Variation in the p-H of faeces in disease.

PubMed

Madanagopalan, N; Nadar, S A; Subramaniam, R

1970-04-01

Although it is highly unlikely that a disease can be definitively diagnosed from a study of the pH of the faeces alone, the present study has helped to dispel the past belief that the pH of faeces in acute amoebic dysentery is more likely to be acidic. Culture for other pathogenic organisms has not been done in the present series of cases, but the chances of the coincidence of bacillary dysentery in this group would probably not have been significant. Further, in the past a simple litmus paper test was suggested to differentiate an amoebic dysentery from a bacillary dysentery, a procedure which can no longer hold good.

The effects of bilingual status on lexical comprehension and production in Maltese five-year-old children: A LITMUS-CLT study.

PubMed

Gatt, Daniela; Attard, Donna; Łuniewska, Magdalena; Haman, Ewa

2017-01-01

This article investigates whether the bilingual status of 56 typically developing children aged 60-69 months influenced their lexical abilities. The participants were identified as Maltese-dominant (Me) (n = 21), English-dominant (Em) (n = 15) and balanced bilingual (ME) (n = 20) on the basis of language exposure and proficiency, as reported by their parents. Comprehension and production of nouns and verbs were measured using Cross-Linguistic Lexical Tasks (LITMUS-CLT) in Maltese (CLT-MT) and British English (CLT-EN). Significant effects of bilingual group were identified for performance on lexical comprehension. For production, consistent bilingual group effects resulted when accurate concepts lexicalised in the test language were scored. Lexical mixing was more pronounced when children were tested in their non-dominant language. Maltese noun production elicited the highest levels of mixing across all groups. Findings point towards the need to consider specific exposure dynamics to each language within a single language pair when assessing children's bilingual lexical skills.

Character Education: Frill or Foundation?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schwartz, Merle J.; Beatty, Alexandra; Dachnowicz, Eileen

2006-01-01

Proof of academic performance often serves as the litmus test for maintaining instructional practices and programs. Just as the national focus on academic improvement has gained momentum, so too has another movement calling for character education. Educators find themselves caught in the middle, questioning whether character education is just…

Variation in the pH of faeces in disease

PubMed Central

Madanagopalan, N.; Nadar, S. Arumugan; Subramaniam, R.

1970-01-01

Although it is highly unlikely that a disease can be definitively diagnosed from a study of the pH of the faeces alone, the present study has helped to dispel the past belief that the pH of faeces in acute amoebic dysentery is more likely to be acidic. Culture for other pathogenic organisms has not been done in the present series of cases, but the chances of the coincidence of bacillary dysentery in this group would probably not have been significant. Further, in the past a simple litmus paper test was suggested to differentiate an amoebic dysentery from a bacillary dysentery, a procedure which can no longer hold good. PMID:5428858

Acid Tests and Basic Fun.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McBride, John W.

1995-01-01

Explores acids and bases using different indicators, such as turmeric, purple grape juice, and lichens. Because some of these indicators are not as sensitive as cabbage juice or litmus paper, determining to which acids and bases each indicator is sensitive presents an enjoyable, problem-solving challenge for students. Presents directions for…

A Litmus Test of Academic Quality

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Orkodashvili, Mariam

2009-01-01

The paper discusses the major issues connected with the accreditation procedures in higher education system in the U.S. The questions raised are as follows: what are the reliable and credible indicators of quality instruction that could be measured in the process of accreditation of higher education institutions? How does greater transparency in…

THE RELATIVE REACTION WITHIN LIVING MAMMALIAN-TISSUES

PubMed Central

Rous, Peyton

1925-01-01

The acidity of the macrophage granules in which litmus comes to be stored during life is considerable. It has proved possible to stain these granules in vivo with some of the phthalein indicators and the results, had they been obtained under controlled conditions, would indicate a pH of 3.0 or less. The amount of acid material which may accumulate within the cells of animals stained with litmus is great, sufficient in the case of the elements of a peritoneal exudate for the acid reaction to prevail when they are gathered together and crushed. The material is derived, not from the dye, but from living elements responding characteristically to a stimulus far from unique. Such responses may well play a rôle in normal physiological activities and in the cellular defense against microorganisms. Vital staining with litmus demonstrates anew that the intracellular reaction during life is independent of that of the body fluids. By means of color changes in the stored indicator one can distinguish sick as well as dead cells of certain sorts and follow their distribution and fate within the organism. There are data to suggest that with the aid of the indicator the normal period of survival of certain elements at least can be determined. By the indicator method, of which the foregoing observations afford a crude illustration, much should be learnt in the future about body processes. The present paper is the second of a series upon the theme. PMID:19868996

The Great Excluded: Critical Essays on Children's Literature. Volume One.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Butler, Francelia, Ed.

This collection of essays is intended to stimulate writing, teaching, and study of children's literature by humanists. Among the essays are: "Aesop as Litmus: The Acid Test of Children's Literature,""Children's Literature in Old English,""Children's Literature in the Middle Ages,""Pilgrim's Progress as Fairy Tale,""Out of the Ordinary Road: Locke…

Productivity in the '90s. The outsourcing source book.

PubMed

1993-01-01

Why has outsourcing become a corporate litmus test? Is it the right move for your company? Who's doing it -- and why? Is it both efficient and cost-effective? How should you structure an outsourcing agreement? Here are some answers -- and a lot more questions to ask before you embark on an outsourcing adventure.

Vocational Education in Singapore: Meritocracy and Hidden Narratives

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chong, Terence

2014-01-01

This paper offers a broad overview of vocational education in Singapore. Looking at vocational education from Independence, it argues that the development of a skilled labour force was not only crucial in the age of globalisation and the dominance of multinational companies, but also an empirical litmus test of the newly elected post-colonial…

Normalization Fifty Years Beyond--Current Trends in the Nordic Countries

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tossebro, Jan; Bonfils, Inge S.; Teittinen, Antti; Tideman, Magnus; Traustadottir, Rannveig; Vesala, Hannu T.

2012-01-01

The authors discuss recent developments in services for people with intellectual disabilities (ID) in the Nordic countries. They note that all of the countries saw important reforms during the 1990s, regarding both deinstitutionalization and decentralization. However, they posit that the litmus test of the reforms is not what happens during reform…

THE RELATIVE REACTION WITHIN LIVING MAMMALIAN-TISSUES : II. ON THE MOBILIZATION OF ACID MATERIAL WITHIN CELLS, AND THE REACTION AS INFLUENCED BY THE CELL STATE.

PubMed

Rous, P

1925-02-28

The acidity of the macrophage granules in which litmus comes to be stored during life is considerable. It has proved possible to stain these granules in vivo with some of the phthalein indicators and the results, had they been obtained under controlled conditions, would indicate a pH of 3.0 or less. The amount of acid material which may accumulate within the cells of animals stained with litmus is great, sufficient in the case of the elements of a peritoneal exudate for the acid reaction to prevail when they are gathered together and crushed. The material is derived, not from the dye, but from living elements responding characteristically to a stimulus far from unique. Such responses may well play a rôle in normal physiological activities and in the cellular defense against microorganisms. Vital staining with litmus demonstrates anew that the intracellular reaction during life is independent of that of the body fluids. By means of color changes in the stored indicator one can distinguish sick as well as dead cells of certain sorts and follow their distribution and fate within the organism. There are data to suggest that with the aid of the indicator the normal period of survival of certain elements at least can be determined. By the indicator method, of which the foregoing observations afford a crude illustration, much should be learnt in the future about body processes. The present paper is the second of a series upon the theme.

Shifting Lenses on Youth Literacy and Identity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kumasi, Kafi D.; Hughes-Hassell, Sandra

2017-01-01

Historically, the canary served to warn coal miners of the presence of dangerous gases. When the canary stopped singing or was found dead, the miners knew a serious problem required immediate attention. Like canaries, racialized youth in inner city schools are a litmus test for the health of the entire educational system in the United States. They…

International Baccalaureate as a Litmus Test Revealing Conflicting Values and Power Relations in the Israeli Education System

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yemini, Miri; Dvir, Yuval

2016-01-01

This study comprises a comprehensive attempt to reveal the power relations and conflicting interests within the local-global nexus of the Israeli public education system. The perceptions of different stakeholders were explored, in regard to the implementation of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program as an example of a globally oriented…

pH [Measure of Acidity].

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Henderson, Paula

This autoinstructional program deals with the study of the pH of given substances by using litmus and hydrion papers. It is a learning activity directed toward low achievers involved in the study of biology at the secondary school level. The time suggested for the unit is 25-30 minutes (plus additional time for further pH testing). The equipment…

Globalization, International Education, and the Formation of a Transnational Class?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Phillip; Lauder, Hugh

2009-01-01

International education can be seen as a kind of litmus test in interrogating the place of education, power, and ideology in a globalized economy. In this paper, the authors detail the development of international education both with respect to character and credentials, and identify its putative links with elite higher education. How then might…

The Negated Conditional: A Litmus Test for the Suppositional Conditional?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Handley, Simon J.; Evans, Jonathan St. B. T.; Thompson, Valerie A.

2006-01-01

Under the suppositional account of conditionals, when people think about a conditional assertion, "if p then q," they engage in a mental simulation in which they imagine p holds and evaluate the probability that q holds under this supposition. One implication of this account is that belief in a conditional equates to conditional probability…

Colleges Chew on Local-Food Phenomenon

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carlson, Scott

2008-01-01

Nationally, students have pushed hard for local-food programs, and the amount of local produce in the dining hall is sometimes used as a litmus test for a college's overall commitment to sustainability. Local food has been a hot topic in popular culture in recent years, thanks in part to books by Michael Pollan and Barbara Kingsolver, movies like…

Methods to Limit Attrition in Longitudinal Comparative Effectiveness Trials: Lessons from the Lithium Use for Bipolar Disorder (LiTMUS) Study

PubMed Central

Sylvia, Louisa G.; Reilly-Harrington, Noreen A.; Leon, Andrew C.; Kansky, Christine I.; Ketter, Terence A.; Calabrese, Joseph R.; Thase, Michael E.; Bowden, Charles L.; Friedman, Edward S.; Ostacher, Michael J.; Iosifescu, Dan V.; Severe, Joanne; Nierenberg, Andrew A.

2013-01-01

Background High attrition rates which occur frequently in longitudinal clinical trials of interventions for bipolar disorder limit the interpretation of results. Purpose The aim of this article is to present design approaches that limited attrition in the Lithium Use for Bipolar Disorder (LiTMUS) Study. Methods LiTMUS was a 6-month randomized, longitudinal multi-site comparative effectiveness trial that examined bipolar participants who were at least mildly ill. Participants were randomized to either low to moderate doses of lithium or no lithium, in addition to other treatments needed for mood stabilization administered in a guideline-informed, empirically supported, and personalized fashion (N=283). Results Components of the study design that may have contributed to the low attrition rate of the study included use of: (1) an intent-to-treat design; (2) a randomized adjunctive single-blind design; (3) participant reimbursement; (4) intent-to-attend the next study visit (includes a discussion of attendance obstacles when intention is low); (5) quality care with limited participant burden; and (6) target windows for study visits. Limitations Site differences and the effectiveness and tolerability data have not been analyzed yet. Conclusions These components of the LiTMUS study design may have reduced the probability of attrition which would inform the design of future randomized clinical effectiveness trials. PMID:22076437

A Special Challenge for Europe: The Inclusion of Roma Children in Early Years Education and Care

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Klaus, Sarah; Marsh, Adrian

2014-01-01

Provision of early childhood education and care (ECEC) for Roma children serves as a litmus test for the broader social inclusion agenda in Europe. The majority of Roma children and families live in substandard, often insecure and isolated housing and have limited access to quality health, social care and education services. There is a growing…

3D CAD: A Plus for STEM Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Planchard, Marie

2007-01-01

At some point in their education, pre-engineering students will take physics and/or calculus. For many freshmen who aren't certain about their career paths, taking these courses is a litmus test to determine whether they have the aptitude or desire to pursue an engineering degree. Therein lies the challenge for many students in the U.S. Science,…

Combinatorial wetting in colour: an optofluidic nose.

PubMed

Raymond, Kevin P; Burgess, Ian B; Kinney, Mackenzie H; Lončar, Marko; Aizenberg, Joanna

2012-10-07

We present a colourimetric litmus test for simple differentiation of organic liquids based on wetting, which achieves chemical specificity without a significant sacrifice in portability or ease-of-use. Chemical specificity is derived from the combination of colourimetric wetting patterns produced by liquids in an array of inverse opal films, each having a graded wettability, but using different surface groups to define that gradient.

Effectiveness of National Board Certified (NBC) Teachers in Terms of Classroom Environment, Attitudes and Achievement among Secondary Science Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Helding, Karen A.; Fraser, Barry J.

2013-01-01

No previous research has employed learning environments criteria in evaluating the effectiveness of the system of teacher certification sponsored by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Because the litmus test of any professional development effort is the extent of the changes in teaching behaviours in participating teachers'…

Higgs mass from D-terms: a litmus test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheung, Clifford; Roberts, Hannes L.

2013-12-01

We explore supersymmetric theories in which the Higgs mass is boosted by the non-decoupling D-terms of an extended U(1) X gauge symmetry, defined here to be a general linear combination of hypercharge, baryon number, and lepton number. Crucially, the gauge coupling, g X , is bounded from below to accommodate the Higgs mass, while the quarks and leptons are required by gauge invariance to carry non-zero charge under U(1) X . This induces an irreducible rate, σBR, for pp → X → ℓℓ relevant to existing and future resonance searches, and gives rise to higher dimension operators that are stringently constrained by precision electroweak measurements. Combined, these bounds define a maximally allowed region in the space of observables, ( σBR, m X ), outside of which is excluded by naturalness and experimental limits. If natural supersymmetry utilizes non-decoupling D-terms, then the associated X boson can only be observed within this window, providing a model independent `litmus test' for this broad class of scenarios at the LHC. Comparing limits, we find that current LHC results only exclude regions in parameter space which were already disfavored by precision electroweak data.

Kant's 'formula of humanity' and assisted reproductive technology: a case for duties to future children.

PubMed

Patrone, Tatiana

2017-11-01

The paper asks the question whether Kant's ethical theory can be applied to issues in assisted reproductive technology (ART). It argues against three objections to applying Kant's ethics to ART: (i) the non-identity objection, (ii) the gen-ethics objection, and (iii) the care-ethics objection. After showing that neither of the three objections is sufficiently persuasive the paper proposes a reading of Kant's 'formula of humanity,' and especially its negative clause (i.e., the 'merely as means' clause), that can be of some guidance in ART. The paper conclude that although Kant's 'formula of humanity' cannot be used as a simple litmus test for determining whether an ART practice is morally permissible or not, it nonetheless can supply us with some guidance in our moral deliberation.

Retractable Visual Indicator Assembly

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hackler, George R. (Inventor); Gamboa, Ronald J. (Inventor); Dominquez, Victor (Inventor)

1998-01-01

A retractable indicator assembly may be mounted on a container which transmits air through the container and removes deleterious gases with an activated charcoal medium in the container. The assembly includes: an elongate indicator housing has a chamber therein; a male adaptor with an external threads is used for sealing engagement with the container; a plug located at the upper end of the housing; a housing that includes a transparent wall portion for viewing at least a portion of the chamber; a litmus indicator, moveable by a retractable rod from a retracted position within the container to an extended position within the chamber of the housing; and an outer housing that is secured to the upper end of the rod, and protects the indicator housing while the litmus indicator is in its normally retracted position. The assembly may be manually manipulated between its extended position wherein the litmus indicator may be viewed through the transparent wall of the indicator housing, and a retracted position wherein the outer housing encloses the indicator housing and engages the exterior of the container.

Theory of Mind (ToM) in Children with Autism or Typical Development: Links between Eye-Reading and False Belief Understanding

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Peterson, Candida C.; Slaughter, Virginia

2009-01-01

Previous research shows that high-functioning children with autism are slow to pass "litmus" false belief tests of ToM but how this may relate to other aspects of mindreading (e.g., discerning thoughts from facial expressions) is less clear, partly for methodological reasons. Thus the joint methodological and conceptual goals of this…

Human Learning of Elemental Category Structures: Revising the Classic Result of Shepard, Hovland, and Jenkins (1961)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kurtz, Kenneth J.; Levering, Kimery R.; Stanton, Roger D.; Romero, Joshua; Morris, Steven N.

2013-01-01

The findings of Shepard, Hovland, and Jenkins (1961) on the relative ease of learning 6 elemental types of 2-way classifications have been deeply influential 2 times over: 1st, as a rebuke to pure stimulus generalization accounts, and again as the leading benchmark for evaluating formal models of human category learning. The litmus test for models…

DipTest: A litmus test for E. coli detection in water.

PubMed

Gunda, Naga Siva Kumar; Dasgupta, Saumyadeb; Mitra, Sushanta K

2017-01-01

We have developed a new litmus paper test (DipTest) for detecting Escherichia coli (E. coli) in water samples by performing enzymatic reactions directly on the porous paper substrate. The paper strip consists of a long narrow piece of cellulose blotting paper coated with chemoattractant (at bottom edge), wax hydrophobic barrier (at the top edge), and custom formulated chemical reagents (at reaction zone immediately below the wax hydrophobic barrier). When the paper strip is dipped in water, E. coli in the water sample is attracted toward the paper strip due to a chemotaxic mechanism followed by the ascent along the paper strip toward the reaction zone due to a capillary wicking mechanism, and finally the capillary motion is arrested at the top edge of the paper strip by the hydrophobic barrier. The E. coli concentrated at the reaction zone of the paper strip will react with custom formulated chemical reagents to produce a pinkish-red color. Such a color change on the paper strip when dipped into water samples indicates the presence of E. coli contamination in potable water. The performance of the DipTest device has been checked with different known concentrations of E. coli contaminated water samples using different dip and wait times. The DipTest device has also been tested with different interfering bacteria and chemical contaminants. It has been observed that the different interfering contaminants do not have any impact on the DipTest, and it can become a potential solution for screening water samples for E. coli contamination at the point of source.

DipTest: A litmus test for E. coli detection in water

PubMed Central

Gunda, Naga Siva Kumar; Dasgupta, Saumyadeb

2017-01-01

We have developed a new litmus paper test (DipTest) for detecting Escherichia coli (E. coli) in water samples by performing enzymatic reactions directly on the porous paper substrate. The paper strip consists of a long narrow piece of cellulose blotting paper coated with chemoattractant (at bottom edge), wax hydrophobic barrier (at the top edge), and custom formulated chemical reagents (at reaction zone immediately below the wax hydrophobic barrier). When the paper strip is dipped in water, E. coli in the water sample is attracted toward the paper strip due to a chemotaxic mechanism followed by the ascent along the paper strip toward the reaction zone due to a capillary wicking mechanism, and finally the capillary motion is arrested at the top edge of the paper strip by the hydrophobic barrier. The E. coli concentrated at the reaction zone of the paper strip will react with custom formulated chemical reagents to produce a pinkish-red color. Such a color change on the paper strip when dipped into water samples indicates the presence of E. coli contamination in potable water. The performance of the DipTest device has been checked with different known concentrations of E. coli contaminated water samples using different dip and wait times. The DipTest device has also been tested with different interfering bacteria and chemical contaminants. It has been observed that the different interfering contaminants do not have any impact on the DipTest, and it can become a potential solution for screening water samples for E. coli contamination at the point of source. PMID:28877199

THE RELATIVE REACTION WITHIN LIVING MAMMALIAN TISSUES

PubMed Central

Elman, Robert; Drury, D. R.; McMaster, Philip D.

1928-01-01

We have devised methods for the separation and isolation of the important indicator constituents of litmus, azolitmin, and erythrolitmin, with a view to employing them as vital stains. Analysis of the color intensities of these dyes shows slight differences in them, azolitmin being the weaker pigment, weight for weight. Study of a third coloring matter, erythrolein, which exists in litmus has shown it to be an unsatisfactory indicator, and toxic for animals. Analyses with the spectrophotometer of the absorption of light by erythrolitmin and azolitmin, prepared by our methods, and tested over a wide acid-alkali range, show them to be pure substances, comparable in this respect with synthetic indicators. The errors in the interpretation of the indicator phenomena on vital staining, which are incident to changes in the concentration of the dyes, are so slight as to be negligible. The salt and protein errors on the other hand are large. The factors responsible for the Donnan equilibrium fail to influence the distribution of the indicators between fluid and gelatin. Erythrolein was found useless when employed for vital staining, and azolitmin proved unsatisfactory since it colors poorly and is toxic. But erythrolitmin can be used to great advantage. It is readily absorbed, and in non-toxic doses stains intensely. The range of pH at which it changes from red to blue fits it for the demonstration of changes in the reaction of living tissues. By reason, however, of the salt and protein errors to which it is liable, the pH cannot be accurately ascertained. Intravital staining with erythrolitmin yields results similar to those following injection of purified "whole litmus." PMID:19869443

THE RELATIVE REACTION WITHIN LIVING MAMMALIAN TISSUES : I. GENERAL FEATURES OF VITAL STAINING WITH LITMUS.

PubMed

Rous, P

1925-02-28

The present paper is the first of a series of reports on the relative reaction of living tissues as determined by vital staining with indicators. It is possible to bring about a localized and a general coloration of living rats and mice with litmus. The animals remain in good health and the coloration of some of the tissues persists for months. Much of the dye is stored in cell granules, especially in those of the reticulo-endothelial elements, but a diffuse staining of certain tissues occurs, notably of bone, epidermis, cartilage, and connective tissue everywhere. In the intensity and localization of the bony coloration litmus has resemblances to madder. Diffuse staining with it renders blue most, if not all, of the tissues affected, while a granular staining causes others to become notably pink, owing to the fact that the indicator, though introduced into the organism in the blue form and circulating as such in the body fluids, is ordinarily red when stored in cells. The polymorphonuclear elements and macrophages of a peritoneal exudate, may become so laden with material colored red by litmus that the blue color of the fluid constituent is masked and the exudate appears a deep, turbid red. The phenomenon is but one manifestation of a notable acidity within cell granules throughout the organism. Like many another in the stained animals it would appear to be of physiological import. Some of the questions suggested by the work will be dealt with in the paper immediately following.

A comparison of proficiency levels in 4-year-old monolingual and trilingual speakers of Afrikaans, isiXhosa and South African English across SES boundaries, using LITMUS-CLT.

PubMed

Perold Potgieter, Anneke; Southwood, Frenette

2016-01-01

This study investigated how trilinguals fare on the cross-linguistic lexical tasks (CLT)-Afrikaans, -isiXhosa and -South African English (SAE) (cf. Haman et al., 2015) compared to monolingual controls, and whether the CLT-Afrikaans renders comparable results across socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds. The LITMUS-CLTs were administered to 41 low SES 4-year-olds (11 trilinguals; 10 monolingual speakers of Afrikaans, isiXhosa and SAE) and the LITMUS-CLT-Afrikaans to 11 mid-SES 4-year-old monolinguals. Results (a) indicate that trilinguals' proficiency in their exposure-dominant language did not differ significantly from monolinguals' proficiency, but their proficiency in their additional two languages was significantly lower than monolinguals' proficiency; (b) reflect the extent, but not current amount, of exposure trilinguals had had over time to each of their languages; and (c) show that low and mid-SES monolinguals differed significantly on noun-related, but not verb-related, CLT measures. Possible reasons for and the clinical implications of these results are discussed.

Development of a clinical practice guideline for testing nasogastric tube placement.

PubMed

Peter, Sue; Gill, Fenella

2009-01-01

A Perth metropolitan hospital group standardized changes to nasogastric tube placement, including removal of the "whoosh test" and litmus paper, and introduction of pH testing. Two audits were conducted: bedside data collection at a pediatric hospital and a point-prevalence audit across seven hospitals. Aspirate was obtained for 97% of all tests and pH was < or = 5.5 for 84%, validating the practice changes. However, patients on continuous feeds and/or receiving acid-inhibiting medications had multiple pH testing fails. Nasogastric tube placement continues to present a challenge for those high-risk patients on continuous feeds and/or receiving acid-inhibiting medications.

Then and now with utility advertising and marketing

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

Netschert, B.C.

Basic business functions, such as advertising and marketing, occupy a valid place in the lives of public utilities, even in an environment where conservation and economy are emphasized. The author describes how a particular group of electric-utility companies has changed emphasis in an exemplary response to new societal pressures and values. He identifies the litmus test of the appropriateness of promotional and information activities and expenditures by utilities in terms of consumer sovereignty.

Linearizing an intermodulation radar transmitter by filtering switched tones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazzaro, Gregory J.; Sherbondy, Andrew J.; Ranney, Kenneth I.; Sherbondy, Kelly D.; Martone, Anthony F.

2017-05-01

For nonlinear radar, the transmit power required to measure a detectable response from a target is relatively high, and generating that high power is achieved at the cost of linearity. This paper applies the distortion mitigation technique Linearization by Time-Multiplexed Spectrum (LITMUS) to intermodulation radar, a type of nonlinear radar which receives spectral content produced by the mixing of multiple frequencies at a nonlinear target. By implementing LITMUS, an experimental detection system for an intermodulation radar achieves a signal-to-noise ratio up to 20 dB for a total transmit power of approximately 80 mW and nonlinear targets placed at a standoff distance of 2 meters.

Vietnam, the United States, and Japan in the South China Sea

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-10-01

Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies VIETNAM, THE UNITED STATES, AND JAPAN IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA Dr. Alexander L. Vuving Paper for...since 1988. The standoff also served as a litmus test to identify who will side with whom in this conflict. While most of the world remained neutral...these actors relate to the South China Sea issue. This paper will focus on the three status quo powers; particularly, I will examine the strategies of

The negated conditional: a litmus test for the suppositional conditional?

PubMed

Handley, Simon J; Evans, Jonathan St B T; Thompson, Valerie A

2006-05-01

Under the suppositional account of conditionals, when people think about a conditional assertion, "if p then q," they engage in a mental simulation in which they imagine p holds and evaluate the probability that q holds under this supposition. One implication of this account is that belief in a conditional equates to conditional probability [P(q/p)]. In this paper, the authors examine a further implication of this analysis with respect to the wide-scope negation of conditional assertions, "it is not the case that if p then q." Under the suppositional account, nothing categorically follows from the negation of a conditional, other than a second conditional, "if p then not-q." In contrast, according to the mental model theory, a negated conditional is consistent only with the determinate state of affairs, p and not-q. In 4 experiments, the authors compare the contrasting predictions that arise from each of these accounts. The findings are consistent with the suppositional theory but are incongruent with the mental model theory of conditionals.

Enzyme-catalysed deposition of ultrathin silver shells on gold nanorods: a universal and highly efficient signal amplification strategy for translating immunoassay into a litmus-type test.

PubMed

Yang, Xinjian; Gao, Zhiqiang

2015-04-25

On the basis of enzyme-catalysed reduction of silver ions and consequent deposition of ultrathin silver shells on gold nanorods, a highly efficient signal amplification method for immunoassay is developed. For a model analyte prostate-specific antigen, a 10(4)-fold improvement over conventional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is accomplished by leveraging on the cumulative nature of the enzymatic reaction and the sensitive response of plasnomic gold nanorods to the deposition the silver shells.

Hypersensitivity Reaction Associated with Abacavir Therapy in an Indian HIV Patient - A Case Report.

PubMed

Janardhanan, Manju; Amberkar V, Mohan Babu; Vidyasagar, Sudha; Kumari K, Meena; Holla, Sadhana N

2014-09-01

The most important and unique adverse effect of abacavir (ABC) is fatal hypersensitivity reaction (HSR). The objective of this report is to describe a case of ABC induced HSR that occurred in an Indian HIV patient during treatment. Although this adverse effect is not uncommon, it is perhaps underreported or has never been reported so far in an Indian case scenario. A 44-year-old known case of HIV-1 was admitted in view of his worsening condition and very low CD4 cell counts 3 cells/μL. He was on anti-retroviral therapy since three years but not regular. On the basis of treatment failure, non-compliance and progressive low CD4 counts, the anti HIV regime was switched over to abacavir 600 mg+ atazanavir/ ritonavir 300mg/100mg Two weeks after ABC therapy he presented with maculopapular rash, headache and signs of hepatic damage (serum AST, ALP and ALT increased to 3-4 fold) suggestive of hypersensitivity reaction. As we know discontinuation of the drug is the ultimate litmus test to confirm diagnosis of drug induced adverse reaction. We did confirm ABC induced HSR by de-challenge wherein, rash disappeared within 2-3 days and LFT came back to normal within 5 days. However, no rechallenge was done. HSR was more in favour of ABC because atazanavir failed to produce any similar reaction after re-challenge.

THE RELATIVE REACTION WITHIN LIVING MAMMALIAN TISSUES

PubMed Central

Rous, Peyton

1925-01-01

The present paper is the first of a series of reports on the relative reaction of living tissues as determined by vital staining with indicators. It is possible to bring about a localized and a general coloration of living rats and mice with litmus. The animals remain in good health and the coloration of some of the tissues persists for months. Much of the dye is stored in cell granules, especially in those of the reticulo-endothelial elements, but a diffuse staining of certain tissues occurs, notably of bone, epidermis, cartilage, and connective tissue everywhere. In the intensity and localization of the bony coloration litmus has resemblances to madder. Diffuse staining with it renders blue most, if not all, of the tissues affected, while a granular staining causes others to become notably pink, owing to the fact that the indicator, though introduced into the organism in the blue form and circulating as such in the body fluids, is ordinarily red when stored in cells. The polymorphonuclear elements and macrophages of a peritoneal exudate, may become so laden with material colored red by litmus that the blue color of the fluid constituent is masked and the exudate appears a deep, turbid red. The phenomenon is but one manifestation of a notable acidity within cell granules throughout the organism. Like many another in the stained animals it would appear to be of physiological import. Some of the questions suggested by the work will be dealt with in the paper immediately following. PMID:19868995

A Rosetta Stone for in situ Observations of Magnetic Reconnection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scudder, J. D.; Daughton, W. S.; Karimabadi, H.; Roytershteyn, V.

2015-12-01

Local conditions that constrain the physics of magnetic reconnection in space in 3D will be discussed, including those observable conditions presently used and new ones that enhance experimental closure. Three classes of tests will be discussed: i) proxies for unmeasurable theoretical properties II) observable properties satisfied by all layers that pass mass flux, including those of the reconnection layer, and (iii) observable kinetic tests that are increasingly peculiar to collisionless magnetic reconnection. A Rosetta Stone of state of the art observables will be proposed, including proxies for unmeasurable theoretical local rate of frozen flux violation and measures of the significance of frozen flux encountered. A suite of kinetic observables involving properties peculiar to electrons will also be demonstrated as promising litmus tests for certifying sites of collisionless magnetic reconnection.

Quantitative determination of asphalt antistripping additive.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2004-01-01

A small device (StripScan) has been developed by InstroTech, Inc., that uses litmus paper and a spectrophotometer to analyze vapors from hot liquid asphalt binders and mixtures to determine the percentage of antistripping additive present. Approximat...

Acid oro-pharyngeal secretions can predict gastro-oesophageal reflux in preterm infants.

PubMed

James, M E; Ewer, A K

1999-05-01

Acid gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) is common in preterm infants but there is a lack of a non-invasive technique to establish the diagnosis. The aim of this study was to identify whether the presence of acid in oro-pharyngeal secretions (OPS) was a valid indicator of clinically significant acid GOR in preterm infants. A total of 23 infants with suspected GOR were studied with 24 h lower-oesophageal pH monitoring and during this period the OPS were tested for acid with litmus paper at 6 hourly intervals. Median (range) gestation was 28 weeks (24-31), birth weight 1023 g (480-1750) and age at study 34 days (11-76). Significant GOR was defined as a reflux index >5%. Of the investigated infants, 18 subjects (78%) had significant GOR. Of this group, 16 infants had acid in the OPS on at least one occasion. Five infants did not demonstrate significant GOR and in four of these acid was not detected in the OPS. Our data indicate that as a predictor for significant GOR, litmus-testing OPS for acid has a sensitivity of 89%, specificity of 80%, positive predictive value of 94% and a negative predictive value of 67%. The difference in the incidence of acid OPS between the GOR and the No GOR group was significant (P<0.03). The presence of acid in the oropharyngeal secretions may help in the prediction of acid gastro-oesophageal reflux in preterm infants. The method is simple, inexpensive cheap and involves minimal disturbance. We suggest that it could aid clinical diagnosis and indicate a need for further investigation of gastro-oesophageal reflux.

Gravitational Self-Energy as the Litmus of Reality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jones, K. R. W.

It is argued that the correct physical treatment of self-energy in Newtonian quantum gravity offers a constrained and predictive discriminator for the interpretation of ψ, and thus a clear point of departure for the unification of modern physics.

Bioethics, biotechnology and culture: a voice from the margins.

PubMed

Tangwa, Godfrey B

2004-12-01

In this paper I argue for the universality of morality as against and in spite of the plurality and inevitable relativity of human cultures. Universalisability is the litmus test of moral authenticity whereas culture tends to impose an egocentric predicament. I argue equally for the equality of cultures qua cultures and of the importance of different cultural perspectives, given the limitations of each and every particular culture, in a balanced and wholesome appreciation of moral issues, particularly issues of cross-cultural relevance. I then try to anchor my reflections on a few topical ethical issues of cross-cultural relevance which have been the subject of controversy in recent times.

Validating the psycholinguistic aspects of LITMUS-CLT: Evidence from Polish and Norwegian.

PubMed

Hansen, Pernille; Simonsen, Hanne Gram; Łuniewska, Magdalena; Haman, Ewa

2017-01-01

The novel assessment tool Cross-Linguistic Lexical Tasks (LITMUS-CLT) aims for comparable cross-linguistic assessment of multilingual children's lexical skills by basing each language version on two language-specific variables: age of acquisition (AoA) and complexity index (CI), a novel measure related to phonology, morphology, exposure and etymology. This article investigates the validity of this methodology, asking whether the underlying properties are robust predictors of children's performance. The Polish and Norwegian CLTs were used to assess 32 bilingual Polish-Norwegian, 34 monolingual Norwegian and 36 monolingual Polish children. The effects of AoA and CI were contrasted with frequency in child directed speech (CDS) and imageability, two known predictors of lexical development. AoA was a reliable predictor of performance within all parts of CLT, in contrast to CI. Apart from AoA, only exposure and CDS frequency had a significant effect within both monolinguals and bilinguals. These results indicate that CLT assesses lexical skills in a cross-linguistically comparable manner, but suggest a revision of the CI measure.

Nuclear isomerism in 100Sn neighbors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ishii, M.; Ishii, T.; Makishima, A.; Ogawa, M.; Momoki, G.; Ogawa, K.

1995-01-01

Data on B(E2), B(M1) and B(E1) were obtained from lifetime measurements in 103, 105, 107In, 105-108Sn and 109Sb. These data helped us to assign the nuclear configurations to the involved states. The experimental B(E2) and B(M1) values in the Sn isotopes worked as litmus paper to test the wave functions calculated on the basis of the shell model. The present calculation gave a qualitative description of M1 transitions in the Sn isotopes but has not yet succeeded in quantitative estimation of B(M1). Calculated B(E2) values were far from the reality since 100Sn was assumed there to be inert against excitation.

27 CFR 21.96 - Ammonia, aqueous.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 27 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Ammonia, aqueous. 21.96 Section 21.96 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO TAX AND TRADE BUREAU, DEPARTMENT... Ammonia, aqueous. (a) Alkalinity. Strongly alkaline to litmus. (b) Ammonia content. 27 to 30 percent by...

27 CFR 21.96 - Ammonia, aqueous.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 27 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Ammonia, aqueous. 21.96 Section 21.96 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO TAX AND TRADE BUREAU, DEPARTMENT... Ammonia, aqueous. (a) Alkalinity. Strongly alkaline to litmus. (b) Ammonia content. 27 to 30 percent by...

27 CFR 21.96 - Ammonia, aqueous.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 27 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Ammonia, aqueous. 21.96 Section 21.96 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO TAX AND TRADE BUREAU, DEPARTMENT... Ammonia, aqueous. (a) Alkalinity. Strongly alkaline to litmus. (b) Ammonia content. 27 to 30 percent by...

27 CFR 21.96 - Ammonia, aqueous.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 27 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Ammonia, aqueous. 21.96 Section 21.96 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO TAX AND TRADE BUREAU, DEPARTMENT... Ammonia, aqueous. (a) Alkalinity. Strongly alkaline to litmus. (b) Ammonia content. 27 to 30 percent by...

27 CFR 21.96 - Ammonia, aqueous.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 27 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Ammonia, aqueous. 21.96 Section 21.96 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO TAX AND TRADE BUREAU, DEPARTMENT... Ammonia, aqueous. (a) Alkalinity. Strongly alkaline to litmus. (b) Ammonia content. 27 to 30 percent by...

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme status in oral carcinoma patients.

PubMed

Khanna, R; Thapa, P B; Khanna, H D; Khanna, S; Khanna, A K; Shukla, H S

2005-01-01

To measure the lipid peroxidation and endogenous antioxidant enzyme status in oral carcinoma and the protective role of exogenous antioxidants. 20 new cases of histologically proven oral squamous cell carcinoma, 20 of leukoplakia and 20 age and sex matched healthy conrols were included. Intra oral pH of patients and controlled were measured by quantitative litmus paper test and serum was analysed for malonialdehyde (MDA), super oxide bismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GP). Patients with leukoplakia were treated with exogenous antioxidants for 3 months and the same were reassessed. Oral pH of oral cancer patients was neutral (PH-7) but that of leukoplakia and controls were mildly acidic (6.64 and 6.58 respectively). Serum malonialdehyde levels were highest in oral cancer group. With antioxidant enzymes super oxide bismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase different pattern was noticed. Antioxidant enzymes remained almost the same (P > 0.005 each) in patients with leukoplakia after 3 months of vitamin A,C and E. but there was marginal increase in catalase level (P<0.05). This study shows the positive benefit of vitamin (A,C,E) and nutrition supplementation on the antioxidant enzyme defense system hence prevention of oral carcinogenesis in patients with leukoplakia.

Prevention and management of chronic disease: a litmus test for health-systems strengthening in low-income and middle-income countries.

PubMed

Samb, Badara; Desai, Nina; Nishtar, Sania; Mendis, Shanti; Bekedam, Henk; Wright, Anna; Hsu, Justine; Martiniuk, Alexandra; Celletti, Francesca; Patel, Kiran; Adshead, Fiona; McKee, Martin; Evans, Tim; Alwan, Ala; Etienne, Carissa

2010-11-20

National health systems need strengthening if they are to meet the growing challenge of chronic diseases in low-income and middle-income countries. By application of an accepted health-systems framework to the evidence, we report that the factors that limit countries' capacity to implement proven strategies for chronic diseases relate to the way in which health systems are designed and function. Substantial constraints are apparent across each of the six key health-systems components of health financing, governance, health workforce, health information, medical products and technologies, and health-service delivery. These constraints have become more evident as development partners have accelerated efforts to respond to HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and vaccine-preventable diseases. A new global agenda for health-systems strengthening is arising from the urgent need to scale up and sustain these priority interventions. Most chronic diseases are neglected in this dialogue about health systems, despite the fact that non-communicable diseases (most of which are chronic) will account for 69% of all global deaths by 2030 with 80% of these deaths in low-income and middle-income countries. At the same time, advocates for action against chronic diseases are not paying enough attention to health systems as part of an effective response. Efforts to scale up interventions for management of common chronic diseases in these countries tend to focus on one disease and its causes, and are often fragmented and vertical. Evidence is emerging that chronic disease interventions could contribute to strengthening the capacity of health systems to deliver a comprehensive range of services-provided that such investments are planned to include these broad objectives. Because effective chronic disease programmes are highly dependent on well-functioning national health systems, chronic diseases should be a litmus test for health-systems strengthening. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Eco-friendly plasmonic sensors: using the photothermal effect to prepare metal nanoparticle-containing test papers for highly sensitive colorimetric detection.

PubMed

Tseng, Shao-Chin; Yu, Chen-Chieh; Wan, Dehui; Chen, Hsuen-Li; Wang, Lon Alex; Wu, Ming-Chung; Su, Wei-Fang; Han, Hsieh-Cheng; Chen, Li-Chyong

2012-06-05

Convenient, rapid, and accurate detection of chemical and biomolecules would be a great benefit to medical, pharmaceutical, and environmental sciences. Many chemical and biosensors based on metal nanoparticles (NPs) have been developed. However, as a result of the inconvenience and complexity of most of the current preparation techniques, surface plasmon-based test papers are not as common as, for example, litmus paper, which finds daily use. In this paper, we propose a convenient and practical technique, based on the photothermal effect, to fabricate the plasmonic test paper. This technique is superior to other reported methods for its rapid fabrication time (a few seconds), large-area throughput, selectivity in the positioning of the NPs, and the capability of preparing NP arrays in high density on various paper substrates. In addition to their low cost, portability, flexibility, and biodegradability, plasmonic test paper can be burned after detecting contagious biomolecules, making them safe and eco-friendly.

OBSERVATIONS ON SOME CAUSES OF GALL STONE FORMATION

PubMed Central

Drury, Douglas R.; McMaster, Philip D.; Rous, Peyton

1924-01-01

As previous papers from our laboratory have shown, there exists a well defined tendency for calcium carbonate to come out of solution in the normal liver bile of the dog, and for it to be deposited on certain nuclei not infrequent in the secretion under pathological circumstances. Gall stones that had arisen in this fashion were a frequent occurrence in the intubated animals we studied. The present paper is concerned with the reasons for the absence of such stones from dogs with an intact biliary tract. The solubility of calcium carbonate is known to be markedly affected by the reaction of the fluid in which it is contained. The normal liver bile, out of which it tends to precipitate, is alkaline, with an average pH of 8.20 but in the gall bladder where conditions might otherwise seem especially favorable to precipitation, the secretion undergoes a change toward the acid side, becoming on long sojourn there, strongly acid to litmus (pH 5.18 to 6.00). From bile as thus altered, no carbonate precipitation takes place, even when it becomes greatly concentrated as in fasting animals or after obstruction of the common duct. Furthermore, carbonate which has precipitated out of liver bile on standing dissolves again in it when the fluid is rendered slightly acid in vitro, or, in some cases merely neutral to litmus. There are several obvious reasons for the absence of carbonate stones from the normal ducts under ordinary conditions,—notably the motility of these latter, the flushing that they undergo from an intermittently quickened bile stream, and the cleansing and possibly antagonistic action of the secretion elaborated by the duct mucosa. In the fasting animal, one at least of these influences is almost done away with, the rate of bile flow is so greatly cut down; while furthermore the calcium concentration of the secretion undergoes a considerable increase. But pari passu with these changes there occurs one in the bile reaction, a diminution in alkalinity so great that the pH often approximates that of the neutral point for litmus. That this change is not a direct consequence of the increase in calcium, may be inferred from the findings with stasis bile, the calcium content and reaction of which were observed to vary independently, if in general in the same direction. These adjustments within the organism, some of which may be thought to exhibit an element of the purposeful, when considered with the test-tube experiments, strongly suggest that the reaction of the bile plays a critical part in determining the occurrence of carbonate stones, as furthermore that their absence from the normal gall bladder is a consequence of the changes in the bile reaction there occurring. The changes come about through a functional activity of the bladder. This being the case, one might suppose that the failure to act would be followed by a formation of carbonate stones. There is sufficient evidence available in the literature to indicate that this happens, in rabbits at least. It is important to know whether changes in the bile reaction play any part in determining the cholelithiasis of man. To determine the matter will require a large material. But this much we have shown, that carbonate spheroliths not infrequently serve in human beings as centers in a formation of secondary stones of carbonate and cholesterol, as further that cholesterol precipitation out of human bladder bile can be induced or prevented by slightly altering the reaction of the fluid toward the alkaline and acid sides, respectively. The possibility that cholelithiasis may be a consequence of sins of omission on the part of the biliary channels and reservoir deserves to be considered. PMID:19868854

OBSERVATIONS ON SOME CAUSES OF GALL STONE FORMATION : III. THE RELATION OF THE REACTION OF THE BILE TO EXPERIMENTAL CHOLELITHIASIS.

PubMed

Drury, D R; McMaster, P D; Rous, P

1924-02-29

As previous papers from our laboratory have shown, there exists a well defined tendency for calcium carbonate to come out of solution in the normal liver bile of the dog, and for it to be deposited on certain nuclei not infrequent in the secretion under pathological circumstances. Gall stones that had arisen in this fashion were a frequent occurrence in the intubated animals we studied. The present paper is concerned with the reasons for the absence of such stones from dogs with an intact biliary tract. The solubility of calcium carbonate is known to be markedly affected by the reaction of the fluid in which it is contained. The normal liver bile, out of which it tends to precipitate, is alkaline, with an average pH of 8.20 but in the gall bladder where conditions might otherwise seem especially favorable to precipitation, the secretion undergoes a change toward the acid side, becoming on long sojourn there, strongly acid to litmus (pH 5.18 to 6.00). From bile as thus altered, no carbonate precipitation takes place, even when it becomes greatly concentrated as in fasting animals or after obstruction of the common duct. Furthermore, carbonate which has precipitated out of liver bile on standing dissolves again in it when the fluid is rendered slightly acid in vitro, or, in some cases merely neutral to litmus. There are several obvious reasons for the absence of carbonate stones from the normal ducts under ordinary conditions,-notably the motility of these latter, the flushing that they undergo from an intermittently quickened bile stream, and the cleansing and possibly antagonistic action of the secretion elaborated by the duct mucosa. In the fasting animal, one at least of these influences is almost done away with, the rate of bile flow is so greatly cut down; while furthermore the calcium concentration of the secretion undergoes a considerable increase. But pari passu with these changes there occurs one in the bile reaction, a diminution in alkalinity so great that the pH often approximates that of the neutral point for litmus. That this change is not a direct consequence of the increase in calcium, may be inferred from the findings with stasis bile, the calcium content and reaction of which were observed to vary independently, if in general in the same direction. These adjustments within the organism, some of which may be thought to exhibit an element of the purposeful, when considered with the test-tube experiments, strongly suggest that the reaction of the bile plays a critical part in determining the occurrence of carbonate stones, as furthermore that their absence from the normal gall bladder is a consequence of the changes in the bile reaction there occurring. The changes come about through a functional activity of the bladder. This being the case, one might suppose that the failure to act would be followed by a formation of carbonate stones. There is sufficient evidence available in the literature to indicate that this happens, in rabbits at least. It is important to know whether changes in the bile reaction play any part in determining the cholelithiasis of man. To determine the matter will require a large material. But this much we have shown, that carbonate spheroliths not infrequently serve in human beings as centers in a formation of secondary stones of carbonate and cholesterol, as further that cholesterol precipitation out of human bladder bile can be induced or prevented by slightly altering the reaction of the fluid toward the alkaline and acid sides, respectively. The possibility that cholelithiasis may be a consequence of sins of omission on the part of the biliary channels and reservoir deserves to be considered.

Species Differentiation of Group D Streptococci

PubMed Central

Papavassiliou, J.

1962-01-01

Three hundred and fourteen strains of group D streptococci were studied by means of a number of tests. The majority of the strains were identified as Streptococcus faecalis (83 strains), Streptococcus faecium (131 strains), or Streptococcus bovis (32 strains). Several strains (47 or nearly 15%) either shared characteristics of two species or were completely atypical. S. faecalis and S. bovis were more easily identified than S. faecium, which is not sharply defined from the other species and could be subdivided into several fermentative types on the basis of fermentation of arabinose, mannitol, sorbitol, glycerol, and sucrose. The value of some characteristics in species identification is discussed. Growth in the presence of potassium tellurite 1:2,500 and in the presence of 6.5% NaCl and fermentation of arabinose, glycerol, and raffinose are very important tests for the identification of the three species. The reduction of tetrazolium salts, the reduction of litmus milk, and the fermentation of sorbitol may serve as complementary tests for the same purpose. For the differentiation of these three species the “pattern of reactions” is more important than single tests. PMID:14483707

Imprints of magnetic power and helicity spectra on radio polarimetry statistics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Junklewitz, H.; Enßlin, T. A.

