) final experimental design; and factor analysis summary of results.

  1. Variable speed gas engine-driven air compressor system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Morgan, J. R.; Ruggles, A. E.; Chen, T. N.; Gehret, J.

    1992-11-01

    Tecogen Inc. and Ingersoll-Rand Co. as a subcontractor have designed a nominal 150-hp gas engine-driven air compressor utilizing the TECODRIVE 8000 engine and the Ingersoll-Rand 178.5-mm twin screw compressor. Phase 1 included the system engineering and design, economic and applications studies, and a draft commercialization plan. Phase 2 included controls development, laboratory prototype construction, and performance testing. The testing conducted verified that the compressor meets all design specifications.

  2. Supersonic Inlet Flow Control Using Localized Arc Filament Plasma Actuators

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2011-05-10

    Jon Schmisseur and by the Air Vehicle Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory is greatly appreciated. 4 Table of Contents Abstract...of interest to the U.S. Air Force and could pose significant problems depending on the specific application. This study has undertaken to investigate...experiments motivated the design of a new, larger, more flexible facility that utilize a Variable Angle Wedge to generate the impinging shock wave for

  3. Resource Utilization in Ambulatory Primary Care at Darnall Army Community Hospital, Fort Hood, Texas

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1991-07-23

    population: gastroenteritis (GI), otitis media (OM), and upper respiratory infection (URI). These resources will be thc- dependent variables of the study...1991. The children ranged in age from 3 to 5 years old and were diagnosed with otitis media , upper respiratory tract infection, and gastroenteritis. A...x-rays wer-e rarely ordered to confirm the diagnoses of otitis media , gastroeinteritis. and upper respiratory tract infection. Only eight, laboratory

  4. Geostrophic Turbulence in the Frequency-Wavenumber Domain: Eddy-Driven Low-Frequency Variability

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-01-01

    in ASFMRS. Previous studies of oceanic frequency– wavenumber spectra include Wunsch and Stammer (1995), Chelton and Schlax (1996), Farrar (2008...ASFMRS. However, the realistic eddying ocean model utilized here is the Hy- brid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM; Chassignet et al. 2007 ), in place of...the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Layered Ocean Model (NLOM; Hurlburt and AUGUST 2014 ARB I C ET AL . 2051 Thompson 1980; Shriver et al. 2007 ) used

  5. U. S. Navy’s Superconductivity Programs; Scientific Curosity To Fleet Utility

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-10-01

    NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND...ADDRESS(ES) Naval Research Laboratory,Washington,DC,20375 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS...classes of materials studied for superconductivity were ternary alloys13, and organic materials14. The dilution refrigerator largely replaced

  6. Decision-making in general practice: the effect of financial incentives on the use of laboratory analyses.

    PubMed

    Munkerud, Siri Fauli

    2012-04-01

    This paper examines the reaction of general practitioners (GPs) to a reform in 2004 in the remuneration system for using laboratory services in general practice. The purpose of this paper is to study whether income motivation exists regarding the use of laboratory services in general practice, and if so, the degree of income motivation among general practitioners (GPs) in Norway. We argue that the degree of income motivation is stronger when the physicians are uncertain about the utility of the laboratory service in question. We have panel data from actual physician-patient encounters in general practices in the years 2001-2004 and use discrete choice analysis and random effects models. Estimation results show that an increase in the fees will lead to a small but significant increase in use. The reform led to minor changes in the use of laboratory analyses in GPs' offices, and we argue that financial incentives were diluted because they were in conflict with medical recommendations and existing medical practice. The patient's age has the most influence and the results support the hypothesis that the impact of income increases with increasing uncertainty about diagnosis and treatment. The policy implication of our results is that financial incentives alone are not an effective tool for influencing the use of laboratory services in GPs' offices.

  7. Design and validation of a multimethod assessment of metacognition and study of the effectiveness of Metacognitive Interventions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sandi-Urena, Guillermo Santiago