2011-06-01

The statistical properties of turbulent magnetic fields in radio-synchrotron sources should be imprinted on the statistics of polarimetric observables. In search of these imprints, i.e. characteristic modifications of the polarimetry statistics caused by magnetic field properties, we calculate correlation and cross-correlation functions from a set of observables that contain total intensity I, polarized intensity P, and Faraday depth φ. The correlation functions are evaluated for all combinations of observables up to fourth order in magnetic field B. We derive these analytically as far as possible and from first principles using only some basic assumptions, such as Gaussian statistics for the underlying magnetic field in the observed region and statistical homogeneity. We further assume some simplifications to reduce the complexity of the calculations, because for a start we were interested in a proof of concept. Using this statistical approach, we show that it is possible to gain information about the helical part of the magnetic power spectrum via the correlation functions < P(kperp) φ(k'_{perp)φ(k''perp)>B} and < I(kperp) φ(k'_{perp)φ(k''perp)>B}. Using this insight, we construct an easy-to-use test for helicity called LITMUS (Local Inference Test for Magnetic fields which Uncovers heliceS), which gives a spectrally integrated measure of helicity. For now, all calculations are given in a Faraday-free case, but set up so that Faraday rotational effects can be included later.

Children with autism can track others' beliefs in a competitive game.

PubMed

Peterson, Candida C; Slaughter, Virginia; Peterson, James; Premack, David

2013-05-01

Theory of mind (ToM) development, assessed via 'litmus' false belief tests, is severely delayed in autism, but the standard testing procedure may underestimate these children's genuine understanding. To explore this, we developed a novel test involving competition to win a reward as the motive for tracking other players' beliefs (the 'Dot-Midge task'). Ninety-six children, including 23 with autism (mean age: 10.36 years), 50 typically developing 4-year-olds (mean age: 4.40) and 23 typically developing 3-year-olds (mean age: 3.59) took a standard 'Sally-Ann' false belief test, the Dot-Midge task (which was closely matched to the Sally-Ann task procedure) and a norm-referenced verbal ability test. Results revealed that, of the children with autism, 74% passed the Dot-Midge task, yet only 13% passed the standard Sally-Ann procedure. A similar pattern of performance was observed in the older, but not the younger, typically developing control groups. This finding demonstrates that many children with autism who fail motivationally barren standard false belief tests can spontaneously use ToM to track their social partners' beliefs in the context of a competitive game. © 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Is pH paper an acceptable, low-cost alternative to the blood gas analyzer for determining pleural fluid pH?

PubMed

Lesho, E P; Roth, B J

1997-11-05

Our laboratory uses pH paper rather than a blood gas analyzer to measure pleural fluid pH to decrease cost and avoid analyzer malfunction due to viscous fluids. To compare these two methods of determining pleural fluid pH, 42 patients undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic thoracentesis had two 1-mL aliquots of pleural fluid anaerobically collected in a heparinized syringe and placed on ice. pH measurements were made using litmus paper (pHydron Vivid 6-8 brand litmus paper; MicroEssential Labs; Brooklyn, NY) and the model 995-Hb blood gas analyzer (AVL Instruments; Roswell, GA) within 1 h of collection. Agreement analysis was performed in three ways: on the entire group; in subcategories of complicated or uncomplicated parapneumonic effusions (<7.1, 7.1 to 7.3, >7.3); and in subcategories of poor prognosis or better prognosis malignant effusions(<7.3, >7.3). pH measured with pH paper was significantly more variable (SD=0.55, coefficient of variation [CV]=7.5%) than was pH measured with the blood gas analyzer (SD=0.11, CV=1.5%). There was no significant correlation between values obtained with the two techniques (r=-0.26, SD of the differences=0.59). Using the pH subcategories, there was 72% discordance in classification between litmus paper and arterial blood gas (ABG) determinations for patients with parapneumonic effusions. In patients with malignant effusions, there was 30% discordance. The pH values obtained by the ABG analyzer predicted tube thoracostomy 72% of the time, whereas the pH values obtained using pH paper were consistent only 36% of the time. Determination of pleural fluid pH using pH paper is unreliable and should not be considered an acceptable alternative to the blood gas analyzer. There is no need to determine pH on purulent samples. Hospital laboratories will be more likely to allow the use of the ABG analyzer on fluids other than blood if clinicians keep this in mind.

Colorimetric and Fluorescent Biosensors Based on Directed Assembly of Nanomaterials with Functional DNA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Juewen; Lu, Yi

This chapter reviews recent progress in the interface between functional nucleic acids and nanoscale science and technology, and its analytical applications. In particular, the use of metallic nanoparticles as the color reporting groups for the action (binding, catalysis, or both) of aptamers, DNAzymes, and aptazymes is described in detail. Because metallic nanoparticles possess high extinction coefficients and distance-dependent optical properties, they allow highly sensitive detections with minimal consumption of materials. The combination of quantum dots (QDs) with functional nucleic acids as fluorescent sensors is also described. The chapter starts with the design of colorimetric and fluorescent sensors responsive to single analytes, followed by sensors responsive to multiple analytes with controllable cooperativity and multiplex detection using both colorimetric and fluorescent signals in one pot, and ends by transferring solution-based detections into litmus paper type of tests, making them generally applicable and usable for a wide range of on-site and real-time analytical applications such as household tests, environmental monitoring, and clinical diagnostics.

Perendoscopic gastric pH determination. Simple method for increasing accuracy in diagnosing chronic atrophic gastritis.

PubMed

Farinati, F; Cardin, F; Di Mario, F; Sava, G A; Piccoli, A; Costa, F; Penon, G; Naccarato, R

1987-08-01

The endoscopic diagnosis of chronic atrophic gastritis is often underestimated, and most of the procedures adopted to increase diagnostic accuracy are time consuming and complex. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of the determination of gastric juice pH by means of litmus paper. Values obtained by this method correlate well with gastric acid secretory capacity as measured by gastric acid analysis (r = -0.64, p less than 0.001) and are not affected by the presence of bile. Gastric juice pH determination increases sensitivity and other diagnostic parameters such as performance index (Youden J test), positive predictive value, and post-test probability difference by 50%. Furthermore, the negative predictive value is very high, the probability of missing a patient with chronic atrophic gastritis with this simple method being 2% for fundic and 15% for antral atrophic change. We conclude that gastric juice pH determination, which substantially increases diagnostic accuracy and is very simple to perform, should be routinely adopted.

Highly Sensitive Bulk Silicon Chemical Sensors with Sub-5 nm Thin Charge Inversion Layers.

PubMed

Fahad, Hossain M; Gupta, Niharika; Han, Rui; Desai, Sujay B; Javey, Ali

2018-03-27

There is an increasing demand for mass-producible, low-power gas sensors in a wide variety of industrial and consumer applications. Here, we report chemical-sensitive field-effect-transistors (CS-FETs) based on bulk silicon wafers, wherein an electrostatically confined sub-5 nm thin charge inversion layer is modulated by chemical exposure to achieve a high-sensitivity gas-sensing platform. Using hydrogen sensing as a "litmus" test, we demonstrate large sensor responses (>1000%) to 0.5% H 2 gas, with fast response (<60 s) and recovery times (<120 s) at room temperature and low power (<50 μW). On the basis of these performance metrics as well as standardized benchmarking, we show that bulk silicon CS-FETs offer similar or better sensing performance compared to emerging nanostructures semiconductors while providing a highly scalable and manufacturable platform.

Genus Francisella.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-05-15

temperatures for 30 min-. Cool to 45 - 48°C. Aseptically add 25 ml of packed, human blood cells or 50 ml of defibrinated rabbit or sheep blood. Mix...now included in var. palaearctica, is reported to ferment glycerol but not maltose (Kunitsa et al., 1972). Growth in litmus milk is scant; slight...muskrats, water rats, beavers, squirrels;, woodclhocks, sheep , mice, voles and game birds as well as biting insects (usuallv ticks or deer flies

A test for the fainthearted.

PubMed

Kuemmerle, Walter

2002-05-01

Just a few years ago, becoming an entrepreneur was pretty simple. All you needed was some idea--any idea--a little experience, and venture capital funds to get you going. Many young people started to believe that entrepreneurship was a viable, even safe, career choice. Older folks, too, underestimated the risks of financing start-ups, and, as a result, they ended up throwing millions of dollars into doomed ventures. The economic downturn has laid waste to those illusions. So now is a good time to ask potential entrepreneurs and their financial backers the hard questions unheeded in the days of the Internet boom: What makes an entrepreneur? What characteristics set successful entrepreneurs apart, enabling them to keep their company alive even when the going gets tough? This article addresses those questions, reminding us that becoming a successful entrepreneur is decidedly not a squeaky-clean affair; you may end up making powerful enemies, risking your own financial security, or even, in extreme cases, looking at jail time. Specifically, the article explores the key qualities that make someone a successful entrepreneur. Walter Kuemmerle has distilled these characteristics into a kind of litmus test of the following five straightforward, albeit disquieting, questions you should ask yourself if you are considering starting your own venture: Are you comfortable stretching the rules? Are you prepared to make powerful enemies? Do you have the patience to start small? Are you willing to shift strategies quickly? Are you a closer? Answering these questions honestly will help you decide if you have what it takes to become an entrepreneur.

Age of high redshift objects—a litmus test for the dark energy models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jain, Deepak; Dev, Abha

2006-02-01

The discovery of the quasar, the APM 08279+5255 at z=3.91 whose age is 2 3 Gyr has once again led to “age crisis”. The noticeable fact about this object is that it cannot be accommodated in a universe with Ω=0.27, currently accepted value of matter density parameter and ω=const. In this work, we explore the concordance of various dark energy parameterizations (w(z) models) with the age estimates of the old high redshift objects. It is alarming to note that the quasar cannot be accommodated in any dark energy model even for Ω=0.23, which corresponds to 1σ deviation below the best fit value provided by WMAP. There is a need to look for alternative cosmologies or some other dark energy parameterizations which allow the existence of the high redshift objects.

A litmus test for exploitation: James Stacey Taylor's stakes and kidneys.

PubMed

Kuntz, J R

2009-12-01

James Stacy Taylor advances a thorough argument for the legalization of markets in current (live) human kidneys. The market is seemly the most abhorrent type of market, a market where the least well-off sell part of their body to the most well off. Though rigorously defended overall, his arguments concerning exploitation are thin. I examine a number of prominent bioethicists' account of exploitation: most importantly, Ruth Sample's exploitation as degradation. I do so in the context of Taylor's argument, with the aim of buttressing Taylor's position that a regulated kidney market is morally allowable. I argue that Sample fails to provide normative grounds consistent with her claim that exploitation is wrong. I then reformulate her account for consistency and plausibility. Still, this seemingly more plausible view does not show that Taylor's regulated kidney market is prohibitively exploitative of impoverished persons. I tack into place one more piece of support for Taylor's conclusion. (wc. 148).

A novel application of the Intent to Attend assessment to reduce bias due to missing data in a randomized controlled clinical trial

PubMed Central

Rabideau, Dustin J; Nierenberg, Andrew A; Sylvia, Louisa G; Friedman, Edward S.; Bowden, Charles L.; Thase, Michael E.; Ketter, Terence; Ostacher, Michael J.; Reilly-Harrington, Noreen; Iosifescu, Dan V.; Calabrese, Joseph R.; Leon, Andrew C.; Schoenfeld, David A

2014-01-01

Background Missing data are unavoidable in most randomized controlled clinical trials, especially when measurements are taken repeatedly. If strong assumptions about the missing data are not accurate, crude statistical analyses are biased and can lead to false inferences. Furthermore, if we fail to measure all predictors of missing data, we may not be able to model the missing data process sufficiently. In longitudinal randomized trials, measuring a patient's intent to attend future study visits may help to address both of these problems. Leon et al. developed and included the Intent to Attend assessment in the Lithium Treatment—Moderate dose Use Study (LiTMUS), aiming to remove bias due to missing data from the primary study hypothesis [1]. Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess the performance of the Intent to Attend assessment with regard to its use in a sensitivity analysis of missing data. Methods We fit marginal models to assess whether a patient's self-rated intent predicted actual study adherence. We applied inverse probability of attrition weighting (IPAW) coupled with patient intent to assess whether there existed treatment group differences in response over time. We compared the IPAW results to those obtained using other methods. Results Patient-rated intent predicted missed study visits, even when adjusting for other predictors of missing data. On average, the hazard of retention increased by 19% for every one-point increase in intent. We also found that more severe mania, male gender, and a previously missed visit predicted subsequent absence. Although we found no difference in response between the randomized treatment groups, IPAW increased the estimated group difference over time. Limitations LiTMUS was designed to limit missed study visits, which may have attenuated the effects of adjusting for missing data. Additionally, IPAW can be less efficient and less powerful than maximum likelihood or Bayesian estimators, given that the parametric model is well-specified. Conclusions In LiTMUS, the Intent to Attend assessment predicted missed study visits. This item was incorporated into our IPAW models and helped reduce bias due to informative missing data. This analysis should both encourage and facilitate future use of the Intent to Attend assessment along with IPAW to address missing data in a randomized trial. PMID:24872362

Preparation and Storage of High-Titer Lactic Streptococcus Bacteriophages1

PubMed Central

Nyiendo, J.; Seidler, Ramon J.; Sandine, W. E.; Elliker, P. R.

1974-01-01

Various techniques were employed for preparation of high-titer bacteriophage lysates of Streptococcus lactis, S. cremoris, and S. diacetilactis strains. Infection of a 4-h host culture in litmus milk at 30 C yielded the highest titers (2 × 109 to 4 × 1011 plaque-forming units/ml) for most phages. Host infection in lactose-containing broth produced similar virus numbers only when 0.1 M tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane buffer stabilized the pH. The pH at the time of infection as well as the inoculum phage titer were critical in obtaining high titers. Optimum conditions for infection in broth were coupled with a polyethylene glycol concentration procedure to routinely produce milligram quantities of phage from 1 liter of lysate. Neutralization of whey lysates, as a means of storage, offered no survival advantage over unneutralized samples. Storage of phage lysates in a 15% glycerol whey solution at -22 C yielded a high rate of survival in most cases, even with repeated freezing and thawing, over a period of 24 months. PMID:16349981

Oil point and mechanical behaviour of oil palm kernels in linear compression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kabutey, Abraham; Herak, David; Choteborsky, Rostislav; Mizera, Čestmír; Sigalingging, Riswanti; Akangbe, Olaosebikan Layi

2017-07-01

The study described the oil point and mechanical properties of roasted and unroasted bulk oil palm kernels under compression loading. The literature information available is very limited. A universal compression testing machine and vessel diameter of 60 mm with a plunger were used by applying maximum force of 100 kN and speed ranging from 5 to 25 mm min-1. The initial pressing height of the bulk kernels was measured at 40 mm. The oil point was determined by a litmus test for each deformation level of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 mm at a minimum speed of 5 mmmin-1. The measured parameters were the deformation, deformation energy, oil yield, oil point strain and oil point pressure. Clearly, the roasted bulk kernels required less deformation energy compared to the unroasted kernels for recovering the kernel oil. However, both kernels were not permanently deformed. The average oil point strain was determined at 0.57. The study is an essential contribution to pursuing innovative methods for processing palm kernel oil in rural areas of developing countries.

A Semiquantitative Framework for Gene Regulatory Networks: Increasing the Time and Quantitative Resolution of Boolean Networks

PubMed Central

Kerkhofs, Johan; Geris, Liesbet

2015-01-01

Boolean models have been instrumental in predicting general features of gene networks and more recently also as explorative tools in specific biological applications. In this study we introduce a basic quantitative and a limited time resolution to a discrete (Boolean) framework. Quantitative resolution is improved through the employ of normalized variables in unison with an additive approach. Increased time resolution stems from the introduction of two distinct priority classes. Through the implementation of a previously published chondrocyte network and T helper cell network, we show that this addition of quantitative and time resolution broadens the scope of biological behaviour that can be captured by the models. Specifically, the quantitative resolution readily allows models to discern qualitative differences in dosage response to growth factors. The limited time resolution, in turn, can influence the reachability of attractors, delineating the likely long term system behaviour. Importantly, the information required for implementation of these features, such as the nature of an interaction, is typically obtainable from the literature. Nonetheless, a trade-off is always present between additional computational cost of this approach and the likelihood of extending the model’s scope. Indeed, in some cases the inclusion of these features does not yield additional insight. This framework, incorporating increased and readily available time and semi-quantitative resolution, can help in substantiating the litmus test of dynamics for gene networks, firstly by excluding unlikely dynamics and secondly by refining falsifiable predictions on qualitative behaviour. PMID:26067297

Towards an exact correlated orbital theory for electrons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bartlett, Rodney J.

2009-12-01

The formal and computational attraction of effective one-particle theories like Hartree-Fock and density functional theory raise the question of how far such approaches can be taken to offer exact results for selected properties of electrons in atoms, molecules, and solids. Some properties can be exactly described within an effective one-particle theory, like principal ionization potentials and electron affinities. This fact can be used to develop equations for a correlated orbital theory (COT) that guarantees a correct one-particle energy spectrum. They are built upon a coupled-cluster based frequency independent self-energy operator presented here, which distinguishes the approach from Dyson theory. The COT also offers an alternative to Kohn-Sham density functional theory (DFT), whose objective is to represent the electronic density exactly as a single determinant, while paying less attention to the energy spectrum. For any estimate of two-electron terms COT offers a litmus test of its accuracy for principal Ip's and Ea's. This feature for approximating the COT equations is illustrated numerically.

Wetting in Color: Designing a colorometric indicator for wettability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raymond, Kevin; Burgess, Ian B.; Koay, Natalie; Kolle, Mathias; Loncar, Marko; Aizenberg, Joanna

2012-02-01

Colorimetric litmus tests such as pH paper have enjoyed wide commercial success due to their inexpensive production and exceptional ease of use. While such indicators commonly rely on a specific photochemical response to an analyte, we exploit structural color, derived from coherent scattering from wavelength-scale porosity rather than molecular absorption or luminescence, to create a Wetting-in-Color-Kit (WICK). This inexpensive and highly selective colorimetric indicator for organic liquids employs chemically encoded inverse-opal photonic crystals to translate minute differences in liquids' wettability to macroscopically distinct, easy-to-visualize color patterns. The highly symmetric re-entrant inter-pore geometry imparts a highly specific wetting threshold for liquids. We developed surface modification techniques to generate built-in chemistry gradients within the porous network. These let us tailor the wettability threshold to specific liquids across a continuous range. As wetting is a generic fluidic phenomenon, we envision that WICK could be suitable for applications in authentication or identification of unknown liquids across a broad range of industries.

Litmus Test for Cosmic Hemispherical Asymmetry in the Cosmic Microwave Background B -Mode Polarization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mukherjee, Suvodip; Souradeep, Tarun

2016-06-01

Recent measurements of the temperature field of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) provide tantalizing evidence for violation of statistical isotropy (SI) that constitutes a fundamental tenet of contemporary cosmology. CMB space based missions, WMAP, and Planck have observed a 7% departure in the SI temperature field at large angular scales. However, due to higher cosmic variance at low multipoles, the significance of this measurement is not expected to improve from any future CMB temperature measurements. We demonstrate that weak lensing of the CMB due to scalar perturbations produces a corresponding SI violation in B modes of CMB polarization at smaller angular scales. The measurability of this phenomenon depends upon the scales (l range) over which power asymmetry is present. Power asymmetry, which is restricted only to l <64 in the temperature field, cannot lead to any significant observable effect from this new window. However, this effect can put an independent bound on the spatial range of scales of hemispherical asymmetry present in the scalar sector.

Electrical spin injection from an n-type ferromagnetic semiconductor into a III-V device heterostructure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kioseoglou, George; Hanbicki, Aubrey T.; Sullivan, James M.; van't Erve, Olaf M. J.; Li, Connie H.; Erwin, Steven C.; Mallory, Robert; Yasar, Mesut; Petrou, Athos; Jonker, Berend T.

2004-11-01

The use of carrier spin in semiconductors is a promising route towards new device functionality and performance. Ferromagnetic semiconductors (FMSs) are promising materials in this effort. An n-type FMS that can be epitaxially grown on a common device substrate is especially attractive. Here, we report electrical injection of spin-polarized electrons from an n-type FMS, CdCr2Se4, into an AlGaAs/GaAs-based light-emitting diode structure. An analysis of the electroluminescence polarization based on quantum selection rules provides a direct measure of the sign and magnitude of the injected electron spin polarization. The sign reflects minority rather than majority spin injection, consistent with our density-functional-theory calculations of the CdCr2Se4 conduction-band edge. This approach confirms the exchange-split band structure and spin-polarized carrier population of an FMS, and demonstrates a litmus test for these FMS hallmarks that discriminates against spurious contributions from magnetic precipitates.

Källén-Lehmann spectroscopy for (un)physical degrees of freedom

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dudal, David; Oliveira, Orlando; Silva, Paulo J.

2014-01-01

We consider the problem of "measuring" the Källén-Lehmann spectral density of a particle (be it elementary or bound state) propagator by means of 4D lattice data. As the latter are obtained from operations at (Euclidean momentum squared) p2≥0, we are facing the generically ill-posed problem of converting a limited data set over the positive real axis to an integral representation, extending over the whole complex p2 plane. We employ a linear regularization strategy, commonly known as the Tikhonov method with the Morozov discrepancy principle, with suitable adaptations to realistic data, e.g. with an unknown threshold. An important virtue over the (standard) maximum entropy method is the possibility to also probe unphysical spectral densities, for example, of a confined gluon. We apply our proposal here to "physical" mock spectral data as a litmus test and then to the lattice SU(3) Landau gauge gluon at zero temperature.

Leading by Success: Impact of a Clinical & Translational Research Infrastructure Program to Address Health Inequities

PubMed Central

Shiramizu, Bruce; Shambaugh, Vicki; Petrovich, Helen; Seto, Todd B.; Ho, Tammy; Mokuau, Noreen; Hedges, Jerris R.

2016-01-01

Building research infrastructure capacity to address clinical and translational gaps has been a focus of funding agencies and foundations. Clinical and Translational Sciences Awards, Research Centers in Minority Institutions Infrastructure for Clinical and Translational Research (RCTR) and the Institutional Development Award Infrastructure for Clinical and Translational Research funded by United States (US) government to fund clinical translational research programs have existed for over a decade to address racial and ethnic health disparities across the US. While the impact on the nation’s health can’t be made in a short period, assessment of a program’s impact could be a litmus test to gauge its effectiveness at the institution and communities. We report the success of a Pilot Project Program in the University of Hawaii RCTR Award in advancing careers of emerging investigators and community collaborators. Our findings demonstrated that the investment has a far-reaching impact on engagement with community-based research collaborators, career advancement of health disparities investigators, and favorable impacts on health policy. PMID:27797013

Litmus Test for Cosmic Hemispherical Asymmetry in the Cosmic Microwave Background B-Mode Polarization.

PubMed

Mukherjee, Suvodip; Souradeep, Tarun

2016-06-03

Recent measurements of the temperature field of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) provide tantalizing evidence for violation of statistical isotropy (SI) that constitutes a fundamental tenet of contemporary cosmology. CMB space based missions, WMAP, and Planck have observed a 7% departure in the SI temperature field at large angular scales. However, due to higher cosmic variance at low multipoles, the significance of this measurement is not expected to improve from any future CMB temperature measurements. We demonstrate that weak lensing of the CMB due to scalar perturbations produces a corresponding SI violation in B modes of CMB polarization at smaller angular scales. The measurability of this phenomenon depends upon the scales (l range) over which power asymmetry is present. Power asymmetry, which is restricted only to l<64 in the temperature field, cannot lead to any significant observable effect from this new window. However, this effect can put an independent bound on the spatial range of scales of hemispherical asymmetry present in the scalar sector.

The vocabulary profile of Slovak children with primary language impairment compared to typically developing Slovak children measured by LITMUS-CLT.

PubMed

Kapalková, Svetlana; Slančová, Daniela

2017-01-01

This study compared a sample of children with primary language impairment (PLI) and typically developing age-matched children using the crosslinguistic lexical tasks (CLT-SK). We also compared the PLI children with typically developing language-matched younger children who were matched on the basis of receptive vocabulary. Overall, statistical testing showed that the vocabulary of the PLI children was significantly different from the vocabulary of the age-matched children, but not statistically different from the younger children who were matched on the basis of their receptive vocabulary size. Qualitative analysis of the correct answers revealed that the PLI children showed higher rigidity compared to the younger language-matched children who are able to use more synonyms or derivations across word class in naming tasks. Similarly, an examination of the children's naming errors indicated that the language-matched children exhibited more semantic errors, whereas PLI children showed more associative errors.

[How to overcome problems of a nursing education towards professional autonomy].

PubMed

Monaco, E R; Bruziches-Bruziches, D

1999-01-01

This article, through an historical report of the legislation concerning nursing education, shows "schizophrenia rôle" that brings to a confusion. The professional authonomy, by turns denied or asserted, has always been for us the "litmus paper" indicating a series of difficulties interfering with the professional development. We believe that only in a "global education" (D.V.--Nursing Degree) we can find the natural solution of the difficulties met in Italy by a nursing profession that is young from an historial point of view, but is aware of its education needs.

Cervical and vaginal microflora of women under cancer screening.

PubMed

Ternai, A; Kulcsár, G; Dán, P; Pataki, I; Veszelovszky, I; Nász, I

1987-01-01

Gynaecological cancer screening was supplemented with examination of the vaginal microflora and pH in women suffering from vaginal discharge and/or colpitis. In alkaline samples Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans and, in cervical epithelial cells, herpes simplex virus antigen were of common occurrence, while in samples with acid reaction Trichomonas and, in cervical cells mainly from pregnant women, adenovirus antigen were often detected. Since vaginal pH may be informative of the pathogenic agent(s), its estimation by a rapid, simple and painless procedure, like litmus paper reaction, is recommended.

An Exploratory Study of Responses to Low-Dose Lithium in African Americans and Hispanics

PubMed Central

Arnold, Jodi Gonzalez; Salcedo, Stephanie; Ketter, Terrence A.; Calabrese, Joseph R.; Rabideau, Dustin J.; Nierenberg, Andrew A.; Bazan, Melissa; Leon, Andrew C.; Friedman, Edward S.; Iosifescu, Dan; Sylvia, Louisa G.; Ostacher, Michael; Thase, Michael; Reilly-Harrington, Noreen A.; Bowden, Charles L.

2015-01-01

Objectives Few prospective studies examine the impact of ethnicity or race on outcomes with lithium for bipolar disorder. This exploratory study examines differences in lithium response and treatment outcomes in Hispanics, African Americans, and non-Hispanic Whites with bipolar disorder in the Lithium Treatment Moderate Dose Use Study (LiTMUS). Methods LiTMUS was a six-site randomized controlled trial of low-dose lithium added to optimized treatment (OPT; personalized, evidence-based pharmacotherapy) versus OPT alone in outpatients with bipolar disorder. Of 283 participants, 47 African Americans, 39 Hispanics, and 175 non-Hispanic whites were examined. We predicted minority groups would have more negative medication attitudes and higher attrition rates, but better clinical outcomes. Results African Americans in the lithium group improved more on depression and life functioning compared to whites over the 6 month study. African Americans in the OPT only group had marginal improvement on depression symptoms. For Hispanics, satisfaction with life did not significantly improve in the OPT only group, in contrast to whites and African Americans who improved over time on all measures. Attitudes toward medications did not differ across ethnic/racial groups. Conclusions African Americans show some greater improvements with lithium than non-Hispanic whites, and Hispanics showed more consistent improvements in the lithium group. The impact of low-dose lithium should be studied in a larger sample as there may be particular benefit for African Americans and Hispanics. Given that the control group (regardless of ethnicity/race) had significant improvements, optimized treatment may be beneficial for any ethnic group. PMID:25827507

SCDFT Study of High Tc Nitride Superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arita, R.

Based on the density functional theory for superconductors (SCDFT), we study the pairing mechanism of the layered nitride superconductors, β-LixMNCl (M=Zr, Hf). Recently, it has been shown that SCDFT reproduces experimental superconducting transition temperatures (Tc) of conventional superconductors very accurately. Here we use SCDFT as a "litmus paper" to determine whether the system is a conventional or unconventional superconductor. We show that Tc estimated by SCDFT is less than half of the experimental Tc and its doping dependence is opposite to that observed in the experiments. The present result suggests that β- LixMNCl is not a Migdal-Eliashberg type superconductor.

White blood cell count correlates with mood symptom severity and specific mood symptoms in bipolar disorder.

PubMed

Köhler, Ole; Sylvia, Louisa G; Bowden, Charles L; Calabrese, Joseph R; Thase, Michael; Shelton, Richard C; McInnis, Melvin; Tohen, Mauricio; Kocsis, James H; Ketter, Terence A; Friedman, Edward S; Deckersbach, Thilo; Ostacher, Michael J; Iosifescu, Dan V; McElroy, Susan; Nierenberg, Andrew A

2017-04-01

Immune alterations may play a role in bipolar disorder etiology; however, the relationship between overall immune system functioning and mood symptom severity is unknown. The two comparative effectiveness trials, the Clinical and Health Outcomes Initiatives in Comparative Effectiveness for Bipolar Disorder Study (Bipolar CHOICE) and the Lithium Treatment Moderate-Dose Use Study (LiTMUS), were similar trials among patients with bipolar disorder. At study entry, white blood cell count and bipolar mood symptom severity (via Montgomery-Aasberg Depression Rating Scale and Bipolar Inventory of Symptoms Scale) were assessed. We performed analysis of variance and linear regression analyses to investigate relationships between deviations from median white blood cell and multinomial regression analysis between higher and lower white blood cell levels. All analyses were adjusted for age, gender, body mass index, smoking, diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Among 482 Bipolar CHOICE participants, for each 1.0 × 10 9 /L white blood cell deviation, the overall Bipolar Inventory of Symptoms Scale severity increased significantly among men (coefficient = 2.13; 95% confidence interval = [0.46, -3.79]; p = 0.013), but not among women (coefficient = 0.87; 95% confidence interval = [-0.87, -2.61]; p = 0.33). Interaction analyses showed a trend toward greater Bipolar Inventory of Symptoms Scale symptom severity among men (coefficient = 1.51; 95% confidence interval = [-0.81, -3.82]; p = 0.2). Among 283 LiTMUS participants, higher deviation from the median white blood cell showed a trend toward higher Montgomery-Aasberg Depression Rating Scale scores among men (coefficient = 1.33; 95% confidence interval = [-0.22, -2.89]; p = 0.09), but not among women (coefficient = 0.34; 95% confidence interval = [-0.64, -1.32]; p = 0.50). When combining LiTMUS and Bipolar CHOICE, Montgomery-Aasberg Depression Rating Scale scores increased significantly among men (coefficient = 1.09; 95% confidence interval = [0.31, -1.87]; p = 0.006) for each 1.0 × 10 9 /L white blood cell deviation, whereas we found a weak association among women (coefficient = 0.55; 95% confidence interval = [-0.20, -1.29]; p = 0.14). Lower and higher white blood cell levels correlated with greater symptom severity and specific symptoms, varying according to gender. Deviations in an overall immune system marker, even within the normal white blood cell range, correlated with mood symptom severity in bipolar disorder, mostly among males. Studies are warranted investigating whether white blood cell count may predict response to mood-stabilizing treatment.

Using a nasogastric tube.

PubMed

Candy, C

1986-09-01

This discussion of the use of a nasogastric tube covers the equipment needed, the method, rehydration and feeding, prolonged nasogastric feeding, and stopping nasogastric feeding. A nasogastric tube is useful when children are unable to drink safely and in sufficient amounts for any of the following reasons: severe dehydration; if intravenous (IV) therapy is unavailable; low birth weight infants; or the child is drowsy or vomiting. Severely malnourished children may be fed initially in this way if they are too weak or anorexic to eat or drink normally. The following equipment is needed: nasogastric tube; lubricating fluid; a syringe; blue litmus paper, if available; adhesive tape; stethoscope if available; and fluid to be given. Explain to the child's parents and the child, if old enough to understand, what will be done; lie infants flat; measure the approximate length from the child's nostril to the ear lobe and then to the top of the abdomen with the tube and mark the position; clean the nostrils to remove the mucus, and lubricate the tip of the tube and gently insert into the nostril; give the child a drink of water if he or she is conscious; continue to pass the tube down until the position marked reaches the nostril; use the syringe to suck up some fluid and test with blue litmus paper to check that the tube is in the stomach; and inject 5-10 ml of fluid (saline or oral rehydration solution, not milk formula) by syringe if satisfied the tube is in the correct position. Where possible, give a continuous drip of fluid. If this is not possible, give frequent small amounts using the syringe as a funnel. If feeding continues for more than 24 hours, clean the nostrils daily with warm water and change the tube to the other nostril every few days. Also keep the mouth very clean with a dilute solution of 8% sodium bicarbonate, if available, or citrus fruit juice. To remove the tube, remove the adhesive tape, take the tube out gently and smoothly, and offer the child a drink and gently cleanse the nostrils. After prolonged nasogastric feeding, a child may experience feeding problems or loss of appetite. Patient and encouragement are needed to establish feeding by mouth again.

Study of Antibacterial Activity and Bacteriology of Latex from Asclepias syriaca L

PubMed Central

McCay, Steven; Mahlberg, Paul

1973-01-01

Whole and fractionated latex of Asclepias syriaca was tested for antimicrobial or growth-promoting activity with 16 genera and species of bacteria. Latex and extracted fractions (distilled water, acetic acid, sodium bicarbonate, sulfuric acid, and ethyl ether) possessed no detectable antimicrobial activity. Comparison of growth curves of selected bacteria incubated with serum and rubber fractions, as well as controls, revealed no detectable inhibition of growth, except for a slight inhibitory response to autoclaved serum. Most bacteria were capable of utilizing latex for a substrate as indicated by the increased growth rate in the exponential phase. The stationary phase was entered simultaneously by both the treated cultures and the controls. Various bacteria cultured in a litmus latex mixture yielded populations which ranged from <104 organisms/ml for Lactobacillus casei, Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus lysodeikticus to 1.1 × 1010 organisms/ml for Clostridium acetobutylicum. Whole latex, as well as the serum and rubber fractions, support the growth of various bacteria, but under field conditions there is no evidence for systemic infection of this type of cell by bacteria. PMID:4790590

Update: Assessment of gastric pH in the critically ill.

PubMed

Neill, K M; Rice, K T; Ahern, H L

1998-04-27

The purpose of this manuscript is to update a review of the measurement of intraluminal gastric pH in the critically ill. Intraluminal gastric pH is readily measured by aspirates tested with litmus paper or a nasogastric tube with an antimony or glass electrode tip. Significant variations of intragastric pH have been shown in different stomach locations. Significant variations in the accuracy of pH readings have also been demonstrated. Prophylactic therapy in the critically ill is aimed at maintaining a gastric pH greater than 4.0 by drug therapy that 1) neutralizes acid, 2) interrupts the signal to produce acid, 3) reduces the amount of acid produced, or 4) enhances the mucosal barrier of the stomach lining. The critically ill patients at risk of respiratory failure or coagulopathy are the patients most at risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and are, therefore, the ones most likely to benefit from prophylactic therapy. Multiple pH readings are more reliable indicators of gastric pH than are individual readings. Continuous prophylaxis is more effective than intermittent.

Medical expert witness litmus.

PubMed

Jones, James W; McCullough, Laurence B

2012-08-01

Several years ago, Dr G. Breaking was the foremost proponent of a new surgical procedure, which was named after him. At a recent national meeting, he discussed a paper that modified the procedure and criticized the presenter's revisions as dangerous--risking increased paralysis. GB's unedited comments were published last month in the specialty's leading journal. Today, an attorney called the office representing a surgical patient who suffered paralysis after undergoing the modified procedure. GB has unremittingly avoided involvement in litigation. The plaintiff's attorney asks him to serve as an expert witness against the surgeon. What should GB do? Copyright © 2012 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Is Seismically Determined Q an Intrinsic Material Property?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Langston, C. A.

2003-12-01

The seismic quality factor, Q, has a well-defined physical meaning as an intrinsic material property associated with a visco-elastic or a non-linear stress-strain constitutive relation for a material. Measurement of Q from seismic waves, however, involves interpreting seismic wave amplitude and phase as deviations from some ideal elastic wave propagation model. Thus, assumptions in the elastic wave propagation model become the basis for attributing anelastic properties to the earth continuum. Scientifically, the resulting Q model derived from seismic data is no more than a hypothesis that needs to be verified by other independent experiments concerning the continuum constitutive law and through careful examination of the truth of the assumptions in the wave propagation model. A case in point concerns the anelasticity of Mississippi embayment sediments in the central U.S. that has important implications for evaluation of earthquake strong ground motions. Previous body wave analyses using converted Sp phases have suggested that Qs is ~30 in the sediments based on simple ray theory assumptions. However, detailed modeling of 1D heterogeneity in the sediments shows that Qs cannot be resolved by the Sp data. An independent experiment concerning the amplitude decay of surface waves propagating in the sediments shows that Qs must be generally greater than 80 but is also subject to scattering attenuation. Apparent Q effects seen in direct P and S waves can also be produced by wave tunneling mechanisms in relatively simple 1D heterogeneity. Heterogeneity is a general geophysical attribute of the earth as shown by many high-resolution data sets and should be used as the first litmus test on assumptions made in seismic Q studies before a Q model can be interpreted as an intrinsic material property.

A multi-method approach toward de novo glycan characterization: a Man-5 case study.

PubMed

Prien, Justin M; Prater, Bradley D; Cockrill, Steven L

2010-05-01

Regulatory agencies' expectations for biotherapeutic approval are becoming more stringent with regard to product characterization, where minor species as low as 0.1% of a given profile are typically identified. The mission of this manuscript is to demonstrate a multi-method approach toward de novo glycan characterization and quantitation, including minor species at or approaching the 0.1% benchmark. Recently, unexpected isomers of the Man(5)GlcNAc(2) (M(5)) were reported (Prien JM, Ashline DJ, Lapadula AJ, Zhang H, Reinhold VN. 2009. The high mannose glycans from bovine ribonuclease B isomer characterization by ion trap mass spectrometry (MS). J Am Soc Mass Spectrom. 20:539-556). In the current study, quantitative analysis of these isomers found in commercial M(5) standard demonstrated that they are in low abundance (<1% of the total) and therefore an exemplary "litmus test" for minor species characterization. A simple workflow devised around three core well-established analytical procedures: (1) fluorescence derivatization; (2) online rapid resolution reversed-phase separation coupled with negative-mode sequential mass spectrometry (RRRP-(-)-MS(n)); and (3) permethylation derivatization with nanospray sequential mass spectrometry (NSI-MS(n)) provides comprehensive glycan structural determination. All methods have limitations; however, a multi-method workflow is an at-line stopgap/solution which mitigates each method's individual shortcoming(s) providing greater opportunity for more comprehensive characterization. This manuscript is the first to demonstrate quantitative chromatographic separation of the M(5) isomers and the use of a commercially available stable isotope variant of 2-aminobenzoic acid to detect and chromatographically resolve multiple M(5) isomers in bovine ribonuclease B. With this multi-method approach, we have the capabilities to comprehensively characterize a biotherapeutic's glycan array in a de novo manner, including structural isomers at >/=0.1% of the total chromatographic peak area.

Magnetic Excitations of Stripes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yao, Daoxin; Carlson, Erica; Campbell, David

2005-03-01

Competing tendencies in electronic systems with strong correlations can lead to spontaneous nanoscale structure, pattern formation, and even long-range spatial order. There has been continued interest in various ``stripe'' phases of electrons, as well as more recent interest in possible ``checkerboard'' patterns. New experimental techniques allow for the extraction of detailed and reproducible neutron scattering spectra in copper oxide superconductors and related nickelate compounds. We discuss the magnetic excitations of well-ordered stripe phases, including the high energy magnetic excitations of recent interest and possible connections to the ``resonance peak'' in cuprate superconductors. Using a suitably parametrized Heisenberg model and spin wave theory, we study a variety of possible stripe configurations, including vertical, diagonal, staircase, and zigzag stripes. We calculate the expected neutron scattering intensities as a function of energy and momentum. Constant energy cuts at high energy often reveal a square-like scattering pattern, and occasionally a circular pattern. Bond-centered stripes have weight gathered near (pi,pi) at low energy, indicating that only part of the spin wave cone is expected to be resolvable experimentally. In addition, we present a litmus test for experimentally distinguishing bond-centered stripes from site-centered stripes using low energy data.

Sphalerons in composite and nonstandard Higgs models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spannowsky, Michael; Tamarit, Carlos

2017-01-01

After the discovery of the Higgs boson and the rather precise measurement of all electroweak boson's masses the local structure of the electroweak symmetry breaking potential is already quite well established. However, despite being a key ingredient to a fundamental understanding of the underlying mechanism of electroweak symmetry breaking, the global structure of the electroweak potential remains entirely unknown. The existence of sphalerons, unstable solutions of the classical action of motion that are interpolating between topologically distinct vacua, is a direct consequence of the Standard Model's SU (2 )L gauge group. Nevertheless, the sphaleron energy depends on the shape of the Higgs potential away from the minimum and can therefore be a litmus test for its global structure. Focusing on two scenarios, the minimal composite Higgs model SO (5 )/SO (4 ) or an elementary Higgs with a deformed electroweak potential, we calculate the change of the sphaleron energy compared to the Standard Model prediction. We find that the sphaleron energy would have to be measured to O (10 )% accuracy to exclude sizeable global deviations from the Standard Model Higgs potential. We further find that because of the periodicity of the scalar potential in composite Higgs models a second sphaleron branch with larger energy arises.

Introduction: Management of the luteal phase in assisted reproductive technology.

PubMed

Griesinger, Georg; Meldrum, David

2018-05-01

The increasing utilization of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist ovulation trigger and the widespread use of artificial cycles for the transfer of frozen-thawed or donated embryos has renewed interest in the luteal phase in assisted reproductive technology. The "luteal phase defect" phenomenon is now understood as a continuum: there is less impairment with milder stimulation than with more intense ovarian stimulation, and less impairment after controlled ovarian stimulation and human chorionic gonadotropin ovulation triggering than after gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist ovulation triggering, the latter being associated with rapid luteolysis. The intensity of the support of luteal phase necessary to achieve optimal outcomes therefore depends on the degree of luteal phase defect encountered in different treatment protocols. Ultimately, the luteal phase of an artificial cycle in which ovulation is suppressed, a corpus luteum is therefore absent, and the establishment of endometrial receptivity completely relies on the orchestrated exogenous administration of sex steroids, is the litmus test situation for the study of the efficacy of different luteal phase support preparations, doses, regimens, and routes of administration. Copyright © 2018 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Coping simultaneously with 2 stressors: immigrants with ovarian cancer.

PubMed

Mizrahi, Ilana; Kaplan, Giora; Milshtein, Ellen; Reshef, Batia Piki; Baruch, Gilad Ben

2008-01-01

The dual adjustment to being a cancer patient and an immigrant involves major changes in life and might be a severe experience. This study set out to describe the experience of women who have come to Israel from the former Soviet Union and are coping with ovarian cancer. It focused on illness narratives as presented by 8 patients with cancer at stage III. Our findings indicated that the dual process might have different implications according to the meaning attributed by the patient to the illness situation. Viewing the illness as one more burden among other difficulties, such as language barrier, was a prism through which patients experienced their vulnerability in coping with the illness. Alongside a helplessness pattern, we found indications of interviewees' perceiving advantages in their status as immigrant cancer patients, by dealing with that problem alongside other difficulties. They showed a "fighting spirit" in coping with the illness. Immigration can have a moderating effect on patients' experiences, and the 2 stressors do not necessarily accumulate. Our findings indicate that patients' meaning to the illness experience was a "litmus test," which indicated the way patients would describe their coping stages. This may have potential as a clinical marker of psychological vulnerability.

Foreign petroleum companies developing new paradigm for operating in rain forest region

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

Williams, B.

1997-04-21

Multinational petroleum companies working in South America are gradually sculpting a new paradigm of how to operate in a rain forest with utmost regard for its indigenous people and environmental resources. This new paradigm can serve as a litmus test for the future of oil and gas operations in the rain forest--not only for South America, but for other such jungle settings around the world. And the lessons learned here can readily be adopted as standard operating procedures for projects involving other environments and communities, from the natives of arctic deserts to the mean streets of the urban poor. Thismore » is more than a new wrinkle in public relations for an oil and gas company. What`s involved is a need for a company to recognize that it must move beyond compliance on laws and permits and regulations into the next stage: a top-to-bottom commitment to partnership with all the stakeholders in a project, not just the companies themselves and the respective government with ownership of hydrocarbon resources. The paper discusses the changing focus, industry`s traditional responses, new strategy, ARCO`s plan, self-sufficient, and what`s at stake.« less

"Stand up straight": notes toward a history of posture.

PubMed

Gilman, Sander L

2014-03-01

The essay presents a set of interlinked claims about posture in modern culture. Over the past two centuries it has come to define a wide range of assumptions in the West from what makes human beings human (from Lamarck to Darwin and beyond) to the efficacy of the body in warfare (from Dutch drill manuals in the 17th century to German military medical studies of soldiers in the 19th century). Dance and sport both are forms of posture training in terms of their own claims. Posture separates 'primitive' from 'advanced' peoples and the 'ill' from the 'healthy.' Indeed an entire medical sub-specialty developed in which gymnastics defined and recuperated the body. But all of these claims were also part of a Western attempt to use posture (and the means of altering it) as the litmus test for the healthy modern body of the perfect citizen. Focusing on the centrality of posture in two oddly linked moments of modern thought--modern Zionist thought and Nationalism in early 20th century China--in terms of bodily reform, we show how "posture" brings all of the earlier debates together to reform the body.

A novel optical ozone sensor based on purely organic phosphor.

PubMed

Lee, Dongwook; Jung, Jaehun; Bilby, David; Kwon, Min Sang; Yun, Jaesook; Kim, Jinsang

2015-02-11

An optical ozone sensor was developed based on the finding that a purely organic phosphor linearly loses its phosphorescence emission intensity in the presence of varying concentration of ozone gas and ozonated water. Compared to conventional conductance-based inorganic sensors, our novel sensory film has many advantages such as easy fabrication, low-cost, and portability. NMR data confirmed that phosphorescence drop is attributed to oxidation of the core triplet generating aldehyde group of the phosphor. We observed that linear correlation between phosphorescence and ozone concentration and it can detect ozone concentrations of 0.1 ppm that is the threshold concentration harmful to human tissue and respiratory organs. Like a litmus paper, this ozone sensor can be fabricated as a free-standing and disposable film.

Mab's orbital motion explained

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, K.; de Pater, I.; Showalter, M. R.

2015-07-01

We explored the hypothesis that Mab's anomalous orbital motion, as deduced from Hubble Space Telescope (HST) data (Showalter, M.R., Lissauer, J.J. [2006]. Science (New York, NY) 311, 973-977), is the result of gravitational interactions with a putative suite of large bodies in the μ-ring. We conducted simulations to compute the gravitational effect of Mab (a recently discovered Uranian moon) on a cloud of test particles. Subsequently, by employing the data extracted from the test particle simulations, we executed random walk simulations to compute the back-reaction of nearby perturbers on Mab. By generating simulated observation metrics, we compared our results to the data retrieved from the HST. Our results indicate that the longitude residual change noted in the HST data (Δλr,Mab ≈ 1 deg) is well matched by our simulations. The eccentricity variations (ΔeMab ≈10-3) are however typically two orders of magnitude too small. We present a variety of reasons that could account for this discrepancy. The nominal scenario that we investigated assumes a perturber ring mass (mring) of 1 mMab (Mab's mass) and a perturber ring number density (ρn,ring) of 10 perturbers per 3 RHill,Mab (Mab's Hill radius). This effectively translates to a few tens of perturbers with radii of approximately 2-3 km, depending on the albedo assumed. The results obtained also include an interesting litmus test: variations of Mab's inclination on the order of the eccentricity changes should be observable. Our work provides clues for further investigation into the tantalizing prospect that the Mab/μ-ring system is undergoing re-accretion after a recent catastrophic disruption.

Can incubators work in Africa? Acorn Technologies and the entrepreneur-centric model

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background Incubators are organizations that support the growth of new and typically technology-based enterprises, by providing business support services that bring together human and financial capital. Although the traditional role of incubators has been for economic development, they may also be a useful policy lever to tackle global health, by fostering the development and delivery of local health innovation. Given its high disease burden, life sciences incubators hold particular potential for Africa. As the most industrially advanced African nation, South Africa serves as a litmus test for identifying effective incubator policies. The case study method was used to illustrate how one such publicly funded incubator founded in 2002, Acorn Technologies, helped to catalyze local health product innovation. Discussion Acorn helped to support twelve biomedical device firms. One of them, Real World Diagnostics, was founded by a trainee from Acorn’s innovative internship program (Hellfire). It developed rapid strip diagnostic tests for locally prevalent diseases including schistosomiasis and HIV, and reported $2 million (USD) in revenue in 2009. Acorn achieved this success by operating as a non-profit virtual incubator with little physical infrastructure. Employing a virtual model in combination with stringent selection criteria of capital efficiency for clients proved to be effective in reducing its own fixed costs. Acorn focused on entrepreneurship training and networking, both critical at an early stage in an environment dominated by multinational biomedical device companies. Acorn and its clients learned that employing a cross-subsidy business model allowed one to generate royalty revenue through imports to subsidize R&D for local diseases. However, funding constraints and government expectations for rapid self-sustainability forced Acorn to merge with its sister biotechnology incubator in 2009. Summary A key to Acorn’s achievements was identifying entrepreneurs with technologies with health and economic impact, and providing them with flexible support from an early stage. A virtual organizational model helped Acorn to focus on supporting entrepreneurs. Governments and funders may wish to consider incubation strategies that draw from these good practices. With the right policies and business models, incubators have the potential to generate both health and economic benefits for Africa. PMID:21144078

Can incubators work in Africa? Acorn Technologies and the entrepreneur-centric model.

PubMed

Chakma, Justin; Masum, Hassan; Singer, Peter A

2010-12-13

Incubators are organizations that support the growth of new and typically technology-based enterprises, by providing business support services that bring together human and financial capital. Although the traditional role of incubators has been for economic development, they may also be a useful policy lever to tackle global health, by fostering the development and delivery of local health innovation.Given its high disease burden, life sciences incubators hold particular potential for Africa. As the most industrially advanced African nation, South Africa serves as a litmus test for identifying effective incubator policies. The case study method was used to illustrate how one such publicly funded incubator founded in 2002, Acorn Technologies, helped to catalyze local health product innovation. Acorn helped to support twelve biomedical device firms. One of them, Real World Diagnostics, was founded by a trainee from Acorn's innovative internship program (Hellfire). It developed rapid strip diagnostic tests for locally prevalent diseases including schistosomiasis and HIV, and reported $2 million (USD) in revenue in 2009.Acorn achieved this success by operating as a non-profit virtual incubator with little physical infrastructure. Employing a virtual model in combination with stringent selection criteria of capital efficiency for clients proved to be effective in reducing its own fixed costs. Acorn focused on entrepreneurship training and networking, both critical at an early stage in an environment dominated by multinational biomedical device companies.Acorn and its clients learned that employing a cross-subsidy business model allowed one to generate royalty revenue through imports to subsidize R&D for local diseases. However, funding constraints and government expectations for rapid self-sustainability forced Acorn to merge with its sister biotechnology incubator in 2009. A key to Acorn's achievements was identifying entrepreneurs with technologies with health and economic impact, and providing them with flexible support from an early stage. A virtual organizational model helped Acorn to focus on supporting entrepreneurs. Governments and funders may wish to consider incubation strategies that draw from these good practices. With the right policies and business models, incubators have the potential to generate both health and economic benefits for Africa.

Turbulent acidic jets and plumes injected into an alkaline environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ulpre, Hendrik

2012-11-01

The characteristics of a strong acidic turbulent jet or plume injected into an alkaline environment comprising of a weak/strong base are examined theoretically and experimentally. A chemistry model is developed to understand how the pH of a fluid parcel of monoprotic acid changes as it is diluted and reacts with the ambient fluid. A standard fluid model, based on a top-hat model for acid concentration and velocity is used to express how the dilution of acid varies with distance from the point of discharge. These models are applied to estimate the point of neutralisation and the travel time with distance within the jet/plume. An experimental study was undertaken to test the theoretical results. These experiments involved injecting jets or vertical plumes of dilute nitric acid into a large tank containing a variety of base salts dissolved in water. The injected fluid contained litmus indicator dye which showed a change in colour from red to blue close to the point of neutralisation. In order to obtain a range of neutralisation distances, additional basic salts were added to the water to increase its pH buffering capacity. The results are applied to discuss the environmental implications of an acidic jet/plume injected into the sea off the South East coast of Great Britain.

Diagnostics of hydrogen plasma with in situ optical emission and silicon probes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Szetsen; Chung, Yi-Jie

2005-11-01

In this work, an approach has been adopted to explore plasma properties by combining an in situ optical emission technique with a contact angle measurement. Hydrogen plasma was generated with a radio-frequency power source. The plasma parameters such as number densities and temperatures were derived from the optical emission spectroscopic data. Small silicon chips were placed at various positions inside a discharge tube as probes for the plasma conditions. The hydrogen-plasma-treated silicon chip surfaces were characterized with the contact angle measurement method. The change of wettability on the silicon surface was observed with various plasma treatment times. The spectroscopic information about the plasma is correlated with the results of the surface characterization. It is found that the rate of the increasing hydrophilicity is sensitive to the amount of helium added and the location in the discharge tube. A simple model describing the relation between the surface coverage area of water droplet and the variation of contact angle has been established. We have proposed plasma excitation and reaction mechanisms for the observed correlation between plasma temperatures and the wettability of the silicon surface. It shows that small silicon chips can serve as "litmus tests" for the plasma conditions without introducing too much perturbation.

Effects of radiotherapy on parotid salivary sialochemistry in head and neck cancer patients.

PubMed

Gupta, S C; Singla, Alok; Singh, Mangal; Thaliath, B Paul; Geeta, Jaiswal

2009-12-01

To determine the effects of high dose irradiation on parotid salivary sodium and pH concentration at subsequent duration of 1.5, 3 and 6 months following radiotherapy. Eighty parotid glands of head and neck cancer patients were irradiated with mean dose of 66 Gy. The stimulated parotid flow (PF) was collected by a cannulation of Stenson's duct followed by analysis of sodium (PF sodium) by Easylyte Sodium/Potassium auto analyzer and pH by litmus narrow band pH paper. A steep elevation of PF sodium was found in post-RT period after 1.5 months of starting RT followed by gradual increase up to 6 months and pH changed towards acidity. A high dose of 66 Gy causes irreversible damage to parotid salivary duct system.

THE RELATION OF THE BACTERIOSTATIC ACTION OF CERTAIN DYES TO OXIDATION-REDUCTION PROCESSES

PubMed Central

Dubos, René

1929-01-01

Oxidized indophenols and methylene blue are bacteriostatic for Pneumococcus and hemolytic streptococci of human and bovine origin, while the indigoes, malachite green and litmus are not toxic. 2-Chloroindophenol, the most positive of the indicators of oxidation-reduction potentials used, is also the only one to have a bacteriostatic action on cheese strains of Streptococcus hæmolyticus. Methylene blue and the indophenols are no longer bacteriostatic when present in a reduced form in a medium capable of maintaining them in such a condition. A comparison of these results with the growth in plain broth of the organisms studied suggests that the "inhibiting" dyes "poise" the medium at an oxidation potential outside the range in which the inhibited organisms can grow. PMID:19869565

What is the best method to evaluate urine pH? A trial of three urinary pH measurement methods in a stone clinic.

PubMed

Ilyas, Rebecca; Chow, Karyee; Young, J Graham

2015-01-01

Monitoring of urinary pH is an important part of the assessment of patients with urinary tract stones. It provides valuable information about the future stone risk of certain patients and further allows the effective tailoring of medical intervention. Accurate measurement is therefore essential in these patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the most accurate method of measuring urinary pH in an outpatient setting. Materials, Methods, and Participants: Urine samples were collected from 200 patients attending stone clinics at The University Hospital of South Manchester. pH was measured by three commonly used methods: Siemens Clinitek Status pH meter, a hand-held pH meter, and litmus paper read visually. Results were compared with readings simultaneously obtained from a bench-top laboratory pH machine, which is the reference method for pH measurement. The pH readings obtained were analyzed using the Bland-Altman plot. When compared with the reference method, the hand-held pH meter differed the least with a mean bias of 0.0073 and a maximum under-read of -0.2 pH units and maximum over-read of +0.2 pH units. The Siemens Clinitek pH meter differed most with a mean bias of -0.108, with a maximum over-read of +0.99 pH units and a maximum under-read of 0.78 pH units. The pH values obtained with the litmus paper gave similar results to that of the Clinitek pH meter with a mean bias of -0.069, with a maximum over-read of 0.96 and maximum under-read of 0.82 pH units. The hand-held pH device gave urinary pH readings that most closely and consistently matched those of the reference bench-top laboratory machine. This method of pH measurement should be considered in stone clinics in patients with pH-dependent stone risk.

A litmus-type colorimetric and fluorometric volatile organic compound sensor based on inkjet-printed polydiacetylenes on paper substrates.

PubMed

Yoon, Bora; Park, In Sung; Shin, Hyora; Park, Hye Jin; Lee, Chan Woo; Kim, Jong-Man

2013-05-14

Inkjet-printed paper-based volatile organic compound (VOC) sensor strips imaged with polydiacetylenes (PDAs) are developed. A microemulsion ink containing bisurethane-substituted diacetylene (DA) monomers, 4BCMU, was inkjet printed onto paper using a conventional inkjet office printer. UV irradiation of the printed image allowed fabrication of blue-colored poly-4BCMU on the paper and the polymer was found to display colorimetric responses to VOCs. Interestingly, a blue-to-yellow color change was observed when the strip was exposed to chloroform vapor, which was accompanied by the generation of green fluorescence. The principal component analysis plot of the color and fluorescence images of the VOC-exposed polymers allowed a more precise discrimination of VOC vapors. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

STREPTOCOCCI OCCURRING IN SOUR MILK

PubMed Central

Jones, F. S.

1921-01-01

A well defined group of rod-like and coccoid organisms arranged in pairs and chains has been encountered in sour milk. The group comprises at least three species; the largest number ferment dextrose, lactose, maltose, mannitol, and salicin, and fail to ferment saccharose, raffinose, and inulin. A smaller number ferment saccharose in addition to dextrose, lactose, maltose, mannitol, and salicin. A few fail to attack mannitol. All three types grow luxuriantly at room temperature, coagulate milk, reduce litmus, and produce large amounts of acid in fermented bouillon containing dextrose. Specific morphological and cultural differences exist between the lactic acid streptococci and those associated with mastitis and those occurring in the udder. The lactic acid organisms outgrow the udder streptococci in the milk-souring process. When both types are implanted in sterile milk the udder type soon disappears. PMID:19868477

Assessing notions of denormalization and renormalization of smoking in light of e-cigarette regulation.

PubMed

Sæbø, Gunnar; Scheffels, Janne

2017-11-01

The rationale for 'denormalization' of smoking in tobacco policies has been challenged by the emergence of e-cigarettes and the need to regulate e-cigarette use and promotion. Our aim is to assess the research status on e-cigarettes' contribution to 'renormalization' of smoking and to clarify how renormalization of smoking can be appraised at the conceptual and empirical level. Combining conceptual analysis and narrative review, the paper brings out three dimensions of denormalization/renormalization of smoking ('unacceptability/acceptability'; 'invisibility/visibility'; 'phasing out behaviour/maintaining behaviour') and an inherent duality of the e-cigarette as a smoking-like device and a smoking alternative. These analytical dimensions are applied qualitatively to consider the literature identified by searching the Web of Science database for 'e-cigarettes AND renormalization' (and variants thereof). Theoretically, normative changes in smoking acceptability, increased visibility of e-cigarettes and use, and observations of actual use (prevalence, dual use, gateway) can all be applied to illustrate processes of renormalization. However, only acceptability measures and user measures can be said to be empirical tests of renormalization effects. Visibility measures are only based on logical assumptions of a possible renormalization; they are not in themselves indicative of any "real" renormalization effects and can just as well be understood as possible consequences of normalization of e-cigarettes. Just as a downward trend in smoking prevalence is the litmus test of whether denormalization policy works, stagnating or rising smoking prevalence should be the main empirical indicator of renormalization. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Neural chronometry and coherency across speed-accuracy demands reveal lack of homomorphism between computational and neural mechanisms of evidence accumulation.

PubMed

Heitz, Richard P; Schall, Jeffrey D

2013-10-19

The stochastic accumulation framework provides a mechanistic, quantitative account of perceptual decision-making and how task performance changes with experimental manipulations. Importantly, it provides an elegant account of the speed-accuracy trade-off (SAT), which has long been the litmus test for decision models, and also mimics the activity of single neurons in several key respects. Recently, we developed a paradigm whereby macaque monkeys trade speed for accuracy on cue during visual search task. Single-unit activity in frontal eye field (FEF) was not homomorphic with the architecture of models, demonstrating that stochastic accumulators are an incomplete description of neural activity under SAT. This paper summarizes and extends this work, further demonstrating that the SAT leads to extensive, widespread changes in brain activity never before predicted. We will begin by reviewing our recently published work that establishes how spiking activity in FEF accomplishes SAT. Next, we provide two important extensions of this work. First, we report a new chronometric analysis suggesting that increases in perceptual gain with speed stress are evident in FEF synaptic input, implicating afferent sensory-processing sources. Second, we report a new analysis demonstrating selective influence of SAT on frequency coupling between FEF neurons and local field potentials. None of these observations correspond to the mechanics of current accumulator models.

[Clinical, epidemiological and microbiological aspects of Mobiluncus sp. in bacterial vaginosis].

PubMed

Menolascina, A; Nieves, B; Velazco, E; Rivero, N; Calderas, Z

1999-05-01

In this paper, our goal was to determine the optimal isolation conditions, biochemical characterization, and preservation of species of the genus Mobiluncus, associated with bacterial vaginosis in patients attending the family planning clinic. Also, we tried to relate its presence with demographic variables and criteria used in the clinical diagnosis of bacterial diagnosis. The specimen from the posterior fornix were collected and transported to the laboratory in a Stuart medium, one at room temperature and the other at 4 degrees C. These samples were inoculated in anaerobic culture media. Of a total of 92 patients studied, 61 (66.3%) were normal, 28 (30.4%) bacterial vaginosis, and 3 (3.3%) had intermediate vaginosis. There was statistically significant relationship only with intrauterine device use (p = 0.00499). The presence of curved rod, using Gram's method, was significantly related with pH (p = 0.00000) positive amines test (p = 0.00000), and the presence of clue cells (p = 0.00000). Mobiluncus was observed in 23 samples (82%), and the majority (15) using RLK agar (cold enrichment technique). With conventional techniques, we identified 12 strains as Mobiluncus curtisii and 3 strains as Mobiluncus mulieris. The strains of Mobiluncus sp. grew better from litmus milk conserved at -30 degrees C. Isolating Mobiluncus sp. is fairly easy, if the right media and the techniques are used.

Confirmation of nasogastric tube position by pH testing.

PubMed

Taylor, S J; Clemente, R

2005-10-01

In 2004, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) advised that nasogastric (NG) tube position should be confirmed using pH strips or paper. However, gastric pH is raised by the use of H2-blockers and proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) potentially producing false negative pH tests resulting in delayed feeding. In addition, colorimetric differentiation using pH strips may be more prone to bias and inaccuracy than direct pH measurements largely used to establish the threshold. To quantify this problem a 1 day survey of all the patients requiring NG and nasointestinal (NI) feeding was undertaken, to establish the numbers of patients receiving H2-Blockers or PPIs, with or without a safe swallow and the methods currently being used to confirm tube positioning. A second observational study was performed to establish the accuracy of six pH strips available to NHS trusts against four unlabelled pH solutions. Forty-two per cent of patients receiving NG feeding were on H2-blockers or PPIs, including 13% who had a safe swallow for acidic drinks that could be subsequently aspirated to confirm position. In the second study 'testers' correctly identified pH's 3, 4, 5 and 6 with Mackery-Nagel 0-6, BDH 0-6 and 0-14 strips but overestimated pH 4 as pH 5 with Johnson 0-11 paper, underestimated pH 6 as pH 5 with Pehanon 0-12 paper and with Litmus classified pH 3-5 as acid (all), but half also classified pH 6 as acid. Theoretically 29% of NG tube positions could not be confirmed by pH testing because of the usage of PPIs or H2-blockers and lack of swallow. Some pH strips are either inaccurate or their result misinterpreted by staff. Large surveys and trials of the actual efficacy and accuracy of pH testing are required.

The sun compass revisited

PubMed Central

Guilford, Tim; Taylor, Graham K.

2014-01-01

Many animals, and birds in particular, are thought to use directional information from the sun in the form of a time-compensated sun compass, with predictably deviated orientation under clock shift being regarded as the litmus test of this. We suggest that this paradigm obscures a number of other ways in which solar-derived information could be important in animal orientation. We distinguish between the known use of the sun's azimuth to provide absolute geographical direction (compass mechanism) and its possible use to detect changes in heading (heading indicator mechanism). Just as in an aircraft, these two kinds of information may be provided by separate mechanisms and used for different functions, for example for navigation versus steering. We also argue that although a solar compass must be time-referenced to account for the sun's apparent diurnal movement, this need not entail full time compensation. This is because animals might also use time-dependent solar information in an associatively acquired, and hence time-limited, way. Furthermore, we show that a solar heading indicator, when used on a sufficiently short timescale, need not require time compensation at all. Finally, we suggest that solar-derived cues, such as shadows, could also be involved in navigation in ways that depend explicitly upon position, and are therefore not strictly compass-related. This could include giving directionality to landmarks, or acting as time-dependent landmarks involved in place recognition. We conclude that clock shift experiments alone are neither necessary nor sufficient to identify the occurrence of all conceivable uses of solar information in animal orientation, so that a predictable response to clock shift should not be regarded as an acid test of the use of solar information in navigation. PMID:25389374

Instability of 2D Flows to Hydrostatic 3D Perturbations.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Straub, David N.

2003-01-01

Considered here is the evolution of three-dimensional perturbations to the hydrostatic equations linearized about a two-dimensional base state U. Motivated by an argument by T. Warn, this study begins with the nonrotating, unstratified case, and draws analogies between the perturbation equations and equations describing evolution of material line elements and scalar gradients embedded in the same 2D flow. When U is chaotic, both scalar gradients and line elements are characterized by rapid growth, and this leads one to suspect that the perturbations behave similarly. A generalized Okubo-Weiss parameter is proposed, and it is argued that this gives a reasonable litmus test for identifying regions where growth is most probable. Rotation modifies the generalized Okubo-Weiss parameter and tends to curb growth of the perturbation fields, as expected. It is also pointed out that, in realistic geophysical settings, the stability parameter can be suggestive of growth locally, even when a globally defined Rossby number is small.Also considered is the effect of a constant stratification. The perturbation equations can then be separated into vertical modes that have simple sinusoidal structures. The equations describing the evolution of a given mode take a form analogous to the shallow water equations, linearized about U. Numerical simulations of these, assuming a simple but chaotic prescription of U, are carried out. For sufficiently strong stratification, a balance dynamics similar to that suggested by Riley, Metcalfe, and Weissman is recovered. For a given value of the buoyancy frequency N, however, this balance breaks down at high vertical wavenumbers. For high vertical wavenumbers, the modified Okubo-Weiss parameter once again appears to give a potentially useful indication of when growth should be expected. When the Rossby number is small, this criterion predicts stability, and growth occurs only when stratification effects are comparable to or larger than rotational effects. More specifically, growth is seen when the relevant Rossby radius is comparable to or larger than the characteristic length scale of U. It is also found in this limit that approximate geostrophic adjustment occurs prior to growth.

Expectations in the Wall Region of a Large-Eddy Simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spalart, Philippe R.; Strelets, Mikhail Kh.; Travin, Andrey

The expectations fall into two categories. The first relates to the method and how general it should be, how applicable to unstructured grids in complex three-dimensional geometries and very high Reynolds numbers, even if the exercise uses a structured grid in a two-dimensional flow at moderate Reynolds number. The view-point is that there should be a known path from the research activity to the creation of a machine or the prediction of weather. If not, the gap in this path takes on a high priority and the work is labeled as preliminary. An example of such a litmus test is whether the grid design requires knowledge of the direction of the skin friction. The second category relates to the fidelity of the description of the turbulence which can be assembled. As an example, the shear stress in a wall-bounded LES is calculated quite well as the sum of a viscous stress, a "modeled" Reynolds stress, and a "resolved" Reynolds stress. However, the same has not been achieved for the other Reynolds stresses, unless the grid is such that Quasi-Direct Numerical Simulation is taking place. Higher-order quantities are even more troublesome. We also discuss a remedy to Log-Layer Mismatch called "Energized Wall-Modeled LES" which is most simple, cost-free, and compatible with grids that are useable in practice. The added term provides visible extra activity, and improves all the Reynolds stresses in addition to the mean velocity.

Scientific analogs and the development of human mission architectures for the Moon, deep space and Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lim, D. S. S.; Abercromby, A.; Beaton, K.; Brady, A. L.; Cardman, Z.; Chappell, S.; Cockell, C. S.; Cohen, B. A.; Cohen, T.; Deans, M.; Deliz, I.; Downs, M.; Elphic, R. C.; Hamilton, J. C.; Heldmann, J.; Hillenius, S.; Hoffman, J.; Hughes, S. S.; Kobs-Nawotniak, S. E.; Lees, D. S.; Marquez, J.; Miller, M.; Milovsoroff, C.; Payler, S.; Sehlke, A.; Squyres, S. W.

2016-12-01

Analogs are destinations on Earth that allow researchers to approximate operational and/or physical conditions on other planetary bodies and within deep space. Over the past decade, our team has been conducting geobiological field science studies under simulated deep space and Mars mission conditions. Each of these missions integrate scientific and operational research with the goal to identify concepts of operations (ConOps) and capabilities that will enable and enhance scientific return during human and human-robotic missions to the Moon, into deep space and on Mars. Working under these simulated mission conditions presents a number of unique challenges that are not encountered during typical scientific field expeditions. However, there are significant benefits to this working model from the perspective of the human space flight and scientific operations research community. Specifically, by applying human (and human-robotic) mission architectures to real field science endeavors, we create a unique operational litmus test for those ConOps and capabilities that have otherwise been vetted under circumstances that did not necessarily demand scientific data return meeting the rigors of peer-review standards. The presentation will give an overview of our team's recent analog research, with a focus on the scientific operations research. The intent is to encourage collaborative dialog with a broader set of analog research community members with an eye towards future scientific field endeavors that will have a significant impact on how we design human and human-robotic missions to the Moon, into deep space and to Mars.

Preventing childhood obesity: a solution-oriented research paradigm.

PubMed

Robinson, Thomas N; Sirard, John R

2005-02-01

Past research has identified social and environmental causes and correlates of behaviors thought to be associated with obesity and weight gain among children and adolescents. Much less research has documented the efficacy of interventions designed to manipulate those presumed causes and correlates. These latter efforts have been inhibited by the predominant biomedical and social science problem-oriented research paradigm, emphasizing reductionist approaches to understanding etiologic mechanisms of diseases and risk factors. The implications of this problem-oriented approach are responsible for leaving many of the most important applied research questions unanswered, and for slowing efforts to prevent obesity and improve individual and population health. An alternative, and complementary, solution-oriented research paradigm is proposed, emphasizing experimental research to identify the causes of improved health. This subtle conceptual shift has significant implications for phrasing research questions, generating hypotheses, designing research studies, and making research results more relevant to policy and practice. The solution-oriented research paradigm encourages research with more immediate relevance to human health and a shortened cycle of discovery from the laboratory to the patient and population. Finally, a "litmus test" for evaluating research studies is proposed, to maximize the efficiency of the research enterprise and contributions to the promotion of health and the prevention and treatment of disease. A research study should only be performed if (1) you know what you will conclude from each possible result (whether positive, negative, or null); and (2) the result may change how you would intervene to address a clinical, policy, or public health problem.

Evaluation of pH measurement as a method of wound assessment.

PubMed

Shukla, V K; Shukla, D; Tiwary, S K; Agrawal, S; Rastogi, A

2007-07-01

To assess variations in wound pH levels and explore the relationship between wound pH and the state of wound healing. Fifty patients with acute or chronic wounds attending the wound clinic at University Hospital,Varanasi, India were included. Wound pH was measured using litmus paper strips and recorded weekly. Other parameters recorded were the wound condition, exudate level and culture. The baseline pH of most of the wounds was greater than 8.5. As the wound condition improved and exudate levels decreased, the pH reduced to less than 8.0. Fifty-eight per cent of the wounds were culture positive, and an association was observed between the type of organism present and the wound pH. Wound pH measurements can be performed efficiently and are non-invasive, causing no discomfort to the patient. As the wounds healed, the pH reduced. This change in pH can help predict the likelihood of wound healing.

The Arnol'd cat: Failure of the correspondence principle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ford, Joseph; Mantica, Giorgio; Ristow, Gerald H.

1991-07-01

The classical Hamiltonian H = p2/2 m + ɛ( q2/2) Σδ[ s-( t/ T)] has an integrable mapping of the plane, [ qn+1 , pn+1 ]= [ qn+1 + pn, qn+2 pn], as its equations of motion. But then by introducing periodic boundary conditions via (mod 1) applied to both q and p variables, the equations of motion become the Arnol'd cat map, [ qn+1 , pn+1 ] = [ qn + pn, qn + 2 pn], (mod 1), revealing it to be one of the simplest fully chaotic systems which can be derived from a Hamiltonian and analyzed. Consequently, we here quantize the Arnol'd cat and examine its quantum motion for signs of chaos using algorithmic complexity as the litmus. Our analysis reveals that the quantum cat is not chaotic in the deep quantum domain nor does it become chaotic in the classical limit as required by the correspondence principle. We therefore conclude that the correspondence principle, as defined herein, fails for the quantum Arnol'd cat.

Quantitative and qualitative differences in the lexical knowledge of monolingual and bilingual children on the LITMUS-CLT task.

PubMed

Altman, Carmit; Goldstein, Tamara; Armon-Lotem, Sharon

2017-01-01

While bilingual children follow the same milestones of language acquisition as monolingual children do in learning the syntactic patterns of their second language (L2), their vocabulary size in L2 often lags behind compared to monolinguals. The present study explores the comprehension and production of nouns and verbs in Hebrew, by two groups of 5- to 6-year olds with typical language development: monolingual Hebrew speakers (N = 26), and Russian-Hebrew bilinguals (N = 27). Analyses not only show quantitative gaps between comprehension and production and between nouns and verbs, with a bilingual effect in both, but also a qualitative difference between monolinguals and bilinguals in their production errors: monolinguals' errors reveal knowledge of the language rules despite temporary access difficulties, while bilinguals' errors reflect gaps in their knowledge of Hebrew (L2). The nature of Hebrew as a Semitic language allows one to explore this qualitative difference in the semantic and morphological level.

Medicaid Expansion in a Litmus State: The Missouri Struggle.

PubMed

Brasfield, James

2016-12-01

For a century Missouri was a bellwether state in presidential elections, always picking the winner. Since 2008 it has been experiencing a partisan divide along urban/rural lines with President Obama losing the state twice. The battle over Medicaid expansion found a Democratic governor unable to convince a Republican legislative majority to support ACA-based expansion. The more highly partisan legislative environment has rendered traditional bargaining and negotiations impossible on the controversial question of Medicaid expansion.Despite supportive advocacy by hospitals and the business community, the Republican legislative leaders have opposed any movement on Medicaid expansion over the past four years. There will be a new occupant in the governor's mansion in 2017, which may create a fork in the road. Democrats are unlikely to regain a legislative majority, and one path is continued Republican refusal to consider expansion. The other path features the new governor responding to the national 2016 election outcome, and creating the prospects for a deal, perhaps around a waiver plan. Copyright © 2016 by Duke University Press.

Production of a full-length infectious GFP-tagged cDNA clone of Beet mild yellowing virus for the study of plant-polerovirus interactions.

PubMed

Stevens, Mark; Viganó, Felicita

2007-04-01

The full-length cDNA of Beet mild yellowing virus (Broom's Barn isolate) was sequenced and cloned into the vector pLitmus 29 (pBMYV-BBfl). The sequence of BMYV-BBfl (5721 bases) shared 96% and 98% nucleotide identity with the other complete sequences of BMYV (BMYV-2ITB, France and BMYV-IPP, Germany respectively). Full-length capped RNA transcripts of pBMYV-BBfl were synthesised and found to be biologically active in Arabidopsis thaliana protoplasts following electroporation or PEG inoculation when the protoplasts were subsequently analysed using serological and molecular methods. The BMYV sequence was modified by inserting DNA that encoded the jellyfish green fluorescent protein (GFP) into the P5 gene close to its 3' end. A. thaliana protoplasts electroporated with these RNA transcripts were biologically active and up to 2% of transfected protoplasts showed GFP-specific fluorescence. The exploitation of these cDNA clones for the study of the biology of beet poleroviruses is discussed.

The effectiveness of ultrasonography in verifying the placement of a nasogastric tube in patients with low consciousness at an emergency center

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background This study was designed to compare the effectiveness of using auscultation, pH measurements of gastric aspirates, and ultrasonography as physical examination methods to verify nasogastric tube(NGT) placement in emergency room patients with low consciousness who require NGT insertion. Methods The study included 47 patients who were all over 18 years of age. In all patients, tube placement was verified by chest X-rays. Auscultation, pH analysis of gastric aspirates, and ultrasonography were conducted on each patient in random order. The mean patient age was 57.62 ± 17.24 years, and 28 males (59.6%) and 19 females (40.4%) were included. The NGT was inserted by an emergency room resident. For pH testing, gastric aspirates were dropped onto litmus paper, and the resulting color of the paper was compared with a reference table. Ultrasonography was performed by an emergency medicine specialist, and the chest X-ray examination was interpreted by a different emergency medicine specialist who did not conduct the ultrasonography test. The results of the auscultation, gastric aspirate pH, and ultrasonography examinations were compared with the results of the chest x-ray examination. Results The sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 33.3%, respectively, for auscultation and 86.4% and 66.7%, respectively, for ultrasonography. Kappa values were the highest for auscultation at 0.484 compared to chest x-rays, followed by 0.299 for ultrasonography and 0.444 for pH analysis of the gastric aspirate. The ultrasonography has a positive predictive value of 97.4% and a negative predictive value of 25%. Conclusions Ultrasonography is useful for confirming the results of auscultation after NGT insertion among patients with low consciousness at an emergency center. When ultrasound findings suggest that the NGT placement is not gastric, additional chest X-ray should be performed. PMID:22691418

The effectiveness of ultrasonography in verifying the placement of a nasogastric tube in patients with low consciousness at an emergency center.

PubMed

Kim, Hyung Min; So, Byung Hak; Jeong, Won Jung; Choi, Se Min; Park, Kyu Nam

2012-06-12

This study was designed to compare the effectiveness of using auscultation, pH measurements of gastric aspirates, and ultrasonography as physical examination methods to verify nasogastric tube(NGT) placement in emergency room patients with low consciousness who require NGT insertion. The study included 47 patients who were all over 18 years of age. In all patients, tube placement was verified by chest X-rays. Auscultation, pH analysis of gastric aspirates, and ultrasonography were conducted on each patient in random order. The mean patient age was 57.62 ± 17.24 years, and 28 males (59.6%) and 19 females (40.4%) were included. The NGT was inserted by an emergency room resident. For pH testing, gastric aspirates were dropped onto litmus paper, and the resulting color of the paper was compared with a reference table. Ultrasonography was performed by an emergency medicine specialist, and the chest X-ray examination was interpreted by a different emergency medicine specialist who did not conduct the ultrasonography test. The results of the auscultation, gastric aspirate pH, and ultrasonography examinations were compared with the results of the chest x-ray examination. The sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 33.3%, respectively, for auscultation and 86.4% and 66.7%, respectively, for ultrasonography. Kappa values were the highest for auscultation at 0.484 compared to chest x-rays, followed by 0.299 for ultrasonography and 0.444 for pH analysis of the gastric aspirate. The ultrasonography has a positive predictive value of 97.4% and a negative predictive value of 25%. Ultrasonography is useful for confirming the results of auscultation after NGT insertion among patients with low consciousness at an emergency center. When ultrasound findings suggest that the NGT placement is not gastric, additional chest X-ray should be performed.

Irritancy potential of 17 detergents used commonly by the Indian household.

PubMed

Austoria, A J; Lakshmi, Chembolli; Srinivas, C R; Anand, C V; Mathew, A C

2010-01-01

Detergents are used by almost every household in the developed and developing world. Soap and most detergents are anionic surfactants and attack the horny layer of the skin and increase its permeability with little or no inflammatory change and may result in hand eczema, which is very distressing and incapacitating. To evaluate the irritant potential of common household detergents (laundry and dish wash) used by the Indian population using a 24-hour patch test and to convincingly educate the patients on the detergents less likely to cause irritation in the particular individual. Seventeen commonly used detergents found in Indian market were included in the study, of which, 12 were laundry detergents (powders--seven, bar soap--five) and five were dish wash detergents (powder--one, liquid--one, bar soap--three). The irritant potential of the 17 detergents were evaluated in 30 volunteers. Thirty microliters of each of the detergent bar solutions, distilled water (negative control), and 20% SDS (positive control) were applied to Finn chambers with a micropipette and occluded for 24 hours. Erythema, scaling, and edema were graded in comparison to the reaction at the negative control site (distilled water) for each volunteer separately. The scoring of erythema/dryness and wrinkling on a 0-4 point scale and edema on another 0-4 point scale was based on the Draize scale. The pH of each of the detergent solutions was determined using litmus papers (Indikrom papers from Qualigens fine chemicals). The difference between detergents (F value) was significant for erythema/dryness and wrinkling (F = 3.374; p = 0.000), but not significant for edema (F = 1.297; p = 0.194). [Table 2] lists the means for erythema/dryness and wrinkling, and edema. The F value of the totals of the means for erythema/dryness and wrinkling and edema was significant (F = 2.495; p = 0.001). The pH of all the detergents was found to be alkaline except Pril utensil cleaner which tested acidic (pH 6). The positive control, 20% SDS also tested acidic (pH 6). Similar to patch testing in allergic contact dermatitis, 24-hour patch testing with detergent solutions (8% w/v), will educate the patient on what detergent to avoid. This may bring down the total medication requirement and frequent hospital consultations for these patients.

Proposal of Afipia gen. nov., with Afipia felis sp. nov. (formerly the cat scratch disease bacillus), Afipia clevelandensis sp. nov. (formerly the Cleveland Clinic Foundation strain), Afipia broomeae sp. nov., and three unnamed genospecies.

PubMed Central

Brenner, D J; Hollis, D G; Moss, C W; English, C K; Hall, G S; Vincent, J; Radosevic, J; Birkness, K A; Bibb, W F; Quinn, F D

1991-01-01

On the basis of phenotypic characterization and DNA relatedness determinations, the genus Afipia gen. nov., which contains six species, is described. The type species is Afipia felis sp. nov. (the cat scratch disease bacillus). Afipia clevelandensis sp. nov., Afipia broomeae sp. nov., and three unnamed not associated with cat-borne disease. All but one strain (Afipia genospecies 3) were isolated from human wound and respiratory sources. All Afipia species are gram-negative, oxidase-positive, nonfermentative rods in the alpha-2 subgroup of the class Proteobacteria. They are motile by means of a single flagellum. They grow on buffered charcoal-yeast extract agar and nutrient broth, but rarely on MacConkey agar, at 25 and 30 degrees C. They are urease positive; but they are negative in reactions for hemolysis, indole production, H2S production (triple sugar iron agar), gelatin hydrolysis, esculin hydrolysis, and peptonization of litmus milk. They do not produce acid oxidatively from D-glucose, lactose, maltose, or sucrose. The major cell wall fatty acids are 11-methyloctadec-12-enoic (CBr19:1), cis-octadec-11-enoic (C18:1omega7c), and generally, 9,10-methylenehexadecanote and 11,12-methyleneoctadecanoate; and there are only trace amounts of hydroxy acids. The guanineplus-cytosine content is 61.5 to 69 mol%. A. felis is positive for nitrate reduction and is delayed positive for acid production from D-xylose, but it is catalase negative. A. clevelandensis is negative in all of these tests. A. broomeae is weakly positive for catalase production and acid production from D-xylose, but it is negative for nitrate reduction. Images PMID:1774249

The Effect of Personalized Guideline-Concordant Treatment on Quality of Life and Functional Impairment in Bipolar Disorder

PubMed Central

Sylvia, Louisa G.; Rabideau, Dustin J.; Nierenberg, Andrew A.; Bowden, Charles L.; Friedman, Edward S.; Iosifescu, Dan V.; Thase, Michael E.; Ketter, Terence; Greiter, Elizabeth A.; Calabrese, Joseph R.; Leon, Andrew C.; Ostacher, Michael J.; Reilly-Harrington, Noreen

2014-01-01

Objectives The aims of this study were to evaluate correlates and predictors of life functioning and quality of life in bipolar disorder during a comparative effectiveness trial of moderate doses of lithium. Methods In the Lithium treatment moderate-dose use study (LiTMUS), 283 symptomatic outpatients with bipolar disorder type I or II were randomized to receive lithium plus ”optimal personalized treatment (OPT), or OPT alone. Participants were assessed using structured diagnostic interviews, clinician-rated blinded assessments, and questionnaires. We employ linear mixed effects models to test the effect of treatment overall and adjunct lithium specifically on quality of life or functioning. Similar models are used to examine the association of baseline demographics and clinical features with quality of life and life functioning. Results Quality of life and impaired functioning at baseline were associated with lower income, higher depressive severity, and more psychiatric comorbid conditions. Over six months, patients in both treatment groups improved in quality of life and life functioning (p-values < 0.0001); without a statistically significant difference between the two treatment groups (p-values > 0.05). Within the lithium group, improvement in quality of life and functioning were not associated with concurrent lithium levels at week 12 or week 24 (p-values > 0.05). Lower baseline depressive severity and younger age of onset predicted less improvement in functioning over six months. Conclusions Optimized care for bipolar disorder improves overall quality of life and life functioning, with no additional benefit from adjunct moderate doses of lithium. Illness burden and psychosocial stressors were associated with worse quality of life and lower functioning in individuals with bipolar disorder. PMID:25194782

Operationalist Fallacies in Biology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahner, Martin

This paper examines - from a realist perspective - the influence of phenomenalism and its offshoot, operationalism, on concept formation in biology, as well as its implications for science education. To this end, the basic tenets of phenomenalism, versus those of realism, are expounded. The influence of phenomenalism and operationalism on current biology is criticized for leading to the confusion of cause with symptom - a mistake known as the operationalist fallacy. This fallacy consists in accepting pseudodefinitions, i.e., the so-called operational definitions such as An acid is a substance that turns litmus paper red, and pseudoexplanations such as The weather got worse because the barometer reading dropped. Many instances of this confusion can be found in science. This analysis, however, focuses on biology; it starts with more or less blatant examples, such as behaviorism and the concepts of genotype and homology, turning then to much less obvious examples, such as the definition of selection in terms of differential reproduction, the concept of a species as a reproductive community, the concept of isolating mechanisms, and thus the relational concept of biospecies. While it is maintained that operationalist fallacies are always to be avoided in science, it is discussed whether at least some of them are permissible in science education.

ESR investigation of ROS generated by H2O2 bleaching with TiO2 coated HAp.

PubMed

Saita, Makiko; Kobayashi, Kyo; Kobatashi, Kyou; Yoshino, Fumihiko; Hase, Hiriko; Nonami, Toru; Kimoto, Katsuhiko; Lee, Masaichi-Chang-il

2012-01-01

It is well known that clinical bleaching can be achieved with a solution of 30% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or H2O2/titanium dioxide (TiO2) combination. This study examined the hypothesis that TiO2 coated with hydroxyapatite (HAp-TiO2) can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are generated via photocatalysis using electron spin resonance (ESR). The bleaching properties of HAp-TiO2 in the presence of H2O2 can be measured using hematoporphyrin litmus paper and extracted teeth. We demonstrate that superoxides (O2(•-)) and hydroxyl radicals (HO(•)) can be generated through excitation of anatase TiO2, rutile TiO2, anatase HAp-TiO2, and rutile HAp-TiO2 in the presence of H2O2. The combination of R HAp-TiO2 with H2O2 produced the highest level of HO(•) generation and the most marked bleaching effects of all the samples. The superior bleaching effects exhibited by R HAp-TiO2 with H2O2 suggest that this combination may lead to novel methods for the clinical application of bleaching treatments.

Fluorescent sensors based on boronic acids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cooper, Christopher R.; James, Tony D.

1999-05-01

Sensor systems have long been needed for detecting the presence in solution of certain chemically or biologically important species. Sensors are used in a wide range of applications from simple litmus paper that shows a single color change in acidic or basic environments to complex biological assays that use enzymes, antibodies and antigens to display binding events. With this work the use of boronic acids in the design and synthesis of sensors for saccharides (diols) will be presented. The fluorescent sensory systems rely on photoinduced electron transfer (PET) to modulate the observed fluorescence. When saccharides form cyclic boronate esters with boronic acids, the Lewis acidity of the boronic acid is enhanced and therefore the Lewis acid-base interaction between the boronic acid and a neighboring amine is strengthened. The strength of this acid-base interaction modulates the PET from the amine (acting as a quencher) to anthracene (acting as a fluorophore). These compounds show increased fluorescence at neutral pH through suppression of the PET from nitrogen to anthracene on saccharide binding. The general strategy for the development of saccharide selective systems will be discussed. The potential of the boronic acid based systems will be illustrated using the development of glucose and glucosamine selective fluorescent sensors as examples.

Cultivating Medical Intentionality: The Phenomenology of Diagnostic Virtuosity in East Asian Medicine.

PubMed

Kim, Taewoo

2017-03-01

This study examines the perceptual basis of diagnostic virtuosity in East Asian medicine, combining Merleau-Ponty's phenomenology and an ethnographic investigation of Korean medicine in South Korea. A novice, being exposed to numerous clinical transactions during apprenticeship, organizes perceptual experience that occurs between him or herself and patients. In the process, the fledgling practitioner's body begins to set up a medically-tinged "intentionality" interconnecting his or her consciousness and medically significant qualities in patients. Diagnostic virtuosity is gained when the practitioner embodies a cultivated medical intentionality. In the process of becoming a practitioner imbued with virtuosity, this study focuses on the East Asian notion of "Image" that maximizes the body's perceptual capacity, and minimizes possible reductions by linguistic re-presentation. "Image" enables the practitioner to somatically conceptualize the core notions of East Asian medicine, such as Yin-Yang, and to use them as an embodied litmus as the practitioner's cultivated body instinctively conjures up medical notions at clinical encounters. In line with anthropological critiques of reductionist frameworks that congeal human existential and perceptual vitality within a "scientific" explanatory model, this article attempts to provide an example of various knowing and caring practices, institutionalized external to the culture of science.

Non-Potassic Melts In CMAS-CO2-H2O-K2O Model Peridotite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buisman, I.; Walter, M. J.; Keshav, S.

2009-12-01

Volatile mediated model systems have been fundamental in shaping our knowledge about the way we view melting phase relations of peridotite at various depths in the Earth. Volatiles not only affect the melting temperatures, but the resulting liquids are, in some case, dramatically different than those witnessed in melting of dry peridotite. For example, the influence of CO2 and H2O on the melting phase relations of model peridotite shows a remarkable decrease in the solidus temperatures when compared to the dry peridotite (Gudfinnsson and Presnall, 2005). These model systems illustrate a gradational change above the solidus from carbonatites to kimberlites over several hundreds of degrees. Group-II kimberlites are ultrapotassic rocks with high water content where the mineral phlogopite is abundant. To get a better understanding of the melting phase relations related to carbonatitic and kimberlitic magmas, K2O was added to the system CMAS-CO2-H2O. In these systems, fluid and melt can co-exist in P-T space. However, from past studies, it is also known that in hydrous systems, both the fluid and melt will become indistinguishable from one another creating a singularity (second critical endpoint). Starting from the solidus located in six components (Keshav and Gudfinnsson, AGU abstract, 2009), with seven phases, melting phase relations in CMAS-CO2-H2O-K2O involving, fo-opx-cpx-garnet-carbonate-melt-fluid, are divariant. Fluid was recognized with the observation of large cavities seen in exposed capsules. Moreover, the presence of bright, needle-like grains found in large cavities in backscattered images implies the presence of solute in the fluid phase. Significantly, liquids on this divariant region have about 1000 ppm K2O, and so is the case with accompanying cpx. Hence, with this non-interesting amount of K2O in the mentioned phases, fluid must have all the potassium. At 30 kbar/1100C, with fo-opx-cpx-garnet-carbonate-phlogopite-melt-fluid, the melting phase relations become isobarically invariant. In contrast, the solidus in CMAS-CO2-H2O at 30 kbar is at 1000C. Above 1100C, phlogopite is no longer in equilibrium with the phase assemblage. In all the experimental charges, capsules were pierced, and a hydrous solution was seen escaping. When tested with litmus paper, in all cases at 25-50 kbar, this solution was determined to be highly basic (pH>10). Upon evaporation of the hydrous solution, a white precipitate was left behind around the piercing on the capsule wall. In CMAS-CO2-H2O, the fluid was found to be almost neutral (pH 7-8). The melt present in our experiments is carbonatitic in nature and does not contain any significant amounts of K2O. This contradicts a recent study on K2O in a natural composition (Foley et al, 2009) where carbonatitic melt had up to 13 wt% of K2O. Significantly, since K2O is perhaps all in the fluid, source regions for potassic magmas in the Earth’s mantle could not be created by metasomatism of alkali-rich, carbonatitic melts.

Measuring pleural fluid pH: high correlation of a handheld unit to a traditional tabletop blood gas analyzer.

PubMed

Kohn, G L; Hardie, W D

2000-12-01

STUDY PURPOSES: To survey hospital laboratories in the United States to determine methods used for measuring pleural fluid pH, and to compare pleural fluid pH values obtained with a traditional tabletop blood gas analyzer (BGA) to those obtained with a handheld analyzer. Hospital laboratories nationwide were contacted by telephone to survey the methods used to measure pleural fluid pH. In a second phase, pleural fluid was prospectively collected from 19 pediatric and adult patients with pleural effusions, and pleural fluid pH was measured simultaneously with a traditional tabletop BGA and with a handheld unit. A total of 220 hospital laboratories were contacted by telephone, and 166 responded (75%). The methods for determining pleural fluid pH for all hospital laboratories were pH meter (35%; n = 59), BGA (32%; n = 53), and litmus paper (31%: n = 51); 2% (n = 3) did not perform the test. University hospitals were more likely to use a BGA, compared to community hospitals (p < 0.014) or children's hospitals (p < 0.001). In the comparison of pleural fluid measurements, the mean pH for the traditional BGA was 7.358 +/- 0.189, and the mean pH for the handheld unit was 7.382 +/- 0.203. The absolute difference between the two machines was 0.024 U, and the two methods were correlated (p < 0.01; r = 0.993; degrees of freedom = 36). Most hospital laboratories in the United States do not measure pleural fluid pH using a traditional BGA and use alternative methods that have previously been shown to be inaccurate. Pleural fluid pH obtained by a handheld unit has a high degree of correlation to that of a traditional tabletop BGA, and it offers a satisfactory alternative for laboratories reluctant to measure pleural fluid pH with a BGA.