    The central role of metacognition in learning and problem solving, in general and in chemistry in specific, has been substantially demonstrated and has raised pronounced interest in its study. However, the intrinsic difficulties associated with the inner processes of such a non-overt behavior have delayed the development of appropriate assessment instruments. The first research question addressed in this work originates from this observation: Is it possible to reliably assess metacognition use in chemistry problem solving? This study presents the development, validation, and application of a multimethod instrument for the assessment of metacognition use in chemistry problem solving. This multimethod is composed of two independent methods used at different times in relation to the task performance: (1) the prospective Metacognitive Activities Inventory, MCA-I; and (2) the concurrent Interactive MultiMedia Exercises software package, IMMEX. This work also includes the design, development, and validation of the MCA-I; evidence is discussed that supports its robustness, reliability and validity. Even though IMMEX is well-developed, its utilization as a metacognition assessment tool is novel and explained within this work. Among the benefits of utilizing IMMEX are: the automation of concurrent evidence collection and analysis which allows for the participation of large cohorts, the elimination of subjective assessments, and the collection of data in the absence of observers which presumably favors a more realistic deployment of skills by the participants. The independent instruments produced convergent results and the multimethod designed was proven to be reliable, robust and valid for the intended purpose. The second guiding question refers to the development of metacognition: Can regulatory metacognition use be enhanced by learning environments? Two interventions were utilized to explore this inquiry: a Collaborative Metacognitive Intervention and a Cooperative Problem-Based Laboratory Project. The former was designed and developed as part of this study; the latter is part of the curriculum of a two-semester cooperative General Chemistry Laboratory course. Both interventions rely on two main axes to promote metacognition development: intense social interaction and induced reflection. In the first case, it is through small group collaborative work and guided and peer prompting; in the second one through cooperation and inquiry in the laboratory. The effect of both interventions was investigated using pre and posttest, control and treatment type experiments. The choice of assessment was the multimethod developed in the first part of this same study. Despite the differences between the interventions (length, nature of prompting, and relation to chemistry contents) both learning environments succeeded in enhancing the awareness and use of metacognition in chemistry problem solving. Findings support the assertion that the mechanisms that define the learning environments under study---social interaction and reflection---promote the enhancement of metacognitive skills. A significant corollary of this research is that it offers evidence of the laboratory as a learning environment where students can acquire high order thinking skills and develop content knowledge and understanding.

  8. Land use/land cover and land capability data for evaluating land utilization and official land use planning in Indramayu Regency, West Java, Indonesia

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ambarwulan, W.; Widiatmaka; Nahib, I.

    2018-05-01

    Land utilization in Indonesia is regulated in an official spatial land use planning (OSLUP), stipulated by government regulations. However in fact, land utilizations are often develops inconsistent with regulations. OSLUP itself is also not usually compatible with sustainable land utilizations. This study aims to evaluate current land utilizations and OSLUP in Indramayu Regency, West Java. The methodology used is the integrated analysis using land use and land cover (LU/LC) data, land capability data and spatial pattern in OSLUP. Actual LU/LC are interpreted using SPOT-6 imagery of 2014. The spatial data of land capabilities are derived from land capability classification using field data and laboratory analysis. The confrontation between these spatial data is interpreted in terms of future direction for sustainable land use planning. The results shows that Indramayu regency consists of 8 types of LU/LC. Land capability in research area range from class II to VIII. Only a small portion of the land in Indramayu has been used in accordance with land capability, but most of the land is used exceeding its land capability.

  9. Carbohydrate utilization and the lager yeast transcriptome during brewery fermentation.

    PubMed

    Gibson, Brian R; Boulton, Chris A; Box, Wendy G; Graham, Neil S; Lawrence, Stephen J; Linforth, Robert S T; Smart, Katherine A

    2008-08-01

    The fermentable carbohydrate composition of wort and the manner in which it is utilized by yeast during brewery fermentation have a direct influence on fermentation efficiency and quality of the final product. In this study the response of a brewing yeast strain to changes in wort fermentable carbohydrate concentration and composition during full-scale (3275 hl) brewery fermentation was investigated by measuring transcriptome changes with the aid of oligonucleotide-based DNA arrays. Up to 74% of the detectable genes showed a significant (p

  10. An Assessment of Fission Product Scrubbing in Sodium Pools Following a Core Damage Event in a Sodium Cooled Fast Reactor

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

    Bucknor, M.; Farmer, M.; Grabaskas, D.

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has stated that mechanistic source term (MST) calculations are expected to be required as part of the advanced reactor licensing process. A recent study by Argonne National Laboratory has concluded that fission product scrubbing in sodium pools is an important aspect of an MST calculation for a sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR). To model the phenomena associated with sodium pool scrubbing, a computational tool, developed as part of the Integral Fast Reactor (IFR) program, was utilized in an MST trial calculation. This tool was developed by applying classical theories of aerosol scrubbing to the decontamination ofmore » gases produced as a result of postulated fuel pin failures during an SFR accident scenario. The model currently considers aerosol capture by Brownian diffusion, inertial deposition, and gravitational sedimentation. The effects of sodium vapour condensation on aerosol scrubbing are also treated. This paper provides details of the individual scrubbing mechanisms utilized in the IFR code as well as results from a trial mechanistic source term assessment led by Argonne National Laboratory in 2016.« less

  11. Residual indicator bacteria in autosampler tubing: a field and laboratory assessment.

    PubMed

    Hathaway, J M; Hunt, W F; Guest, R M; McCarthy, D T

    2014-01-01

    Microbial contamination in surface waters has become a worldwide cause for concern. As efforts are made to reduce this contamination, monitoring is integral to documenting and evaluating water quality improvements. Autosamplers are beneficial in such monitoring efforts, as large data sets can be generated with minimized effort. The extent to which autosamplers can be utilized for microbial monitoring is largely unknown due to concerns over contamination. Strict sterilization regimes for components contacting the water being sampled are difficult, and sometimes logistically implausible, when utilizing autosamplers. Field experimentation showed contamination of fecal coliform in autosamplers to be more of a concern than that of Escherichia coli. Further study in a controlled laboratory environment suggested that tubing configuration has a significant effect on residual E. coli concentrations in sampler tubing. The amount of time that passed since the last sample was collected from a given sampler (antecedent dry weather period - DWP) tubing was also a significant factor. At a DWP of 7 days, little to no contamination was found. Thus, simple protocols such as providing positive drainage of tubing between sample events and programming samplers to include rinses will reduce concerns of contamination in autosamplers.

  12. Utility of the Paris System in Reporting Urine Cytology.

    PubMed

    Malviya, Kiran; Fernandes, Gwendolyn; Naik, Leena; Kothari, Kanchan; Agnihotri, Mona

    2017-01-01

    To find out the utility of The Paris System (TPS) in reporting urine cytology and to compare it with the reporting system currently used in our laboratory. This retrospective study was undertaken over a period of 1 year during which slides of all the urine specimens sent for cytological examination were retrieved from our laboratory filling system. They were blindly reviewed and reclassified according to TPS. Surgical follow-up was obtained from the uropathology services of our department. A total of 176 cases were meticulously reviewed. The mean age of the patients was 52 years, and 71% of cases presented with hematuria. Histopathological follow-up was available in 34 cases. Reporting by TPS detected 13.0% high-grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC) and 5.1% atypical urothelial cells versus 7.3 and 11.9% by the current reporting system, respectively. The sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy for detecting HGUC of TPS were higher than those of our reporting system. TPS has increased the rate of detection of HGUC and reduced the rate of reporting "atypical" urothelial cells. TPS has also standardized the diagnostic criteria, thereby bringing uniformity and reproducibility into the system of reporting for urine cytology. © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  13. Glycerol metabolism and transport in yeast and fungi: established knowledge and ambiguities.

    PubMed

    Klein, Mathias; Swinnen, Steve; Thevelein, Johan M; Nevoigt, Elke

    2017-03-01

    There is huge variability among yeasts with regard to their efficiency in utilizing glycerol as the sole source of carbon and energy. Certain species show growth rates with glycerol comparable to those reached with glucose as carbon source; others are virtually unable to utilize glycerol, especially in synthetic medium. Most of our current knowledge regarding glycerol uptake and catabolic pathways has been gained from studying laboratory strains of the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The growth of these strains on glycerol is dependent on the presence of medium supplements such as amino acids and nucleobases. In contrast, there is only fragmentary knowledge about S. cerevisiae isolates able to grow in synthetic glycerol medium without such supplements as well as about growth of non-Saccharomyces yeast species on glycerol. Thus, more research is required to understand why certain strains and species show superior growth performance on glycerol compared with common S. cerevisiae laboratory strains. This mini-review summarizes what is known so far about the gene products and pathways involved in glycerol metabolism and transport in yeast and fungi as well as the regulation of these processes. © 2016 The Authors. Environmental Microbiology published by Society for Applied Microbiology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  14. Transformation Experiment Using Bioluminescence Genes of "Vibrio fischeri."

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Slock, James

    1995-01-01

    Bioluminescence transformation experiments show students the excitement and power of recombinant DNA technology. This laboratory experiment utilizes two plasmids of "Vibrio fischeri" in a transformation experiment. (LZ)

  15. Potential supplementary utility of combined PFA-100 and functional von Willebrand factor testing for the laboratory assessment of desmopressin and factor concentrate therapy in von Willebrand disease.

    PubMed

    Favaloro, Emmanuel J; Thom, Jim; Patterson, David; Just, Sarah; Baccala, Maria; Dixon, Tracy; Meiring, Muriel; Koutts, Jerry; Rowell, John; Baker, Ross