Wetting in Color

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burgess, Ian Bruce

Colorimetric litmus tests such as pH paper have enjoyed wide commercial success due to their inexpensive production and exceptional ease of use. However, expansion of colorimetry to new sensing paradigms is challenging because macroscopic color changes are seldom coupled to arbitrary differences in the physical/chemical properties of a system. In this thesis I present in detail the development of Wetting in Color Technology, focusing primarily on its application as an inexpensive and highly selective colorimetric indicator for organic liquids. The technology exploits chemically-encoded inverse-opal photonic crystals to control the infiltration of fluids to liquid-specific spatial patterns, projecting minute differences in liquids' wettability to macroscopically distinct, easy-to-visualize structural color patterns. It is shown experimentally and corroborated with theoretical modeling using percolation theory that the high selectivity of wetting, upon-which the sensitivity of the indicator relies, is caused by the highly symmetric structure of our large-area, defect-free SiO2 inverse-opals. The regular structure also produces a bright iridescent color, which disappears when infiltrated with liquid - naturally coupling the optical and fluidic responses. Surface modification protocols are developed, requiring only silanization and selective oxidation, to facilitate the deterministic design of an indicator that differentiates a broad range of liquids. The resulting tunable, built-in horizontal and vertical chemistry gradients allow the wettability threshold to be tailored to specific liquids across a continuous range, and make the readout rely only on countable color differences. As wetting is a generic fluidic phenomenon, Wetting in Color technology could be suitable for applications in authentication or identification of unknown liquids across a broad range of industries. However, the generic nature of the response also ensures chemical non-specificity. It is shown that combinatorial measurements from an array of indicators add a degree of chemical specificity to the platform, which can be further improved by monitoring the drying of the inverse-opal films. While colorimetry is the central focus of this thesis, applications of this platform in encryption, fluidics and nanofabrication are also briefly explored.

Understanding the school community's response to school closures during the H1N1 2009 influenza pandemic.

PubMed

Braunack-Mayer, Annette; Tooher, Rebecca; Collins, Joanne E; Street, Jackie M; Marshall, Helen

2013-04-15

During the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, Australian public health officials closed schools as a strategy to mitigate the spread of the infection. This article examines school communities' understanding of, and participation in, school closures and the beliefs and values which underpinned school responses to the closures. We interviewed four school principals, 25 staff, 14 parents and 13 students in five schools in one Australian city which were either fully or partially closed during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. Drawing on Thompson et al's ethical framework for pandemic planning, we show that considerable variation existed between and within schools in their attention to ethical processes and values. In all schools, health officials and school leaders were strongly committed to providing high quality care for members of the school community. There was variation in the extent to which information was shared openly and transparently, the degree to which school community members considered themselves participants in decision-making, and the responsiveness of decision-makers to the changing situation. Reservations were expressed about the need for closures and quarantine and there was a lack of understanding of the rationale for the closures. All schools displayed a strong duty of care toward those in need, although school communities had a broader view of care than that of the public health officials. Similarly, there was a clear understanding of and commitment to protect the public from harm and to demonstrate responsible stewardship. We conclude that school closures during an influenza pandemic represent both a challenge for public health officials and a litmus test for the level of trust in public officials, government and the school as institution. In our study, trust was the foundation upon which effective responses to the school closure were built. Trust relations within the school were the basis on which different values and beliefs were used to develop and justify the practices and strategies in response to the pandemic.

A general framework for complete positivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dominy, Jason M.; Shabani, Alireza; Lidar, Daniel A.

2016-01-01

Complete positivity of quantum dynamics is often viewed as a litmus test for physicality; yet, it is well known that correlated initial states need not give rise to completely positive evolutions. This observation spurred numerous investigations over the past two decades attempting to identify necessary and sufficient conditions for complete positivity. Here, we describe a complete and consistent mathematical framework for the discussion and analysis of complete positivity for correlated initial states of open quantum systems. This formalism is built upon a few simple axioms and is sufficiently general to contain all prior methodologies going back to Pechakas (Phys Rev Lett 73:1060-1062, 1994). The key observation is that initial system-bath states with the same reduced state on the system must evolve under all admissible unitary operators to system-bath states with the same reduced state on the system, in order to ensure that the induced dynamical maps on the system are well defined. Once this consistency condition is imposed, related concepts such as the assignment map and the dynamical maps are uniquely defined. In general, the dynamical maps may not be applied to arbitrary system states, but only to those in an appropriately defined physical domain. We show that the constrained nature of the problem gives rise to not one but three inequivalent types of complete positivity. Using this framework, we elucidate the limitations of recent attempts to provide conditions for complete positivity using quantum discord and the quantum data processing inequality. In particular, we correct the claim made by two of us (Shabani and Lidar in Phys Rev Lett 102:100402-100404, 2009) that vanishing discord is necessary for complete positivity, and explain that it is valid only for a particular class of initial states. The problem remains open, and may require fresh perspectives and new mathematical tools. The formalism presented herein may be one step in that direction.

America's looming creativity crisis.

PubMed

Florida, Richard

2004-10-01

The strength of the American economy does not rest on its manufacturing prowess, its natural resources, or the size of its market. It turns on one factor--the country's openness to new ideas, which has allowed it to attract the brightest minds from around the world and harness their creative energies. But the United States is on the verge of losing that competitive edge. As the nation tightens its borders to students and scientists and subjects federal research funding to ideological and religious litmus tests, many other countries are stepping in to lure that creative capital away. Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, and others are spending more on research and development and shoring up their universities in an effort to attract the world's best--including Americans. If even a few of these nations draw away just a small percentage of the creative workers from the U.S., the effect on its economy will be enormous. In this article, the author introduces a quantitative measure of the migration of creative capital called the Global Creative-Class Index. It shows that, far from leading the world, the United States doesn't even rank in the top ten in the percentage of its workforce engaged in creative occupations. What's more, the baby boomers will soon retire. And data showing large drops in foreign student applications to U.S. universities and in the number of visas issued to knowledge workers, along with concomitant increases in immigration in other countries, suggest that the erosion of talent from the United States will only intensify. To defend the U.S. economy, the business community must take the lead in ensuring that global talent can move efficiently across borders, that education and research are funded at radically higher levels, and that we tap into the creative potential of more and more workers. Because wherever creativity goes, economic growth is sure to follow.

Entropy and the Magic Flute

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morowitz, Harold J.

1996-10-01

Harold Morowitz has long been highly regarded both as an eminent scientist and as an accomplished science writer. The essays in The Wine of Life , his first collection, were hailed by C.P. Snow as "some of the wisest, wittiest and best informed I have ever read," and Carl Sagan called them "a delight to read." In later volumes he established a reputation for a wide-ranging intellect, an ability to see unexpected connections and draw striking parallels, and a talent for communicating scientific ideas with optimism and wit. With Entropy and the Magic Flute , Morowitz once again offers an appealing mix of brief reflections on everything from litmus paper to the hippopotamus to the sociology of Palo Alto coffee shops. Many of these pieces are appreciations of scientists that Morowitz holds in high regard, while others focus on health issues, such as America's obsession with cheese toppings. There is also a fascinating piece on the American Type Culture Collection, a zoo or warehouse for microbes that houses some 11,800 strains of bacteria, and over 3,000 specimens of protozoa, algae, plasmids, and oncogenes. Here then are over forty light, graceful essays in which one of our wisest experimental biologists comments on issues of science, technology, society, philosophy, and the arts.

New medium for rapid screening and enumeration of Clostridium perfringens in foods.

PubMed Central

Erickson, J E; Deibel, R H

1978-01-01

A rapid and sensitive procedure for estimating low numbers of Clostridium perfringens has been investigated and compared to methods used currently in the food industry. The new liquid medium, RPM (rapid perfringens medium), was compared with sulfite-polymyxin-sulfadiazine agar and tryptose-sulfite-cycloserine agar in recovery studies with naturally contaminated and with inoculated foods. The medium consists of a mixture of litmus milk and fluid thioglycolate medium fortified with glucose, peptone, gelatin, yeast extract, sodium chloride, and ferrous sulfate. Selectivity is based on an antibiotic system (polymyxin B sulfate and neomycin sulfate) incorporated into the medium, coupled with an incubation temprature of 46 to 48 degrees C for 24 h. Tubes were scored as positive if a stormy fermentation was observed. All tubes demonstrating stormy fermentation were confirmed as containing C. perfringens. Of a total of 774 naturally contaminated food samples, 546 samples (71%) were found to contain C. perfringens with RPM, whereas only 168 (22%) of the samples were positive using sulfite-polymyxin-sulfadiazine agar. C. perfringens was isolated from 71% of 85 other samples using RPM as compared to 14% with tryptose-sulfite-cycloserine agar. Enumeration studies on 14 individual samples using the most probable number technique also demonstrated greater sensitivity with RPM. PMID:213019

An ambiguous monolith - the Swedish drug issue as a political battleground 1965-1981.

PubMed

Edman, Johan

2013-09-01

The drug problem has been a highly ideologized topic in the political debate in Sweden ever since the mid-1960s. The aim of the article is to investigate dominant conceptions of drugs, drug use, society and the individual in the political discussions on drug use in Sweden during the years 1965-1981. The empirical basis for the textual analysis consists of 146 parliamentary bills and 135 parliamentary protocols. The unwanted drug appear as a sensitive litmus paper, an indication that something had gone wrong in society and as a suggestion of how the good society could be accomplished. The drug problem was connected to ideological core values such as class struggle, Christianity or criticism of urbanism and modernity. The analysis suggests that the drug problem was used as political ammunition, to pick holes in political opponents and to highlight one's own ideological stance. The hegemonic conversational order, the consensual spirit and the agreement that this was the most serious problem, did not hamper these political moves. Rather, the cross-party conception of the problem's severity and accelerating deterioration contributed to a common ground for political arguments and ideological visions. It also meant that the political discussions moved away from the more obvious drug policy issues. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Implementation of the evidence review on best practice for confirming the correct placement of nasogastric tube in patients in an acute care hospital.

PubMed

Tho, Poh Chi; Mordiffi, Siti; Ang, Emily; Chen, Helen

2011-03-01

Nasogastric (NG) tube is a device passed through the gastrointestinal tract of patients for the purpose of feeding, gastric decompression and medication administration. However, a small risk involved in the process is that the tube may be misplaced into the trachea during insertion or may get displaced at a later stage, leading to disastrous results. Recent adverse incidences arising out of the misplacement of NG tube raised concerns among the nursing and medical community and the Patient Safety Officer of the hospital. The Evidence Based Nursing Unit, in collaboration with some of the key nursing leaders in nursing administration, was tasked to explore and institute the current best practice in confirming the correct placement of NG tube. The aim of this project was to institute the best practice to confirm the correct placement of NG tube in patients in an acute care hospital setting. The project comprised of a few stages. The first stage involved reviewing the existing recommendations and guidelines on the methods for checking correct NG tube placement. The second stage involved incorporation of the change of practice into the clinical setting. The final stage was to monitor and evaluate the impact of the new practice on the patients, nurses and other healthcare professionals. Evidence search from guidelines and journals supported the test that used pH indicator instead of the litmus test. There is no evidence that supports the method of auscultation and bubbling to confirm correct NG tube placement in the absence of aspirate. Radiology remains the 'gold standard' for checking correct NG tube placement. The revised method of NG tube placement and workflow was incorporated in the revised Standard Operating Procedures. A total of 17 roadshows were conducted to create awareness regarding the new method amongst the nurses, and the implementation of the revised method and workflow was commenced on 3 November 2008. The initial audit conducted 1 month after the practice change was implemented reported 26 (50%) observations of NG tube feeding in 26 audit wards. The key areas of practice change in feeding when tube placement was confirmed (84.6%) and proper testing of aspirate (76.9%) showed good compliance. The implementation of the change in the practice of confirming the correct placement of the NG tube in patients requires good coordination and a multidisciplinary team approach. © 2011 The Authors. International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare © 2011 The Joanna Briggs Institute.

NASA's Carbon Monitoring System (CMS) Applications and Application Readiness Levels (ARLs)-An assessment of how all CMS ARLs provide societal benefit.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Escobar, V. M.; Sepulveda Carlo, E.; Delgado Arias, S.

2016-12-01

During the past six years, the NASA Carbon Monitoring System (CMS) Applications effort has been engaging with stakeholders in an effort to make the 52 CMS project user friendly and policy relevant. Congressionally directed, the CMS initiative is a NASA endeavor providing carbon data products that help characterize and understand carbon sources and sinks at local and international scales. All data are freely available, and scaled for local, state, regional, national and international-level resource management. To facilitate user feedback during development, as well as understanding for the type of use and application the CMS data products can provide, the Applications project utilizes the NASA Applied Sciences Program nine step Application Readiness Level (ARL) indices. These are used to track and manage the progression and distribution of funded projects. ARLs are an adaptation of NASA's technology readiness levels (TRLs) used for managing technology and risk and reflects the three main tiers of a project: research, development and deployment. The ARLs are scaled from 1 to 9, research and development (ARL1) to operational and/or decision making ready products (ARL9). The ARLS can be broken up into three phases: Phase 1, discovery and feasibility (ARL 1-3); Phase 2, development testing and validation (ARL 4-6); and Phase 3, integration into Partner's systems (ARL 7-9). The ARLs are designed to inform both scientist and end user of the product maturity and application capability. The CMS initiative has products that range across all ARLs, providing societal benefit at multiple scales. Lower ARLs contribute to formal documents such as the IPCC while others at higher levels provide decision support quantifying the value of carbon data for greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction planning. Most CMS products have an ARL 5, (validation of a product in a relevant environment), meaning the CMS carbon science is actively in a state of science-user engagement. For the user community, ARLs are a litmus test for knowing the type of user feedback and advocacy that can be implemented into the product design. For the scientist, ARLS help communicate (1) the maturity of their science to users who would like to use it for decision making and (2) the intended use of the product.

Identifying language impairment in bilingual children in France and in Germany.

PubMed

Tuller, Laurice; Hamann, Cornelia; Chilla, Solveig; Ferré, Sandrine; Morin, Eléonore; Prevost, Philippe; Dos Santos, Christophe; Abed Ibrahim, Lina; Zebib, Racha

2018-05-23

The detection of specific language impairment (SLI) in children growing up bilingually presents particular challenges for clinicians. Non-word repetition (NWR) and sentence repetition (SR) tasks have proven to be the most accurate diagnostic tools for monolingual populations, raising the question of the extent of their usefulness in different bilingual populations. To determine the diagnostic accuracy of NWR and SR tasks that incorporate phonological/syntactic complexity as discussed in recent linguistic theory. The tasks were developed as part of the Language Impairment Testing in Multilingual Settings (LITMUS) toolkit, in two different national settings, France and Germany, and investigated children with three different home languages: Arabic, Portuguese and Turkish. NWR and SR tasks developed in parallel were administered to 151 bilingual children, aged 5;6-8;11, in France and in Germany, to 64 children in speech-language therapy (SLT) and to 87 children not in SLT, whose first language (L1) was Arabic, Portuguese or Turkish. Children were also administered standardized language tests in each of their languages to determine likely clinical status (typical development (TD) or SLI), and parents responded to a questionnaire including questions about early and current language use (bilingualism factors) and early language development (risk factors for SLI). Monolingual controls included 47 TD children and 29 children with SLI. Results were subjected to inter-group comparisons, to diagnostic accuracy calculation, and to correlation and multiple regression analyses. In accordance with previous studies, NWR and SR identified SLI in the monolingual children, yielding good to excellent diagnostic accuracy. Diagnostic accuracy in bilingual children was fair to good, generally distinguishing children likely to have SLI from children likely to have TD. Accuracy was necessarily linked to the determination of clinical status, which was based on standardized assessment in each of the child's languages. Positive early development, a composite risk factor for SLI, and not variables related to language exposure and use, generally emerged as the strongest predictor of performance on the two tasks, constituting additional, independent support for the efficacy of NWR and SR in identifying impairment in bilingual children. NWR and SR tasks informed by linguistic theory are appropriate for use as part of the diagnostic process for identifying language impairment in bilingual children for whom the language of assessment is different from the home language, in diverse sociolinguistic contexts. © 2018 Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Understanding the school community’s response to school closures during the H1N1 2009 influenza pandemic

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background During the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, Australian public health officials closed schools as a strategy to mitigate the spread of the infection. This article examines school communities’ understanding of, and participation in, school closures and the beliefs and values which underpinned school responses to the closures. Methods We interviewed four school principals, 25 staff, 14 parents and 13 students in five schools in one Australian city which were either fully or partially closed during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. Results Drawing on Thompson et al’s ethical framework for pandemic planning, we show that considerable variation existed between and within schools in their attention to ethical processes and values. In all schools, health officials and school leaders were strongly committed to providing high quality care for members of the school community. There was variation in the extent to which information was shared openly and transparently, the degree to which school community members considered themselves participants in decision-making, and the responsiveness of decision-makers to the changing situation. Reservations were expressed about the need for closures and quarantine and there was a lack of understanding of the rationale for the closures. All schools displayed a strong duty of care toward those in need, although school communities had a broader view of care than that of the public health officials. Similarly, there was a clear understanding of and commitment to protect the public from harm and to demonstrate responsible stewardship. Conclusions We conclude that school closures during an influenza pandemic represent both a challenge for public health officials and a litmus test for the level of trust in public officials, government and the school as institution. In our study, trust was the foundation upon which effective responses to the school closure were built. Trust relations within the school were the basis on which different values and beliefs were used to develop and justify the practices and strategies in response to the pandemic. PMID:23587175

Wetting in color: colorimetric differentiation of organic liquids with high selectivity.

PubMed

Burgess, Ian B; Koay, Natalie; Raymond, Kevin P; Kolle, Mathias; Lončar, Marko; Aizenberg, Joanna

2012-02-28

Colorimetric litmus tests such as pH paper have enjoyed wide commercial success due to their inexpensive production and exceptional ease of use. Expansion of colorimetry to new sensing paradigms is challenging because macroscopic color changes are seldom coupled to arbitrary differences in the physical/chemical properties of a system. Here we present in detail the design of a "Wetting In Color Kit" (WICK), an inexpensive and highly selective colorimetric indicator for organic liquids that exploits chemically encoded inverse-opal photonic crystals to project minute differences in liquids' wettability to macroscopically distinct, easy-to-visualize structural color patterns. We show experimentally and corroborate with theoretical modeling using percolation theory that the highly symmetric structure of our large-area, defect-free SiO(2) inverse-opal films leads to sharply defined threshold wettability for liquid infiltration, occurring at intrinsic contact angles near 20° with an estimated resolution smaller than 5°. The regular structure also produces a bright iridescent color, which disappears when infiltrated with liquid, naturally coupling the optical and fluidic responses. To deterministically design a WICK that differentiates a broad range of liquids, we introduced a nondestructive quality control procedure to regulate the pore structure and developed two new surface modification protocols, both requiring only silanization and selective oxidation. The resulting tunable, built-in horizontal and vertical chemistry gradients let us tailor the wettability threshold to specific liquids across a continuous range. With patterned oxidation as a final step, we control the shape of the liquid-specific patterns displayed, making WICK easier to read. Using these techniques, we demonstrate the applicability of WICKs in several exemplary systems that colorimetrically distinguish (i) ethanol-water mixtures varying by only 2.5% in concentration; (ii) methanol, ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol; (iii) hexane, heptane, octane, nonane, and decane; and (iv) samples of gasoline (regular unleaded) and diesel. As wetting is a generic fluidic phenomenon, we envision that WICK could be suitable for applications in authentication or identification of unknown liquids across a broad range of industries.

Interdisciplinary applications of statistical physics to complex systems: Seismic physics, econophysics, and sociophysics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tenenbaum, Joel

This thesis applies statistical physics concepts and methods to quantitatively analyze complex systems. This thesis is separated into four parts: (i) characteristics of earthquake systems (ii) memory and volatility in data time series (iii) the application of part (ii) to world financial markets, and (iv) statistical observations on the evolution of word usage. In Part I, we observe statistical patterns in the occurrence of earthquakes. We select a 14-year earthquake catalog covering the archipelago of Japan. We find that regions traditionally thought of as being too distant from one another for causal contact display remarkably high correlations, and the networks that result have a tendency to link highly connected areas with other highly connected areas. In Part II, we introduce and apply the concept of "volatility asymmetry", the primary use of which is in financial data. We explain the relation between memory and "volatility asymmetry" in terms of an asymmetry parameter lambda. We define a litmus test for determining whether lambda is statistically significant and propose a stochastic model based on this parameter and use the model to further explain empirical data. In Part III, we expand on volatility asymmetry. Importing the concepts of time dependence and universality from physics, we explore the aspects of emerging (or "transition") economies in Eastern Europe as they relate to asymmetry. We find that these emerging markets in some instances behave like developed markets and in other instances do not, and that the distinction is a matter both of country and a matter of time period, crisis periods showing different asymmetry characteristics than "healthy" periods. In Part IV, we take note of a series of findings in econophysics, showing statistical growth similarities between a variety of different areas that all have in common the fact of taking place in areas that are both (i) competing and (ii) dynamic. We show that this same growth distribution can be reproduced in observing the growth rates of the usage of individual words, that just as companies compete for sales in a zero sum marketing game, so do words compete for usage within a limited amount of reader man-hours.

PHYSIOLOGICAL CAUSES FOR THE VARIED CHARACTER OF STASIS BILE

PubMed Central

Rous, Peyton; McMaster, Philip D.

1921-01-01

The gall bladder and ducts exert opposite influences upon the bile. The ducts fail to concentrate and thicken it with mucus as the bladder does, but dilute it slightly with a thin secretion of their own that is colorless and devoid of cholates even when the organism is heavily jaundiced. The fluid may readily be collected into a rubber bag connected with an isolated duct segment. It continues to be formed against a considerable pressure, and, in the dog, is slightly alkaline to litmus, clear, almost watery, practically devoid of cholesterol, and of low specific gravity to judge from the one specimen tested. In obstructed ducts separated from the gall bladder, or connecting with one so changed pathologically that the concentrating faculty has been lost, such fluid gradually replaces the small amount of bile originally pent up. It is the so called "white bile" of surgeons. When obstructed ducts connect with an approximately normal gall bladder the stasis fluid is entirely different, owing to the bladder activity. At first there accumulates in quantity a true bile much inspissated by loss of fluid through the bladder wall, darkened by a change in the pigment, and progressively thickened with bladder mucus. As time passes duct secretion mingles with the tarry accumulation and very gradually replaces it. The inspissation of the bile, as indicated by the pigment content, is at its greatest after only a day or two of stasis. The differing influences of the ducts and bladder upon the bile must obviously have much to do with the site of origin of calculi and their clinical consequences. The concentrating activity of the bladder cannot but be a potent element in the formation of stones. We have discussed these matters at some length. Intermittent biliary stasis is admittedly the principal predisposing cause of cholelithiasis; and the stasis is to be thought of as effective, in many instances at least, through the excessive biliary inspissation for which it gives opportunity. In this way a normal gall bladder can become, merely through functional activity, a menace to the organism. In patients with the tendency to stones frequent feedings may lessen the danger of their formation. PMID:19868542

[Significance of identification of fungi in gastric juice of patients with artificial airway in intensive care unit].

PubMed

Feng, Yong-wen; Wu, Ming; Li, Ying; Zeng, Jing-jing; Li, Ming-li; He, Yun; Li, Dan-hui; Cui, Man-li

2012-02-01

To investigate the direct relationship and significance between the pH value of gastric juice and positive fungi in culture critical patients with artificial airway in intensive care unit (ICU) by analyzing and identifying the type of fungi and their sensitivity to antifungal therapy. A prospective study was conducted.One hundred and sixty patients (between December, 2008 and October, 2011) with artificial airway lasting longer than 48 hours were studied in the ICU at the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University. The gastric juice specimens were collected through a nasogastric tube, their pH values were measured using precise litmus paper. These samples were divided into six groups according to their pH values: pH ≤ 2.0, pH 2.1-3.0, pH 3.1-4.0, pH 4.1-5.0, pH 5.1-6.0 and pH 6.1-7.0, and then fungi were cultured in these specimens with different pH values. Susceptibility of different fungicide drugs were also investigated. The susceptibility of fungi to gastric juice with different pH values was also investigated. The relationship between 28-day survival rate and the presence of fungi in gastric juice was analyzed in order to analyze the relationship of the presence of fungi in gastric juice and clinical outcome. (1) No fungal growth was found in the gastric juice with pH value lower than 4.0, and the positive rate of fungal culture was significantly increased when the pH value of gastric juice raised. (2) The positive rate of fungal growth was 27.9% (55/197), in which, the positive rate of Candida and non-Candida fungi was 38.2% (21/55) and 61.8% (34/55) respectively, and the difference was significant statistically [χ(2) = 4.16, P < 0.05]. (3) The fungal positive rate was 40.0% (22/55) and 60.0% (33/55) respectively, in survivors (102 cases) and non-survivors (58 cases). The percentage of Candida infection and non-Candida infection was 54.5% (12/22) and 45.5% (10/22) respectively, in survivors, and it was 27.3% (9/33) and 72.7% (24/33), respectively, in non-survivors. The rate of resistance of Candida and non-Candida fungi was 4.7%-14.3% (mean 10.1%) and 0-60% (mean 28.5%) respectively. Positive fungus culture rate was higher in critical patients with artificial airway and higher gastric juice pH values. Non-Candida fungi were mainly found in gastric juice with increasing resistance rate. Candida was more commonly found in survivors, and non-Candida fungi were more commonly found in non-survivors.

The challenges of quantitative evaluation of a multi-setting, multi-strategy community-based childhood obesity prevention programme: lessons learnt from the eat well be active Community Programs in South Australia.

PubMed

Wilson, Annabelle M; Magarey, Anthea M; Dollman, James; Jones, Michelle; Mastersson, Nadia

2010-08-01

To describe the rationale, development and implementation of the quantitative component of evaluation of a multi-setting, multi-strategy, community-based childhood obesity prevention project (the eat well be active (ewba) Community Programs) and the challenges associated with this process and some potential solutions. ewba has a quasi-experimental design with intervention and comparison communities. Baseline data were collected in 2006 and post-intervention measures will be taken from a non-matched cohort in 2009. Schoolchildren aged 10-12 years were chosen as one litmus group for evaluation purposes. Thirty-nine primary schools in two metropolitan and two rural communities in South Australia. A total of 1732 10-12-year-old school students completed a nutrition and/or a physical activity questionnaire and 1637 had anthropometric measures taken; 983 parents, 286 teachers, thirty-six principals, twenty-six canteen and thirteen out-of-school-hours care (OSHC) workers completed Program-specific questionnaires developed for each of these target groups. The overall child response rate for the study was 49 %. Sixty-five per cent, 43 %, 90 %, 90 % and 68 % of parent, teachers, principals, canteen and OSHC workers respectively, completed and returned questionnaires. A number of practical, logistical and methodological challenges were experienced when undertaking this data collection. Learnings from the process of quantitative baseline data collection for the ewba Community Programs can provide insights for other researchers planning similar studies with similar methods, particularly those evaluating multi-strategy programmes across multiple settings.

Soil news - the soil carbon and climate policy journey in Australia and the role of different media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aggs, Ron

2015-07-01

‘Enough soil carbon to mitigate climate change is a big ask’ was a litmus piece in the October 2012 edition of Agriculture Today. The paper was the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries’ flagship research, advisory and farm management vehicle, published monthly in The Land for 20 years, on the web since 2005 until December 2012. The October 2012 story dovetailed with Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) television Lateline reporting that the Federal Coalition's (from now on Government's) climate policy could not demonstrate that storing carbon in Australian soils would achieve the major proportion of a target to reduce Australia's greenhouse emissions by five per cent on 2000 levels by 2020. It also provided background for the ABC's FactCheck verdict that voters in 2013 federal election were not hearing “the full story on climate research”. The real story is how to inform urban Australia's poor understanding and lack of connection to how land managers must maintain and where possible improve soil quality for food security and food production as we adapt to climate change. And if you are in the business of information delivery or providing content, how do you choose your distribution channels to target as wide an audience as possible? One fundamental yardstick to avoid disenfranchising and discriminating against some people who want, and rely on, your information is to continually critically assess how fast high speed internet is reaching marginalised rural areas. Print is still the preferred news medium for the majority of farmers.

Arctic Connections, an Interactive CD-ROM Program for Middle School Science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elias, S. A.

2003-12-01

In this project we developed an interactive CD-ROM program for middle school students, accompanied by an interactive web site. The project was sponsored by a grant from the NSF ESIE Instructional Materials Development program. One of the major goals of this project was to involve middle school students in inquiry-based science education, using topics that are of interest to students in Arctic communities. Native Alaskan students have traditionally done poorly in science at the secondary level, and few have gone on to major in the sciences in college or to pursue scientific careers. Part of the problem is a perceived dichotomy between science and traditional Native ways of knowing about the natural world. Hence some students reject the scientific method as being foreign to their native culture. Our goal was to help bridge this cultural barrier, and to demonstrate to native students that the scientific method is not antithetical to their traditional way of life. The program uses story modules that discuss both scientific and Native ways of understanding, through the use of action-adventure stories and brief learning modules. The aim was to show students the relevance of science to their daily lives, and to convince them that scientific methods are a vital tool in solving major problems in arctic communities. Each action-adventure story contains a series of problems that the program user must solve through interactive participation, in order for the story to progress. The interactive elements include answering quiz questions correctly, measuring pH by comparing litmus paper colors, measuring archaeological artifact dimensions, finding the location of fossil bones in a photograph, and correctly identifying photographs of whale species, arctic plants, and fish. The stories contain a mixture of live-action film sequences and voice-over sketch art story boards. The ten modules include such topics as arctic flora and fauna (including terrestrial and sea mammals), arctic solar phenomena, the archaeology and ice-age history of Alaska, water quality, sea ice, permafrost, and climatology. The topics are designed to show connections between the past, present, and future of the Arctic, highlighting problems that can be addressed by scientific inquiry. The accompanying teacher's guide contains a series of hands-on experiments and additional learning materials for each module. The scientific information contained in the modules was refereed by a team of experts who have also volunteered to respond to student questions via e-mail. During the last three years, the program has been field tested in middle schools in Barrow, Kotzebue, Fairbanks, and Anchorage, Alaska. These tests have brought many suggestions for improvements from both teachers and students. The program is in its final evaluation phase, and will be available to schools early in 2004.

Validation Test Report For The CRWMS Analysis and Logistics Visually Interactive Model Calvin Version 3.0, 10074-Vtr-3.0-00

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

S. Gillespie

2000-07-27

This report describes the tests performed to validate the CRWMS ''Analysis and Logistics Visually Interactive'' Model (CALVIN) Version 3.0 (V3.0) computer code (STN: 10074-3.0-00). To validate the code, a series of test cases was developed in the CALVIN V3.0 Validation Test Plan (CRWMS M&O 1999a) that exercises the principal calculation models and options of CALVIN V3.0. Twenty-five test cases were developed: 18 logistics test cases and 7 cost test cases. These cases test the features of CALVIN in a sequential manner, so that the validation of each test case is used to demonstrate the accuracy of the input to subsequentmore » calculations. Where necessary, the test cases utilize reduced-size data tables to make the hand calculations used to verify the results more tractable, while still adequately testing the code's capabilities. Acceptance criteria, were established for the logistics and cost test cases in the Validation Test Plan (CRWMS M&O 1999a). The Logistics test cases were developed to test the following CALVIN calculation models: Spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and reactivity calculations; Options for altering reactor life; Adjustment of commercial SNF (CSNF) acceptance rates for fiscal year calculations and mid-year acceptance start; Fuel selection, transportation cask loading, and shipping to the Monitored Geologic Repository (MGR); Transportation cask shipping to and storage at an Interim Storage Facility (ISF); Reactor pool allocation options; and Disposal options at the MGR. Two types of cost test cases were developed: cases to validate the detailed transportation costs, and cases to validate the costs associated with the Civilian Radioactive Waste Management System (CRWMS) Management and Operating Contractor (M&O) and Regional Servicing Contractors (RSCs). For each test case, values calculated using Microsoft Excel 97 worksheets were compared to CALVIN V3.0 scenarios with the same input data and assumptions. All of the test case results compare with the CALVIN V3.0 results within the bounds of the acceptance criteria. Therefore, it is concluded that the CALVIN V3.0 calculation models and options tested in this report are validated.« less

Arc Jet Testing of Thermal Protection Materials: 3 Case Studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Sylvia; Conley, Joe

2015-01-01

Arc jet testing is used to simulate entry to test thermal protection materials. This paper discusses the usefulness of arc jet testing for 3 cases. Case 1 is MSL and PICA, Case 2 is Advanced TUFROC, and Case 3 is conformable ablators.

77 FR 73286 - Codification of Animal Testing Policy

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-10

... to post the test method on the animal testing Web site. In the final statement of policy, we refer to... case-by-case basis and, upon review, determine whether to post the test method on the animal testing... on a case-by- case basis and, upon review, determine whether to post the test method on the animal...

Failures in Hybrid Microcircuits During Environmental Testing. History Cases

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Teverovsky, Alexander

2008-01-01

This purpose of this viewgraph presentation is to discuss failures in hermetic hybrids observed at the GSFC PA Lab during environmental stress testing. The cases discussed are: Case I. Substrate metallization failures during Thermal cycling (TC). Case II. Flex lid-induced failure. Case Ill. Hermeticity failures during TC. Case IV. Die metallization cracking during TC. and how many test cycles and parts is necessary? Case V. Wire Bond failures after life test. Case VI. Failures caused by Au/In IMC growth.

The Medication Recommendation Tracking Form: a novel tool for tracking changes in prescribed medication, clinical decision making, and use in comparative effectiveness research.

PubMed

Reilly-Harrington, Noreen A; Sylvia, Louisa G; Leon, Andrew C; Shesler, Leah W; Ketter, Terence A; Bowden, Charles L; Calabrese, Joseph R; Friedman, Edward S; Ostacher, Michael J; Iosifescu, Dan V; Rabideau, Dustin J; Thase, Michael E; Nierenberg, Andrew A

2013-11-01

This paper describes the development and use of the Medication Recommendation Tracking Form (MRTF), a novel method for capturing physician prescribing behavior and clinical decision making. The Bipolar Trials Network developed and implemented the MRTF in a comparative effectiveness study for bipolar disorder (LiTMUS). The MRTF was used to assess the frequency, types, and reasons for medication adjustments. Changes in treatment were operationalized by the metric Necessary Clinical Adjustments (NCA), defined as medication adjustments to reduce symptoms, optimize treatment response and functioning, or to address intolerable side effects. Randomized treatment groups did not differ in rates of NCAs, however, responders had significantly fewer NCAs than non-responders. Patients who had more NCAs during their previous visit had significantly lower odds of responding at the current visit. For each one-unit increase in previous CGI-BP depression score and CGI-BP overall severity score, patients had an increased NCA rate of 13% and 15%, respectively at the present visit. Ten-unit increases in previous Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) scores resulted in an 18% and 14% increase in rates of NCAs, respectively. Patients with fewer NCAs had increased quality of life and decreased functional impairment. The MRTF standardizes the reporting and rationale for medication adjustments and provides an innovative metric for clinical effectiveness. As the first tool in psychiatry to track the types and reasons for medication changes, it has important implications for training new clinicians and examining clinical decision making. (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT00667745). Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Anisotropy of magnetic interactions and symmetry of the order parameter in unconventional superconductor Sr2RuO4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Bongjae; Khmelevskyi, Sergii; Mazin, Igor I.; Agterberg, Daniel F.; Franchini, Cesare

2017-07-01

Sr2RuO4 is the best candidate for spin-triplet superconductivity, an unusual and elusive superconducting state of fundamental importance. In the last three decades, Sr2RuO4 has been very carefully studied and despite its apparent simplicity when compared with strongly correlated high-Tc cuprates, for which the pairing symmetry is understood, there is no scenario that can explain all the major experimental observations, a conundrum that has generated tremendous interest. Here, we present a density-functional-based analysis of magnetic interactions in Sr2RuO4 and discuss the role of magnetic anisotropy in its unconventional superconductivity. Our goal is twofold. First, we access the possibility of the superconducting order parameter rotation in an external magnetic field of 200 Oe, and conclude that the spin-orbit interaction in this material is several orders of magnitude too strong to be consistent with this hypothesis. Thus, the observed invariance of the Knight shift across Tc has no plausible explanation, and casts doubt on using the Knight shift as an ultimate litmus paper for the pairing symmetry. Second, we propose a quantitative double-exchange-like model for combining itinerant fermions with an anisotropic Heisenberg magnetic Hamiltonian. This model is complementary to the Hubbard-model-based calculations published so far, and forms an alternative framework for exploring superconducting symmetry in Sr2RuO4. As an example, we use this model to analyze the degeneracy between various p-triplet states in the simplest mean-field approximation, and show that it splits into a single and two doublets with the ground state defined by the competition between the "Ising" and "compass" anisotropic terms.

30 CFR 250.524 - When am I required to take action from my casing diagnostic test?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... casing diagnostic test; (c) Any well that has demonstrated tubing/casing, tubing/riser, casing/casing... casing diagnostic test? 250.524 Section 250.524 Mineral Resources MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE, DEPARTMENT... Gas Well-Completion Operations Casing Pressure Management § 250.524 When am I required to take action...

Drug skin tests in cutaneous adverse drug reactions to pristinamycin: 29 cases with a study of cross-reactions between synergistins.

PubMed

Barbaud, A; Trechot, P; Weber-Muller, F; Ulrich, G; Commun, N; Schmutz, J L

2004-01-01

The present study was made to determine the value of drug skin tests in patients with cutaneous adverse drug reactions (CADRs) due to a synergistin (pristinamycin) and to determine the frequency of cross-reactions between synergistins. 29 patients were referred during the onset of the CADR due to pristinamycin: 18 with maculopapular rash, 9 erythrodermas, 1 angioedema and 1 Stevens-Johnson syndrome. They all had patch tests with pristinamycin and, in most cases, with other synergistins [virginiamycin and dalfopristin-quinupristin (DQ)], prick tests (10 cases) and intradermal tests (IDT) (5 cases). Skin tests with synergistins were positive in 27 cases, patch tests with pristinamycin in 20/29 cases (69%), prick tests with pristinamycin in 3/9 cases on immediate (1 case) or on delayed (2 cases) readings, and IDT with DQ in 4/5 cases. Cross-reactions between synergistins occurred in 9/22 with virginiamycin and in 7/8 cases with DQ. Skin tests with synergistins are useful in investigating CADR due to pristinamycin. Synergistins are composed of 2 chains (1 depsipeptide and 1 macrocyclic lactone) with many structural analogies between all synergistins. According to the chemical structures and our results, it seems advisable to avoid all synergistins in patients with CADR due to pristinamycin.

16 CFR 1500.232 - Statement on animal testing policy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... case-by-case basis and, upon review, determine whether to post the test method on the animal testing... on a case-by-case basis and, upon review, determine whether to post the test method on the animal...-15 minutes apart, prior to instilling the test material to the eye); post-treatment with systemic...

16 CFR § 1500.232 - Statement on animal testing policy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... case-by-case basis and, upon review, determine whether to post the test method on the animal testing... on a case-by-case basis and, upon review, determine whether to post the test method on the animal...-15 minutes apart, prior to instilling the test material to the eye); post-treatment with systemic...

Immunohistochemistry and alternative FISH testing in breast cancer with HER2 equivocal amplification.

PubMed

Agersborg, Sally; Mixon, Christopher; Nguyen, Thanh; Aithal, Sramila; Sudarsanam, Sucha; Blocker, Forrest; Weiss, Lawrence; Gasparini, Robert; Jiang, Shiping; Chen, Wayne; Hess, Gregory; Albitar, Maher

2018-03-22

While HER2 testing is well established in directing appropriate treatment for breast cancer, a small percentage of cases show equivocal results by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Alternative probes may be used in equivocal cases. We present a single community-based institution's experience in further evaluating these cases. Between 2014 and 2016, 4255 samples were submitted for HER2 amplification testing by alternative probes, TP53, RAI1, and RARA. Of the patients tested by FISH, 505/3908 (12.9%) also had IHC data. Most (73.9%) FISH equivocal cases remained equivocal after IHC testing. However, 50.5% of equivocal cases were classified as HER2 amplified by alternative probes. Most cases were positive by more than one probe: 78% of positive cases by RAI1 and 73.9% by TP53. There was a significant difference between IHC and FISH alternative testing (p < 0.0001) among the equivocal cases by conventional FISH testing, 44% of IHC negative cases became positive while 36% of the positive IHC cases became negative by alternative FISH testing. Available data showed that 41% of patients were treated with palbociclib and were positive by alternative FISH. The prevalence of double HER2 equivocal cases and the discrepancy between IHC and alternative FISH testing suggest that FISH alternative testing using both RAI1 and TP53 probes is necessary for conclusive classification. Because almost half of FISH equivocal cases converted to HER2 amplified upon alternative testing, clinical studies to determine the benefit of anti-HER2 therapy in these patients are urgently needed.

30 CFR 250.525 - What do I submit if my casing diagnostic test requires action?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 2 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false What do I submit if my casing diagnostic test... if my casing diagnostic test requires action? Within 14 days after you perform a casing diagnostic... Corrective Action Plan within 30 days of the diagnostic test. (b) a casing pressure request, Regional...

Computational Test Cases for a Rectangular Supercritical Wing Undergoing Pitching Oscillations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bennett, Robert M.; Walker, Charlotte E.

1999-01-01

Proposed computational test cases have been selected from the data set for a rectangular wing of panel aspect ratio two with a twelve-percent-thick supercritical airfoil section that was tested in the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel. The test cases include parametric variation of static angle of attack, pitching oscillation frequency, and Mach numbers from subsonic to transonic with strong shocks. Tables and plots of the measured pressures are presented for each case. This report provides an early release of test cases that have been proposed for a document that supplements the cases presented in AGARD Report 702.

[Evaluation of fetomaternal hemorrhage in postpartum patients with indication for administration of anti-D immunoglobulin].

PubMed

Baiochi, Eduardo; Camano, Luiz; Bordin, José Orlando

2005-01-01

This study evaluated fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH) in 343 postpartum patients who required prophylaxis of Rh alloimmunization with anti-D immunoglobulin. The rosette test was applied to screen for patients needing quantitative determination of fetal blood transferred from the maternal circulation, which was then measured by the Kleihauer-Betke test (K-B). The rosette test was positive in 22 cases (6.4%). In five of these cases, K-B did not show fetomaternal hemorrhage (a 1.45% false-positive rate for the rosette test), and in one case the test was inconclusive. There were 8 cases with FMH < 10 ml (2.3%), 6 cases with FMH from 10 to 30 ml (1.7%), and two cases with FMH > 30 ml (0.58%), requiring a supplementary dose of anti-D. The study concludes that following the rosette test, additional evaluation of FMH using a quantitative test was unnecessary in 93.6% of the cases.

Detection of fetal sex chromosome aneuploidy by massively parallel sequencing of maternal plasma DNA: initial experience in a Chinese hospital.

PubMed

Yao, H; Jiang, F; Hu, H; Gao, Y; Zhu, Z; Zhang, H; Wang, Y; Guo, Y; Liu, L; Yuan, Y; Zhou, L; Wang, J; Du, B; Qu, N; Zhang, R; Dong, Y; Xu, H; Chen, F; Jiang, H; Liu, Y; Zhang, L; Tian, Z; Liu, Q; Zhang, C; Pan, X; Yang, S; Zhao, L; Wang, W; Liang, Z

2014-07-01

To evaluate the performance of a massively parallel sequencing (MPS)-based test in detecting fetal sex chromosome aneuploidy (SCA) and to present a comprehensive clinical counseling protocol for SCA-positive patients. This was a retrospective study in a large patient cohort of 5950 singleton pregnancies which underwent MPS-based testing as a prenatal screening test for trisomies 21, 18 and 13, with X and Y chromosomes as secondary findings, in Southwest Hospital in China. MPS-based SCA-positive women were offered the choice of knowing whether their SCA results were positive and those who did commenced a two-stage post-test clinical counseling protocol. In Stage 1, general information about SCA was given, and women were given the option of invasive testing for confirmation of findings; in Stage 2, those who had chosen to undergo invasive testing were informed about the specific SCA affecting their fetus and their management options. Thirty-three cases were classified as SCA-positive by MPS-based testing. After Stage 1 of the two-stage post-test clinical counseling session, 33 (100%) of these pregnant women chose to know the screening test results, and 25 (75.76%) underwent an invasive diagnostic procedure and karyotype analysis, in one of whom karyotyping failed. In thirteen cases, karyotyping confirmed the MPS-based test results (two X0 cases, seven XXX cases, three XXY cases and one XYY case), giving a positive predictive value of 54.17% (13/24 cases confirmed by karyotyping). After post-test clinical counseling session Stage 2, seven women chose to terminate the pregnancy: one X0 case, two XXX cases, the three XXY cases and the single XYY case. Six women decided to continue with pregnancy: one X0 case and five XXX cases. Our study showed the feasibility of clinical application of the MPS-based test in the non-invasive detection of fetal SCA. Together with a two-stage post-test clinical counseling protocol, it leads to a well-informed decision-making procedure. Copyright © 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Prenatal diagnostic procedures used in pregnancies with congenital malformations in 14 regions of Europe.

PubMed

Garne, Ester; Loane, Maria; de Vigan, Catherine; Scarano, Gioacchino; de Walle, Hermien; Gillerot, Yves; Stoll, Claude; Addor, Marie-Claude; Stone, David; Gener, Blanca; Feijoo, Maria; Mosquera-Tenreiro, Carmen; Gatt, Miriam; Queisser-Luft, Annette; Baena, Neus; Dolk, Helen

2004-11-01

To investigate outcomes of ultrasound investigations (US) and invasive diagnostic procedures in cases of congenital malformations (CM), and to compare the use of invasive prenatal test techniques (amniocentesis (AC) versus chorionic villus sampling (CVS)) among European populations. Analysis of data from population-based registries of CM. 25 400 cases of CM recorded by 14 EUROCAT registries covering a total population of 1,013,352 births 1995-99. US were performed in 91% of cases, and positively detected CM in 35% of cases. AC was performed in 24% of the cases and CVS in 3% of cases. Thirty-eight percent of invasive tests gave positive results. Fifty-two percent of cases with maternal age > or = 35 years had an invasive test performed compared to 20% of cases with younger mothers. Considerable variation was found between registries in the uptake rate of invasive tests in cases with older maternal age and on the use of invasive tests with only four regions employing CVS techniques in at least a third of the cases having invasive tests. For chromosomal anomalies US gave positive results in 46% of cases with maternal age < 35 years with US performed and in 36% of cases with maternal age > or = 35 years with US performed. Prenatal US was performed in 91% of all pregnancies with CM but the test was only positive in a third of the cases. There was large regional variation in the uptake rate of invasive tests with maternal age of 35 years or more. For every CVS carried out there were nine AC tests. US is an important tool in the prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal anomalies in Europe. Copyright 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Computational Test Cases for a Clipped Delta Wing with Pitching and Trailing-Edge Control Surface Oscillations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bennett, Robert M.; Walker, Charlotte E.

1999-01-01

Computational test cases have been selected from the data set for a clipped delta wing with a six-percent-thick circular-arc airfoil section that was tested in the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel. The test cases include parametric variation of static angle of attack, pitching oscillation frequency, trailing-edge control surface oscillation frequency, and Mach numbers from subsonic to low supersonic values. Tables and plots of the measured pressures are presented for each case. This report provides an early release of test cases that have been proposed for a document that supplements the cases presented in AGARD Report 702.