    2009-09-01

    We performed a retrospective audit of cross-laboratory testing of desmopressin and factor concentrate therapy to assess the potential utility of supplementary testing using the PFA-100 with functional von Willebrand factor (VWF) activity testing. Data were evaluated for a large number of patients with von Willebrand disease of type 1, type 2A or type 2M, as well as a comparative subset of individuals with haemophilia or carriers of haemophilia. Laboratory testing comprised pre and postdesmopressin, or pre and postconcentrate, evaluation of factor VIII, VWF antigen (VWF:Ag) and VWF ristocetin cofactor activity as traditionally performed, supplemented with collagen-binding (VWF:CB) testing and PFA-100 closure times. In brief, both therapies tended to normalize VWF test parameters and closure times in individuals with type 1 von Willebrand disease, with the level of correction in closure times related to the level of normalization of VWF, particularly the VWF:CB. However, although occasional correction of closure times was observed in patients with type 2A or type 2M von Willebrand disease, these did not in general normalize PFA-100 closure times either with desmopressin or factor concentrate therapy. In these patients, improvement in closure times was more likely in those in whom VWF:CB values normalized or when VWF:CB/VWF:Ag ratios normalized. This study confirms that there is a strong relationship between the presenting levels of plasma VWF and PFA-100 closure times, and that the supplementary combination of PFA-100 and VWF:CB testing might provide added clinical utility to current broadly applied testing strategies limited primarily to VWF:Ag, VWF ristocetin cofactor and factor VIII:coagulant. Future prospective investigations are warranted to validate these relationships and to investigate their therapeutic implications.

  16. Current usage and future trends in gross digital photography in Canada.

    PubMed

    Horn, Christopher L; DeKoning, Lawrence; Klonowski, Paul; Naugler, Christopher

    2014-01-14

    The purpose of this study was to assess the current usage, utilization and future direction of digital photography of gross surgical specimens in pathology laboratories across Canada. An online survey consisting of 23 multiple choice and free-text questions regarding gross digital photography was sent out to via email to laboratory staff across Canada involved in gross dissection of surgical specimens. Sixty surveys were returned with representation from most of the provinces. Results showed that gross digital photography is utilized at most institutions (90.0%) and the primary users of the technology are Pathologists (88.0%), Pathologists' Assistants (54.0%) and Pathology residents (50.0%). Most respondents felt that there is a definite need for routine digital imaging of gross surgical specimens in their practice (80.0%). The top two applications for gross digital photography are for documentation of interesting/ complex cases (98.0%) and for teaching purposes (84.0%). The main limitations identified by the survey group are storage space (42.5%) and security issues (40.0%). Respondents indicated that future applications of gross digital photography mostly include teaching (96.6%), presentation at tumour boards/ clinical rounds (89.8%), medico-legal documentation (72.9%) and usage for consultation purposes (69.5%). The results of this survey indicate that pathology staff across Canada currently utilizes gross digital images for regular documentation and educational reasons. They also show that the technology will be needed for future applications in teaching, consultation and medico-legal purposes.

  17. Synergistic Effect of Co-utilization of Coal and Biomass Char: An Overview

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Paiman, M. E. S.; Hamzah, N. S.; Idris, S. S.; Rahman, N. A.; Ismail, K.

    2018-05-01

    Global concerns on impact of greenhouse gases emission, mostly released from coal-fired power plant, and the depletion of fossil fuel particularly coal, has led the production of electricity from alternatives resources such as co-utilization technologies. Previous studies proved that the co-utilization of coal and biomass/biomass chars has significantly reduced the emission of greenhouse gases either during the pyrolysis, combustion or gasification process in laboratories, pilots as well as in the industrial scales. Interestingly, most of the studies reported the presence of synergistic effect during the co-utilization processes particularly between coal and biomass char while some are not. Biomass chars were found to have porous and highly disorder carbon structure and belong to the class of most reactive carbon material, resulting to be more reactive than those hard coal and lignite. Up to date, microwave assisted pyrolysis is one of the best and latest techniques employed to produce better quality of biomass chars and it is also reduce the processing cost. Lot of works has been done regarding on the existence of synergistic effects during its co-utilization. However, the knowledge is limited to thermal and product characteristics so far. Even so, the specific reasons behind its existence are yet to understand well. Therefore, in this paper, the emphasis will be given on the synergistic effects on emission characteristics of co-utilization of coal and biomass chars so that it can be apply in energy-based industries to help in reduction of the greenhouse gases emission.

  18. The continued value of disk diffusion for assessing antimicrobial susceptibility in clinical laboratories: report from the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute Methods Development and Standardization Working Group.

    PubMed

    Humphries, Romney M; Kircher, Susan; Ferrell, Andrea; Krause, Kevin M; Malherbe, Rianna; Hsiung, Andre; Burnham, C A

    2018-05-09

    Expedited pathways to antimicrobial agent approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have led to increased delays between drug approval and the availability of FDA-cleared antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) devices. Antimicrobial disks for use with disk diffusion testing are among the first AST devices available to clinical laboratories. However, many laboratories are reluctant to implement a disk diffusion method for a variety of reasons, including dwindling proficiency with this method, interruptions to laboratory workflow, uncertainty surrounding the quality and reliability of a disk diffusion test, and perceived need to report an MIC to clinicians. This mini-review provides a report from the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute Working Group on Methods Development and Standardization on the current standards and clinical utility of disk diffusion testing. Copyright © 2018 American Society for Microbiology.

  19. Design of a Clinical Information Management System to Support DNA Analysis Laboratory Operation

    PubMed Central

    Dubay, Christopher J.; Zimmerman, David; Popovich, Bradley

    1995-01-01

    The LabDirector system has been developed at the Oregon Health Sciences University to support the operation of our clinical DNA analysis laboratory. Through an iterative design process which has spanned two years, we have produced a system that is both highly tailored to a clinical genetics production laboratory and flexible in its implementation, to support the rapid growth and change of protocols and methodologies in use in the field. The administrative aspects of the system are integrated with an enterprise schedule management system. The laboratory side of the system is driven by a protocol modeling and execution system. The close integration between these two aspects of the clinical laboratory facilitates smooth operations, and allows management to accurately measure costs and performance. The entire application has been designed and documented to provide utility to a wide range of clinical laboratory environments.

  20. Guidelines on Good Clinical Laboratory Practice

    PubMed Central

    Ezzelle, J.; Rodriguez-Chavez, I. R.; Darden, J. M.; Stirewalt, M.; Kunwar, N.; Hitchcock, R.; Walter, T.; D’Souza, M. P.

    2008-01-01

    A set of Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) standards that embraces both the research and clinical aspects of GLP were developed utilizing a variety of collected regulatory and guidance material. We describe eleven core elements that constitute the GCLP standards with the objective of filling a gap for laboratory guidance, based on IND sponsor requirements, for conducting laboratory testing using specimens from human clinical trials. These GCLP standards provide guidance on implementing GLP requirements that are critical for laboratory operations, such as performance of protocol-mandated safety assays, peripheral blood mononuclear cell processing and immunological or endpoint assays from biological interventions on IND-registered clinical trials. The expectation is that compliance with the GCLP standards, monitored annually by external audits, will allow research and development laboratories to maintain data integrity and to provide immunogenicity, safety, and product efficacy data that is repeatable, reliable, auditable and that can be easily reconstructed in a research setting. PMID:18037599

  1. Comparison of Intervertebral ROM in Multi-Level Cadaveric Lumbar Spines Using Distinct Pure Moment Loading Approaches.

    PubMed

    Santoni, Brandon; Cabezas, Andres F; Cook, Daniel J; Yeager, Matthew S; Billys, James B; Whiting, Benjamin; Cheng, Boyle C

    2015-01-01

    Pure-moment loading is the test method of choice for spinal implant evaluation. However, the apparatuses and boundary conditions employed by laboratories in performing spine flexibility testing vary. The purpose of this study was to quantify the differences, if they exist, in intervertebral range of motion (ROM) resulting from different pure-moment loading apparatuses used in two laboratories. Twenty-four (laboratory A) and forty-two (laboratory B) intact L1-S1 specimens were loaded using pure moments (±7.5 Nm) in flexion-extension (FE), lateral bending (LB) and axial torsion (AT). At laboratory A, pure moments were applied using a system of cables, pulleys and suspended weights in 1.5 Nm increments. At laboratory B, specimens were loaded in a pneumatic biaxial test frame mounted with counteracting stepper-motor-driven biaxial gimbals. ROM was obtained in both labs using identical optoelectronic systems and compared. In FE, total L1-L5 ROM was similar, on average, between the two laboratories (lab A: 37.4° ± 9.1°; lab B: 35.0° ± 8.9°, p=0.289). Larger apparent differences, on average, were noted between labs in AT (lab A: 19.4° ± 7.3°; lab B: 15.7° ± 7.1°, p=0.074), and this finding was significant for combined right and left LB (lab A: 45.5° ± 11.4°; lab B: 35.3° ± 8.5°, p < 0.001). To our knowledge, this is the first study comparing ROM of multi-segment lumbar spines between laboratories utilizing different apparatuses. The results of this study show that intervertebral ROM in multi-segment lumbar spine constructs are markedly similar in FE loading. Differences in boundary conditions are likely the source of small and sometimes statistically significant differences between the two techniques in LB and AT ROM. The relative merits of each testing strategy with regard to the physiologic conditions that are to be simulated should be considered in the design of a study including LB and AT modes of loading. An understanding of these differences also serves as important information when comparing study results across different laboratories.

  2. Separation of actinides from lanthanides utilizing molten salt electrorefining

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

    Grimmett, D.L.; Fusselman, S.P.; Roy, J.J.