Higgs Physics and Cosmology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roberts, Alex

2016-08-01

Recently, a new framework for describing the multiverse has been proposed which is based on the principles of quantum mechanics. The framework allows for well-defined predictions, both regarding global properties of the universe and outcomes of particular experiments, according to a single probability formula. This provides complete unification of the eternally inflating multiverse and many worlds in quantum mechanics. We elucidate how cosmological parameters can be calculated in this framework, and study the probability distribution for the value of the cosmological constant. We consider both positive and negative values, and find that the observed value is consistent with the calculated distribution at an order of magnitude level. In particular, in contrast to the case of earlier measure proposals, our framework prefers a positive cosmological constant over a negative one. These results depend only moderately on how we model galaxy formation and life evolution therein. We explore supersymmetric theories in which the Higgs mass is boosted by the non-decoupling D-terms of an extended U(1) X gauge symmetry, defined here to be a general linear combination of hypercharge, baryon number, and lepton number. Crucially, the gauge coupling, gX, is bounded from below to accommodate the Higgs mass, while the quarks and leptons are required by gauge invariance to carry non-zero charge under U(1)X. This induces an irreducible rate, sigmaBR, for pp → X → ll relevant to existing and future resonance searches, and gives rise to higher dimension operators that are stringently constrained by precision electroweak measurements. Combined, these bounds define a maximally allowed region in the space of observables, (sigmaBR, mX), outside of which is excluded by naturalness and experimental limits. If natural supersymmetry utilizes non-decoupling D-terms, then the associated X boson can only be observed within this window, providing a model independent 'litmus test' for this broad class of scenarios at the LHC. Comparing limits, we find that current LHC results only exclude regions in parameter space which were already disfavored by precision electroweak data.. Recent LHC data, together with the electroweak naturalness argument, suggest that the top squarks may be significantly lighter than the other sfermions. We present supersymmetric models in which such a split spectrum is obtained through ''geometries'': being ''close to'' electroweak symmetry breaking implies being ''away from'' supersymmetry breaking, and vice versa. In particular, we present models in 5D warped spacetime, in which supersymmetry breaking and Higgs fields are located on the ultraviolet and infrared branes, respectively, and the top multiplets are localized to the infrared brane. The hierarchy of the Yukawa matrices can be obtained while keeping near flavor degeneracy between the first two generation sfermions, avoiding stringent constraints from flavor and CP violation. Through the AdS/CFT correspondence, the models can be interpreted as purely 4D theories in which the top and Higgs multiplets are composites of some strongly interacting sector exhibiting nontrivial dynamics at a low energy. Because of the compositeness of the Higgs and top multiplets, Landau pole constraints for the Higgs and top couplings apply only up to the dynamical scale, allowing for a relatively heavy Higgs boson, including mh = 125 GeV as suggested by the recent LHC data. We analyze electroweak symmetry breaking for a well-motivated subset of these models, and find that fine-tuning in electroweak symmetry breaking is indeed ameliorated. We also discuss a flat space realization of the scenario in which supersymmetry is broken by boundary conditions, with the top multiplets localized to a brane while other matter multiplets delocalized in the bulk.

Analysis of case-parent trios at a locus with a deletion allele: association of GSTM1 with autism.

PubMed

Buyske, Steven; Williams, Tanishia A; Mars, Audrey E; Stenroos, Edward S; Ming, Sue X; Wang, Rong; Sreenath, Madhura; Factura, Marivic F; Reddy, Chitra; Lambert, George H; Johnson, William G

2006-02-10

Certain loci on the human genome, such as glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1), do not permit heterozygotes to be reliably determined by commonly used methods. Association of such a locus with a disease is therefore generally tested with a case-control design. When subjects have already been ascertained in a case-parent design however, the question arises as to whether the data can still be used to test disease association at such a locus. A likelihood ratio test was constructed that can be used with a case-parents design but has somewhat less power than a Pearson's chi-squared test that uses a case-control design. The test is illustrated on a novel dataset showing a genotype relative risk near 2 for the homozygous GSTM1 deletion genotype and autism. Although the case-control design will remain the mainstay for a locus with a deletion, the likelihood ratio test will be useful for such a locus analyzed as part of a larger case-parent study design. The likelihood ratio test has the advantage that it can incorporate complete and incomplete case-parent trios as well as independent cases and controls. Both analyses support (p = 0.046 for the proposed test, p = 0.028 for the case-control analysis) an association of the homozygous GSTM1 deletion genotype with autism.

Analysis of case-parent trios at a locus with a deletion allele: association of GSTM1 with autism

PubMed Central

Buyske, Steven; Williams, Tanishia A; Mars, Audrey E; Stenroos, Edward S; Ming, Sue X; Wang, Rong; Sreenath, Madhura; Factura, Marivic F; Reddy, Chitra; Lambert, George H; Johnson, William G

2006-01-01

Background Certain loci on the human genome, such as glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1), do not permit heterozygotes to be reliably determined by commonly used methods. Association of such a locus with a disease is therefore generally tested with a case-control design. When subjects have already been ascertained in a case-parent design however, the question arises as to whether the data can still be used to test disease association at such a locus. Results A likelihood ratio test was constructed that can be used with a case-parents design but has somewhat less power than a Pearson's chi-squared test that uses a case-control design. The test is illustrated on a novel dataset showing a genotype relative risk near 2 for the homozygous GSTM1 deletion genotype and autism. Conclusion Although the case-control design will remain the mainstay for a locus with a deletion, the likelihood ratio test will be useful for such a locus analyzed as part of a larger case-parent study design. The likelihood ratio test has the advantage that it can incorporate complete and incomplete case-parent trios as well as independent cases and controls. Both analyses support (p = 0.046 for the proposed test, p = 0.028 for the case-control analysis) an association of the homozygous GSTM1 deletion genotype with autism. PMID:16472391

Software Architecture: Managing Design for Achieving Warfighter Capability

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-04-30

The Government’s requirements and specifications for a new weapon...at the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) is likely to have a much higher probability of meeting the warfighters’ need for capability. Test -case...inventories of test cases are developed from the user-defined scenarios so that there is one or more test case for every scenario. The test cases will

30 CFR 250.523 - How long do I keep records of casing pressure and diagnostic tests?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... and diagnostic tests? 250.523 Section 250.523 Mineral Resources BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT... long do I keep records of casing pressure and diagnostic tests? Records of casing pressure and diagnostic tests must be kept at the field office nearest the well for a minimum of 2 years. The last casing...

BEAT: A Web-Based Boolean Expression Fault-Based Test Case Generation Tool

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, T. Y.; Grant, D. D.; Lau, M. F.; Ng, S. P.; Vasa, V. R.

2006-01-01

BEAT is a Web-based system that generates fault-based test cases from Boolean expressions. It is based on the integration of our several fault-based test case selection strategies. The generated test cases are considered to be fault-based, because they are aiming at the detection of particular faults. For example, when the Boolean expression is in…

Phase 2 STS new user development program. Volume 1: Executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcdowell, J. R.

1976-01-01

A methodology for developing new users for STS other than NASA and DoD, thereby maximizing the use of the STS system was developed. The approach to user development, reflected in the implementation plan, and attendant informational material to be used were evaluated by conducting a series of test cases with selected user organizations. These test case organizations were, in effect, used as consultants to evaluate the effectiveness, the needs, the completeness, and the adequacy of the user development approach and informational material. The selection of the test cases provided a variety of potential STS users covering industry, other government agencies, and the educational sector. The test cases covered various use areas and provided a mix of user organization types. A summary of the actual test cases conducted is given. The conduct of the test cases verified the general approach of the implementation plan, the validity of the user development strategy prepared for each test case organization and the effectiveness of the STS basic and user customized informational material.

[CLINICAL OBSERVATION OF ONE-STAGE ARTHROSCOPIC RECONSTRUCTION AND STRICT IMMOBILIZATION FOR TREATMENT OF KNEE DISLOCATION].

PubMed

Mamatkerimulla; Xu Gang; Wang, Xin; Zhang, Yang; Jia, Yong; Huang, Tao; Xing, Shuxing

2016-04-01

To investigate the effectiveness of one-stage arthroscopic reconstruction and strict immobilization for 6 weeks for treatment of knee dislocation. Between August 2010 and May 2013, 22 cases (22 knees) of knee dislocation were treated with one-stage reconstruction and strict immobilization for 6 weeks. There were 15 males and 7 females, aged 21-54 years (mean, 31.5 years). The left knee and right knee were involved in 8 cases and 14 cases respectively. The disease causes were traffic accident in 12 cases, falling from height in 6 cases, and sports injury in 4 cases. The time between injury and operation was less than 2 weeks in 6 cases, 2-3 weeks in 10 cases, and more than 3 weeks in 6 cases. The results of anterior drawer test, posterior drawer test, and Lachman test were positive in all patients. The posterior displacement of the tibia was more than 10 mm. The results of valgus stress test and varus stress test were positive in 13 cases and 11 cases respectively. The preoperative knee range of motion was (58.2 ± 28.4)°, Lysholm score was 39.7 ± 4.6. All patients had anterior cruciate ligament rupture and posterior cruciate ligament rupture; combined injuries included medial collateral ligament rupture in 11 cases, lateral collateral ligament rupture in 9 cases, both medial and lateral collateral ligament rupture in 2 cases, femoral condylar avulsion fracture in 2 cases, and meniscus injury in 7 cases. No nerve or blood vessel injury was observed. All cases obtained primary healing of incision without infection. All the patients were followed up 12-48 months (mean, 27.8 months). At 12 months after operation, the results of the anterior drawer test, posterior drawer test, Lachman test, valgus stress test, and varus stress test were all negative; the knee range of motion increased was significantly to (121.3 ± 7.9)° (t = 30.061, P = 0.000); Lysholm score was 87.2 ± 6.1, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative score (t = 24.642, P = 0.000). A combination oathogopi osta ge reconstruction and strict immobilization for treatment of knee dislocation is a safe and effective method, good stability and joint function can be achieved.

Case Study: Testing with Case Studies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Herreid, Clyde Freeman

2015-01-01

This column provides original articles on innovations in case study teaching, assessment of the method, as well as case studies with teaching notes. This month's issue discusses using case studies to test for knowledge or lessons learned.

Incompleteness of Bluetooth protocol conformance test cases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Peng; Gao, Qiang

2001-10-01

This paper describes a formal method to verify the completeness of conformance testing, in which not only Implementation Under Test (IUT) is formalized in SDL, but also conformance tester is described in SDL so that conformance testing can be performed in simulator provided with CASE tool. The protocol set considered is Bluetooth, an open wireless communication technology. Our research results show that Bluetooth conformance test specification is not complete in that it has only limited coverage and many important capabilities defined in Bluetooth core specification are not tested. We also give a detail report on the missing test cases against Bluetooth core specification, and provide a guide on further test case generation in the future.

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

Roper, J; Bradshaw, B; Godette, K

Purpose: To create a knowledge-based algorithm for prostate LDR brachytherapy treatment planning that standardizes plan quality using seed arrangements tailored to individual physician preferences while being fast enough for real-time planning. Methods: A dataset of 130 prior cases was compiled for a physician with an active prostate seed implant practice. Ten cases were randomly selected to test the algorithm. Contours from the 120 library cases were registered to a common reference frame. Contour variations were characterized on a point by point basis using principle component analysis (PCA). A test case was converted to PCA vectors using the same process andmore » then compared with each library case using a Mahalanobis distance to evaluate similarity. Rank order PCA scores were used to select the best-matched library case. The seed arrangement was extracted from the best-matched case and used as a starting point for planning the test case. Computational time was recorded. Any subsequent modifications were recorded that required input from a treatment planner to achieve an acceptable plan. Results: The computational time required to register contours from a test case and evaluate PCA similarity across the library was approximately 10s. Five of the ten test cases did not require any seed additions, deletions, or moves to obtain an acceptable plan. The remaining five test cases required on average 4.2 seed modifications. The time to complete manual plan modifications was less than 30s in all cases. Conclusion: A knowledge-based treatment planning algorithm was developed for prostate LDR brachytherapy based on principle component analysis. Initial results suggest that this approach can be used to quickly create treatment plans that require few if any modifications by the treatment planner. In general, test case plans have seed arrangements which are very similar to prior cases, and thus are inherently tailored to physician preferences.« less

30 CFR 250.524 - When am I required to take action from my casing diagnostic test?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... psig during a casing diagnostic test; (c) Any well that has demonstrated tubing/casing, tubing/riser, casing/casing, riser/casing, or riser/riser communication; (d) Any well that has sustained casing... operations described in § 250.521; (e) Any hybrid well with casing or riser pressure exceeding 100 psig; or...

30 CFR 250.525 - When am I required to take action from my casing diagnostic test?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... psig during a casing diagnostic test; (c) Any well that has demonstrated tubing/casing, tubing/riser, casing/casing, riser/casing, or riser/riser communication; (d) Any well that has sustained casing... operations described in § 250.521; (e) Any hybrid well with casing or riser pressure exceeding 100 psig; or...

30 CFR 250.525 - When am I required to take action from my casing diagnostic test?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... psig during a casing diagnostic test; (c) Any well that has demonstrated tubing/casing, tubing/riser, casing/casing, riser/casing, or riser/riser communication; (d) Any well that has sustained casing... operations described in § 250.521; (e) Any hybrid well with casing or riser pressure exceeding 100 psig; or...

Experimental Applications of Automatic Test Markup Language (ATML)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lansdowne, Chatwin A.; McCartney, Patrick; Gorringe, Chris

2012-01-01

The authors describe challenging use-cases for Automatic Test Markup Language (ATML), and evaluate solutions. The first case uses ATML Test Results to deliver active features to support test procedure development and test flow, and bridging mixed software development environments. The second case examines adding attributes to Systems Modelling Language (SysML) to create a linkage for deriving information from a model to fill in an ATML document set. Both cases are outside the original concept of operations for ATML but are typical when integrating large heterogeneous systems with modular contributions from multiple disciplines.

Benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood: diagnostic value of vestibular test and high stimulus rate auditory brainstem response test.

PubMed

Zhang, Daogong; Fan, Zhaomin; Han, Yuechen; Wang, Mingming; Xu, Lei; Luo, Jianfen; Ai, Yu; Wang, Haibo

2012-01-01

To investigate the diagnostic value of vestibular test and high stimulus rate auditory brainstem response (ABR) test and the possible mechanism responsible for benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood (BPVC). Data of 56 patients with BPVC in vertigo clinic of our hospital from May 2007 to September 2008 were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Patients with BPVC were tested with pure tone audiometry, high stimulus rate auditory brainstem response test (ABR), transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD), bithermal caloric test, and VEMP. The results of the hearing and vestibular function test were compared and analyzed. There were 56 patients with BPVC, including 32 men, 24 women, aged 3-12 years old, with an average of 6.5 years. Among 56 cases of BPVC patients, the results of pure tone audiometry were all normal. High stimulus rate ABR was abnormal in 66.1% (37/56) of cases. TCD showed 57.1% abnormality in 56 cases, including faster flow rate in 28 cases and slower flow rate in 4 cases. High stimulus rate ABR and TCD were both abnormal in 48.2% (27/56) of cases. Bithermal caloric test was abnormal in 14.3% (8/56) of cases. VEMP showed 32.1% abnormality, including amplitude abnormality in 16 cases and latency abnormality in 2 cases. The abnormal rate of VEMP was much higher than that of caloric test. Vascular mechanisms might be involved in the pathogenesis of BPVC and there is strong evidence for close relationship between BPVC and migraine. High stimulus rate ABR is helpful in the diagnosis of BPVC. The inferior vestibular pathway is much more impaired than the superior vestibular pathway in BPVC. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

A comparative study of the typhidot (Dot-EIA) and Widal tests in blood culture positive cases of typhoid fever.

PubMed

Khoharo, Haji Khan

2011-07-01

Seventy-six blood culture positive typhoid cases and forty-eight controls were studied. The typhidot test was positive in 74 (97.36%) cases, with a sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of 96%, 89.5%, and 95%, respectively, compared to the Widal test which was positive in 56 (73.68%) cases with a sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of 72%, 87%, and 87%, respectively (P = 0.001). In the control group, seven (14.5%) cases tested positive for the Widal test and two (4.16%) for the typhidot (P = 0.001), yielding the sensitivity and specificity for the Widal test and the typhidot test of 63% and 83%, and 85% and 97%, respectively. We conclude that the Dot-EIA (enzyme immunoassay; typhidot) is a more sensitive and specific test which is easy to perform and more reliable compared to the Widal test and that it is useful in early therapy.

Twenty Years On!: Updating the IEA BESTEST Building Thermal Fabric Test Cases for ASHRAE Standard 140

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

Judkoff, R.; Neymark, J.

2013-07-01

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 140, Standard Method of Test for the Evaluation of Building Energy Analysis Computer Programs applies the IEA BESTEST building thermal fabric test cases and example simulation results originally published in 1995. These software accuracy test cases and their example simulation results, which comprise the first test suite adapted for the initial 2001 version of Standard 140, are approaching their 20th anniversary. In response to the evolution of the state of the art in building thermal fabric modeling since the test cases and example simulation results were developed, work is commencing to update the normative test specification and themore » informative example results.« less

Twenty Years On!: Updating the IEA BESTEST Building Thermal Fabric Test Cases for ASHRAE Standard 140: Preprint

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

Judkoff, R.; Neymark, J.

2013-07-01

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 140, Standard Method of Test for the Evaluation of Building Energy Analysis Computer Programs applies the IEA BESTEST building thermal fabric test cases and example simulation results originally published in 1995. These software accuracy test cases and their example simulation results, which comprise the first test suite adapted for the initial 2001 version of Standard 140, are approaching their 20th anniversary. In response to the evolution of the state of the art in building thermal fabric modeling since the test cases and example simulation results were developed, work is commencing to update the normative test specification and themore » informative example results.« less

Obstacles in Using Randomization Tests in Single-Case Experimentation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kazdin, Alan E.

1980-01-01

Problems associated with randomization tests in single- case experiments are discussed. This article follows a discussion of randomization tests in single case studies in the same issue of this journal. (See TM 505 799; 505 801).(Author/JKS)

Electrical Evaluation of RCA MWS5001D Random Access Memory, Volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Klute, A.

1979-01-01

Electrical characterization and qualification tests were performed on the RCA MWS5001D, 1024 by 1-bit, CMOS, random access memory. Characterization tests were performed on five devices. The tests included functional tests, AC parametric worst case pattern selection test, determination of worst-case transition for setup and hold times and a series of schmoo plots. The qualification tests were performed on 32 devices and included a 2000 hour burn in with electrical tests performed at 0 hours and after 168, 1000, and 2000 hours of burn in. The tests performed included functional tests and AC and DC parametric tests. All of the tests in the characterization phase, with the exception of the worst-case transition test, were performed at ambient temperatures of 25, -55 and 125 C. The worst-case transition test was performed at 25 C. The preburn in electrical tests were performed at 25, -55, and 125 C. All burn in endpoint tests were performed at 25, -40, -55, 85, and 125 C.

30 CFR 250.523 - How long do I keep records of casing pressure and diagnostic tests?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... field office nearest the well for a minimum of 2 years. The last casing diagnostic test for each casing... and diagnostic tests? 250.523 Section 250.523 Mineral Resources MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE... Gas Well-Completion Operations Casing Pressure Management § 250.523 How long do I keep records of...

Application of the dengue virus NS1 antigen rapid test for on-site detection of imported dengue cases at airports.

PubMed

Shu, Pei-Yun; Yang, Cheng-Fen; Kao, Jeng-Fong; Su, Chien-Ling; Chang, Shu-Fen; Lin, Chien-Chou; Yang, Wen-Chih; Shih, Hsiu; Yang, Shih-Yan; Wu, Ping-Fuai; Wu, Ho-Sheng; Huang, Jyh-Hsiung

2009-04-01

We used the dengue virus NS1 antigen (Ag) rapid test for on-site detection of imported dengue cases at airports. Among 22 positive cases of dengue identified from 850 patients with a fever suspected to have dengue, 17 were NS1 Ag test positive. These findings demonstrate the usefulness of the NS1 Ag rapid test in screening imported dengue cases at airports.

Application of the Dengue Virus NS1 Antigen Rapid Test for On-Site Detection of Imported Dengue Cases at Airports▿

PubMed Central

Shu, Pei-Yun; Yang, Cheng-Fen; Kao, Jeng-Fong; Su, Chien-Ling; Chang, Shu-Fen; Lin, Chien-Chou; Yang, Wen-Chih; Shih, Hsiu; Yang, Shih-Yan; Wu, Ping-Fuai; Wu, Ho-Sheng; Huang, Jyh-Hsiung

2009-01-01

We used the dengue virus NS1 antigen (Ag) rapid test for on-site detection of imported dengue cases at airports. Among 22 positive cases of dengue identified from 850 patients with a fever suspected to have dengue, 17 were NS1 Ag test positive. These findings demonstrate the usefulness of the NS1 Ag rapid test in screening imported dengue cases at airports. PMID:19193828

Investigation into High Barmah Forest Virus Disease Case Numbers Reported in the Northern Territory, Australia in 2012-2013.

PubMed

Kurucz, Nina; Markey, Peter; Draper, Anthony; Melville, Lorna; Weir, Richard; Davis, Steven; Warchot, Allan; Boyd, Rowena; Stokeld, Danielle

2016-02-01

Between October 2012 and October 2013, unprecedented high numbers of Barmah Forest virus (BFV) disease cases were reported in the Northern Territory (NT). An investigation was launched by the NT Department of Health in cooperation with the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries and the Department of Land Resource Management to investigate possible causes for this phenomenon. The investigation included virus isolations from mosquitoes collected in Darwin urban areas, BFV antibody testing in peri-urban small mammals and a human BFV disease case series investigation of recent cases. No BFV was isolated from the 4641 mosquitoes tested, none of the mammals tested positive for BFV antibodies, and the high BFV disease case numbers did not correlate with the relatively low mosquito vector numbers trapped in 2012-2013. It was estimated that up to 89% of the 79 human cases investigated did not have an acute arboviral illness and therefore had tested falsely positive. An Alere PanBio BFV immunoglobulin M enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test kit is generally used to test for BFV, with the BFV disease case definition based on immunoglobulin M positives only. Other jurisdictions in Australia also reported high numbers of BFV disease cases, with the majority of the cases suspected to be false positives. Therefore, current testing methods need to be revised to reflect the true numbers of BFV disease cases occurring in Australia and to provide correct diagnoses for patients.

Impact of a Routine, Opt-Out HIV Testing Program on HIV Testing and Case Detection in North Carolina Sexually-Transmitted Disease Clinics

PubMed Central

Klein, Pamela W.; Messer, Lynne C.; Myers, Evan R.; Weber, David J.; Leone, Peter A.; Miller, William C.

2016-01-01

The impact of routine, opt-out HIV testing programs in clinical settings is inconclusive. The objective of this study was to estimate the impact of an expanded, routine HIV testing program in North Carolina sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics on HIV testing and case detection. Adults aged 18–64 who received an HIV test in a North Carolina STD clinic July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2011 were included in this analysis, dichotomized at the date of implementation on November 1, 2007. HIV testing and case detection counts and rates were analyzed using interrupted time series analysis, and Poisson and multilevel logistic regression. Pre-intervention, 426 new HIV-infected cases were identified from 128,029 tests (0.33%), whereas 816 new HIV-infected cases were found from 274,745 tests post-intervention (0.30%). Pre-intervention, HIV testing increased by 55 tests per month (95% confidence interval [CI]: 41, 72), but only 34 tests per month (95% CI: 26, 42) post-intervention. Increases in HIV testing rates were most pronounced in females and non-Hispanic whites. A slight pre-intervention decline in case detection was mitigated by the intervention (mean difference [MD]=0.01; 95% CI: −0.02, 0.05). Increases in case detection rates were observed among females and non-Hispanic blacks. The impact of a routine HIV screening in North Carolina STD clinics was marginal, with the greatest benefit among persons not traditionally targeted for HIV testing. The use of a pre-intervention comparison period identified important temporal trends that otherwise would have been ignored. PMID:24825338

QM-8 final performance evaluation report: SEALS, volume 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nelsen, L. V.

1989-01-01

The Space Shuttle Redesigned Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM) static test of Qualification Motor-8 (QM-8) was conducted. The QM-8 test article was the fifth full-scale, full-duration test, and the third qualification motor to incorporate the redesigned case field joint and nozzle-to-case joint. This was the second static test conducted in the T-97 test facility, which is equipped with actuators for inducing external side loads to a 360 degree external tank (ET) attach ring during test motor operation, and permits heating/cooling of an entire motor. The QM-8 motor was cooled to a temperature which ensured that the maximum propellant mean bulk temperature (PMBT) of 40 F was achieved at firing. All test results are not included, but rather, the performance of the metal case, field joints, and nozzle-to-case joint is addressed. The involvement is studied of the Structural Applications and Structural Design Groups with the QM-8 test which includes: assembly procedures of the field and nozzle-to-case joints, joint leak check results, structural test results, and post-test inspection evaluations.

Optimal design of studies of influenza transmission in households. II: comparison between cohort and case-ascertained studies.

PubMed

Klick, B; Nishiura, H; Leung, G M; Cowling, B J

2014-04-01

Both case-ascertained household studies, in which households are recruited after an 'index case' is identified, and household cohort studies, where a household is enrolled before the start of the epidemic, may be used to test and estimate the protective effect of interventions used to prevent influenza transmission. A simulation approach parameterized with empirical data from household studies was used to evaluate and compare the statistical power of four study designs: a cohort study with routine virological testing of household contacts of infected index case, a cohort study where only household contacts with acute respiratory illness (ARI) are sampled for virological testing, a case-ascertained study with routine virological testing of household contacts, and a case-ascertained study where only household contacts with ARI are sampled for virological testing. We found that a case-ascertained study with ARI-triggered testing would be the most powerful design while a cohort design only testing household contacts with ARI was the least powerful. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that these conclusions varied by model parameters including the serial interval and the risk of influenza virus infection from outside the household.

30 CFR 250.525 - What do I submit if my casing diagnostic test requires action?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false What do I submit if my casing diagnostic test... INTERIOR OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS AND SULPHUR OPERATIONS IN THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF Oil and Gas Well-Completion Operations Casing Pressure Management § 250.525 What do I submit if my casing diagnostic test...

Air-borne contact dermatitis caused exclusively by xanthium strumarium.

PubMed

Pasricha, J S; Verma, K K; D'Souza, P

1995-01-01

Most cases having air-borne contact dermatitis (ABCD) in India are considered to be caused by Parthenium hysterophorus. In some cases however, other plants have also been noticed to give positive patch test reactions. We are reporting two cases presenting as ABCD who showed positive patch tests with Xanthium strumarium while the patch tests with Parthenium hysterophorus were negative. It is therefore necessary to realise that every case of ABCD is not caused by Parthenium, and patch testing with Parthenium alone can lead to serious mistakes.

Efficiency of a Malaria Reactive Test-and-Treat Program in Southern Zambia: A Prospective, Observational Study.

PubMed

Deutsch-Feldman, Molly; Hamapumbu, Harry; Lubinda, Jailos; Musonda, Michael; Katowa, Ben; Searle, Kelly M; Kobayashi, Tamaki; Shields, Timothy M; Stevenson, Jennifer C; Thuma, Philip E; Moss, William J; For The Southern Africa International Centers Of Excellence For Malaria Research

2018-05-01

To improve malaria surveillance and achieve elimination, the Zambian National Malaria Elimination Program implemented a reactive test-and-treat program in Southern Province in 2013 in which individuals with rapid diagnostic test (RDT)-confirmed malaria are followed-up at their home within 1 week of diagnosis. Individuals present at the index case household and those residing within 140 m of the index case are tested with an RDT and treated with artemether-lumefantrine if positive. This study evaluated the efficiency of this reactive test-and-treat strategy by characterizing infected individuals missed by the RDT and the current screening radius. The radius was expanded to 250 m, and a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) test was performed on dried blood spot specimens. From January 2015 through March 2016, 145 index cases were identified at health centers and health posts. A total of 3,333 individuals residing in 525 households were screened. Excluding index cases, the parasite prevalence was 1.1% by RDT (33 positives of 3,016 participants) and 2.4% by qPCR (73 positives of 3,016 participants). Of the qPCR-positive cases, 62% of 73 individuals tested negative by RDT. Approximately half of the infected individuals resided within the index case household (58% of RDT-positive individuals and 48% of qPCR-positive individuals). The low sensitivity of the RDT and the high proportion of secondary cases within the index case household decreased the efficiency of this reactive test-and-treat strategy. Reactive focal drug administration in index case households would be a more efficient approach to treating infected individuals associated with a symptomatic case.

DUID prevalence in Colorado's DUI citations.

PubMed

Wood, Ed; Salomonsen-Sautel, Stacy

2016-06-01

There are limited studies that measure the prevalence of driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) based upon impairment measures because most prevalence studies are based on drug tests. The aim of this study was to provide the first estimate of DUID prevalence in Colorado using data collected by Colorado law enforcement officers in vehicular homicide (VH) and vehicular assault (VA) cases, and reported in court records. The four research questions of this study were answered by completing independent t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests, Pearson chi-square analyses or Fisher's exact tests, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Seventy percent (119 out of 170) of the cases involved alcohol only and 30% (51 out of 170) involved drugs. Of the latter cases, 32 cases involved a combination of alcohol and drugs and 19 cases identified drugs only, with no alcohol. Marijuana was the most commonly cited drug (23 cases); however, it was the sole impairing substance identified in only three cases. Polydrug use was very common among DUID cases, which makes it difficult to identify which drug or drugs caused the impairment responsible for the Driving Under the Influence citation. This study revealed tha (a) drugged driving is a frequent cause of DUI citations in cases charged with VH or VA; (b) that polydrug use, rather than marijuana, is the most common cause of drugged driving in Colorado; and (c) that current warrant procedures render blood test results meaningless in cases of marijuana-impairment. States should collect and analyze DUID data to ensure legislators focus on the right DUID problems to improve biological testing for drugs, adopt more appropriate roadside testing, and enact stronger DUID laws to protect the public. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd and National Safety Council. All rights reserved.

Creation and pilot testing of cases for case-based learning: A pedagogical approach for pathology cancer diagnosis.

PubMed

Sayed, Shahin; Lester, Susan C; Wilson, Michael; Berney, Daniel; Masia, Ricard; Moloo, Zahir; Stall, Jennifer; Eslan, Alexia; Ayers, Stephanie; Mutuku, Angela; Guarner, Jeannette

2017-01-01

Case-based learning (CBL) is an established pedagogical active learning method used in various disciplines and defined based on the field of study and type of case. The utility of CBL for teaching specific aspects of cancer diagnosis to practising pathologists has not been previously studied in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to pilot test standardised cancer cases on a group of practising pathologists in sub-Saharan Africa to evaluate case content, clarity of questions and delivery of content. Expert faculty created cases for the four most commonly diagnosed cancers. The format included mini-cases and bullet cases which were all open-ended. The questions dealt with interpretation of clinical information, gross specimen examination, morphologic characteristics of tumours, ancillary testing, reporting and appropriate communication to clinicians. Cases on breast, cervical, prostate and colorectal cancers were tested on seven practising pathologists. Each case took an average of 45-90 min to complete.Questions that were particularly challenging to testers were on: Specimens they should have been but for some reason were not exposed to in routine practice.Ancillary testing and appropriate tumour staging.New knowledge gained included tumour grading and assessment of radial margins. Revisions to cases were made based on testers' feedback, which included rewording of questions to reduce ambiguity and adding of tables to clarify concepts. Cases were created for CBL in Kenya, but these are applicable elsewhere in Africa and beyond to teach cancer diagnosis. The pilot testing of cases prepared faculty for the actual CBL course and feedback provided by the testers assisted in improving the questions and impact on day-to-day practice.

Creation and pilot testing of cases for case-based learning: A pedagogical approach for pathology cancer diagnosis

PubMed Central

Wilson, Michael; Masia, Ricard; Moloo, Zahir; Stall, Jennifer; Eslan, Alexia; Ayers, Stephanie; Mutuku, Angela

2017-01-01

Background Case-based learning (CBL) is an established pedagogical active learning method used in various disciplines and defined based on the field of study and type of case. The utility of CBL for teaching specific aspects of cancer diagnosis to practising pathologists has not been previously studied in sub-Saharan Africa. Objectives We aimed to pilot test standardised cancer cases on a group of practising pathologists in sub-Saharan Africa to evaluate case content, clarity of questions and delivery of content. Methods Expert faculty created cases for the four most commonly diagnosed cancers. The format included mini-cases and bullet cases which were all open-ended. The questions dealt with interpretation of clinical information, gross specimen examination, morphologic characteristics of tumours, ancillary testing, reporting and appropriate communication to clinicians. Results Cases on breast, cervical, prostate and colorectal cancers were tested on seven practising pathologists. Each case took an average of 45–90 min to complete. Questions that were particularly challenging to testers were on: Specimens they should have been but for some reason were not exposed to in routine practice.Ancillary testing and appropriate tumour staging. New knowledge gained included tumour grading and assessment of radial margins. Revisions to cases were made based on testers’ feedback, which included rewording of questions to reduce ambiguity and adding of tables to clarify concepts. Conclusion Cases were created for CBL in Kenya, but these are applicable elsewhere in Africa and beyond to teach cancer diagnosis. The pilot testing of cases prepared faculty for the actual CBL course and feedback provided by the testers assisted in improving the questions and impact on day-to-day practice. PMID:29147646

A Comparison of Trajectory Optimization Methods for the Impulsive Minimum Fuel Rendezvous Problem

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hughes, Steven P.; Mailhe, Laurie M.; Guzman, Jose J.

2003-01-01

In this paper we present, a comparison of trajectory optimization approaches for the minimum fuel rendezvous problem. Both indirect and direct methods are compared for a variety of test cases. The indirect approach is based on primer vector theory. The direct approaches are implemented numerically and include Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP). Quasi- Newton and Nelder-Meade Simplex. Several cost function parameterizations are considered for the direct approach. We choose one direct approach that appears to be the most flexible. Both the direct and indirect methods are applied to a variety of test cases which are chosen to demonstrate the performance of each method in different flight regimes. The first test case is a simple circular-to-circular coplanar rendezvous. The second test case is an elliptic-to-elliptic line of apsides rotation. The final test case is an orbit phasing maneuver sequence in a highly elliptic orbit. For each test case we present a comparison of the performance of all methods we consider in this paper.

A retrospective study of owner-requested testing as surveillance for equine infectious anemia in Canada (2009-2012).

PubMed

Higgins, Sara N; Howden, Krista J; James, Carolyn R; Epp, Tasha; Lohmann, Katharina L

2017-12-01

This retrospective study was undertaken to estimate i) the surveillance coverage for equine infectious anemia (EIA) based on owner-requested testing, and ii) the incidence of case detection from this surveillance activity to inform a review of Canada's national disease control strategy. Based on sample submissions by accredited veterinarians to laboratories CFIA-approved for EIA testing between 2009 and 2012, the estimated national surveillance coverage was 14% for all years, and 72 cases of EIA were detected. The annual national incidence of EIA detection ranged from 0.03 to 0.08 cases/1000 horses. On average, a greater proportion of the horse population was tested in eastern Canada (32%) than in western Canada (6%, P < 0.0001). The cumulative incidence of EIA detection was higher in western Canada (0.25 cases/1000 horses) than in eastern Canada (0.02 cases/1000 horses, P < 0.0001). This study identified regional differences in owner-requested EIA testing and case detection resulting from this testing activity.

Comparative effectiveness of incorporating a hypothetical DCIS prognostic marker into breast cancer screening.

PubMed

Trentham-Dietz, Amy; Ergun, Mehmet Ali; Alagoz, Oguzhan; Stout, Natasha K; Gangnon, Ronald E; Hampton, John M; Dittus, Kim; James, Ted A; Vacek, Pamela M; Herschorn, Sally D; Burnside, Elizabeth S; Tosteson, Anna N A; Weaver, Donald L; Sprague, Brian L

2018-02-01

Due to limitations in the ability to identify non-progressive disease, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is usually managed similarly to localized invasive breast cancer. We used simulation modeling to evaluate the potential impact of a hypothetical test that identifies non-progressive DCIS. A discrete-event model simulated a cohort of U.S. women undergoing digital screening mammography. All women diagnosed with DCIS underwent the hypothetical DCIS prognostic test. Women with test results indicating progressive DCIS received standard breast cancer treatment and a decrement to quality of life corresponding to the treatment. If the DCIS test indicated non-progressive DCIS, no treatment was received and women continued routine annual surveillance mammography. A range of test performance characteristics and prevalence of non-progressive disease were simulated. Analysis compared discounted quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and costs for test scenarios to base-case scenarios without the test. Compared to the base case, a perfect prognostic test resulted in a 40% decrease in treatment costs, from $13,321 to $8005 USD per DCIS case. A perfect test produced 0.04 additional QALYs (16 days) for women diagnosed with DCIS, added to the base case of 5.88 QALYs per DCIS case. The results were sensitive to the performance characteristics of the prognostic test, the proportion of DCIS cases that were non-progressive in the model, and the frequency of mammography screening in the population. A prognostic test that identifies non-progressive DCIS would substantially reduce treatment costs but result in only modest improvements in quality of life when averaged over all DCIS cases.

Airside HVAC BESTEST. Adaptation of ASHRAE RP 865 Airside HVAC Equipment Modeling Test Cases for ASHRAE Standard 140. Volume 1, Cases AE101-AE445

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

Neymark, J.; Kennedy, M.; Judkoff, R.

This report documents a set of diagnostic analytical verification cases for testing the ability of whole building simulation software to model the air distribution side of typical heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment. These cases complement the unitary equipment cases included in American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 140, Standard Method of Test for the Evaluation of Building Energy Analysis Computer Programs, which test the ability to model the heat-transfer fluid side of HVAC equipment.

A Framework for Testing Scientific Software: A Case Study of Testing Amsterdam Discrete Dipole Approximation Software

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shao, Hongbing

Software testing with scientific software systems often suffers from test oracle problem, i.e., lack of test oracles. Amsterdam discrete dipole approximation code (ADDA) is a scientific software system that can be used to simulate light scattering of scatterers of various types. Testing of ADDA suffers from "test oracle problem". In this thesis work, I established a testing framework to test scientific software systems and evaluated this framework using ADDA as a case study. To test ADDA, I first used CMMIE code as the pseudo oracle to test ADDA in simulating light scattering of a homogeneous sphere scatterer. Comparable results were obtained between ADDA and CMMIE code. This validated ADDA for use with homogeneous sphere scatterers. Then I used experimental result obtained for light scattering of a homogeneous sphere to validate use of ADDA with sphere scatterers. ADDA produced light scattering simulation comparable to the experimentally measured result. This further validated the use of ADDA for simulating light scattering of sphere scatterers. Then I used metamorphic testing to generate test cases covering scatterers of various geometries, orientations, homogeneity or non-homogeneity. ADDA was tested under each of these test cases and all tests passed. The use of statistical analysis together with metamorphic testing is discussed as a future direction. In short, using ADDA as a case study, I established a testing framework, including use of pseudo oracles, experimental results and the metamorphic testing techniques to test scientific software systems that suffer from test oracle problems. Each of these techniques is necessary and contributes to the testing of the software under test.

Black-Box System Testing of Real-Time Embedded Systems Using Random and Search-Based Testing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arcuri, Andrea; Iqbal, Muhammad Zohaib; Briand, Lionel

Testing real-time embedded systems (RTES) is in many ways challenging. Thousands of test cases can be potentially executed on an industrial RTES. Given the magnitude of testing at the system level, only a fully automated approach can really scale up to test industrial RTES. In this paper we take a black-box approach and model the RTES environment using the UML/MARTE international standard. Our main motivation is to provide a more practical approach to the model-based testing of RTES by allowing system testers, who are often not familiar with the system design but know the application domain well-enough, to model the environment to enable test automation. Environment models can support the automation of three tasks: the code generation of an environment simulator, the selection of test cases, and the evaluation of their expected results (oracles). In this paper, we focus on the second task (test case selection) and investigate three test automation strategies using inputs from UML/MARTE environment models: Random Testing (baseline), Adaptive Random Testing, and Search-Based Testing (using Genetic Algorithms). Based on one industrial case study and three artificial systems, we show how, in general, no technique is better than the others. Which test selection technique to use is determined by the failure rate (testing stage) and the execution time of test cases. Finally, we propose a practical process to combine the use of all three test strategies.

Test Cases for the Benchmark Active Controls: Spoiler and Control Surface Oscillations and Flutter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bennett, Robert M.; Scott, Robert C.; Wieseman, Carol D.

2000-01-01

As a portion of the Benchmark Models Program at NASA Langley, a simple generic model was developed for active controls research and was called BACT for Benchmark Active Controls Technology model. This model was based on the previously-tested Benchmark Models rectangular wing with the NACA 0012 airfoil section that was mounted on the Pitch and Plunge Apparatus (PAPA) for flutter testing. The BACT model had an upper surface spoiler, a lower surface spoiler, and a trailing edge control surface for use in flutter suppression and dynamic response excitation. Previous experience with flutter suppression indicated a need for measured control surface aerodynamics for accurate control law design. Three different types of flutter instability boundaries had also been determined for the NACA 0012/PAPA model, a classical flutter boundary, a transonic stall flutter boundary at angle of attack, and a plunge instability near M = 0.9. Therefore an extensive set of steady and control surface oscillation data was generated spanning the range of the three types of instabilities. This information was subsequently used to design control laws to suppress each flutter instability. There have been three tests of the BACT model. The objective of the first test, TDT Test 485, was to generate a data set of steady and unsteady control surface effectiveness data, and to determine the open loop dynamic characteristics of the control systems including the actuators. Unsteady pressures, loads, and transfer functions were measured. The other two tests, TDT Test 502 and TDT Test 5 18, were primarily oriented towards active controls research, but some data supplementary to the first test were obtained. Dynamic response of the flexible system to control surface excitation and open loop flutter characteristics were determined during Test 502. Loads were not measured during the last two tests. During these tests, a database of over 3000 data sets was obtained. A reasonably extensive subset of the data sets from the first two tests have been chosen for Test Cases for computational comparisons concentrating on static conditions and cases with harmonically oscillating control surfaces. Several flutter Test Cases from both tests have also been included. Some aerodynamic comparisons with the BACT data have been made using computational fluid dynamics codes at the Navier-Stokes level (and in the accompanying chapter SC). Some mechanical and active control studies have been presented. In this report several Test Cases are selected to illustrate trends for a variety of different conditions with emphasis on transonic flow effects. Cases for static angles of attack, static trailing-edge and upper-surface spoiler deflections are included for a range of conditions near those for the oscillation cases. Cases for trailing-edge control and upper-surface spoiler oscillations for a range of Mach numbers, angle of attack, and static control deflections are included. Cases for all three types of flutter instability are selected. In addition some cases are included for dynamic response measurements during forced oscillations of the controls on the flexible mount. An overview of the model and tests is given, and the standard formulary for these data is listed. Some sample data and sample results of calculations are presented. Only the static pressures and the first harmonic real and imaginary parts of the pressures are included in the data for the Test Cases, but digitized time histories have been archived. The data for the Test Cases are also available as separate electronic files.

Electrical Evaluation of RCA MWS5001D Random Access Memory, Volume 5, Appendix D

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Klute, A.

1979-01-01

The electrical characterization and qualification test results are presented for the RCA MWS 5001D random access memory. The tests included functional tests, AC and DC parametric tests, AC parametric worst-case pattern selection test, determination of worst-case transition for setup and hold times, and a series of schmoo plots. Average input high current, worst case input high current, output low current, and data setup time are some of the results presented.

Software quality assurance | News

Science.gov Websites

Measure was removed: "Sufficient level of detail in the requirements to develop test cases." ; This control measure was removed since the sufficient level of detail needed to develop test cases is recorded for all test cases. (Note: This is mandatory for applications graded with a High Quality Assurance

The Efficacy of Mammography Boot Camp to Improve the Performance of Radiologists

PubMed Central

Lee, Eun Hye; Jung, Seung Eun; Kim, You Me; Choi, Nami

2014-01-01

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of a mammography boot camp (MBC) to improve radiologists' performance in interpreting mammograms in the National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) in Korea. Materials and Methods Between January and July of 2013, 141 radiologists were invited to a 3-day educational program composed of lectures and group practice readings using 250 digital mammography cases. The radiologists' performance in interpreting mammograms were evaluated using a pre- and post-camp test set of 25 cases validated prior to the camp by experienced breast radiologists. Factors affecting the radiologists' performance, including age, type of attending institution, and type of test set cases, were analyzed. Results The average scores of the pre- and post-camp tests were 56.0 ± 12.2 and 78.3 ± 9.2, respectively (p < 0.001). The post-camp test scores were higher than the pre-camp test scores for all age groups and all types of attending institutions (p < 0.001). The rate of incorrect answers in the post-camp test decreased compared to the pre-camp test for all suspicious cases, but not for negative cases (p > 0.05). Conclusion The MBC improves radiologists' performance in interpreting mammograms irrespective of age and type of attending institution. Improved interpretation is observed for suspicious cases, but not for negative cases. PMID:25246818

Molecular testing in lung cancer: fine-needle aspiration specimen adequacy and test prioritization prior to the CAP/IASLC/AMP Molecular Testing Guideline publication.

PubMed

Rafael, Oana C; Aziz, Mohamed; Raftopoulos, Harry; Vele, Oana E; Xu, Weisheng; Sugrue, Chiara

2014-06-01

Subtyping of lung carcinoma with immunohistochemistry is essential for diagnosis, whereas molecular testing (MT) is required for therapy guidance. In the current study, the authors report on MT performed on fine-needle aspiration specimens at the study institution over a 2-year period preceding the April 2013 College of American Pathologists (CAP)/International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC)/Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) Molecular Testing Guideline (MTG) publication. The database of the study institution was retrospectively queried for cases of lung and thoracic/lower cervical lymph node fine-needle aspiration specimens for 2011 through 2012. Of 246 selected cases, 26 featured a limited amount of material in cell blocks. MT increased significantly between 2011 and 2012 and was requested in 39.4% of cases (97 of 246 cases): 86 of those cases had at least 1 MT result and 11 had insufficient material for any MT. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) testing was performed in 9 cases in which DNA was insufficient for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) testing. In addition, 13 cases of adenocarcinoma/non-small cell lung carcinoma had at least 1 MT canceled because of insufficient DNA, but at the same time had an average of 3.46 immunohistochemical stains performed. Of all the cytology specimens, 10.6% featured limited material; however, no universally accepted testing sequence priority was available at the time the study was performed. As per the MTG, MT should take precedence over immunohistochemistry in cases of adenocarcinoma/non-small cell lung carcinoma. Approximately 5.3% of the specimens in the current study had insufficient material for MT while having multiple stains performed instead. The MTG also recommend performing EGFR before ALK testing; the authors found 9 cases with insufficient material for EGFR testing that had ALK testing performed. The results of the current study underscore the need for a testing prioritization algorithm in view of the MTG publication to serve as reference for both clinicians and pathologists. © 2014 American Cancer Society.

Automated unit-level testing with heuristic rules

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carlisle, W. Homer; Chang, Kai-Hsiung; Cross, James H.; Keleher, William; Shackelford, Keith

1990-01-01

Software testing plays a significant role in the development of complex software systems. Current testing methods generally require significant effort to generate meaningful test cases. The QUEST/Ada system is a prototype system designed using CLIPS to experiment with expert system based test case generation. The prototype is designed to test for condition coverage, and attempts to generate test cases to cover all feasible branches contained in an Ada program. This paper reports on heuristics sued by the system. These heuristics vary according to the amount of knowledge obtained by preprocessing and execution of the boolean conditions in the program.