    1996-10-01

    TRUMP-S (TRansUranic Management through Pyropartitioning Separation) is a pyrochemical process being developed to separate actinides form fission products in nuclear waste. A key process step involving molten salt electrorefining to separate actinides from lanthanides has been studied on a laboratory scale. Electrorefining of U, Np, Pu, Am, and lanthanide mixtures from molten cadmium at 450 C to a solid cathode utilizing a molten chloride electrolyte resulted in > 99% removal of actinides from the molten cadmium and salt phases. Removal of the last few percent of actinides is accompanied by lowered cathodic current efficiency and some lanthanide codeposition. Actinide/lanthanide separationmore » ratios on the cathode are ordered U > Np > Pu > Am and are consistent with predictions based on equilibrium potentials.« less

  3. Preliminary summary of the ETF conceptual studies

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Seikel, G. R.; Bercaw, R. W.; Pearson, C. V.; Owens, W. R.

    1978-01-01

    Power plant studies have shown the attractiveness of MHD topped steam power plants for baseload utility applications. To realize these advantages, a three-phase development program was initiated. In the first phase, the engineering data and experience were developed for the design and construction of a pilot plant, the Engineering Test Facility (ETF). Results of the ETF studies are reviewed. These three parallel independent studies were conducted by industrial teams led by the AVCO Everett Research Laboratory, the General Electric Corporation, and the Westinghouse Corporation. A preliminary analysis and the status of the critical evaluation of these results are presented.

  4. Utilization of an Educational Web-Based Mobile App for Acquisition and Transfer of Critical Anatomical Knowledge, Thereby Increasing Classroom and Laboratory Preparedness in Veterinary Students

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hannon, Kevin

    2017-01-01

    Contact time with students is becoming more valuable and must be utilized efficiently. Unfortunately, many students attend anatomy lectures and labs ill-prepared, and this limits efficiency. To address this issue we have created an interactive mobile app designed to facilitate the acquisition and transfer of critical anatomical knowledge in…

  5. California Energy Systems for the 21st Century 2016 Annual Report

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

    Van Randwyk, J.; Boutelle, A.; McClelland, C.

    The California Energy Systems for the 21st Century (CES-21) Program is a public-private collaborative research and development program between the California Joint Utilities1 and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). The purpose of this annual report is to provide the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC or Commission) with a summary of the 2016 progress of the CES-21 Program.

  6. 25. "TEST STAND 1A UTILIZED TO TEST THE ATLAS ICBM", ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    25. "TEST STAND 1-A UTILIZED TO TEST THE ATLAS ICBM", CROPPED OUT: "DIRECTORATE OF MISSILE CAPTIVE TEST, EDWARDS AFB." Photo no. 11,371 57; G-AFFTC 15 OCT 57. Looking southwest from below the stand. - Edwards Air Force Base, Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory, Test Stand 1-A, Test Area 1-120, north end of Jupiter Boulevard, Boron, Kern County, CA

  7. Space station operating system study

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Horn, Albert E.; Harwell, Morris C.

    1988-01-01

    The current phase of the Space Station Operating System study is based on the analysis, evaluation, and comparison of the operating systems implemented on the computer systems and workstations in the software development laboratory. Primary emphasis has been placed on the DEC MicroVMS operating system as implemented on the MicroVax II computer, with comparative analysis of the SUN UNIX system on the SUN 3/260 workstation computer, and to a limited extent, the IBM PC/AT microcomputer running PC-DOS. Some benchmark development and testing was also done for the Motorola MC68010 (VM03 system) before the system was taken from the laboratory. These systems were studied with the objective of determining their capability to support Space Station software development requirements, specifically for multi-tasking and real-time applications. The methodology utilized consisted of development, execution, and analysis of benchmark programs and test software, and the experimentation and analysis of specific features of the system or compilers in the study.

  8. Comparison of health service use among veterans with methamphetamine versus alcohol use disorders.

    PubMed

    Morasco, Benjamin J; OʼNeil, Maya E; Duckart, Jonathan P; Ganzini, Linda

    2014-01-01

    Methamphetamine use disorders (MUD) are associated with severe health effects and psychiatric comorbidities, but little is known about the health care utilization of patients with MUD. The goal of this study was to describe health service use among veterans with MUD relative to a group of veterans with an alcohol use disorder (AUD). Using Veterans Affairs (VA) administrative data, we identified 718 patients who were diagnosed with MUD and had confirmatory drug testing. Data were compared with those of 744 patients who had diagnoses of an AUD also with confirmatory testing. We examined diagnoses and medical utilization for 5 years after their index date. Patients with MUD and laboratory-confirmed recent use were younger and more likely to be diagnosed with a mood disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and a psychotic-spectrum disorder (all P values < 0.05). After statistical controls, patients with MUD were more likely to have an inpatient hospitalization (80% vs 70%, odds ratio [OR] = 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.4-2.3), discharge from an inpatient admission against medical advice (23.4% vs 8.3%, OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.9-3.7), receive care at 3 or more VA medical centers (13.1% vs 5.4%, OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.5-3.5), have a behavioral flag in the medical record (5.6% vs 1.1%, OR = 4.6, 95% CI = 2.1-10.6), and have more total missed appointments in the 5-year study period (M = 33.1 vs M = 23.5, P < 0.001). Among veterans with substance use disorders, those with MUD and laboratory-confirmed recent use have additional behavioral, health care utilization, and psychiatric characteristics that need to be considered in developing programs of care.

  9. Utility of the Determine Syphilis TP rapid test in commercial sex venues in Peru.

    PubMed

    Campos, P E; Buffardi, A L; Chiappe, M; Buendía, C; Garcia, P J; Carcamo, C P; Garnett, G; White, P; Holmes, K K

    2006-12-01

    This study sought to evaluate the utility of the Determine Syphilis TP test performed in Peruvian commercial sex venues for the detection of active syphilis; and determine the feasibility of integrating rapid syphilis testing for female sex workers (FSW) into existing health outreach services. We tested 3586 female sex workers for syphilis by Determine in the field using whole blood fingerstick, and by rapid plasma reagin (RPR) and Treponema pallidum haemagglutination assay (TPHA) in a central laboratory in Lima using sera. 97.4% of the FSW offered rapid syphilis testing participated; and among those who tested positive, 87% visited the local health centre for treatment. More than twice as many specimens were RPR reactive using serum in Lima (5.7%) than tested positive by whole blood Determine in the field (2.8%), and although most were confirmed by TPHA, only a small proportion (0.7%) were RPR reactive at >or=1:8 dilutions, and likely indicating active syphilis. Sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of the Determine Syphilis TP test in whole blood when compared to serum RPR reactivity at any dilution confirmed by TPHA as the gold standard were 39.3%, 99.2% and 71.4%, respectively. Sensitivity improved to 64.0% when using serum RPR >or=1:8 confirmed by TPHA. Invalid tests were rare (0.3%). Rapid syphilis testing in sex work venues proved feasible, but Determine using whole blood obtained by fingerstick was substantially less sensitive than reported in previous laboratory-based studies using serum. Although easy to perform in outreach venues, the utility of this rapid syphilis test was relatively low in settings where a large proportion of the targeted population has been previously tested and treated.

  10. Beneficial effects of aluminum enrichment on nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria in the South China Sea.

    PubMed

    Liu, Jiaxing; Zhou, Linbin; Ke, Zhixin; Li, Gang; Shi, Rongjun; Tan, Yehui

    2018-04-01

    Few studies focus on the effects of aluminum (Al) on marine nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria, which play important roles in the ocean nitrogen cycling. To examine the effects of Al on the nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria, bioassay experiments in the oligotrophic South China Sea (SCS) and culture of Crocosphaera watsonii in the laboratory were conducted. Field data showed that 200 nM Al stimulated the growth and the nitrogenase gene expression of Trichodesmium and unicellular diazotrophic cyanobacterium group A, and the nitrogen fixation rates of the whole community. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that Al stimulated the growth and nitrogen fixation of C. watsonii under phosphorus limited conditions. Both field and laboratory results indicated that Al could stimulate the growth of diazotrophs and nitrogen fixation in oligotrophic oceans such as the SCS, which is likely related to the utilization of phosphorus, implying that Al plays an important role in the ocean nitrogen and carbon cycles by influencing nitrogen fixation. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  11. Equation of State of an Aluminum Teflon Mixture

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Reinhart, William; Chhabildas, Lalit; Wilson, Leonard

    2017-06-01

    A test program has been conducted at Sandia National Laboratories for the development of a competent model for polymeric mixtures This is to promote an understanding of reactions that may undergo under high pressures and high temperature conditions that exist under dynamic loading. An aluminum teflon composite mixture was chosen for this study. A series of plate impact experiments were conducted utilizing propellant and light gas guns to provide basic material properties needed for the computational analysis that includes Hugoniot data at shock pressures up to 60 GPa. Velocity interferometry was used to obtain material velocity wave profiles for determination of shock Hugoniot data. This data will be useful to evaluate various mixture material models that evaluate reaction kinetics for such systems. Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-mission laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin company, for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.

  12. The Discovery-Oriented Approach to Organic Chemistry. 7. Rearrangement of "trans"-Stilbene Oxide with Bismuth Trifluoromethanesulfonate and Other Metal Triflates: A Microscale Green Organic Chemistry Laboratory Experiment

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Christensen, James E.; Huddle, Matthew G.; Rogers, Jamie L.; Yung, Herbie; Mohan, Ram S.

    2008-01-01

    Although green chemistry principles are increasingly stressed in the undergraduate curriculum, there are only a few lab experiments wherein the toxicity of reagents is taken into consideration in the design of the experiment. We report a microscale green organic chemistry laboratory experiment that illustrates the utility of metal triflates,…

  13. Radioactive wastes in institutions of biological research (in French)

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

    Kirchmann, R.