Toxicology Testing in Fatally Injured Workers: A Review of Five Years of Iowa FACE Cases

PubMed Central

Ramirez, Marizen; Bedford, Ronald; Sullivan, Ryan; Anthony, T. Renee; Kraemer, John; Faine, Brett; Peek-Asa, Corinne

2013-01-01

Toxicology testing of fatally injured workers is not routinely conducted. We completed a case-series study of 2005–2009 occupational fatalities captured by Iowa’s Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program. The goals of our research were to: (1) measure the proportion of FACE cases that undergo toxicology testing, and describe the factors associated with being tested, and (2) measure the rate of positive toxicology tests, the substances identified and the demographics and occupations of victims who tested positive. Case documents and toxicology laboratory reports were reviewed. There were 427 occupational deaths from 2005 to 2009. Only 69% underwent toxicology testing. Younger workers had greater odds of being tested. Among occupational groups, workers in farming, fishing and forestry had half the odds of being tested compared to other occupational groups. Of the 280 cases with toxicology tests completed, 22% (n = 61) were found to have positive toxicology testing. Commonly identified drug classes included cannabinoids and alcohols. Based on the small number of positive tests, older victims (65+ years) tested positive more frequently than younger workers. Management, business, science, arts, service and sales/office workers had proportionately more positive toxicology tests (almost 30%) compared with other workers (18–22%). These results identify an area in need of further research efforts and a potential target for injury prevention strategies. PMID:24240727

Modeling Multibody Stage Separation Dynamics Using Constraint Force Equation Methodology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tartabini, Paul V.; Roithmayr, Carlos M.; Toniolo, Matthew D.; Karlgaard, Christopher D.; Pamadi, Bandu N.

2011-01-01

This paper discusses the application of the constraint force equation methodology and its implementation for multibody separation problems using three specially designed test cases. The first test case involves two rigid bodies connected by a fixed joint, the second case involves two rigid bodies connected with a universal joint, and the third test case is that of Mach 7 separation of the X-43A vehicle. For the first two cases, the solutions obtained using the constraint force equation method compare well with those obtained using industry- standard benchmark codes. For the X-43A case, the constraint force equation solutions show reasonable agreement with the flight-test data. Use of the constraint force equation method facilitates the analysis of stage separation in end-to-end simulations of launch vehicle trajectories

U.S. Coast Guard SARSAT Final Evaluation Report. Volume II. Appendices.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1987-03-01

Contents: Controlled Tests; Controlled Test Error Analysis, Processing of Westwind Data; Exercises and Homing Tests; Further Analysis of Controlled Tests; Sar Case Analysis Tables; Narratives of Real Distress Cases; RCC Response Scenarios; Workload A...

Reliability of the anterior drawer test, the pivot shift test, and the Lachman test.

PubMed

Kim, S J; Kim, H K

1995-08-01

In 147 patients with arthroscopically proved chronic injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament, the anterior drawer test, the Lachman test, and the pivot shift test were done before operation under general or spinal anesthesia. Results of the anterior drawer test were positive in 79.6% of the patients, in 98.6% patients having the Lachman test, and in 89.8% of patients having the pivot shift test. In 19 cases (12.9%), arthroscopic examination showed reattachment of the proximally torn end of the anterior cruciate ligament to the posterior cruciate ligament. In these cases, results of the anterior drawer test were positive in 13 patients (68.4%), in 17 (89.5%) patients having the Lachman test, and in 12 patients (63.2%) having the pivot shift test. In 15 cases with a false negative pivot shift test, arthroscopy showed blockage of anterior subluxation of the lateral tibial condyle by a partially functioning portion of the anterior cruciate ligament, which was reattached to the posterior cruciate ligament in 7 cases. In 2 cases with a false negative Lachman test, there was firm reattachment of the torn end of the anterior cruciate ligament to the proximal portion of the posterior cruciate ligament combined with a bucket handle tear of the medial meniscus. The Lachman test was most sensitive in diagnosing chronic injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament. The pivot shift test was also sensitive but was influenced by many factors.

WE-DE-201-04: Cross Validation of Knowledge-Based Treatment Planning for Prostate LDR Brachytherapy Using Principle Component Analysis

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

Roper, J; Ghavidel, B; Godette, K

Purpose: To validate a knowledge-based algorithm for prostate LDR brachytherapy treatment planning. Methods: A dataset of 100 cases was compiled from an active prostate seed implant service. Cases were randomized into 10 subsets. For each subset, the 90 remaining library cases were registered to a common reference frame and then characterized on a point by point basis using principle component analysis (PCA). Each test case was converted to PCA vectors using the same process and compared with each library case using a Mahalanobis distance to evaluate similarity. Rank order PCA scores were used to select the best-matched library case. Themore » seed arrangement was extracted from the best-matched case and used as a starting point for planning the test case. Any subsequent modifications were recorded that required input from a treatment planner to achieve V100>95%, V150<60%, V200<20%. To simulate operating-room planning constraints, seed activity was held constant, and the seed count could not increase. Results: The computational time required to register test-case contours and evaluate PCA similarity across the library was 10s. Preliminary analysis of 2 subsets shows that 9 of 20 test cases did not require any seed modifications to obtain an acceptable plan. Five test cases required fewer than 10 seed modifications or a grid shift. Another 5 test cases required approximately 20 seed modifications. An acceptable plan was not achieved for 1 outlier, which was substantially larger than its best match. Modifications took between 5s and 6min. Conclusion: A knowledge-based treatment planning algorithm for prostate LDR brachytherapy is being cross validated using 100 prior cases. Preliminary results suggest that for this size library, acceptable plans can be achieved without planner input in about half of the cases while varying amounts of planner input are needed in remaining cases. Computational time and planning time are compatible with clinical practice.« less

[Role of BoBs technology in early missed abortion chorionic villi].

PubMed

Li, Z Y; Liu, X Y; Peng, P; Chen, N; Ou, J; Hao, N; Zhou, J; Bian, X M

2018-05-25

Objective: To investigate the value of bacterial artificial chromosome-on-beads (BoBs) technology in the genetic analysis of early missed abortion chorionic villi. Methods: Early missed abortion chorionic villi were detected with both conventional karyotyping method and BoBs technology in Peking Union Medical Hospital from July 2014 to March 2015. Compared the results of BoBs with conventional karyotyping analysis to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of this new method. Results: (1) A total of 161 samples were tested successfully in the technology of BoBs, 131 samples were tested successfully in the method of conventional karyotyping. (2) All of the cases obtained from BoBs results in (2.7±0.6) days and obtained from conventional karyotyping results in (22.5±1.9) days. There was significant statistical difference between the two groups ( t= 123.315, P< 0.01) . (3) Out of 161 cases tested in BoBs, 85 (52.8%, 85/161) cases had the abnormal chromosomes, including 79 cases chromosome number abnormality, 4 cases were chromosome segment deletion, 2 cases mosaic. Out of 131 cases tested successfully in conventional karyotyping, 79 (60.3%, 79/131) cases had the abnormal chromosomes including 62 cases chromosome number abnormality, 17 cases other chromosome number abnormality, and the rate of chromosome abnormality between two methods was no significant differences ( P =0.198) . (4) Conventional karyotyping results were served as the gold standard, the accuracy of BoBs for abnormal chromosomes was 82.4% (108/131) , analysed the normal chromosomes (52 cases) and chromosome number abnormality (62 cases) tested in conventional karyotyping, the accuracy of BoBs for chromosome number abnormality was 94.7% (108/114) . Conclusion: BoBs is a rapid reliable and easily operated method to test early missed abortion chorionic villi chromosomal abnormalities.

Anaphylaxis to diclofenac: nine cases reported to the Allergy Vigilance Network in France.

PubMed

Picaud, J; Beaudouin, E; Renaudin, J M; Pirson, F; Metz-Favre, C; Dron-Gonzalvez, M; Moneret-Vautrin, D A

2014-10-01

Nine cases of diclofenac hypersensitivity recorded by the Allergy Vigilance Network in France from 2002 to 2012 were studied. Data from history, symptoms, skin tests, basophil activation tests, and oral challenge (OC) were recorded. Grade 3 severe anaphylactic reactions occurred in seven cases of nine. IgE-dependent anaphylaxis was confirmed in six cases: positive intradermal tests (n = 4), a syndromic reaction during skin tests (n = 1), and one case with grade 1 reaction and negative skin tests had an anaphylactic shock to the OC. A nonimmune reaction was suspected in one case. An IgE-dependent mechanism may be the predominant cause of adverse reactions to diclofenac. Allergy skin tests must be carried out sequentially at the recommended concentrations. BATs may be helpful because they can support the diagnosis of anaphylaxis. Given the risks of a direct challenge to diclofenac, OC to aspirin should be performed first to exclude a nonimmunologic hypersensitivity to NSAIDs. Tests for specific IgEs to most frequently used NSAIDs such as diclofenac and ibuprofen are urgently needed. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Retention of Prose Following Testing with Different Types of Tests.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Duchastel, Philippe C.

1981-01-01

Taking a test on a passage one has just studied is known to enhance later retention. This effect was influenced by the type of initial test used. It was evident in the case of the initial short-answer test, but not in the case of multiple choice and free recall tests. (Author/RD)

Influence Factors Regarding the Effectiveness of Automated Ballistic Comparison on 0.38 Special Caliber Bullets and Cartridge Cases.

PubMed

Dos Santos, Lehi Sudy; Vieira Muterlle, Palloma

2018-03-01

Factors influencing effectiveness of automated comparisons, test-fired bullets, and cartridge cases from 0.38 Special revolvers were logged into the Evofinder ® Ballistic ID System. Tests were performed as follows: First test correlated test-fires of the same type, second test compared different types of ammunition components, third test replicated the second test in a larger database, and fourth test replicated the third test with students having no previous firearm identification experience. System effectiveness with projectiles in the first test was 0.89. With cartridge cases, effectiveness was 0.79 with combined results, but analysis of separate results by breech face and firing pin revealed low effectiveness by breech face (0.40). In the second, third, and fourth tests, effectiveness with projectiles were 0.61, 0.51, and 0.44. In addition, these tests had effectiveness with cartridge cases equivalent to 0.55, 0.43, and 0.44. Results are useful to establish routine protocols, system improvements, or comparative assessment of other electronic systems. © 2018 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

The management of isolated positive syphilis enzyme immunoassay results in HIV-negative patients attending a sexual health clinic.

PubMed

Thorley, Nicola; Adebayo, Michael; Smit, Erasmus; Radcliffe, Keith

2016-08-01

An unconfirmed positive treponemal enzyme immunoassay (enzyme immunoassay positive, Treponema pallidum particle agglutination negative and rapid plasma reagin negative) presents a clinical challenge to distinguish early syphilis infection from false-positive results. These cases are referred for syphilis line assay (INNO-LIA) and recalled for repeat syphilis serology. We performed a retrospective audit to establish the proportion of HIV-negative cases with unconfirmed positive enzyme immunoassay results, the proportion of these cases that received an INNO-LIA test and repeat syphilis serology testing and reviewed the clinical outcomes; 0.35% (80/22687) cases had an unconfirmed positive treponemal enzyme immunoassay result. Repeat syphilis serology was performed in 80% (64/80) cases, but no additional cases of syphilis were identified. Eighty-eight per cent (70/80) received an INNO-LIA test; 14% (5/37) unconfirmed enzyme immunoassay-positive cases with no prior history of syphilis were confirmed on INNO-LIA assay, supporting a diagnosis of latent syphilis. As a confirmatory treponemal test, the INNO-LIA assay may be more useful than repeat syphilis serological testing. © The Author(s) 2016.

Nonleaking battery terminals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Snider, W. E.; Nagle, W. J.

1972-01-01

Three different terminals were designed for usage in a 40 ampere/hour silver zinc battery which has a 45 percent KOH by weight electrolyte in a plastic battery case. Life tests, including thermal cycling, electrical charge and discharge for up to three years duration, were conducted on these three different terminal designs. Tests for creep rate and tensile strength were conducted on the polyphenylene oxide (PPO) plastic battery cases. Some cases were unused and others containing KOH electrolyte were placed on life tests. The design and testing of nonleaking battery terminals for use with a potassium hydroxide (KOH) electrolyte in a plastic case are discussed.

Nonleaking battery terminals.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Snider, W. E.; Nagle, W. J.

1972-01-01

Three different terminals were designed for usage in a 40 ampere/hour silver zinc battery which has a 45% KOH by weight electrolyte in a plastic battery case. Life tests, including thermal cycling, electrical charge and discharge for up to three years duration, were conducted on these three different terminal designs. Tests for creep rate and tensile strength were conducted on the polyphenylene oxide plastic battery cases. Some cases were unused and others containing KOH electrolyte were placed on life tests. The design and testing of nonleaking battery terminals for use with a KOH electrolyte in a plastic case are considered.

Cancer Screening: How Do Screening Tests Become Standard Tests?

MedlinePlus

... more groups. The people in one group (the control group ) may be given a standard screening test (if one exists) or no screening test. The ... for the human papillomavirus (HPV) and those who test negative for HPV. The ... Case-control studies Case-control studies are like cohort studies ...

Postmortem diagnosis and toxicological validation of illicit substance use

PubMed Central

Lehrmann, E; Afanador, ZR; Deep-Soboslay, A; Gallegos, G; Darwin, WD; Lowe, RH; Barnes, AJ; Huestis, MA; Cadet, JL; Herman, MM; Hyde, TM; Kleinman, JE; Freed, WJ

2008-01-01

The present study examines the diagnostic challenges of identifying ante-mortem illicit substance use in human postmortem cases. Substance use, assessed by clinical case history reviews, structured next-of-kin interviews, by general toxicology of blood, urine, and/or brain, and by scalp hair testing, identified 33 cocaine, 29 cannabis, 10 phencyclidine and 9 opioid cases. Case history identified 42% cocaine, 76% cannabis, 10% phencyclidine, and 33% opioid cases. Next-of-kin interviews identified almost twice as many cocaine and cannabis cases as Medical Examiner (ME) case histories, and were crucial in establishing a detailed lifetime substance use history. Toxicology identified 91% cocaine, 68% cannabis, 80% phencyclidine, and 100% opioid cases, with hair testing increasing detection for all drug classes. A cocaine or cannabis use history was corroborated by general toxicology with 50% and 32% sensitivity, respectively, and with 82% and 64% sensitivity by hair testing. Hair testing corroborated a positive general toxicology for cocaine and cannabis with 91% and 100% sensitivity, respectively. Case history corroborated hair toxicology with 38% sensitivity for cocaine and 79% sensitivity for cannabis, suggesting that both case history and general toxicology underestimated cocaine use. Identifying ante-mortem substance use in human postmortem cases are key considerations in case diagnosis and for characterization of disorder-specific changes in neurobiology. The sensitivity and specificity of substance use assessments increased when ME case history was supplemented with structured next-of-kin interviews to establish a detailed lifetime substance use history, while comprehensive toxicology, and hair testing in particular, increased detection of recent illicit substance use. PMID:18201295

The General Mission Analysis Tool (GMAT) System Test Plan

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Conway, Darrel J.; Hughes, Steven P.

2007-01-01

This document serves as the System Test Approach for the GMAT Project. Preparation for system testing consists of three major stages: 1) The Test Approach sets the scope of system testing, the overall strategy to be adopted, the activities to be completed, the general resources required and the methods and processes to be used to test the release. It also details the activities, dependencies and effort required to conduct the System Test. 2) Test Planning details the activities, dependencies and effort required to conduct the System Test. 3) Test Cases documents the tests to be applied, the data to be processed, the automated testing coverage and the expected results. This document covers the first two of these items, and established the framework used for the GMAT test case development. The test cases themselves exist as separate components, and are managed outside of and concurrently with this System Test Plan.

Mortality among PCR negative admitted Ebola suspects during the 2014/15 outbreak in Conakry, Guinea: A retrospective cohort study.

PubMed

Ingelbeen, Brecht; Bah, Elhadj Ibrahima; Decroo, Tom; Balde, Idrissa; Nordenstedt, Helena; van Griensven, Johan; De Weggheleire, Anja

2017-01-01

Non-cases are suspect Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) cases testing negative by EVD RT-PCR after admission to an Ebola Treatment Centre (ETC). Admitting non-cases to an ETC prompts concerns on case- and workload in the ETC, risk for nosocomial EVD infection, and delays in diagnosis and disease-specific treatment. We retrospectively analysed characteristics, outcomes and determinants of death of EVD cases and non-cases admitted to the Conakry ETC in Guinea between 03/2014 and 09/2015. Of the 2362 admitted suspects who underwent full confirmatory PCR testing, 1540 (65.2%) were non-cases; among them 727 needed repeated confirmatory PCR testing resulting in 2.5 days (average) in the ETC isolation ward. Twenty-one patients tested positive on the repeat test, most in a period of flawed sampling for the initial test and none after introduction of PCR confirmation with geneXpert. No readmissions following nosocomial EVD infection were recorded. No combination of symptoms yielded acceptable sensitivity and specificity to allow differentiating confirmed from non-cases. Symptoms as ocular bleeding/redness have high specificity, but limited usefulness as not common. Admission delay and age distribution were not different for both groups. In total, 98 (20.6%) of 475 deaths in the ETC were non-cases. Most died within 24 hours after admission. Living in Conakry (aOR 1.78 (1.08-2.96)) was the strongest risk factor for death. Weeks with higher admission load had lower case fatality among non-cases, probably because more acute (and treatable) illnesses of contacts of known cases were admitted. These findings show high numbers of potentially critically ill non-cases need to be considered when setting up triage and referral of EVD suspect cases. Symptoms and risk factors alone do not allow differentiating the non-cases. Integration of highly-sensitive EVD diagnostic methods with short turnaround time in the triage of peripheral hospitals and dropping the systematic 2nd PCR for symptomatic early presenters could limit delays in access to adapted care of cases and seriously ill non-cases. Whether feasible without compromising outbreak control, and under which conditions, should be further assessed.

Mortality among PCR negative admitted Ebola suspects during the 2014/15 outbreak in Conakry, Guinea: A retrospective cohort study

PubMed Central

Bah, Elhadj Ibrahima; Decroo, Tom; Balde, Idrissa; Nordenstedt, Helena; van Griensven, Johan; De Weggheleire, Anja

2017-01-01

Non-cases are suspect Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) cases testing negative by EVD RT-PCR after admission to an Ebola Treatment Centre (ETC). Admitting non-cases to an ETC prompts concerns on case- and workload in the ETC, risk for nosocomial EVD infection, and delays in diagnosis and disease-specific treatment. We retrospectively analysed characteristics, outcomes and determinants of death of EVD cases and non-cases admitted to the Conakry ETC in Guinea between 03/2014 and 09/2015. Of the 2362 admitted suspects who underwent full confirmatory PCR testing, 1540 (65.2%) were non-cases; among them 727 needed repeated confirmatory PCR testing resulting in 2.5 days (average) in the ETC isolation ward. Twenty-one patients tested positive on the repeat test, most in a period of flawed sampling for the initial test and none after introduction of PCR confirmation with geneXpert. No readmissions following nosocomial EVD infection were recorded. No combination of symptoms yielded acceptable sensitivity and specificity to allow differentiating confirmed from non-cases. Symptoms as ocular bleeding/redness have high specificity, but limited usefulness as not common. Admission delay and age distribution were not different for both groups. In total, 98 (20.6%) of 475 deaths in the ETC were non-cases. Most died within 24 hours after admission. Living in Conakry (aOR 1.78 (1.08–2.96)) was the strongest risk factor for death. Weeks with higher admission load had lower case fatality among non-cases, probably because more acute (and treatable) illnesses of contacts of known cases were admitted. These findings show high numbers of potentially critically ill non-cases need to be considered when setting up triage and referral of EVD suspect cases. Symptoms and risk factors alone do not allow differentiating the non-cases. Integration of highly-sensitive EVD diagnostic methods with short turnaround time in the triage of peripheral hospitals and dropping the systematic 2nd PCR for symptomatic early presenters could limit delays in access to adapted care of cases and seriously ill non-cases. Whether feasible without compromising outbreak control, and under which conditions, should be further assessed. PMID:28665950

High-fidelity simulation versus case-based discussion for teaching medical students in Brazil about pediatric emergencies.

PubMed

Couto, Thomaz Bittencourt; Farhat, Sylvia C L; Geis, Gary L; Olsen, Orjan; Schvartsman, Claudio

2015-06-01

To compare high-fidelity simulation with case-based discussion for teaching medical students about pediatric emergencies, as assessed by a knowledge post-test, a knowledge retention test and a survey of satisfaction with the method. This was a non-randomized controlled study using a crossover design for the methods, as well as multiple-choice questionnaire tests and a satisfaction survey. Final-year medical students were allocated into two groups: group 1 participated in an anaphylaxis simulation and a discussion of a supraventricular tachycardia case, and conversely, group 2 participated in a discussion of an anaphylaxis case and a supraventricular tachycardia simulation. Students were tested on each theme at the end of their rotation (post-test) and 4-6 months later (retention test). Most students (108, or 66.3%) completed all of the tests. The mean scores for simulation versus case-based discussion were respectively 43.6% versus 46.6% for the anaphylaxis pre-test (p=0.42), 63.5% versus 67.8% for the post-test (p=0.13) and 61.5% versus 65.5% for the retention test (p=0.19). Additionally, the mean scores were respectively 33.9% versus 31.6% for the supraventricular tachycardia pre-test (p=0.44), 42.5% versus 47.7% for the post-test (p=0.09) and 41.5% versus 39.5% for the retention test (p=0.47). For both themes, there was improvement between the pre-test and the post-test (p<0.05), and no significant difference was observed between the post-test and the retention test (p>0.05). Moreover, the satisfaction survey revealed a preference for simulation (p<0.001). As a single intervention, simulation is not significantly different from case-based discussion in terms of acquisition and retention of knowledge but is superior in terms of student satisfaction.

High-fidelity simulation versus case-based discussion for teaching medical students in Brazil about pediatric emergencies

PubMed Central

Couto, Thomaz Bittencourt; Farhat, Sylvia C.L.; Geis, Gary L; Olsen, Orjan; Schvartsman, Claudio

2015-01-01

OBJECTIVE: To compare high-fidelity simulation with case-based discussion for teaching medical students about pediatric emergencies, as assessed by a knowledge post-test, a knowledge retention test and a survey of satisfaction with the method. METHODS: This was a non-randomized controlled study using a crossover design for the methods, as well as multiple-choice questionnaire tests and a satisfaction survey. Final-year medical students were allocated into two groups: group 1 participated in an anaphylaxis simulation and a discussion of a supraventricular tachycardia case, and conversely, group 2 participated in a discussion of an anaphylaxis case and a supraventricular tachycardia simulation. Students were tested on each theme at the end of their rotation (post-test) and 4–6 months later (retention test). RESULTS: Most students (108, or 66.3%) completed all of the tests. The mean scores for simulation versus case-based discussion were respectively 43.6% versus 46.6% for the anaphylaxis pre-test (p=0.42), 63.5% versus 67.8% for the post-test (p=0.13) and 61.5% versus 65.5% for the retention test (p=0.19). Additionally, the mean scores were respectively 33.9% versus 31.6% for the supraventricular tachycardia pre-test (p=0.44), 42.5% versus 47.7% for the post-test (p=0.09) and 41.5% versus 39.5% for the retention test (p=0.47). For both themes, there was improvement between the pre-test and the post-test (p<0.05), and no significant difference was observed between the post-test and the retention test (p>0.05). Moreover, the satisfaction survey revealed a preference for simulation (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: As a single intervention, simulation is not significantly different from case-based discussion in terms of acquisition and retention of knowledge but is superior in terms of student satisfaction. PMID:26106956

30 CFR 250.520 - When do I have to perform a casing diagnostic test?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... test? 250.520 Section 250.520 Mineral Resources MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS AND SULPHUR OPERATIONS IN THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF Oil and Gas Well-Completion Operations Casing Pressure Management § 250.520 When do I have to perform a casing diagnostic test? (a) You...

The 1992-1993 advanced design program. Part 1: The Mars methane engine project. Part 2: The Mars oxygen processor new furnace

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lauer, Stephen; Hoover, Scott; Lawrence, Lori; Paparistodemou, Christos; Taylor, Doug

1993-04-01

Three constituents of the Martian atmosphere, methane, carbon dioxide, and oxygen, can be used for internal combustion in engines utilized for future space exploration on Mars. These three gases, considered as the test case in this research, will be examined to determine required flow rates needed for combustion and optimization of engine performance. Results of the test case are examined in relation to a base case of methane and air for comparative purposes. Testing of exhaust temperatures, cylinder pressure, and exhaust gas analysis were performed for the base case and test case. Also described is a study utilizing a zirconia cell to convert carbon dioxide into usable oxygen to help support future Mars missions.

The 1992-1993 advanced design program. Part 1: The Mars methane engine project. Part 2: The Mars oxygen processor new furnace

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lauer, Stephen; Hoover, Scott; Lawrence, Lori; Paparistodemou, Christos; Taylor, Doug

1993-01-01

Three constituents of the Martian atmosphere, methane, carbon dioxide, and oxygen, can be used for internal combustion in engines utilized for future space exploration on Mars. These three gases, considered as the test case in this research, will be examined to determine required flow rates needed for combustion and optimization of engine performance. Results of the test case are examined in relation to a base case of methane and air for comparative purposes. Testing of exhaust temperatures, cylinder pressure, and exhaust gas analysis were performed for the base case and test case. Also described is a study utilizing a zirconia cell to convert carbon dioxide into usable oxygen to help support future Mars missions.

Slow Crack Growth Analysis of Advanced Structural Ceramics Under Combined Loading Conditions: Damage Assessment in Life Prediction Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choi, Sung R.; Gyekenyesi, John P.

2000-01-01

Slow crack growth analysis was performed with three different loading histories including constant stress-rate/constant stress-rate testing (Case 1 loading), constant stress/constant stress-rate testing (Case 2 loading), and cyclic stress/constant stress-rate testing (Case 2 loading). Strength degradation due to slow crack growth and/or damage accumulation was determined numerically as a function of percentage of interruption time between the two loading sequences for a given loading history. The numerical solutions were examined with the experimental data determined at elevated temperatures using four different advanced ceramic materials, two silicon nitrides, one silicon carbide and one alumina for the Case 1 loading history, and alumina for the Case 3 loading history. The numerical solutions were in reasonable agreement with the experimental data, indicating that notwithstanding some degree of creep deformation presented for some test materials slow crack growth was a governing mechanism associated with failure for all the test materials.

Slow Crack Growth Analysis of Advanced Structural Ceramics Under Combined Loading Conditions: Damage Assessment in Life Prediction Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choi, Sung R.; Gyekenyesi, John P.

2000-01-01

Slow crack growth analysis was performed with three different loading histories including constant stress-rate/constant stress-rate testing (Case I loading), constant stress/constant stress-rate testing (Case II loading), and cyclic stress/constant stress-rate testing (Case III loading). Strength degradation due to slow crack growth arid/or damage accumulation was determined numerically as a Function of percentage of interruption time between the two loading sequences for a given loading history. The numerical solutions were examined with the experimental data determined at elevated temperatures using four different advanced ceramic materials, two silicon nitrides, one silicon carbide and one alumina for the Case I loading history, and alumina for the Case II loading history. The numerical solutions were in reasonable agreement with the experimental data, indicating that notwithstanding some degree of creep deformation presented for some test materials slow crack growth was a governing mechanism associated with failure for all the test material&

Test Cases for Flutter of the Benchmark Models Rectangular Wings on the Pitch and Plunge Apparatus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bennett, Robert M.

2000-01-01

The supercritical airfoil was chosen as a relatively modem airfoil for comparison. The BOO12 model was tested first. Three different types of flutter instability boundaries were encountered, a classical flutter boundary, a transonic stall flutter boundary at angle of attack, and a plunge instability near M = 0.9 and for zero angle of attack. This test was made in air and was Transonic Dynamics Tunnel (TDT) Test 468. The BSCW model (for Benchmark SuperCritical Wing) was tested next as TDT Test 470. It was tested using both with air and a heavy gas, R-12, as a test medium. The effect of a transition strip on flutter was evaluated in air. The B64AOlO model was subsequently tested as TDT Test 493. Some further analysis of the experimental data for the BOO12 wing is presented. Transonic calculations using the parameters for the BOO12 wing in a two-dimensional typical section flutter analysis are given. These data are supplemented with data from the Benchmark Active Controls Technology model (BACT) given and in the next chapter of this document. The BACT model was of the same planform and airfoil as the BOO12 model, but with spoilers and a trailing edge control. It was tested in the heavy gas R-12, and was instrumented mostly at the 60 per cent span. The flutter data obtained on PAPA and the static aerodynamic test cases from BACT serve as additional data for the BOO12 model. All three types of flutter are included in the BACT Test Cases. In this report several test cases are selected to illustrate trends for a variety of different conditions with emphasis on transonic flutter. Cases are selected for classical and stall flutter for the BSCW model, for classical and plunge for the B64AOlO model, and for classical flutter for the BOO12 model. Test Cases are also presented for BSCW for static angles of attack. Only the mean pressures and the real and imaginary parts of the first harmonic of the pressures are included in the data for the test cases, but digitized time histories have been archived. The data for the test cases are available as separate electronic files. An overview of the model and tests is given, the standard formulary for these data is listed, and some sample results are presented.

Mumps Outbreak Among a Highly Vaccinated University Community-New York City, January-April 2014.

PubMed

Patel, Leena N; Arciuolo, Robert J; Fu, Jie; Giancotti, Francesca R; Zucker, Jane R; Rakeman, Jennifer L; Rosen, Jennifer B

2017-02-15

On 14 January 2014, a vaccinated student presented with parotitis. Mumps immunoglobulin M (IgM) testing was negative and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing was not performed, resulting in a missed diagnosis and the start of an outbreak at a New York City (NYC) university. Mumps case investigations included patient interviews, medical records review, and laboratory testing including mumps serology and RT-PCR. Case patients were considered linked to the outbreak if they attended or had epidemiologic linkage to the university. Epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory data for outbreak cases residing in NYC were analyzed. Fifty-six NYC residents with mumps were identified with onset between 12 January and 30 April 2014. Fifty-three cases (95%) were university students, 1 (2%) was a staff member, and 2 (4%) had epidemiologic links to the university. The median age was 20 years (range 18-37 years). All cases had parotitis. Three cases were hospitalized, including 1 of 2 cases with orchitis. Fifty-four (96%) cases had received ≥1 mumps-containing vaccine, 1 (2%) was unvaccinated due to religious exemption, and 1 (2%) had unknown vaccination status. Two of the 44 (5%) cases tested by serology were mumps IgM positive, and 27 of the 40 (68%) tested by RT-PCR were positive. Mumps outbreaks can occur in highly vaccinated populations. Mumps should be considered in patients with parotitis regardless of vaccination status. RT-PCR is the preferred testing method; providers should not rely on IgM testing alone. High vaccination coverage and control measures likely limited the extent of the outbreak. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Comparison of two control groups for estimation of oral cholera vaccine effectiveness using a case-control study design.

PubMed

Franke, Molly F; Jerome, J Gregory; Matias, Wilfredo R; Ternier, Ralph; Hilaire, Isabelle J; Harris, Jason B; Ivers, Louise C

2017-10-13

Case-control studies to quantify oral cholera vaccine effectiveness (VE) often rely on neighbors without diarrhea as community controls. Test-negative controls can be easily recruited and may minimize bias due to differential health-seeking behavior and recall. We compared VE estimates derived from community and test-negative controls and conducted bias-indicator analyses to assess potential bias with community controls. From October 2012 through November 2016, patients with acute watery diarrhea were recruited from cholera treatment centers in rural Haiti. Cholera cases had a positive stool culture. Non-cholera diarrhea cases (test-negative controls and non-cholera diarrhea cases for bias-indicator analyses) had a negative culture and rapid test. Up to four community controls were matched to diarrhea cases by age group, time, and neighborhood. Primary analyses included 181 cholera cases, 157 non-cholera diarrhea cases, 716 VE community controls and 625 bias-indicator community controls. VE for self-reported vaccination with two doses was consistent across the two control groups, with statistically significant VE estimates ranging from 72 to 74%. Sensitivity analyses revealed similar, though somewhat attenuated estimates for self-reported two dose VE. Bias-indicator estimates were consistently less than one, with VE estimates ranging from 19 to 43%, some of which were statistically significant. OCV estimates from case-control analyses using community and test-negative controls were similar. While bias-indicator analyses suggested possible over-estimation of VE estimates using community controls, test-negative analyses suggested this bias, if present, was minimal. Test-negative controls can be a valid low-cost and time-efficient alternative to community controls for OCV effectiveness estimation and may be especially relevant in emergency situations. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Evaluation of serological tests for diagnosis of Chlamydophila pneumoniae pneumonia in patients with nursing and healthcare-associated pneumonia.

PubMed

Miyashita, Naoyuki; Akaike, Hiroto; Teranishi, Hideto; Kawai, Yasuhiro; Ouchi, Kazunobu; Kato, Tadashi; Hayashi, Toshikiyo; Okimoto, Niro

2013-04-01

Nursing and healthcare-associated pneumonia (NHCAP) is a new category that is distinct from community-acquired pneumonia that has been documented in the 2011 Japanese Respiratory Society (JRS) guidelines. We aimed to evaluate an ELNAS Plate test for detecting anti-Chlamydophila pneumoniae-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies in patients with NHCAP, by comparing the results of the ELNAS test with those of the Hitazyme enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Hitazyme-ELISA) and those of immunoblotting and microimmunofluorescence (MIF) tests. During the study period, we enrolled 739 patients with pneumonia in a university hospital and 812 patients with pneumonia in a community hospital; of these, 250 (34 %) and 349 (43 %), respectively, were classified as having NHCAP. C. pneumoniae pneumonia was detected in five cases by the MIF test and ELNAS test. All five cases demonstrated significant IgG antibody seroconversion, while one case was IgM-positive. Sixty-seven of the total of 599 patients (11 %) were C. pneumoniae IgM-positive on the Hitazyme-ELISA. One of the IgM-positive cases was confirmed by other methods and was shown to be a true positive. In the remaining cases, however, three other tests-the ELNAS test, the MIF test, and immunoblotting analysis-did not reveal any positive cases. The ELNAS, Hitazyme-ELISA, and MIF tests did not detect any significant increases in IgG or IgA antibody titers between paired sera. The results of the newly available ELNAS test for detecting anti-C. pneumoniae-specific IgM antibody correlated well with the results of the other established serological tests. To increase the diagnostic rate in patients with NHCAP, physicians should measure IgG antibody rather than IgM antibody using paired sera.

Formal functional test designs with a test representation language

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hops, J. M.

1993-01-01

The application of the category-partition method to the test design phase of hardware, software, or system test development is discussed. The method provides a formal framework for reducing the total number of possible test cases to a minimum logical subset for effective testing. An automatic tool and a formal language were developed to implement the method and produce the specification of test cases.

A Case Study: Testing in the Albuquerque Public Schools.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Robinson, Carol

1983-01-01

This case study of testing in the Albuquerque public schools highlights improvement of test results dissemination and use through cooperative planning, integrated database development, and a partnership with public media. (Author)

KRAS Mutation Test in Korean Patients with Colorectal Carcinomas: A Methodological Comparison between Sanger Sequencing and a Real-Time PCR-Based Assay.

PubMed

Lee, Sung Hak; Chung, Arthur Minwoo; Lee, Ahwon; Oh, Woo Jin; Choi, Yeong Jin; Lee, Youn-Soo; Jung, Eun Sun

2017-01-01

Mutations in the KRAS gene have been identified in approximately 50% of colorectal cancers (CRCs). KRAS mutations are well established biomarkers in anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy. Therefore, assessment of KRAS mutations is needed in CRC patients to ensure appropriate treatment. We compared the analytical performance of the cobas test to Sanger sequencing in 264 CRC cases. In addition, discordant specimens were evaluated by 454 pyrosequencing. KRAS mutations for codons 12/13 were detected in 43.2% of cases (114/264) by Sanger sequencing. Of 257 evaluable specimens for comparison, KRAS mutations were detected in 112 cases (43.6%) by Sanger sequencing and 118 cases (45.9%) by the cobas test. Concordance between the cobas test and Sanger sequencing for each lot was 93.8% positive percent agreement (PPA) and 91.0% negative percent agreement (NPA) for codons 12/13. Results from the cobas test and Sanger sequencing were discordant for 20 cases (7.8%). Twenty discrepant cases were subsequently subjected to 454 pyrosequencing. After comprehensive analysis of the results from combined Sanger sequencing-454 pyrosequencing and the cobas test, PPA was 97.5% and NPA was 100%. The cobas test is an accurate and sensitive test for detecting KRAS -activating mutations and has analytical power equivalent to Sanger sequencing. Prescreening using the cobas test with subsequent application of Sanger sequencing is the best strategy for routine detection of KRAS mutations in CRC.

The Case History Method of Testing Students in Gross Anatomy.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cruise, Leon J.

1980-01-01

The use of case histories to test a student's knowledge of the previous weeks' dissection in gross anatomy class is discussed. The test is seen as a way to integrate other basic sciences. An example of this type of test is provided. (MLW)

Verification of a Constraint Force Equation Methodology for Modeling Multi-Body Stage Separation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tartabini, Paul V.; Roithmayr, Carlos; Toniolo, Matthew D.; Karlgaard, Christopher; Pamadi, Bandu N.

2008-01-01

This paper discusses the verification of the Constraint Force Equation (CFE) methodology and its implementation in the Program to Optimize Simulated Trajectories II (POST2) for multibody separation problems using three specially designed test cases. The first test case involves two rigid bodies connected by a fixed joint; the second case involves two rigid bodies connected with a universal joint; and the third test case is that of Mach 7 separation of the Hyper-X vehicle. For the first two cases, the POST2/CFE solutions compared well with those obtained using industry standard benchmark codes, namely AUTOLEV and ADAMS. For the Hyper-X case, the POST2/CFE solutions were in reasonable agreement with the flight test data. The CFE implementation in POST2 facilitates the analysis and simulation of stage separation as an integral part of POST2 for seamless end-to-end simulations of launch vehicle trajectories.

Validating an artificial intelligence human proximity operations system with test cases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huber, Justin; Straub, Jeremy

2013-05-01

An artificial intelligence-controlled robot (AICR) operating in close proximity to humans poses risk to these humans. Validating the performance of an AICR is an ill posed problem, due to the complexity introduced by the erratic (noncomputer) actors. In order to prove the AICR's usefulness, test cases must be generated to simulate the actions of these actors. This paper discusses AICR's performance validation in the context of a common human activity, moving through a crowded corridor, using test cases created by an AI use case producer. This test is a two-dimensional simplification relevant to autonomous UAV navigation in the national airspace.

NONPARAMETRIC MANOVA APPROACHES FOR NON-NORMAL MULTIVARIATE OUTCOMES WITH MISSING VALUES

PubMed Central

He, Fanyin; Mazumdar, Sati; Tang, Gong; Bhatia, Triptish; Anderson, Stewart J.; Dew, Mary Amanda; Krafty, Robert; Nimgaonkar, Vishwajit; Deshpande, Smita; Hall, Martica; Reynolds, Charles F.

2017-01-01

Between-group comparisons often entail many correlated response variables. The multivariate linear model, with its assumption of multivariate normality, is the accepted standard tool for these tests. When this assumption is violated, the nonparametric multivariate Kruskal-Wallis (MKW) test is frequently used. However, this test requires complete cases with no missing values in response variables. Deletion of cases with missing values likely leads to inefficient statistical inference. Here we extend the MKW test to retain information from partially-observed cases. Results of simulated studies and analysis of real data show that the proposed method provides adequate coverage and superior power to complete-case analyses. PMID:29416225

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangement in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): results of a multi-centre ALK-testing.

PubMed

V Laffert, Maximilian; Warth, Arne; Penzel, Roland; Schirmacher, Peter; Jonigk, Danny; Kreipe, Hans; Schildhaus, Hans-Ulrich; Merkelbach-Bruse, Sabine; Büttner, Reinhard; Reu, Simone; Kerler, Rosi; Jung, Andreas; Kirchner, Thomas; Wölfel, Cornelius; Petersen, Iver; Rodriguez, Regulo; Jochum, Wolfram; Bartsch, Holger; Fisseler-Eckhoff, Annette; Berg, Erika; Lenze, Dido; Dietel, Manfred; Hummel, Michael

2013-08-01

The reliable identification of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) with chromosomal breaks in the gene of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is crucial for the induction of therapy with ALK-inhibitors. In order to ensure a reliable detection of ALK-breaks by means of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) testing, round robin tests are essential. In preparation of a nation (German)-wide round robin test we initiated a pre-testing phase involving 8 experts in FISH-diagnostics to identify NSCLC cases (n = 10) with a pre-tested ALK-status. In addition, ALK immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to assess ALK protein expression. Sections derived from a tissue microarray, each consisting of 3 cores from 10 NSCLC cases, were independently tested for ALK protein expression by IHC and genomic ALK-breaks by FISH involving 8 institutes of pathology. Based on a pre-screening, 5 cases were identified to be clearly ALK-break negative, whereas the remaining 5 cases were ALK-break positive including one case with low percentage (20%) of positive cells. The latter had been additionally tested by RT-PCR. The 5 unequivocal ALK-break negative NSCLC were almost consistently scored negative by means of FISH and IHC by all 8 experts. Interestingly, 4 of the 5 cases with pre-defined ALK-breaks revealed homogenous FISH results whereas IHC for the detection of ALK protein expression showed heterogeneous results. The remaining case (low number of ALK-break positive cells) was scored negative by 3 experts and positive by the other 5. RT-PCR revealed the expression of an EML4-ALK fusion gene variant 1. ALK-break negative NSCLC cases revealed concordant homogeneous results by means of FISH and IHC (score 0-1) by all 8 experts. Discordant FISH results were raised in one ALK-break positive case with a low number of affected tumor cells. The remaining 4 ALK-break positive cases revealed concordant FISH data whereas the ALK-IHC revealed very diverse results. The cases with concordant FISH results provide an excellent basis for round robin ALK-FISH testing. As long as standardized ALK-IHC protocols are missing, ALK protein expression cannot by regarded as the method of choice for identification of patients eligible for treatment with ALK inhibitors. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Predictive value of the cow's milk skin prick test in infantile colic.

PubMed

Moravej, Hossein; Imanieh, Mohammad H; Kashef, Sara; Handjani, Farhad; Eghterdari, Fardin

2010-01-01

Infantile colic is a common problem among young infants. Cow's milk allergy has been suggested as one of the causes. We aimed to investigate the value of the cow's milk skin test for the diagnosis of cow's milk allergy in exclusively breast-fed infants with infantile colic. Exclusively breast-fed infants with infantile colic were enrolled in this study. On the first visit, the average hours of crying of the infant in a 24-h period were recorded and the cow's milk skin test was performed. If the infant had a positive skin test, elimination of cow's milk from the mothers' diet was advised. Infants with negative skin tests were divided into case and control groups. Cow's milk was eliminated from the diet of mothers in the case group. After 2 weeks, the number of hours of crying were recorded again. The reduction in the crying hours was compared between the two groups using the chi-square test. Skin tests were positive in 3 of 114 cases (2.6%) of infantile colic. All three cases recovered completely following elimination of cow's milk from the mother's diet. Among the 111 patients with negative skin tests, 77 patients completed the study: 35 in the case group and 42 in the control group. The reduction in crying hours in infants in the case group was not significantly different from that in the control group. Elimination of cow's milk from the mothers' diet is not beneficial for infants with a negative skin test. Infants with a positive skin test may benefit from this management.

Utility Bill Calibration Test Cases | Buildings | NREL

Science.gov Websites

illustrates the utility bill calibration test cases in BESTEST-EX. In these cases, participants are given software results have been generated. This diagram provides an overview of the BESTEST-EX utility bill calibration case process. On the left side of the diagram is a box labeled "BESTEST-EX Document"

A test for mental capacity to request assisted suicide.

PubMed

Stewart, Cameron; Peisah, Carmelle; Draper, Brian

2011-01-01

The mental competence of people requesting aid-in-dying is a key issue for the how the law responds to cases of assisted suicide. A number of cases from around the common law world have highlighted the importance of competence in determining whether assistants should be prosecuted, and what they will be prosecuted for. Nevertheless, the law remains uncertain about how competence should be tested in these cases. This article proposes a test of competence that is based on the existing common law but which is tailored to cases of assisted suicide. The test will help doctors, other health professionals and lawyers determine whether the suicidal person was able to competently request assistance. Such knowledge will help to reduce some of the current uncertainty about criminal liability in cases of assisted suicide.

HIV enteropathy: crypt stem and transit cell hyperproliferation induces villous atrophy in HIV/Microsporidia-infected jejunal mucosa.

PubMed

Batman, Philip A; Kotler, Donald P; Kapembwa, Moses S; Booth, Dawn; Potten, Christopher S; Orenstein, Jan M; Scally, Andrew J; Griffin, George E

2007-02-19

The study aim was to analyse the kinetics of stem and transit cells in the crypts of jejunal mucosa infected with HIV and Microsporidia. The size of villi, depth of crypts and proliferative activity of transit and stem cells in jejunal mucosa were measured using morphometric techniques. The surface area/volume ratio (S/V) of jejunal biopsies was estimated under light microscopy using a Weibel graticule. Crypt length was measured by counting enterocytes along the crypt side from the base to the villus junction, and the mean crypt length was calculated. The S/V and crypt lengths of the jejunal mucosa of 21 HIV and Microsporidia-infected test cases were compared with 14 control cases. The labelling index in relation to the crypt cell position of 10 of the test cases was analysed compared with 13 control cases. Differences were found in the S/V and crypt length, and there was a negative correlation between S/V and crypt length in test and control cases combined. Cell labelling indices fell into low and high proliferation groups. There were significant differences in labelling indices between low proliferation test cases and controls, between high proliferation test cases and controls, and between high and low proliferation test cases. Villous atrophy induced by HIV and Microsporidia is attributed to crypt cell hyperplasia and the encroachment of crypt cells onto villi. These infections induce crypt hypertrophy by stimulating cell mitosis predominantly in transit cells but also in stem cells. Increased stem cell proliferation occurs only in high proliferation cases.

14 CFR Appendix E to Part 43 - Altimeter System Test and Inspection

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

.... (v) Case leak. The leakage of the altimeter case, when the pressure within it corresponds to an...) Automatic Pressure Altitude Reporting Equipment and ATC Transponder System Integration Test. The test must...

14 CFR Appendix E to Part 43 - Altimeter System Test and Inspection

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

.... (v) Case leak. The leakage of the altimeter case, when the pressure within it corresponds to an...) Automatic Pressure Altitude Reporting Equipment and ATC Transponder System Integration Test. The test must...

14 CFR Appendix E to Part 43 - Altimeter System Test and Inspection

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

.... (v) Case leak. The leakage of the altimeter case, when the pressure within it corresponds to an...) Automatic Pressure Altitude Reporting Equipment and ATC Transponder System Integration Test. The test must...

Transport Test Problems for Hybrid Methods Development

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

Shaver, Mark W.; Miller, Erin A.; Wittman, Richard S.

2011-12-28

This report presents 9 test problems to guide testing and development of hybrid calculations for the ADVANTG code at ORNL. These test cases can be used for comparing different types of radiation transport calculations, as well as for guiding the development of variance reduction methods. Cases are drawn primarily from existing or previous calculations with a preference for cases which include experimental data, or otherwise have results with a high level of confidence, are non-sensitive, and represent problem sets of interest to NA-22.

Simulation of Benchmark Cases with the Terminal Area Simulation System (TASS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ahmad, Nash'at; Proctor, Fred

2011-01-01

The hydrodynamic core of the Terminal Area Simulation System (TASS) is evaluated against different benchmark cases. In the absence of closed form solutions for the equations governing atmospheric flows, the models are usually evaluated against idealized test cases. Over the years, various authors have suggested a suite of these idealized cases which have become standards for testing and evaluating the dynamics and thermodynamics of atmospheric flow models. In this paper, simulations of three such cases are described. In addition, the TASS model is evaluated against a test case that uses an exact solution of the Navier-Stokes equations. The TASS results are compared against previously reported simulations of these banchmark cases in the literature. It is demonstrated that the TASS model is highly accurate, stable and robust.

Simulation of Benchmark Cases with the Terminal Area Simulation System (TASS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ahmad, Nashat N.; Proctor, Fred H.

2011-01-01

The hydrodynamic core of the Terminal Area Simulation System (TASS) is evaluated against different benchmark cases. In the absence of closed form solutions for the equations governing atmospheric flows, the models are usually evaluated against idealized test cases. Over the years, various authors have suggested a suite of these idealized cases which have become standards for testing and evaluating the dynamics and thermodynamics of atmospheric flow models. In this paper, simulations of three such cases are described. In addition, the TASS model is evaluated against a test case that uses an exact solution of the Navier-Stokes equations. The TASS results are compared against previously reported simulations of these benchmark cases in the literature. It is demonstrated that the TASS model is highly accurate, stable and robust.

Comprehension and Data-Sharing Behavior of Direct-To-Consumer Genetic Test Customers.

PubMed

McGrath, Scott P; Coleman, Jason; Najjar, Lotfollah; Fruhling, Ann; Bastola, Dhundy R

2016-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate current direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic customers' ability to interpret and comprehend test results and to determine if honest brokers are needed. One hundred and twenty-two customers of the DTC genetic testing company 23andMe were polled in an online survey. The subjects were asked about their personal test results and to interpret the results of two mock test cases (type 2 diabetes and multiple sclerosis), where results were translated into disease probability for an individual compared to the public. When asked to evaluate the risk, 72.1% correctly assessed the first case and 77% were correct on the second case. Only 23.8% of those surveyed were able to interpret both cases correctly. x03C7;2 and logistic regression were used to interpret the results. Participants who took the time to read the DTC test-provided supplemental material were 3.93 times (p = 0.040) more likely to correctly interpret the test results than those who did not. The odds for correctly interpreting the test cases were 3.289 times (p = 0.011) higher for those who made more than USD 50,000 than those who made less. Survey results were compared to the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) phase 4 cycle 3 data to evaluate national trends. Most of the subjects were able to correctly interpret the test cases, yet a majority did not share their results with a health-care professional. As the market for DTC genetic testing grows, test comprehension will become more critical. Involving more health professionals in this process may be necessary to ensure proper interpretations. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

The comparative performance of PMI estimation in skeletal remains by three methods (C-14, luminol test and OHI): analysis of 20 cases.

PubMed

Cappella, Annalisa; Gibelli, Daniele; Muccino, Enrico; Scarpulla, Valentina; Cerutti, Elisa; Caruso, Valentina; Sguazza, Emanuela; Mazzarelli, Debora; Cattaneo, Cristina

2015-01-27

When estimating post-mortem interval (PMI) in forensic anthropology, the only method able to give an unambiguous result is the analysis of C-14, although the procedure is expensive. Other methods, such as luminol tests and histological analysis, can be performed as preliminary investigations and may allow the operators to gain a preliminary indication concerning PMI, but they lack scientific verification, although luminol testing has been somewhat more accredited in the past few years. Such methods in fact may provide some help as they are inexpensive and can give a fast response, especially in the phase of preliminary investigations. In this study, 20 court cases of human skeletonized remains were dated by the C-14 method. For two cases, results were chronologically set after the 1950s; for one case, the analysis was not possible technically. The remaining 17 cases showed an archaeological or historical collocation. The same bone samples were also screened with histological examination and with the luminol test. Results showed that only four cases gave a positivity to luminol and a high Oxford Histology Index (OHI) score at the same time: among these, two cases were dated as recent by the radiocarbon analysis. Thus, only two false-positive results were given by the combination of these methods and no false negatives. Thus, the combination of two qualitative methods (luminol test and microscopic analysis) may represent a promising solution to cases where many fragments need to be quickly tested.

Comparison of shoulder internal rotation test with the elbow flexion test in the diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome.

PubMed

Ochi, Kensuke; Horiuchi, Yukio; Tanabe, Aya; Morita, Kozo; Takeda, Kentaro; Ninomiya, Ken

2011-05-01

To compare the shoulder internal rotation test-a new, provocative test-with the elbow flexion test in the diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome (CubTS). Twenty-five patients with CubTS were examined before and after surgery with 10 seconds each of the elbow flexion and shoulder internal rotation tests. Fifty-four asymptomatic individuals and 14 neuropathy patients with a diagnosis other than CubTS were also examined as control cases. For the shoulder internal rotation test, the patient's upper extremity was kept at 90° abduction, maximum internal rotation, and 10° flexion at the shoulder, with 90° elbow flexion and neutral position of the forearm and wrist, with finger extension. Test results were considered positive if any slight symptom attributable to CubTS occurred within 10 seconds. Extraneural pressure inside the cubital tunnel was intraoperatively measured with the positions of both the elbow flexion and shoulder internal rotation tests, in 15 of the CubTS cases. Statistical analyses were performed using Student's t-test with a confidence level of 95%. The preoperative sensitivity in CubTS cases was 80% in the 10-second shoulder internal rotation test and 36% in the 10-second elbow flexion test, and these differences were significant. None of the control cases had positive results in either test. All the CubTS cases improved with surgery; after surgery, neither test provoked symptoms in any surgical patient. The extraneural pressure increased in both provocative positions with no significant difference. Positive results for the 10-second shoulder internal rotation test were more sensitive than that for the elbow flexion test of the same duration and seemed specific to CubTS. Copyright © 2011 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Developing Molecular Methods to Identify and Quantify Ballast Water Organisms: A Test Case with Cnidarians

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-04-15

Developing Molecular Methods to Identify and Quantify Ballast Water Organisms: A Test Case with Cnidarians SERDP Project # CP-1251...2004 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Developing Molecular Methods to Identify and Quantify Ballast Water Organisms: A Test Case with Cnidarians 5a. CONTRACT... cnidarians ? 9 Indicators of ballast water exchange 9 Materials and Methods 11 Phase I. Specimens 11 DNA

Automated Generation and Assessment of Autonomous Systems Test Cases

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barltrop, Kevin J.; Friberg, Kenneth H.; Horvath, Gregory A.

2008-01-01

This slide presentation reviews some of the issues concerning verification and validation testing of autonomous spacecraft routinely culminates in the exploration of anomalous or faulted mission-like scenarios using the work involved during the Dawn mission's tests as examples. Prioritizing which scenarios to develop usually comes down to focusing on the most vulnerable areas and ensuring the best return on investment of test time. Rules-of-thumb strategies often come into play, such as injecting applicable anomalies prior to, during, and after system state changes; or, creating cases that ensure good safety-net algorithm coverage. Although experience and judgment in test selection can lead to high levels of confidence about the majority of a system's autonomy, it's likely that important test cases are overlooked. One method to fill in potential test coverage gaps is to automatically generate and execute test cases using algorithms that ensure desirable properties about the coverage. For example, generate cases for all possible fault monitors, and across all state change boundaries. Of course, the scope of coverage is determined by the test environment capabilities, where a faster-than-real-time, high-fidelity, software-only simulation would allow the broadest coverage. Even real-time systems that can be replicated and run in parallel, and that have reliable set-up and operations features provide an excellent resource for automated testing. Making detailed predictions for the outcome of such tests can be difficult, and when algorithmic means are employed to produce hundreds or even thousands of cases, generating predicts individually is impractical, and generating predicts with tools requires executable models of the design and environment that themselves require a complete test program. Therefore, evaluating the results of large number of mission scenario tests poses special challenges. A good approach to address this problem is to automatically score the results based on a range of metrics. Although the specific means of scoring depends highly on the application, the use of formal scoring - metrics has high value in identifying and prioritizing anomalies, and in presenting an overall picture of the state of the test program. In this paper we present a case study based on automatic generation and assessment of faulted test runs for the Dawn mission, and discuss its role in optimizing the allocation of resources for completing the test program.

Huntington's disease predictive testing: the case for an assessment approach to requests from adolescents.

PubMed Central

Binedell, J; Soldan, J R; Scourfield, J; Harper, P S

1996-01-01

Adolescents who are actively requesting Huntington's predictive testing of their own accord pose a dilemma to those providing testing. In the absence of empirical evidence as regards the impact of genetic testing on minors, current policy and guidelines, based on the ethical principles of non-maleficence and respect for individual autonomy and confidentiality, generally exclude the testing of minors. It is argued that adherence to an age based exclusion criterion in Huntington's disease predictive testing protocols is out of step with trends in UK case law concerning minors' consent to medical treatment. Furthermore, contributions from developmental psychology and research into adolescents' decision making competence suggest that adolescents can make informed choices about their health and personal lives. Criteria for developing an assessment approach to such requests are put forward and the implications of a case by case evaluation of competence to consent in terms of clinicians' tolerance for uncertainty are discussed. PMID:8950670

Deep-sea benthic community and environmental impact assessment at the Atlantic Frontier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gage, John D.

2001-05-01

The seabed community provides a sensitive litmus for environmental change. North Sea analysis of benthic populations provides an effective means for monitoring impacts from man's interventions, such as offshore oil exploitation and fishing, against baseline knowledge of the environment. Comparable knowledge of the benthic biology in the deep waters of the Atlantic Frontier beyond the N.E. Atlantic shelf edge is poorly developed. But uncertainties should not encourage assumptions and extrapolations from the better-known conditions on the continental shelf. While sampling at present still provides the best means to assess the health of the deepwater benthic habitat, protocols developed for deep-sea fauna should be applied. These are necessary because of (a) lower faunal densities, (b) higher species richness, (c) smaller body size, and (d) to ensure comparability with other deep-sea data. As in the North Sea, species richness and relative abundance can be analysed from quantitative samples in order to detect impacts. But analysis based on taxonomic sufficiency above species level is premature, even if arguably possible for coastal communities. Measures also need to ensure identifications are not forced to more familiar coastal species without proper study. Species-level analysis may be applied to seabed photographs of megafauna in relation to data on bottom environment, such as currents and the sediment, to monitor the health of the deep-water community. Although the composition of higher taxa in the benthic community is broadly similar to soft sediments on the shelf, concordance in sensitivities is speculative. Moreover, new organisms occur, such as giant protozoan xenophyophores, unknown on the continental shelf, whose sensitivities remain conjectural. Past knowledge of the benthic biology of the deep-water areas off Scotland is based on scattered stations and some more focussed, multidisciplinary studies, and should be significantly augmented by the results from the oil industry-funded Atlantic Margin Environmental Study cruises in 1996 and 1998. A predominantly depth-related pattern in variability applies here as found elsewhere in the deep ocean, and just sufficient knowledge-based predictive power exists to make comprehensive, high-resolution grid surveys unnecessary for the purpose of broad-scale environmental assessment. But new, small-scale site surveys remain necessary because of local-scale variability. Site survey should be undertaken in the context of existing knowledge of the deep sea in the UK area of the Atlantic Frontier and beyond, and can itself usefully be structured as tests of a projection from the regional scale to reduce sampling effort. It is to the benefit of all stakeholders that environmental assessment aspires to the highest scientific standards and contributes meaningfully to context knowledge. By doing so it will reduce uncertainties in future impact assessments and hence contribute usefully to environmental risk management.

Home brewery as science investigation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flander, Renata

2017-04-01

Part of the compulsory program in primary school is to promote the cross-curricular links among different subjects, days of science in particular make this possible. We organize these days like science investigations for 9th graders. They do some research on the first day and present the results on the second day. Because some experiments with living beings last for a long time, we have at least a two week long break. In the meantime children are encouraged to work on their project, they search for better solutions, do some extra measurement, etc. Students are also stimulated to upgrade their knowledge, be innovative, to come up with individual contributions in the presentations and actively participate in the debate at the plenary presentation at the end of the second day. We offer different workshops to children (catalysts, smart cars, electronics in the hen house, plants in the universe, solar panel and home brewery) but we follow the same objectives like being able to plan a simple scientific investigation (form the question, hypothesis, variables, etc.), being able to use tools and technology for experimenting, collecting and presenting data with critical evaluation, being able to share and present new information. Pupils that choose home brewery are invited to come up with a statement like "Brewer agency has prepared a contract to investigate the influence of different ingredients in beer production with a purpose of preparing beer with the highest amount of alcohol." They start investigating at home by looking into how beer is made and according to the statement they also form questions, hypotheses, variables and make a plan. At school they form groups, present their plans and discuss best options to make a beer. They join their forces and each group prepares beer in the same way, changing only one variable (for example: added sugar, type of cereal). During making beer students also acquire other skills through the following activities: - Measuring sugar with Benedict solution and starch with iodine solution in malt before and after soaking. - Detecting carbo - dioxide with the use of indicators (bromothymol blue, litmus) or with the limewater test. - Preparing a microscope slide and use the microscope to observe the yeast. - Making a scientific drawing. - Taking pictures about their work to gather the right material for the final report. On the second day they measure the alcohol content and verify their hypotheses. They write a report using the scientific ideas, think how to improve the experiment and how to apply it in every-day life. However, it is important to mention that alcohol can be dangerous. The results are presented at the plenary presentation, students make posters or computer presentations by using their own devices.

Building Physics Test Cases | Buildings | NREL

Science.gov Websites

building physics test cases in BESTEST-EX. In these cases, the model inputs that describe the house are programs. This diagram provides an overview of the BESTEST-EX physics case process. On the left side of the diagram is a box labeled "BESTEST-EX Document" with a list that contains two bulleted items. The

WARM-LIQUID DEFROST FOR COMMERCIAL FOOD DISPLAY CASES: EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION AT 32.2 DEGREES C CONDENSING

EPA Science Inventory

The paper gives results of an experimental investigation at 32.2 C condensing of warm-liquid defrost for commercial food display cases. A refrigeration test rig with two open cases and two reach-in cases was tested using warm-liquid defrost (WLD) at -34.4 C evaporating, 32.2 C co...

A robust, finite element model for hydrostatic surface water flows

USGS Publications Warehouse

Walters, R.A.; Casulli, V.

1998-01-01

A finite element scheme is introduced for the 2-dimensional shallow water equations using semi-implicit methods in time. A semi-Lagrangian method is used to approximate the effects of advection. A wave equation is formed at the discrete level such that the equations decouple into an equation for surface elevation and a momentum equation for the horizontal velocity. The convergence rates and relative computational efficiency are examined with the use of three test cases representing various degrees of difficulty. A test with a polar-quadrant grid investigates the response to local grid-scale forcing and the presence of spurious modes, a channel test case establishes convergence rates, and a field-scale test case examines problems with highly irregular grids.A finite element scheme is introduced for the 2-dimensional shallow water equations using semi-implicit methods in time. A semi-Lagrangian method is used to approximate the effects of advection. A wave equation is formed at the discrete level such that the equations decouple into an equation for surface elevation and a momentum equation for the horizontal velocity. The convergence rates and relative computational efficiency are examined with the use of three test cases representing various degrees of difficulty. A test with a polar-quadrant grid investigates the response to local grid-scale forcing and the presence of spurious modes, a channel test case establishes convergence rates, and a field-scale test case examines problems with highly irregular grids.

Contact allergy to air-exposed geraniol: clinical observations and report of 14 cases.

PubMed

Hagvall, Lina; Karlberg, Ann-Therese; Christensson, Johanna Bråred

2012-07-01

The fragrance terpene geraniol forms sensitizing compounds via autoxidation and skin metabolism. Geranial and neral, the two isomers of citral, are the major haptens formed in both of these activation pathways. To investigate whether testing with oxidized geraniol detects more cases of contact allergy than testing with pure geraniol. The pattern of reactions to pure and oxidized geraniol, and metabolites/autoxidation products, was studied to investigate the importance of autoxidation or cutaneous metabolism in contact allergy to geraniol. Pure and oxidized geraniol were tested at 2.0% petrolatum in 2227 and 2179 consecutive patients, respectively. In parallel, geranial, neral and citral were tested in 2152, 1626 and 1055 consecutive patients, respectively. Pure and oxidized geraniol gave positive patch test reactions in 0.13% and 0.55% of the patients, respectively. Eight of 11 patients with positive patch test reactions to oxidized geraniol also reacted to citral or its components. Relevance for the positive patch test reactions in relation to the patients' dermatitis was found in 11 of 14 cases. Testing with oxidized geraniol could detect more cases of contact allergy to geraniol. The reaction pattern of the 14 cases presented indicates that both autoxidation and metabolism could be important in sensitization to geraniol. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Biochemical studies on hepatic involvement in infectious mononucleosis

PubMed Central

Baron, D. N.; Bell, Joyce L.; Dunnet, W. N.

1965-01-01

Eighty cases of infectious mononucleosis have been investigated by serum enzyme studies and other liver function tests. Maximum abnormalities occurred between the second and fourth weeks of illness and all tests were usually normal by the sixth week. Serum isocitric dehydrogenase activity was increased in 93% of cases and serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase in 74%. Conventional liver function tests were less sensitive. Serum bilirubin was above normal in 40% of cases; in 17% of cases the increase was sufficient to show as clinical jaundice. No patient has developed chronic hepatitis. PMID:14276157

Diagnostic yield of hair and urine toxicology testing in potential child abuse cases.

PubMed

Stauffer, Stephanie L; Wood, Stephanie M; Krasowski, Matthew D

2015-07-01

Detection of drugs in a child may be the first objective finding that can be reported in cases of suspected child abuse. Hair and urine toxicology testing, when performed as part of the initial clinical evaluation for suspected child abuse or maltreatment, may serve to facilitate the identification of at-risk children. Furthermore, significant environmental exposure to a drug (considered by law to constitute child abuse in some states) may be identified by toxicology testing of unwashed hair specimens. In order to determine the clinical utility of hair and urine toxicology testing in this population we performed a retrospective chart review on all children for whom hair toxicology testing was ordered at our academic medical center between January 2004 and April 2014. The medical records of 616 children aged 0-17.5 years were reviewed for injury history, previous medication and illicit drug use by caregiver(s), urine drug screen result (if performed), hair toxicology result, medication list, and outcome of any child abuse evaluation. Hair toxicology testing was positive for at least one compound in 106 cases (17.2%), with unexplained drugs in 82 cases (13.3%). Of these, there were 48 cases in which multiple compounds (including combination of parent drugs and/or metabolites within the same drug class) were identified in the sample of one patient. The compounds most frequently identified in the hair of our study population included cocaine, benzoylecgonine, native (unmetabolized) tetrahydrocannabinol, and methamphetamine. There were 68 instances in which a parent drug was identified in the hair without any of its potential metabolites, suggesting environmental exposure. Among the 82 cases in which hair toxicology testing was positive for unexplained drugs, a change in clinical outcome was noted in 71 cases (86.5%). Urine drug screens (UDS) were performed in 457 of the 616 reviewed cases. Of these, over 95% of positive UDS results could be explained by iatrogenic drug administration. There were no cases in which a urine drug screen alone altered the outcome of a case. In summary, hair toxicology testing proved clinically useful in the evaluation of a child for suspected abuse; in contrast, urine drug testing showed low clinical yield. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.

A case of misdiagnosis of mild cognitive impairment: The utility of symptom validity testing in an outpatient memory clinic.

PubMed

Roor, Jeroen J; Dandachi-FitzGerald, Brechje; Ponds, Rudolf W H M

2016-01-01

Noncredible symptom reports hinder the diagnostic process. This fact is especially the case for medical conditions that rely on subjective report of symptoms instead of objective measures. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) primarily relies on subjective report, which makes it potentially susceptible to erroneous diagnosis. In this case report, we describe a 59-year-old female patient diagnosed with MCI 10 years previously. The patient was referred to the neurology department for reexamination by her general practitioner because of cognitive complaints and persistent fatigue. This case study used information from the medical file, a new magnetic resonance imaging brain scan, and neuropsychological assessment. Current neuropsychological assessment, including symptom validity tests, clearly indicated noncredible test performance, thereby invalidating the obtained neuropsychological test data. We conclude that a blind spot for noncredible symptom reports existed in the previous diagnostic assessments. This case highlights the usefulness of formal symptom validity testing in the diagnostic assessment of MCI.

Slow Crack Growth Analysis of Advanced Structural Ceramics Under Combined Loading Conditions: Damage Assessment in Life Prediction Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choi, S. R.; Gyekenyesi, J. P.

2001-01-01

Slow crack growth analysis was performed with three different loading histories including constant stress- rate/constant stress-rate testing (Case I loading), constant stress/constant stress-rate testing (Case II loading), and cyclic stress/constant stress-rate testing (Case III loading). Strength degradation due to slow crack growth and/or damage accumulation was determined numerically as a function of percentage of interruption time between the two loading sequences for a given loading history. The numerical solutions were examined with the experimental data determined at elevated temperatures using four different advanced ceramic materials, two silicon nitrides, one silicon carbide and one alumina for the Case I loading history, and alumina for the Case II loading history. The numerical solutions were in reasonable agreement with the experimental data, indicating that notwithstanding some degree of creep deformation presented for some test materials slow crack growth was a governing mechanism associated with failure for all the rest materials.

Awareness and uptake of direct-to-consumer genetic testing among cancer cases, their relatives, and controls: the Northwest Cancer Genetics Network.

PubMed

Hall, Taryn O; Renz, Anne D; Snapinn, Katherine W; Bowen, Deborah J; Edwards, Karen L

2012-07-01

To determine if awareness of, interest in, and use of direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing is greater in a sample of high-risk individuals (cancer cases and their relatives), compared to controls. Participants were recruited from the Northwest Cancer Genetics Network. A follow-up survey was mailed to participants to assess DTC genetic testing awareness, interest, and use. One thousand two hundred sixty-seven participants responded to the survey. Forty-nine percent of respondents were aware of DTC genetic testing. Of those aware, 19% indicated interest in obtaining and <1% reported having used DTC genetic testing. Additional information supplied by respondents who reported use of DTC genetic tests indicated that 55% of these respondents likely engaged in clinical genetic testing, rather than DTC genetic testing. Awareness of DTC genetic testing was greater in our sample of high-risk individuals than in controls and population-based studies. Although interest in and use of these tests among cases in our sample were equivalent to other population-based studies, interest in testing was higher among relatives and people who self-referred for a registry focused on cancer than among cases and controls. Additionally, our results suggest that there may be some confusion about what constitutes DTC genetic testing.

Skin test hypersensitivity for childhood asthma in Istanbul during a period of 16 years.

PubMed

Akcakaya, N; Cokugras, H; Camcioglu, Y; Ozdemir, M

2005-01-01

For diagnosis of allergic disorders, besides history and physical examination, many in vivo and in vitro laboratory tests are used. Skin prick test (SPT) is an easily performed and valuable test in children. Our aim was to evaluate the SPT results of asthmatic children according to age and gender, in Istanbul and its neighborhood, followed for a period of 16 years. Consecutive 5080 asthmatic children, aged 1 to 18 years, admitted to Pediatric Allergy Policlinics of Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Medicine Faculty from 1987 to 2003, were screened retrospectively for 10 frequently exposed allergens. 3086 cases (61 %) had SPT reactivity for one and/or for multiple allergens; the SPT reactivity percentages of the exposed allergens was 50 % (2554 cases) for house dust mites DP, 49 % (2462 cases) for house dust mites DF, 15 % (784 cases) for cat dander, 10 % (525 cases) for dog dander, 4 % (228 cases) for lamb wool, 10 % (504 cases) for wheat, 3 % (162 cases) for egg white, 6 % (345 cases) for hazelnut pollen, 6 % (318 cases) for Candida Albicans, 6 % (326 cases) for Aspergillus Fumigatus. While house dust mites were determined as the predominant allergen for each age groups in this study, allergy against cat dander was the third important allergen in sequence, as cat is a domestic pet which is frequently kept at home in Turkey.

Cytomorphology of cervicovaginal melanoma: ThinPrep versus conventional Papanicolaou tests.

PubMed

Setia, Namrata; Goulart, Robert A; Leiman, Gladywn; Otis, Christopher N; Modem, Rukmini; Pantanowtiz, Liron

2010-12-31

Primary cervicovaginal melanoma is a rare malignancy associated with a high risk of recurrence. Prior studies discussing the cytomorphology of cervicovaginal melanoma have been based primarily on review of conventional Papanicolaou (Pap) smears. The aim of this study was to evaluate cervicovaginal melanomas identified in liquid-based Pap tests, in comparison with features seen on conventional Pap smear preparation. Cases of cervicovaginal melanoma identified on Pap tests with concurrent or subsequent histopathologic confirmation were collected from the Baystate Medical Center cytopathology files and personal archives of the authors over a total period of 34 years. All cytopathology (n = 6) and the available histology slides (n = 5) were reviewed. Cases were analyzed regarding clinical, histopathologic and cytomorphological findings. A total of six cases with invasive cervicovaginal melanoma diagnosed on Pap tests were identified. Most patients were postmenopausal with contact bleeding, correlating with surface ulceration (identified in biopsy/excision material in 5/5 cases). Most cases had deeply invasive tumors (5/5: modified Breslow's thickness > 5 mm and Chung's level of invasion IV/V). Pap tests included four ThinPrep and two conventional smears. Overall, ThinPrep Pap tests exhibited a higher ratio of tumor cells to background squamous cells. While all Pap tests were bloodstained, tumor diathesis was prominent only within conventional smears. Melanoma cells were present both as clusters and scattered single cells in each Pap test type. Both the preparations contained epithelioid tumor cells, whereas spindled tumor cells were seen in only two ThinPrep cases. Prominent nucleoli and binucleation of tumor cells were seen in both the preparations. Melanin pigment was identified in only ThinPrep (3/4) cases and nuclear pseudo-inclusions in one conventional Pap smear. Cell blocks were made in three ThinPrep cases and immunocytochemistry (S-100, HMB45, Melan-A) performed on additional vial material (one ThinPrep slide and one cell block) was immunoreactive in melanoma cells. Primary cervicovaginal melanoma, a rare malignancy seen predominantly in postmenopausal women, may be successfully diagnosed in either ThinPrep Pap tests or conventional Pap smears. While ThinPrep Pap tests did not demonstrate morphological advantage over conventional smears, liquid-based cytology specimens did provide additional material for cellblock preparation and immunocytochemical evaluation in a subset of cases.

Cytomorphology of cervicovaginal melanoma: ThinPrep versus conventional Papanicolaou tests

PubMed Central

Setia, Namrata; Goulart, Robert A; Leiman, Gladywn; Otis, Christopher N; Modem, Rukmini; Pantanowtiz, Liron

2010-01-01

Background: Primary cervicovaginal melanoma is a rare malignancy associated with a high risk of recurrence. Prior studies discussing the cytomorphology of cervicovaginal melanoma have been based primarily on review of conventional Papanicolaou (Pap) smears. The aim of this study was to evaluate cervicovaginal melanomas identified in liquid-based Pap tests, in comparison with features seen on conventional Pap smear preparation. Materials and Methods: Cases of cervicovaginal melanoma identified on Pap tests with concurrent or subsequent histopathologic confirmation were collected from the Baystate Medical Center cytopathology files and personal archives of the authors over a total period of 34 years. All cytopathology (n = 6) and the available histology slides (n = 5) were reviewed. Cases were analyzed regarding clinical, histopathologic and cytomorphological findings. Results: A total of six cases with invasive cervicovaginal melanoma diagnosed on Pap tests were identified. Most patients were postmenopausal with contact bleeding, correlating with surface ulceration (identified in biopsy/excision material in 5/5 cases). Most cases had deeply invasive tumors (5/5: modified Breslow's thickness > 5 mm and Chung's level of invasion IV/V). Pap tests included four ThinPrep and two conventional smears. Overall, ThinPrep Pap tests exhibited a higher ratio of tumor cells to background squamous cells. While all Pap tests were bloodstained, tumor diathesis was prominent only within conventional smears. Melanoma cells were present both as clusters and scattered single cells in each Pap test type. Both the preparations contained epithelioid tumor cells, whereas spindled tumor cells were seen in only two ThinPrep cases. Prominent nucleoli and binucleation of tumor cells were seen in both the preparations. Melanin pigment was identified in only ThinPrep (3/4) cases and nuclear pseudo-inclusions in one conventional Pap smear. Cell blocks were made in three ThinPrep cases and immunocytochemistry (S-100, HMB45, Melan-A) performed on additional vial material (one ThinPrep slide and one cell block) was immunoreactive in melanoma cells. Conclusion: Primary cervicovaginal melanoma, a rare malignancy seen predominantly in postmenopausal women, may be successfully diagnosed in either ThinPrep Pap tests or conventional Pap smears. While ThinPrep Pap tests did not demonstrate morphological advantage over conventional smears, liquid-based cytology specimens did provide additional material for cellblock preparation and immunocytochemical evaluation in a subset of cases. PMID:21298024

[Analysis for Discordance of Positive and Negative Blood Typing by Gel Card].

PubMed

Li, Cui-Ying; Xu, Hong; Lei, Hui-Fen; Liu, Juan; Li, Xiao-Wei

2017-08-01

To explore the method of Gel card identifying ABO blood group, determine the inconsistent cause and the distribution of disease affecting factors, and put forward a method of its solutions. To collect 240 positive and negative typing-discordant blood speciments from patients examined by Gel card and send these speciments to blood type reference laboratory for examining with the classic tube method and serological test, such as salivary blood-group substance, in order to performe genotyping method when serologic test can not be determined. Among 240 positive and negative typing-discordant blood speciments from patients examined by Gel card, 107 blood speciments were positive and negative consistent examined by false agglutination test (44.58%), 133 blood specinents were discordent examined by false agglutination (55.42%), out of them, 35 cases (14.58%) with inconsistent cold agglutination test, 22 cases (9.17%) with weakened AB antigenicity, 16 cases (6.67%) with ABO subtyping, 12 cases (5.00%) with positive direct antiglobulin test, 11 cases (4.58%) with reduced or without antibodies, 11 cases (4.58%) with false aggregation caused by drugs or protein, 11 cases (4.58%) with salivary blood-type substances, 8 cases (3.33%) with non-ABO alloantibody, and 7 cases (2.92%) with allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. The distribution of disease were following: blood disease (16.83%), tumor (11.88%), and cardiopulmonary diseases (11.39%); chi-square test results indicated that the distribution significantly different. The analysis of ABO blood grouping shows a variety factors influencing positive and negative blood typing, and the Gel Card identification can produc more false positive blood types. Therefore, more attention should be paid on the high incidence diseases, such as blood disease, tumor, and cardiopulmonary disease.

The expert and the foreigner: Reflections of forensic transcultural psychopathology on a total of 86 reports by experts on criminal liability.

PubMed

Merzagora, Isabella; Amadasi, Alberto; Blandino, Alberto; Travaini, Guido

In recent times Italy has been experiencing massive migration flows, therefore the attention on the issue of crimes committed by foreigners is increasing. But within trials, in the evaluation of criminal liability of foreigners, how do experts deal with them? Do the performed evaluations take cultural diversity into account? The present study took origin from these questions and examined a total of 86 reports by experts on criminal liability of foreign persons (16 females and 70 males). Examinees have been declared indictable in 31 cases (36%), totally mentally ill in 40 cases (45%) and with diminished liability in 15 cases (17%); when liability was excluded, examinees were diagnosed in 11 cases with mood disorders, in 23 cases with personality disorders, in 4 cases with adaptation disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder and in 10 cases with different diagnoses (in some cases more than one diagnosis was present). None of the reports used the section of the DSM concerning "cultural framing". Tests were used in 48 surveys (56% of cases), with more tests for each examinee, for a total of 39 Rorschach, 14 Raven test, 8 Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory - MMPI - 4 Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - WAIS - level test, 8 Thematic Apperception test. When subjects were diagnosed with mental disorder and with diminished liability, 42 (79%) were also socially dangerous. Results highlight the importance of the relationship between the expert and the foreigner. Many factors ought to be critically considered by experts dealing with foreigners, like cultural awareness, knowledge of verbal communication, critical consideration of meanings and diagnosis, knowledge of the foreigners' personal story, presence of tests with inexact information and cultural fallacy. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Diagnostic power of laboratory tests for hereditary spherocytosis: a comparison study in 150 patients grouped according to molecular and clinical characteristics

PubMed Central

Bianchi, Paola; Fermo, Elisa; Vercellati, Cristina; Marcello, Anna P.; Porretti, Laura; Cortelezzi, Agostino; Barcellini, Wilma; Zanella, Alberto

2012-01-01

Background The laboratory diagnosis of hereditary spherocytosis commonly relies on NaCl-based or glycerol-based red cell osmotic fragility tests; more recently, an assay directly targeting the hereditary spherocytosis molecular defect (eosin-5′-maleimide-binding test) has been proposed. None of the available tests identifies all cases of hereditary spherocytosis. Design and Methods We compared the performances of the eosin-5′-maleimide-binding test, NaCl-osmotic fragility studies on fresh and incubated blood, the glycerol lysis test, the acidified glycerol lysis test, and the Pink test on a series of 150 patients with hereditary spherocytosis grouped according to clinical phenotype and the defective protein, with the final aim of finding the combination of tests associated with the highest diagnostic power, even in the mildest cases of hereditary spherocytosis. Results The eosin-5′-maleimide-binding test had a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 98% for detecting hereditary spherocytosis: the sensitivity was independent of the type and amount of molecular defect and of the clinical phenotype. The acidified glycerol lysis test and Pink test showed comparable sensitivity (95% and 91%). The sensitivity of NaCl osmotic fragility tests, commonly considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of hereditary spherocytosis, was 68% on fresh blood and 81% on incubated blood, and further decreased in compensated cases (53% and 64%, respectively). The combination of the eosin-5′-maleimide-binding test and acidified glycerol lysis test enabled all patients with hereditary spherocytosis to be identified. The eosin-5′-maleimide-binding test showed the greatest disease specificity. Conclusions Each type of test fails to diagnose some cases of hereditary spherocytosis. The association of an eosin-5′-maleimide-binding test and an acidified glycerol lysis test enabled identification of all patients with hereditary spherocytosis in this series and, therefore, represents a currently effective diagnostic strategy for hereditary spherocytosis including mild/compensated cases. PMID:22058213

Impact of Virtual Patients as Optional Learning Material in Veterinary Biochemistry Education.

PubMed

Kleinsorgen, Christin; von Köckritz-Blickwede, Maren; Naim, Hassan Y; Branitzki-Heinemann, Katja; Kankofer, Marta; Mándoki, Míra; Adler, Martin; Tipold, Andrea; Ehlers, Jan P

2018-01-01

Biochemistry and physiology teachers from veterinary faculties in Hannover, Budapest, and Lublin prepared innovative, computer-based, integrative clinical case scenarios as optional learning materials for teaching and learning in basic sciences. These learning materials were designed to enhance attention and increase interest and intrinsic motivation for learning, thus strengthening autonomous, active, and self-directed learning. We investigated learning progress and success by administering a pre-test before exposure to the virtual patients (vetVIP) cases, offered vetVIP cases alongside regular biochemistry courses, and then administered a complementary post-test. We analyzed improvement in cohort performance and level of confidence in rating questions. Results of the performance in biochemistry examinations in 2014, 2015, and 2016 were correlated with the use of and performance in vetVIP cases throughout biochemistry courses in Hannover. Surveys of students reflected that interactive cases helped them understand the relevance of basic sciences in veterinary education. Differences between identical pre- and post-tests revealed knowledge improvement (correct answers: +28% in Hannover, +9% in Lublin) and enhanced confidence in decision making ("I don't know" answers: -20% in Hannover, -7.5% in Lublin). High case usage and voluntary participation (use of vetVIP cases in Hannover and Lublin >70%, Budapest <1%; response rates in pre-test 72% and post-test 48%) indicated a good increase in motivation for the subject of biochemistry. Despite increased motivation, there was only a weak correlation between performance in final exams and performance in the vetVIP cases. Case-based e-learning could be extended and generated cases should be shared across veterinary faculties.

Herbalife hepatotoxicity: Evaluation of cases with positive reexposure tests.

PubMed

Teschke, Rolf; Frenzel, Christian; Schulze, Johannes; Schwarzenboeck, Alexander; Eickhoff, Axel

2013-07-27

To analyze the validity of applied test criteria and causality assessment methods in assumed Herbalife hepatotoxicity with positive reexposure tests. We searched the Medline database for suspected cases of Herbalife hepatotoxicity and retrieved 53 cases including eight cases with a positive unintentional reexposure and a high causality level for Herbalife. First, analysis of these eight cases focused on the data quality of the positive reexposure cases, requiring a baseline value of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) < 5 upper limit of normal (N) before reexposure, with N as the upper limit of normal, and a doubling of the ALT value at reexposure as compared to the ALT value at baseline prior to reexposure. Second, reported methods to assess causality in the eight cases were evaluated, and then the liver specific Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS) scale validated for hepatotoxicity cases was used for quantitative causality reevaluation. This scale consists of various specific elements with scores provided through the respective case data, and the sum of the scores yields a causality grading for each individual case of initially suspected hepatotoxicity. Details of positive reexposure test conditions and their individual results were scattered in virtually all cases, since reexposures were unintentional and allowed only retrospective rather than prospective assessments. In 1/8 cases, criteria for a positive reexposure were fulfilled, whereas in the remaining cases the reexposure test was classified as negative (n = 1), or the data were considered as uninterpretable due to missing information to comply adequately with the criteria (n = 6). In virtually all assessed cases, liver unspecific causality assessment methods were applied rather than a liver specific method such as the CIOMS scale. Using this scale, causality gradings for Herbalife in these eight cases were probable (n = 1), unlikely (n = 4), and excluded (n = 3). Confounding variables included low data quality, alternative diagnoses, poor exclusion of important other causes, and comedication by drugs and herbs in 6/8 cases. More specifically, problems were evident in some cases regarding temporal association, daily doses, exact start and end dates of product use, actual data of laboratory parameters such as ALT, and exact dechallenge characteristics. Shortcomings included scattered exclusion of hepatitis A-C, cytomegalovirus and Epstein Barr virus infection with only globally presented or lacking parameters. Hepatitis E virus infection was considered in one single patient and found positive, infections by herpes simplex virus and varicella zoster virus were excluded in none. Only one case fulfilled positive reexposure test criteria in initially assumed Herbalife hepatotoxicity, with lower CIOMS based causality gradings for the other cases than hitherto proposed.

The Impact of 2013 Updated ASCO/CAP HER2 Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Management of Invasive Breast Cancer: A Single-Center Study of 1739 Cases.

PubMed

Zhang, Xiaofei; Bleiweiss, Ira; Jaffer, Shabnam; Nayak, Anupma

2017-10-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of revised ASCO/CAP 2013 HER2 guidelines on the clinical practice of pathologists and oncologists. Retrospective analysis of 1739 patients with invasive breast carcinoma who underwent reflex HER2 (fluorescence in situ hybridization [FISH]) testing, using both 2007 and 2013 guidelines (2007-2014). Using 2013 guidelines, 255 (15%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 13%-16%) cases were classified as HER2 + as opposed to 186 (11%; 95% CI, 9%-12%) by 2007 guidelines (odds ratio [OR] 1.4; 95% CI, 1.2-1.8; P = .0005). Sixty-nine cases equivocal by 2007 guidelines (12% of all equivocal cases) were converted to HER2 + by 2013 guidelines. Sixty-two of these 69 cases shifted from HER2 equivocal to positive due to change in FISH ratio cutoff from 2.2 to 2.0. Six cases had FISH ratio < 2.0 but immunohistochemistry (IHC) score 3+ in 10% to 30% of tumor cells. One case had FISH ratio of 2.0 and IHC score 3+ in 10% to 30% of tumor cells. FISH and IHC test results were discordant in 5% (95% CI, 4%-6%) of cases using 2013 guidelines. No increase in HER2 FISH equivocal cases was observed. Reflex FISH testing of all IHC 1+ cases at our institution additionally detected 58 patients (5%; 95% CI, 4%-6%) with HER2 amplification. The 2013 guidelines increase the detection of HER2 + cases, without introducing significant difference in discordance rate of the IHC and FISH assays. Inclusion of HER2 copy number criterion does not increase the number of FISH equivocal cases in our cohort. We recommend IHC 1+ cases should be offered reflex FISH testing because failure to test them will miss a small number (5%) of potentially treatable cases. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Test-Case Generation using an Explicit State Model Checker Final Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heimdahl, Mats P. E.; Gao, Jimin

2003-01-01

In the project 'Test-Case Generation using an Explicit State Model Checker' we have extended an existing tools infrastructure for formal modeling to export Java code so that we can use the NASA Ames tool Java Pathfinder (JPF) for test case generation. We have completed a translator from our source language RSML(exp -e) to Java and conducted initial studies of how JPF can be used as a testing tool. In this final report, we provide a detailed description of the translation approach as implemented in our tools.

Test-Enhanced Learning in Competence-Based Predoctoral Orthodontics: A Four-Year Study.

PubMed

Freda, Nicolas M; Lipp, Mitchell J

2016-03-01

Dental educators intend to promote integration of knowledge, skills, and values toward professional competence. Studies report that retrieval, in the form of testing, results in better learning with retention than traditional studying. The aim of this study was to evaluate test-enhanced experiences on demonstrations of competence in diagnosis and management of malocclusion and skeletal problems. The study participants were all third-year dental students (2011 N=88, 2012 N=74, 2013 N=91, 2014 N=85) at New York University College of Dentistry. The 2013 and 2014 groups received the test-enhanced method emphasizing formative assessments with written and dialogic delayed feedback, while the 2011 and 2012 groups received the traditional approach emphasizing lectures and classroom exercises. The students received six two-hour sessions, spaced one week apart. At the final session, a summative assessment consisting of the same four cases was administered. Students constructed a problem list, treatment objectives, and a treatment plan for each case, scored according to the same criteria. Grades were based on the number of cases without critical errors: A=0 critical errors on four cases, A-=0 critical errors on three cases, B+=0 critical errors on two cases, B=0 critical errors on one case, F=critical errors on four cases. Performance grades were categorized as high quality (B+, A-, A) and low quality (F, B). The results showed that the test-enhanced groups demonstrated statistically significant benefits at 95% confidence intervals compared to the traditional groups when comparing low- and high-quality grades. These performance trends support the continued use of the test-enhanced approach.

Field Performance of Recycled Plastic Foundation for Pipeline

PubMed Central

Kim, Seongkyum; Lee, Kwanho

2015-01-01

The incidence of failure of embedded pipelines has increased in Korea due to the increasing applied load and the improper compaction of bedding and backfill materials. To overcome these problems, a prefabricated lightweight plastic foundation using recycled plastic was developed for sewer pipelines. A small scale laboratory chamber test and two field tests were conducted to verify its construction workability and performance. From the small scale laboratory chamber test, the applied loads at 2.5% and 5.0% of deformation were 3.45 kgf/cm2 and 5.85 kgf/cm2 for Case S1, and 4.42 kgf/cm2 and 6.43 kgf/cm2 for Case S2, respectively. From the first field test, the vertical deformation of the recycled plastic foundation (Case A2) was very small. According to the analysis based on the PE pipe deformation at the connection (CN) and at the center (CT), the pipe deformation at each part for Case A1 was larger than that for Case A2, which adopted the recycled lightweight plastic foundation. From the second field test, the measured maximum settlements of Case B1 and Case B2 were 1.05 cm and 0.54 cm, respectively. The use of a plastic foundation can reduce the settlement of an embedded pipeline and be an alternative construction method.

[Difficulties of genetic counselling in rare, mainly neurogenetic disorders].

PubMed

Horváth, Emese; Nagy, Nikoletta; Széll, Márta

2014-08-03

In recent decades methods used for the investigation of the genetic background of rare diseases showed a great improvement. The aim of the authors was to demonstrate difficulties of genetic counselling and investigations in case of five rare, mainly neurogenetic diseases. During pre-test genetic counselling, the disease suspected from the clinical symptoms and the available genetic tests were considered. During post-test genetic counselling, the results of the genetic tests were discussed. In three of the five cases genetic tests identified the disease-causing genetic abnormalities, while in two cases the causative abnormalities were not identified. Despite a great improvement of the available genetic methods, the causative genetic abnormalities cannot be identified in some cases. The genetic counsellor has a key role in the assessment and interpretation of the results and in helping the family planning.

Design and Testing of Braided Composite Fan Case Materials and Components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roberts, Gary D.; Pereira, J. Michael; Braley, Michael S.; Arnold, William a.; Dorer, James D.; Watson, William R/.

2009-01-01

Triaxial braid composite materials are beginning to be used in fan cases for commercial gas turbine engines. The primary benefit for the use of composite materials is reduced weight and the associated reduction in fuel consumption. However, there are also cost benefits in some applications. This paper presents a description of the braided composite materials and discusses aspects of the braiding process that can be utilized for efficient fabrication of composite cases. The paper also presents an approach that was developed for evaluating the braided composite materials and composite fan cases in a ballistic impact laboratory. Impact of composite panels with a soft projectile is used for materials evaluation. Impact of composite fan cases with fan blades or blade-like projectiles is used to evaluate containment capability. A post-impact structural load test is used to evaluate the capability of the impacted fan case to survive dynamic loads during engine spool down. Validation of these new test methods is demonstrated by comparison with results of engine blade-out tests.

Establishing a Ballistic Test Methodology for Documenting the Containment Capability of Small Gas Turbine Engine Compressors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heady, Joel; Pereira, J. Michael; Ruggeri, Charles R.; Bobula, George A.

2009-01-01

A test methodology currently employed for large engines was extended to quantify the ballistic containment capability of a small turboshaft engine compressor case. The approach involved impacting the inside of a compressor case with a compressor blade. A gas gun propelled the blade into the case at energy levels representative of failed compressor blades. The test target was a full compressor case. The aft flange was rigidly attached to a test stand and the forward flange was attached to a main frame to provide accurate boundary conditions. A window machined in the case allowed the projectile to pass through and impact the case wall from the inside with the orientation, direction and speed that would occur in a blade-out event. High-peed, digital-video cameras provided accurate velocity and orientation data. Calibrated cameras and digital image correlation software generated full field displacement and strain information at the back side of the impact point.

BASHH 2016 UK national audit and survey of HIV testing, risk assessment and follow-up: case note audit.

PubMed

Bhaduri, Sumit; Curtis, Hilary; McClean, Hugo; Sullivan, Ann K

2018-01-01

This national audit demonstrated discrepancies between actual practice and that indicated by clinic policies following enquiry about alcohol, recreational drugs and chemsex use. Clinics were more likely to enquire about risk behaviour if this was clinic policy or routine practice. Previous testing was the most common reason for refusing HIV testing, although 33% of men who have sex with men had a prior test of more than three months ago. Of the group declining due to recent exposure in the window period, 21/119 cases had an exposure within the four weeks prior to presentation, but had a previous risk not covered by previous testing. Recommendations include provision of risk assessments for alcohol, recreational drug use and chemsex, documenting reasons for HIV test refusal, provision of HIV point-of-care testing, follow-up for cases at higher risk of HIV and advice about community testing or self-sampling/testing.

Formal methods for test case generation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rushby, John (Inventor); De Moura, Leonardo Mendonga (Inventor); Hamon, Gregoire (Inventor)

2011-01-01

The invention relates to the use of model checkers to generate efficient test sets for hardware and software systems. The method provides for extending existing tests to reach new coverage targets; searching *to* some or all of the uncovered targets in parallel; searching in parallel *from* some or all of the states reached in previous tests; and slicing the model relative to the current set of coverage targets. The invention provides efficient test case generation and test set formation. Deep regions of the state space can be reached within allotted time and memory. The approach has been applied to use of the model checkers of SRI's SAL system and to model-based designs developed in Stateflow. Stateflow models achieving complete state and transition coverage in a single test case are reported.