    1973-01-01

    The different radioelements used in the Belgian biological research laboratories and the activities used are indicated. The types of utilization of / sup 3/H, /sup 14/C, /sup 32/P, /sup 125/I, /sup 131/I, /sup 85/Sr, and /sup 226/ Ra and the handling procedures of contaminated wastes of these radionuclides are described. Finally, the release in situ'' was estimated for all the laboratories that were investigated. (auth)

  14. Radioactive wastes in biological research institutions (in French)

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

    Kirchmann, R.

    1973-01-01

    The different radioelements used in the Belgian Biological Research Laboratories and the activities used are indicated. The types of utilization of / sup 3/H, /sup 14/C, /sup 32/P, /sup 125/I, /sup 131/I, /sup 85/Sr, and /sup 226/ Ra are given. The handling procedures for contaminated wastes of these radionuclides are described. The release of radioactive waste by all the laboratories which were investigated is estimated. (auth)

  15. MIT Lincoln Laboratory Annual Report 2009

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2009-01-01

    unclassified c. THIS PAGE unclassified Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8-98) Prescribed by ANSI Std Z39-18 MIt lincoln laboratory Massachusetts Institute...Climate-change monitoring that will be conducted by assessing the utility of using very-long-wave infrared radiation for space-based sensing and by... radiation to detect trace explosives on a person’s hair were investigated. An ultrasensitive THz receiver leverages mature technology at the near-infrared

  16. A Manual for the Prediction of Blast and Fragment Loadings on Structures

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1981-08-01

    H. and Amsden, A. A., "Fluid Dynamics---An Introductory 4100, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, University of California, New Mexico, February 1970...Navy Explosives Safety Board, "The Missile Hazard from Explosions," Technical Paper No. 2, ,December 1945 . Arvidsson, T. and Eriksson, L... Alamos Scientific Laboratory, Los Alamos , New-Mexico, June 1975. "Behavior and Utilization of Explosives in Engineering Design and Biomechda-. ical

  17. A Microscale Approach to Chemical Kinetics in the General Chemistry Laboratory: The Potassium Iodide Hydrogen Peroxide Iodine-Clock Reaction

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Sattsangi, Prem D.

    2011-01-01

    A microscale laboratory for teaching chemical kinetics utilizing the iodine clock reaction is described. Plastic pipets, 3 mL volume, are used to store and deliver precise drops of reagents and the reaction is run in a 24 well plastic tray using a total 60 drops of reagents. With this procedure, students determine the rate of reaction and the…

  18. Special Education Teacher Computer Literacy Training. Project STEEL. A Special Project To Develop and Implement a Computer-Based Special Teacher Education and Evaluation Laboratory. Volume II. Final Report.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Frick, Theodore W.; And Others

    The document is part of the final report on Project STEEL (Special Teacher Education and Evaluation Laboratory) intended to extend the utilization of technology in the training of preservice special education teachers. This volume focuses on the second of four project objectives, the development of a special education teacher computer literacy…

  19. Psycho Educational Group Intervention for Women at Increased Risk for Breast Cancer

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1997-11-01

    INVESTIGATOR: Kathryn M. Kash, Ph.D. CONTRACTING ORGANIZATION: Strang-Come11 Cancer Research Laboratory New York, New York 10021 REPORT DATE: November...Cornell Cancer Research Laboratory New York, New York 10021 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND...utilizing recombinant DNA technology , the investigator(s) adhered to current guidelines promulgated by the National Institutes of Health. In the conduct

  20. Research on the Solid State Fermentation of Jerusalem Artichoke Pomace for Producing R,R-2,3-Butanediol by Paenibacillus polymyxa ZJ-9.

    PubMed

    Cao, Can; Zhang, Li; Gao, Jian; Xu, Hong; Xue, Feng; Huang, Weiwei; Li, Yan

    2017-06-01

    R,R-2,3-butanediol (R,R-2,3-BD) was produced by Paenibacillus polymyxa ZJ-9, which was capable of utilizing inulin without previous hydrolysis. The Jerusalem artichoke pomace (JAP) derived from the conversion of Jerusalem artichoke powder into inulin extract, which was usually used for biorefinery by submerged fermentation (SMF), was utilized in solid state fermentation (SSF) to produce R,R-2,3-BD. In this study, the fermentation parameters of SSF were optimized and determined in flasks. A novel bioreactor was designed and assembled for the laboratory scale-up of SSF, with a maximum yield of R,R-2,3-BD (67.90 g/kg (JAP)). This result is a 36.3% improvement compared with the flasks. Based on the same bath of Jerusalem artichoke powder, the total output of R,R-2,3-BD increased by 38.8% for the SSF of JAP combined with the SMF of inulin extraction. Overall, the utilization of JAP for R,R-2,3-BD production was beneficial to the comprehensive utilization of Jerusalem artichoke tuber.

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