BrucellaCapt versus classical tests in the serological diagnosis and management of human brucellosis.

PubMed

Casanova, Aurora; Ariza, Javier; Rubio, Manuel; Masuet, Cristina; Díaz, Ramón

2009-06-01

The BrucellaCapt test is an immunocapture agglutination test suggested as a possible substitute for the Coombs test in the diagnosis of human brucellosis. Here it is compared with classical tests using 321 samples from 48 patients with brucellosis (6.9 +/- 1.7 samples per patient), including 20 patients with focal disease and 8 patients with a total of 9 relapse episodes (mean follow-up, 18 months). The BrucellaCapt test was used according to the manufacturer's instructions, and we also used a variant of the BrucellaCapt test in which the microtiter plates were not coated with antibodies against total human immunoglobulin (BCAPV). The correlation between the BrucellaCapt and BCAPV tests was 0.982 (P < 0.001), with 260 coincident pairs of titers (81%). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the BrucellaCapt and BCAPV tests with respect to the Coombs test were 0.969 and 0.960, respectively. Upon admission, the BrucellaCapt, BCAPV, and Coombs tests and the microagglutination test (MAT) were positive for all cases: titers were 1/2,560 by the BrucellaCapt test, 1/2,560 by the BCAPV test, 1/1,280 by the Coombs test, and 1/320 by the MAT. The decreases in the BrucellaCapt and BCAPV titers over time were pronounced in comparison with the Coombs titers. Cumulative probabilities of persistence 12 months after therapy were as follows: 80% by the BrucellaCapt test, 80% by the BCAPV test, 87% by the Coombs test, and 35% by the MAT. Serological changes during relapse were detected in seven cases (88%) by the Coombs test, in five cases by the BrucellaCapt and BCAPV tests, and in three cases by the MAT. The BrucellaCapt test is a sensitive, specific, and simple test for routine use in human brucellosis. Similar results were obtained with the BCAPV test. However, in some cases of relapse and chronic forms of the disease, the slight changes observed in low-affinity antibodies alone are better detected by the Coombs test.

Inflammatory disorders mimicking periprosthetic joint infections may result in false positive α-defensin.

PubMed

Plate, Andreas; Stadler, Laura; Sutter, Reto; Anagnostopoulos, Alexia; Frustaci, Dario; Zbinden, Reinhard; Fucentese, Sandro F; Zinkernagel, Annelies S; Zingg, Patrick O; Achermann, Yvonne

2018-02-26

The antimicrobial peptide α-defensin has recently been introduced as potential "single" biomarker with a high sensitivity and specificity for the preoperative diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs). However, most studies assessed the benefits of the test with exclusion of patients with rheumatic diseases. We aimed to evaluate the α-defensin test in a cohort study without exclusion of cases with inflammatory diseases. Between June 2016 and June 2017, we prospectively included cases with a suspected PJI and an available lateral flow test α-defensin (Synovasure®) in synovial fluid. We compared the test result to the diagnostic criteria for PJIs published by an International Consensus Group in 2013. We included 109 cases (49 hips, 60 knees) in which preoperative α-defensin tests had been performed. Thereof, 20 PJIs (16 hips, 4 knees) were diagnosed. Preoperative α-defensin tests were positive in 25 cases (22.9%) with a test sensitivity and specificity of 90% and 92.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 68.3 - 98.8% and 84.5 - 96.8%, respectively), and a high negative predictive value of 97.6% (95% CI, 91.7 - 99.4%). We interpreted seven α-defensin tests as false positive, mainly in cases with inflammatory rheumatic diseases, including crystal deposition diseases. A negative synovial α-defensin test can reliably rule out a PJI. However, the test can be false positive in conjunction with an underlying non-infectious inflammatory disease. We therefore propose to use the α-defensin test only in addition to MSIS criteria and assessment for crystals in synovial aspirates. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Effects of imperfect test sensitivity and specificity on observational studies of influenza vaccine effectiveness.

PubMed

Jackson, Michael L; Rothman, Kenneth J

2015-03-10

The recently developed test-negative design is now standard for observational studies of influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE). It is unclear how influenza test misclassification biases test-negative VE estimates relative to VE estimates from traditional cohort or case-control studies. We simulated populations whose members may develop acute respiratory illness (ARI) due to influenza and to non-influenza pathogens. In these simulations, vaccination reduces the risk of influenza but not of non-influenza ARI. Influenza test sensitivity and specificity, risks of influenza and non-influenza ARI, and VE were varied across the simulations. In each simulation, we estimated influenza VE using a cohort design, a case-control design, and a test-negative design. In the absence of influenza test misclassification, all three designs accurately estimated influenza VE. In the presence of misclassification, all three designs underestimated VE. Bias in VE estimates was slightly greater in the test-negative design than in cohort or case-control designs. Assuming the use of highly sensitive and specific reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction tests for influenza, bias in the test-negative studies was trivial across a wide range of realistic values for VE. Although influenza test misclassification causes more bias in test-negative studies than in traditional cohort or case-control studies, the difference is trivial for realistic combinations of attack rates, test sensitivity/specificity, and VE. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Institutional Protocol to Manage Consanguinity Detected by Genetic Testing in Pregnancy in a Minor

PubMed Central

Chen, Laura P.; Beck, Anita E.; Tsuchiya, Karen D.; Chow, Penny M.; Mirzaa, Ghayda M.; Wiester, Rebecca T.

2015-01-01

Single-nucleotide polymorphism arrays and other types of genetic tests have the potential to detect first-degree consanguinity and uncover parental rape in cases of minor teenage pregnancy. We present 2 cases in which genetic testing identified parental rape of a minor teenager. In case 1, single-nucleotide polymorphism array in a patient with multiple developmental abnormalities demonstrated multiple long stretches of homozygosity, revealing parental rape of a teenage mother. In case 2, a vague maternal sexual assault history and diagnosis of Pompe disease by direct gene sequencing identified parental rape of a minor. Given the medical, legal, and ethical implications of such revelations, a protocol was developed at our institution to manage consanguinity identified via genetic testing. PMID:25687148

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DYSENTERY AND DYSENTERY-LIKE ORGANISMS

PubMed Central

Torrey, John C.

1905-01-01

The group of dysentery organisms is a large and. varied one. It may be divided, as is well known, into two main sub-groups, the "Shiga-Kruse" and the "mannit-fermenters," which are of equal importance and entirely distinct. If we take decided differences in agglutination, as determined by absorptions, as a criterion of specificity, the latter group includes at least four distinct species with a number of sub-varieties and transition forms. Two of the above species are found among organisms which split either dextrose, mannit, and saccharose or in addition maltose. The other two species are represented by the bacillus "Y" of Hiss and Russell and the "Flexner-Manila" bacillus. If we adopt Ford's proposal, that a new species should be made for each culture showing a constant cultural or agglutinative difference, the number would increase considerably. At the best, however, classification of bacteria is at present very artificial. Although so many types appear among the " mannit-fermenters," there is no reason why they should not all be included in the dysentery group of bacilli, provided the reaction in litmus milk be typical. This cultural test, as Duval has emphasized, is the most constant one which we have at present, but it should extend over several weeks in order to exclude lactose fermenters. In contradistinction to the heterogeneity of the "mannit-fermenters," the homogeneity of the "Shiga-Kruse" type stands in marked contrast. Every culture of the latter which. was tested (about twenty in all) reacted in all media and agglutinated with all the various sera exactly alike. One is tempted to explain this diversity of the "mannit-fermenters" by accepting the suggestion of Flexner, that they may be occasional, if not constant, inhabitants of the normal intestine. Certainly Duval has isolated the "mannit-fermenters" from the mildest cases of diarrhœa, to say nothing of the two apparently normal infants from which he also obtained them. Furthermore, the agglutinins for the mannit group in normal blood might be accounted for on this hypothesis, as well as the many differences in fermentation and agglutination. For, as has been well said by Smith and Reagh, one " should keep in mind the various adaptations in the intestine—it may be to the food remains in the large intestine, to the mucus on the surface of the epithelium, to the contents of the tubules and the larger flask-shaped glands, and further, with this progressive adaptation are associated modifications of biological characters which most likely involve agglutinative capacities as well." The fact that dysentery bacilli have not been isolated frequently from the normal intestine might be explained by their habitat being possibly within the mucus tubules and their number few under normal condition, for it is well known that they are most frequently found in association with mucus. When abnormal conditions, however, arise and the production of mucus increases, these organisms would possibly multiply in number pari passu and find themselves in a favorable position to attack any slight injury which might occur in the wall of the intestine. The "Shiga-Kruse," or Group I, type, on the other hand, seems to present the characters of a true parasite. Only an insignificant amount of agglutinin is present for it in normal human blood and that of laboratory animals, according to most authorities; it agglutinates alike in various immune sera; it has a very marked toxicity for laboratory animals; it has never been isolated from the normal human intestine, although an organism in some respects like it has been described by Ford as being an inhabitant of the normal intestine; it produces no indol; it splits only the monosaccharids, through which it falls in line with the conclusion of Smith and Reagh, that the less a bacillus acts on sugars the more pronounced is its parasitic character. Whether or not it ever invades the blood in numbers is a question yet to be decided. PMID:19867005

Dengue Surveillance in Veterans Affairs Healthcare Facilities, 2007–2010

PubMed Central

Schirmer, Patricia L.; Lucero-Obusan, Cynthia A.; Benoit, Stephen R.; Santiago, Luis M.; Stanek, Danielle; Dey, Achintya; Martinez, Mirsonia; Oda, Gina; Holodniy, Mark

2013-01-01

Background Although dengue is endemic in Puerto Rico (PR), 2007 and 2010 were recognized as epidemic years. In the continental United States (US), outside of the Texas-Mexico border, there had not been a dengue outbreak since 1946 until dengue re-emerged in Key West, Florida (FL), in 2009–2010. The objective of this study was to use electronic and manual surveillance systems to identify dengue cases in Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare facilities and then to clinically compare dengue cases in Veterans presenting for care in PR and in FL. Methodology Outpatient encounters from 1/2007–12/2010 and inpatient admissions (only available from 10/2009–12/2010) with dengue diagnostic codes at all VA facilities were identified using VA's Electronic Surveillance System for Early Notification of Community-based Epidemics (ESSENCE). Additional case sources included VA data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention BioSense and VA infection preventionists. Case reviews were performed. Categorical data was compared using Mantel-Haenszel or Fisher Exact tests and continuous variables using t-tests. Dengue case residence was mapped. Findings Two hundred eighty-eight and 21 PR and FL dengue cases respectively were identified. Of 21 FL cases, 12 were exposed in Key West and 9 were imported. During epidemic years, FL cases had significantly increased dengue testing and intensive care admissions, but lower hospitalization rates and headache or eye pain symptoms compared to PR cases. There were no significant differences in clinical symptoms, laboratory abnormalities or outcomes between epidemic and non-epidemic year cases in FL and PR. Confirmed/probable cases were significantly more likely to be hospitalized and have thrombocytopenia or leukopenia compared to suspected cases. Conclusions Dengue re-introduction in the continental US warrants increased dengue surveillance and education in VA. Throughout VA, under-testing of suspected cases highlights the need to emphasize use of diagnostic testing to better understand the magnitude of dengue among Veterans. PMID:23516642

Health-Care Referrals from Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing

PubMed Central

Giovanni, Monica A.; Fickie, Matthew R.; Lehmann, Lisa S.; Green, Robert C.; Meckley, Lisa M.; Veenstra, David

2010-01-01

Background: Direct-to-consumer genetic testing (DTC-GT) provides personalized genetic risk information directly to consumers. Little is known about how and why consumers then communicate the results of this testing to health-care professionals. Aim: To query specialists in clinical genetics about their experience with individuals who consulted them after DTC-GT. Methods: Invitations to participate in a questionnaire were sent to three different groups of genetic professionals, totaling 4047 invitations, asking questions about individuals who consulted them after DTC-GT. For each case reported, respondents were asked to describe how the case was referred to them, the patient's rationale for DTC-GT, and the type of DTC-GT performed. Respondents were also queried about the consequences of the consultations in terms of additional testing ordered. The costs associated with each consultation were estimated. A clinical case series was compiled based upon clinician responses. Results: The invitation resulted in 133 responses describing 22 cases of clinical interactions following DTC-GT. Most consultations (59.1%) were self-referred to genetics professionals, but 31.8% were physician referred. Among respondents, 52.3% deemed the DTC-GT to be “clinically useful.” BRCA1/2 testing was considered clinically useful in 85.7% of cases; 35.7% of other tests were considered clinically useful. Subsequent referrals from genetics professionals to specialists and/or additional diagnostic testing were common, generating individual downstream costs estimated to range from $40 to $20,600. Conclusions: This clinical case series suggests that approximately half of clinical geneticists who saw patients after DTC-GT judged that testing was clinically useful, especially the BRCA1/2 testing. Further studies are needed in larger and more diverse populations to better understand the interactions between DTC-GT and the health-care system. PMID:20979566

Health-care referrals from direct-to-consumer genetic testing.

PubMed

Giovanni, Monica A; Fickie, Matthew R; Lehmann, Lisa S; Green, Robert C; Meckley, Lisa M; Veenstra, David; Murray, Michael F

2010-12-01

direct-to-consumer genetic testing (DTC-GT) provides personalized genetic risk information directly to consumers. Little is known about how and why consumers then communicate the results of this testing to health-care professionals. to query specialists in clinical genetics about their experience with individuals who consulted them after DTC-GT. invitations to participate in a questionnaire were sent to three different groups of genetic professionals, totaling 4047 invitations, asking questions about individuals who consulted them after DTC-GT. For each case reported, respondents were asked to describe how the case was referred to them, the patient's rationale for DTC-GT, and the type of DTC-GT performed. Respondents were also queried about the consequences of the consultations in terms of additional testing ordered. The costs associated with each consultation were estimated. A clinical case series was compiled based upon clinician responses. the invitation resulted in 133 responses describing 22 cases of clinical interactions following DTC-GT. Most consultations (59.1%) were self-referred to genetics professionals, but 31.8% were physician referred. Among respondents, 52.3% deemed the DTC-GT to be "clinically useful." BRCA1/2 testing was considered clinically useful in 85.7% of cases; 35.7% of other tests were considered clinically useful. Subsequent referrals from genetics professionals to specialists and/or additional diagnostic testing were common, generating individual downstream costs estimated to range from $40 to $20,600. this clinical case series suggests that approximately half of clinical geneticists who saw patients after DTC-GT judged that testing was clinically useful, especially the BRCA1/2 testing. Further studies are needed in larger and more diverse populations to better understand the interactions between DTC-GT and the health-care system.

Economic evaluation of laboratory testing strategies for hospital-associated Clostridium difficile infection.

PubMed

Schroeder, Lee F; Robilotti, Elizabeth; Peterson, Lance R; Banaei, Niaz; Dowdy, David W

2014-02-01

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the most common cause of infectious diarrhea in health care settings, and for patients presumed to have CDI, their isolation while awaiting laboratory results is costly. Newer rapid tests for CDI may reduce this burden, but the economic consequences of different testing algorithms remain unexplored. We used decision analysis from the hospital perspective to compare multiple CDI testing algorithms for adult inpatients with suspected CDI, assuming patient management according to laboratory results. CDI testing strategies included combinations of on-demand PCR (odPCR), batch PCR, lateral-flow diagnostics, plate-reader enzyme immunoassay, and direct tissue culture cytotoxicity. In the reference scenario, algorithms incorporating rapid testing were cost-effective relative to nonrapid algorithms. For every 10,000 symptomatic adults, relative to a strategy of treating nobody, lateral-flow glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH)/odPCR generated 831 true-positive results and cost $1,600 per additional true-positive case treated. Stand-alone odPCR was more effective and more expensive, identifying 174 additional true-positive cases at $6,900 per additional case treated. All other testing strategies were dominated by (i.e., more costly and less effective than) stand-alone odPCR or odPCR preceded by lateral-flow screening. A cost-benefit analysis (including estimated costs of missed cases) favored stand-alone odPCR in most settings but favored odPCR preceded by lateral-flow testing if a missed CDI case resulted in less than $5,000 of extended hospital stay costs and <2 transmissions, if lateral-flow GDH diagnostic sensitivity was >93%, or if the symptomatic carrier proportion among the toxigenic culture-positive cases was >80%. These results can aid guideline developers and laboratory directors who are considering rapid testing algorithms for diagnosing CDI.

Economic Evaluation of Laboratory Testing Strategies for Hospital-Associated Clostridium difficile Infection

PubMed Central

Robilotti, Elizabeth; Peterson, Lance R.; Banaei, Niaz; Dowdy, David W.

2014-01-01

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the most common cause of infectious diarrhea in health care settings, and for patients presumed to have CDI, their isolation while awaiting laboratory results is costly. Newer rapid tests for CDI may reduce this burden, but the economic consequences of different testing algorithms remain unexplored. We used decision analysis from the hospital perspective to compare multiple CDI testing algorithms for adult inpatients with suspected CDI, assuming patient management according to laboratory results. CDI testing strategies included combinations of on-demand PCR (odPCR), batch PCR, lateral-flow diagnostics, plate-reader enzyme immunoassay, and direct tissue culture cytotoxicity. In the reference scenario, algorithms incorporating rapid testing were cost-effective relative to nonrapid algorithms. For every 10,000 symptomatic adults, relative to a strategy of treating nobody, lateral-flow glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH)/odPCR generated 831 true-positive results and cost $1,600 per additional true-positive case treated. Stand-alone odPCR was more effective and more expensive, identifying 174 additional true-positive cases at $6,900 per additional case treated. All other testing strategies were dominated by (i.e., more costly and less effective than) stand-alone odPCR or odPCR preceded by lateral-flow screening. A cost-benefit analysis (including estimated costs of missed cases) favored stand-alone odPCR in most settings but favored odPCR preceded by lateral-flow testing if a missed CDI case resulted in less than $5,000 of extended hospital stay costs and <2 transmissions, if lateral-flow GDH diagnostic sensitivity was >93%, or if the symptomatic carrier proportion among the toxigenic culture-positive cases was >80%. These results can aid guideline developers and laboratory directors who are considering rapid testing algorithms for diagnosing CDI. PMID:24478478

Confidence intervals for single-case effect size measures based on randomization test inversion.

PubMed

Michiels, Bart; Heyvaert, Mieke; Meulders, Ann; Onghena, Patrick

2017-02-01

In the current paper, we present a method to construct nonparametric confidence intervals (CIs) for single-case effect size measures in the context of various single-case designs. We use the relationship between a two-sided statistical hypothesis test at significance level α and a 100 (1 - α) % two-sided CI to construct CIs for any effect size measure θ that contain all point null hypothesis θ values that cannot be rejected by the hypothesis test at significance level α. This method of hypothesis test inversion (HTI) can be employed using a randomization test as the statistical hypothesis test in order to construct a nonparametric CI for θ. We will refer to this procedure as randomization test inversion (RTI). We illustrate RTI in a situation in which θ is the unstandardized and the standardized difference in means between two treatments in a completely randomized single-case design. Additionally, we demonstrate how RTI can be extended to other types of single-case designs. Finally, we discuss a few challenges for RTI as well as possibilities when using the method with other effect size measures, such as rank-based nonoverlap indices. Supplementary to this paper, we provide easy-to-use R code, which allows the user to construct nonparametric CIs according to the proposed method.

DNA testing in homicide investigations.

PubMed

Prahlow, Joseph A; Cameron, Thomas; Arendt, Alexander; Cornelis, Kenneth; Bontrager, Anthony; Suth, Michael S; Black, Lisa; Tobey, Rebbecca; Pollock, Sharon; Stur, Shawn; Cotter, Kenneth; Gabrielse, Joel

2017-10-01

Objectives With the widespread use of DNA testing, police, death investigators, and attorneys need to be aware of the capabilities of this technology. This review provides an overview of scenarios where DNA evidence has played a major role in homicide investigations in order to highlight important educational issues for police, death investigators, forensic pathologists, and attorneys. Methods This was a nonrandom, observational, retrospective study. Data were obtained from the collective files of the authors from casework during a 15-year period, from 2000 through 2014. Results A series of nine scenarios, encompassing 11 deaths, is presented from the standpoint of the police and death investigation, the forensic pathology autopsy performance, the subsequent DNA testing of evidence, and, ultimately, the final adjudication of cases. Details of each case are presented, along with a discussion that focuses on important aspects of sample collection for potential DNA testing, especially at the crime scene and the autopsy. The presentation highlights the diversity of case and evidence types in which DNA testing played a valuable role in the successful prosecution of the case. Conclusions By highlighting homicides where DNA testing contributed to the successful adjudication of cases, police, death investigators, forensic pathologists, and attorneys will be better informed regarding the types of evidence and situations where such testing is of potential value.

Post-cholecystectomy diarrhea: evidence of bile acid malabsorption assessed by SeHCAT test.

PubMed

Sciarretta, G; Furno, A; Mazzoni, M; Malaguti, P

1992-12-01

Although bile acid malabsorption (BAM) in post-cholecystectomy diarrhea (PCD) is a well-known clinical condition, its true etiopathogenetic role is not entirely clear. The SeHCAT (23-selena-25-homotaurocholic acid) test, a simple and reliable BAM test, was performed in 33 cholecystectomized patients, 26 with chronic diarrhea. The test revealed a marked degree of BAM in 25/26 cases. Cholestyramine in doses of 2-12 g/day was effective in 23/25, ineffective in two, and was not tolerated in one patient. When treatment was suspended, diarrhea recurred in nine, whereas bowel habit remained regular in 60%, with brief sporadic episodes of diarrhea in the other cases. The SeHCAT test was repeated in 11 cases after cholestyramine treatment interruption, and revealed the normalization of parameters in two patients and an improvement in three. We conclude that BAM is an important etiopathogenetic factor in PCD that responds favorably to cholestyramine. In 60% of the cases, it resolved diarrhea definitively, although without eliminating BAM in all cases: this suggests that existence of other factors associated with BAM. The SeHCAT test is essential for a differential diagnosis between PCD and the irritable bowel syndrome.

How Is Cancer Risk Measured?

MedlinePlus

... more groups. The people in one group (the control group ) may be given a standard screening test (if one exists) or no screening test. The ... for the human papillomavirus (HPV) and those who test negative for HPV. The ... Case-control studies Case-control studies are like cohort studies ...

Classification of hyperspectral imagery using MapReduce on a NVIDIA graphics processing unit (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramirez, Andres; Rahnemoonfar, Maryam

2017-04-01

A hyperspectral image provides multidimensional figure rich in data consisting of hundreds of spectral dimensions. Analyzing the spectral and spatial information of such image with linear and non-linear algorithms will result in high computational time. In order to overcome this problem, this research presents a system using a MapReduce-Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) model that can help analyzing a hyperspectral image through the usage of parallel hardware and a parallel programming model, which will be simpler to handle compared to other low-level parallel programming models. Additionally, Hadoop was used as an open-source version of the MapReduce parallel programming model. This research compared classification accuracy results and timing results between the Hadoop and GPU system and tested it against the following test cases: the CPU and GPU test case, a CPU test case and a test case where no dimensional reduction was applied.

Point-of-care hemoglobin testing for postmortem diagnosis of anemia.

PubMed

Na, Joo-Young; Park, Ji Hye; Choi, Byung Ha; Kim, Hyung-Seok; Park, Jong-Tae

2018-03-01

An autopsy involves examination of a body using invasive methods such as dissection, and includes various tests using samples procured during dissection. During medicolegal autopsies, the blood carboxyhemoglobin concentration is commonly measured using the AVOXimeter® 4000 as a point-of-care test. When evaluating the body following hypovolemic shock, characteristics such as reduced livor mortis or an anemic appearance of the viscera can be identified, but these observations arequite subjective. Thus, a more objective test is required for the postmortem diagnosis of anemia. In the present study, the AVOXimeter® 4000 was used to investigate the utility of point-of-care hemoglobin testing. Hemoglobin tests were performed in 93 autopsy cases. The AVOXimeter® 4000 and the BC-2800 Auto Hematology Analyzer were used to test identical samples in 29 of these cases. The results of hemoglobin tests performed with these two devices were statistically similar (r = 0.969). The results of hemoglobin tests using postmortem blood were compared with antemortem test results from medical records from 31 cases, and these results were similar. In 13 of 17 cases of death from internal hemorrhage, hemoglobin levels were lower in the cardiac blood than in blood from the affected body cavity, likely due to compensatory changes induced by antemortem hemorrhage. It is concluded that blood hemoglobin testing may be useful as a point-of-care test for diagnosing postmortem anemia.

Universal Versus Targeted Screening for Lynch Syndrome: Comparing Ascertainment and Costs Based on Clinical Experience.

PubMed

Erten, Mujde Z; Fernandez, Luca P; Ng, Hank K; McKinnon, Wendy C; Heald, Brandie; Koliba, Christopher J; Greenblatt, Marc S

2016-10-01

Strategies to screen colorectal cancers (CRCs) for Lynch syndrome are evolving rapidly; the optimal strategy remains uncertain. We compared targeted versus universal screening of CRCs for Lynch syndrome. In 2010-2011, we employed targeted screening (age < 60 and/or Bethesda criteria). From 2012 to 2014, we screened all CRCs. Immunohistochemistry for the four mismatch repair proteins was done in all cases, followed by other diagnostic studies as indicated. We modeled the diagnostic costs of detecting Lynch syndrome and estimated the 5-year costs of preventing CRC by colonoscopy screening, using a system dynamics model. Using targeted screening, 51/175 (29 %) cancers fit criteria and were tested by immunohistochemistry; 15/51 (29 %, or 8.6 % of all CRCs) showed suspicious loss of ≥1 mismatch repair protein. Germline mismatch repair gene mutations were found in 4/4 cases sequenced (11 suspected cases did not have germline testing). Using universal screening, 17/292 (5.8 %) screened cancers had abnormal immunohistochemistry suspicious for Lynch syndrome. Germline mismatch repair mutations were found in only 3/10 cases sequenced (7 suspected cases did not have germline testing). The mean cost to identify Lynch syndrome probands was ~$23,333/case for targeted screening and ~$175,916/case for universal screening at our institution. Estimated costs to identify and screen probands and relatives were: targeted, $9798/case and universal, $38,452/case. In real-world Lynch syndrome management, incomplete clinical follow-up was the major barrier to do genetic testing. Targeted screening costs 2- to 7.5-fold less than universal and rarely misses Lynch syndrome cases. Future changes in testing costs will likely change the optimal algorithm.

Coverage criteria for test case generation using UML state chart diagram

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salman, Yasir Dawood; Hashim, Nor Laily; Rejab, Mawarny Md; Romli, Rohaida; Mohd, Haslina

2017-10-01

To improve the effectiveness of test data generation during the software test, many studies have focused on the automation of test data generation from UML diagrams. One of these diagrams is the UML state chart diagram. Test cases are generally evaluated according to coverage criteria. However, combinations of multiple criteria are required to achieve better coverage. Different studies used various number and types of coverage criteria in their methods and approaches. The objective of this paper to propose suitable coverage criteria for test case generation using UML state chart diagram especially in handling loops. In order to achieve this objective, this work reviewed previous studies to present the most practical coverage criteria combinations, including all-states, all-transitions, all-transition-pairs, and all-loop-free-paths coverage. Calculation to determine the coverage percentage of the proposed coverage criteria were presented together with an example has they are applied on a UML state chart diagram. This finding would be beneficial in the area of test case generating especially in handling loops in UML state chart diagram.

The evaluation of the National Long Term Care Demonstration. 4. Case management under channeling.

PubMed Central

Phillips, B R; Kemper, P; Applebaum, R A

1988-01-01

The channeling demonstration involved provision of comprehensive case management and direct service expansion. This article considers the former. Under both models, comprehensive case management was implemented largely as intended; moreover, channeling substantially increased the receipt of comprehensive care management. However, channeling was not a pure test of the effect of comprehensive case management: roughly 10-20 percent of control group members received comparable case management services. This was particularly the case for the financial control model. Thus, the demonstration was not a test of case management compared to no case management; rather, it compared channeling case management to the existing community care system, which already was providing comprehensive case management to some of the population eligible for channeling. PMID:3130331

Comprehensive Genomic Profiling Identifies Frequent Drug-Sensitive EGFR Exon 19 Deletions in NSCLC not Identified by Prior Molecular Testing.

PubMed

Schrock, Alexa B; Frampton, Garrett M; Herndon, Dana; Greenbowe, Joel R; Wang, Kai; Lipson, Doron; Yelensky, Roman; Chalmers, Zachary R; Chmielecki, Juliann; Elvin, Julia A; Wollner, Mira; Dvir, Addie; -Gutman, Lior Soussan; Bordoni, Rodolfo; Peled, Nir; Braiteh, Fadi; Raez, Luis; Erlich, Rachel; Ou, Sai-Hong Ignatius; Mohamed, Mohamed; Ross, Jeffrey S; Stephens, Philip J; Ali, Siraj M; Miller, Vincent A

2016-07-01

Reliable detection of drug-sensitive activating EGFR mutations is critical in the care of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but such testing is commonly performed using a wide variety of platforms, many of which lack rigorous analytic validation. A large pool of NSCLC cases was assayed with well-validated, hybrid capture-based comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) at the request of the individual treating physicians in the course of clinical care for the purpose of making therapy decisions. From these, 400 cases harboring EGFR exon 19 deletions (Δex19) were identified, and available clinical history was reviewed. Pathology reports were available for 250 consecutive cases with classical EGFR Δex19 (amino acids 743-754) and were reviewed to assess previous non-hybrid capture-based EGFR testing. Twelve of 71 (17%) cases with EGFR testing results available were negative by previous testing, including 8 of 46 (17%) cases for which the same biopsy was analyzed. Independently, five of six (83%) cases harboring C-helical EGFR Δex19 were previously negative. In a subset of these patients with available clinical outcome information, robust benefit from treatment with EGFR inhibitors was observed. CGP identifies drug-sensitive EGFR Δex19 in NSCLC cases that have undergone prior EGFR testing and returned negative results. Given the proven benefit in progression-free survival conferred by EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with these alterations, CGP should be considered in the initial presentation of advanced NSCLC and when previous testing for EGFR mutations or other driver alterations is negative. Clin Cancer Res; 22(13); 3281-5. ©2016 AACR. ©2016 American Association for Cancer Research.

[EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE-STAGE REPAIR AND RECONSTRUCTION FOR KNEE DISLOCATION WITH MULTIPLE LIGAMENT INJURIES].

PubMed

Sun, Zhengyu; Zhang, Chenghao; Tang, Xin; Chen, Gang; Li, Jian

2016-06-08

To evaluate the surgical procedure and short-term effectiveness of one-stage repair and reconstruction of knee dislocation with multiple ligament injuries (KDMLI). Between September 2010 and April 2014, 9 cases (9 knees) of KDMLI were treated. There were 7 males and 2 females with an average age of 42 years (range, 27-57 years). Injury was caused by traffic accident in 3 cases, heavy-weight crushing in 3 cases, sports sprain in 2 cases, and falling from height in 1 case. The average time from injury to operation was 11 days (range, 3-19 days). The results of posterior drawer test and Lachman test were positive in all patients. The results of varus stress testing were three-degree positive in 4 cases, and the results of valgus stress testing were three-degree positive in 6 cases. The Lysholm score of knee was 27.2±6.3; the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score was 29.7±6.5; and the range of motion (ROM) was (52.6±12.8)°. All patients suffered from posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury and femoral avulsion injury of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Combined injuries included medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury in 4 cases (medial meniscus injury in 1 case), lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury in 2 cases, and MCL and LCL injuries in 2 cases (medial meniscus and lateral meniscus injuries in 1 case). Autologous harmstring tendon was used to reconstruct PCL under arthroscopy combined with limited open in situ suture for repair of femoral avulsion injury of ACL, and repair of MCL, LCL, and other injury in one-stage operation. All incisions healed by first intention. Joint effusion of knee occurred in 1 case and was cured after removal of fluid combined with pressure bandage. All patients were followed up 12-36 months with an average of 22 months. At last follow-up, the result of posterior drawer test was negative in all patients. The results of Lachman test were one-degree positive in 2 cases; the result of varus stress testing was one-degree positive in 1 case; the results of valgus stress testing were one-degree positive in 2?cases; and flexion dysfunction of the knee was observed in 1 case. The Lysholm score of knee was 87.3±6.6; the IKDC score was 88.9±6.8; and the ROM was (121.7±12.3)°, all showing significant differences when compared with preoperative ones ( t =44.246, P =0.000; t =37.903, P =0.000; t =19.894, P =0.000). For KDMLI, one-stage repair and reconstruction using autologous harmstring tendon to reconst ruct PCL under arthroscopy combined with limited open in situ suture repair of femoral avulsion injury of ACL, and repair MCL, LCL, and other injury has such advantages as minimal invasiveness, reliable fixation, less complications, and fast recovery, which can significantly improve the stability, ROM, and function of knee and obtain good short-term effectiveness.

The Assessment of Children's M-Space.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Romberg, Thomas A.; Collis, Kevin F.

The purpose of this study was to identify the working memory capacity (M-space) for a group of 139 children (4 to 8 years of age) enrolled at Sandy Bay Infant School in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Four M-space tests -- The Counting Span Test (Case and Kurland, 1978), Mr. Cucui Test (DeAvila and Havassy, 1974), the Digit Placement Test (Case,…

Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus are the major respiratory viruses detected from prospective testing of pediatric and adult coronial autopsies.

PubMed

Speers, David J; Moss, Daniel M; Minney-Smith, Cara; Levy, Avram; Smith, David W

2013-11-01

To ascertain the full mortality of influenza and other respiratory viruses, the testing of community autopsy specimens is essential. Respiratory virus PCR and culture were performed on 2418 fresh unfrozen respiratory samples collected from 1611 coronial cases where the death was either unknown or infection was suspected, from July 2007 to June 2011, to detect the common respiratory viruses in children and adults, using standardized microbiological testing. The respiratory virus positive rate was 8·3% (134 cases) with a peak of 28% (42 of 151 cases) in children under 10 years of age. Influenza virus was the commonest respiratory virus (50 cases, 3%), followed by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (30 cases, 2%). All tested respiratory viruses were found in children, most commonly adenovirus, enterovirus and RSV, and influenza A and RSV predominated in those over 60 years, but coinfection was uncommon. Almost all influenza cases occurred when influenza was widely circulating in the community but few were diagnosed pre-mortem. Influenza and RSV detection was associated with bronchitis or bronchiolitis in 7 (9%) of the 80 cases and caused pneumonia in 14 (0·8%) deaths overall. Our prospective review of respiratory viruses using standardized testing found a single lower respiratory tract autopsy specimen for respiratory virus PCR would detect most community infections at the time of death. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Herbalife hepatotoxicity: Evaluation of cases with positive reexposure tests

PubMed Central

Teschke, Rolf; Frenzel, Christian; Schulze, Johannes; Schwarzenboeck, Alexander; Eickhoff, Axel

2013-01-01

AIM: To analyze the validity of applied test criteria and causality assessment methods in assumed Herbalife hepatotoxicity with positive reexposure tests. METHODS: We searched the Medline database for suspected cases of Herbalife hepatotoxicity and retrieved 53 cases including eight cases with a positive unintentional reexposure and a high causality level for Herbalife. First, analysis of these eight cases focused on the data quality of the positive reexposure cases, requiring a baseline value of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) < 5 upper limit of normal (N) before reexposure, with N as the upper limit of normal, and a doubling of the ALT value at reexposure as compared to the ALT value at baseline prior to reexposure. Second, reported methods to assess causality in the eight cases were evaluated, and then the liver specific Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS) scale validated for hepatotoxicity cases was used for quantitative causality reevaluation. This scale consists of various specific elements with scores provided through the respective case data, and the sum of the scores yields a causality grading for each individual case of initially suspected hepatotoxicity. RESULTS: Details of positive reexposure test conditions and their individual results were scattered in virtually all cases, since reexposures were unintentional and allowed only retrospective rather than prospective assessments. In 1/8 cases, criteria for a positive reexposure were fulfilled, whereas in the remaining cases the reexposure test was classified as negative (n = 1), or the data were considered as uninterpretable due to missing information to comply adequately with the criteria (n = 6). In virtually all assessed cases, liver unspecific causality assessment methods were applied rather than a liver specific method such as the CIOMS scale. Using this scale, causality gradings for Herbalife in these eight cases were probable (n = 1), unlikely (n = 4), and excluded (n = 3). Confounding variables included low data quality, alternative diagnoses, poor exclusion of important other causes, and comedication by drugs and herbs in 6/8 cases. More specifically, problems were evident in some cases regarding temporal association, daily doses, exact start and end dates of product use, actual data of laboratory parameters such as ALT, and exact dechallenge characteristics. Shortcomings included scattered exclusion of hepatitis A-C, cytomegalovirus and Epstein Barr virus infection with only globally presented or lacking parameters. Hepatitis E virus infection was considered in one single patient and found positive, infections by herpes simplex virus and varicella zoster virus were excluded in none. CONCLUSION: Only one case fulfilled positive reexposure test criteria in initially assumed Herbalife hepatotoxicity, with lower CIOMS based causality gradings for the other cases than hitherto proposed. PMID:23898368

Serological findings in leprosy and tuberculosis with the Wassermann, Meinicke, and VDRL tests.

PubMed

RUGE, H

1955-01-01

In the course of a venereal disease survey in Egypt, 820 cases of leprosy and 720 cases of tuberculosis were serologically examined with the Wassermann, Meinicke (MKR II), and VDRL tests; the results are reported in this paper.On serological and anamnestic evidence, 31 cases of syphilis were discovered among the leprosy cases and 37 among the tuberculosis cases. Apparently false positive reactions were seen in 203 cases of leprosy (25%) and in 38 cases of tuberculosis (5%). The author discusses the probability that a fairly high proportion of these reactions were in fact caused by otherwise undetected syphilis or were non-specific.The Meinicke test proved the most specific of the three, followed, in that order, by the Wassermann and the VDRL tests.It was found that syphilis was more frequent among males with tuberculosis than among those with leprosy; this is attributed to the fact that leprosy patients are kept in greater isolation. Less easily explicable is the fact that more females than males with leprosy were found to have syphilis, whereas in tuberculous persons the difference in syphilis incidence between male and female patients was not very great.

Alpha-fetoprotein and its value for predicting pregnancy outcomes – a re-evaluation

PubMed Central

Darouich, Ayham Alhaj; Liehr, Thomas; Weise, Anja; Schlembach, Dietmar; Schleußner, Ekkehart; Kiehntopf, Michael; Schreyer, Isolde

2015-01-01

Introduction Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) concentrations can be determined framing others from invasively acquired amnion fluid (AF-AFP). While the biological role of AFP remains unclear it is well known that AFP-levels can be altered in connection with specific clinical and/or genetic alterations of the fetus. Materials and Method here a retrospective study based on 3,119 singleton and 56 twin pregnancies is presented. The standard levels of amnion fluid derived alpha-fetoprotein level (AF-AFP) between 12th and 36th weeks of gestation were determined. Additionally, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) test results for 63 cases, ultrasonography results for 32 cases and abnormal karyotypic findings for 100 cases were available for selected cases. Results and Discussion according to the present data the AF-AFP test is reliable and provides expected test results in terms of population studies. However, individual AF-AFP test results can be subject to high individual variations. In this study AF-AFP multiple of medians (MoM) over 1.7 were indicative for neuronal tube defects and/or omphalocele in only 6.3% of the cases, while such AF-AFP values were hints on severe sonographic signs in 62% of the cases. Also, altered AF-AFP concentrations were present in 82% of cytogenetically abnormal cases. Overall, even though predicative value of the AF-AFP-test is matter of discussion it continues to be widely applied in invasive prenatal diagnostics. This study indicates that it only can be applied reliably in combination with other tests like banding cytogenetics, ultrasonography and all embedded in well-established genetic counseling. PMID:27358693

30 CFR 250.527 - What must I include in my casing pressure request?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... casing/riser calculated MAWOPs; (h) All casing/riser pre-bleed down pressures; (i) Shut-in tubing... test (oil, gas, basic sediment, and water); (l) Well status (shut-in, temporarily abandoned, producing, injecting, or gas lift); (m) Well type (dry tree, hybrid, or subsea); (n) Date of diagnostic test; (o) Well...

Learning Machine Learning: A Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lavesson, N.

2010-01-01

This correspondence reports on a case study conducted in the Master's-level Machine Learning (ML) course at Blekinge Institute of Technology, Sweden. The students participated in a self-assessment test and a diagnostic test of prerequisite subjects, and their results on these tests are correlated with their achievement of the course's learning…

43 CFR 11.64 - Injury determination phase-testing and sampling methods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

.... In developing these objectives, the availability of information from response actions relating to the...), test cases proving the code works, and any alteration of previously documented code made to adapt the... computer code (if any), test cases proving the code works, and any alteration of previously documented code...

43 CFR 11.64 - Injury determination phase-testing and sampling methods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

.... In developing these objectives, the availability of information from response actions relating to the...), test cases proving the code works, and any alteration of previously documented code made to adapt the... computer code (if any), test cases proving the code works, and any alteration of previously documented code...

43 CFR 11.64 - Injury determination phase-testing and sampling methods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

.... In developing these objectives, the availability of information from response actions relating to the...), test cases proving the code works, and any alteration of previously documented code made to adapt the... computer code (if any), test cases proving the code works, and any alteration of previously documented code...

PSAT Testing: Blunder Causes Staffing Reassignment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Uribe, Patricia E.

2015-01-01

This case exemplifies the effects of high stakes standardized testing and accountability on education and school district personnel. The case focuses on a school counselor who inadvertently gave the students the actual PSAT (a preliminary college entrance exam) instead of a practice test during a college preparatory workshop. The error caused the…

Evaluating malaria case management at public health facilities in two provinces in Angola.

PubMed

Plucinski, Mateusz M; Ferreira, Manzambi; Ferreira, Carolina Miguel; Burns, Jordan; Gaparayi, Patrick; João, Lubaki; da Costa, Olinda; Gill, Parambir; Samutondo, Claudete; Quivinja, Joltim; Mbounga, Eliane; de León, Gabriel Ponce; Halsey, Eric S; Dimbu, Pedro Rafael; Fortes, Filomeno

2017-05-03

Malaria accounts for the largest portion of healthcare demand in Angola. A pillar of malaria control in Angola is the appropriate management of malaria illness, including testing of suspect cases with rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and treatment of confirmed cases with artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). Periodic systematic evaluations of malaria case management are recommended to measure health facility readiness and adherence to national case management guidelines. Cross-sectional health facility surveys were performed in low-transmission Huambo and high-transmission Uíge Provinces in early 2016. In each province, 45 health facilities were randomly selected from among all public health facilities stratified by level of care. Survey teams performed inventories of malaria commodities and conducted exit interviews and re-examinations, including RDT testing, of a random selection of all patients completing outpatient consultations. Key health facility readiness and case management indicators were calculated adjusting for the cluster sampling design and utilization. Availability of RDTs or microscopy on the day of the survey was 71% (54-83) in Huambo and 85% (67-94) in Uíge. At least one unit dose pack of one formulation of an ACT (usually artemether-lumefantrine) was available in 83% (66-92) of health facilities in Huambo and 79% (61-90) of health facilities in Uíge. Testing rates of suspect malaria cases in Huambo were 30% (23-38) versus 69% (53-81) in Uíge. Overall, 28% (13-49) of patients with uncomplicated malaria, as determined during the re-examination, were appropriately treated with an ACT with the correct dose in Huambo, compared to 60% (42-75) in Uíge. Incorrect case management of suspect malaria cases was associated with lack of healthcare worker training in Huambo and ACT stock-outs in Uíge. The results reveal important differences between provinces. Despite similar availability of testing and ACT, testing and treatment rates were lower in Huambo compared to Uíge. A majority of true malaria cases seeking care in health facilities in Huambo were not appropriately treated with anti-malarials, highlighting the importance of continued training and supervision of healthcare workers in malaria case management, particularly in areas with decreased malaria transmission.

Enhancing TB case detection: experience in offering upfront Xpert MTB/RIF testing to pediatric presumptive TB and DR TB cases for early rapid diagnosis of drug sensitive and drug resistant TB.

PubMed

Raizada, Neeraj; Sachdeva, Kuldeep Singh; Nair, Sreenivas Achuthan; Kulsange, Shubhangi; Gupta, Radhey Shayam; Thakur, Rahul; Parmar, Malik; Gray, Christen; Ramachandran, Ranjani; Vadera, Bhavin; Ekka, Shobha; Dhawan, Shikha; Babre, Ameet; Ghedia, Mayank; Alavadi, Umesh; Dewan, Puneet; Khetrapal, Mini; Khanna, Ashwini; Boehme, Catharina; Paramsivan, Chinnambedu Nainarappan

2014-01-01

Diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in children is challenging due to difficulties in obtaining good quality sputum specimens as well as the paucibacillary nature of disease. Globally a large proportion of pediatric tuberculosis (TB) cases are diagnosed based only on clinical findings. Xpert MTB/RIF, a highly sensitive and specific rapid tool, offers a promising solution in addressing these challenges. This study presents the results from pediatric groups taking part in a large demonstration study wherein Xpert MTB/RIF testing replaced smear microscopy for all presumptive PTB cases in public health facilities across India. The study covered a population of 8.8 million across 18 programmatic sub-district level tuberculosis units (TU), with one Xpert MTB/RIF platform established at each study TU. Pediatric presumptive PTB cases (both TB and Drug Resistant TB (DR-TB)) accessing any public health facilities in study area were prospectively enrolled and tested on Xpert MTB/RIF following a standardized diagnostic algorithm. 4,600 pediatric presumptive pulmonary TB cases were enrolled. 590 (12.8%, CI 11.8-13.8) pediatric PTB were diagnosed. Overall 10.4% (CI 9.5-11.2) of presumptive PTB cases had positive results by Xpert MTB/RIF, compared with 4.8% (CI 4.2-5.4) who had smear-positive results. Upfront Xpert MTB/RIF testing of presumptive PTB and presumptive DR-TB cases resulted in diagnosis of 79 and 12 rifampicin resistance cases, respectively. Positive predictive value (PPV) for rifampicin resistance detection was high (98%, CI 90.1-99.9), with no statistically significant variation with respect to past history of treatment. Upfront access to Xpert MTB/RIF testing in pediatric presumptive PTB cases was associated with a two-fold increase in bacteriologically-confirmed PTB, and increased detection of rifampicin-resistant TB cases under routine operational conditions across India. These results suggest that routine Xpert MTB/RIF testing is a promising solution to present-day challenges in the diagnosis of PTB in pediatric patients.

Evaluating a switch from meconium to umbilical cord tissue for newborn drug testing: A retrospective study at an academic medical center.

PubMed

Palmer, Kendra L; Wood, Kelly E; Krasowski, Matthew D

2017-04-01

The objective of this study was to compare detection rates of newborn drug exposure at an academic medical center transitioning from meconium to umbilical cord tissue toxicology testing. We performed an Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective chart review on all newborns (n=2072) for whom newborn drug testing was ordered at our academic medical center between June 2012 and August 2015 (in August 2013, umbilical cord tissue became the preferred specimen). Meconium toxicology testing was positive for at least one compound in 221 cases (21.3% of 1037 total specimens), with non-medical drug use identified in 85 cases (8.2%). Umbilical cord tissue toxicology testing was positive for at least one compound in 302 cases (29.2%), with non-medical drug use identified in 107 cases (10.3%). Of the cases involving non-medical drug use, the most common compounds detected were tetrahydrocannabinol and amphetamines. Non-medical drug use did not differ significantly between meconium and umbilical cord tissue, either as a total or for classes of drugs such as amphetamines, cannabinoids, and opiates. Maternal non-medical use of tramadol (not tested for in meconium) was identified in 5 cases (0.4%). There were significant differences in rate of detection of iatrogenic medications. Specifically, morphine, lorazepam, phenobarbital, and codeine were more commonly detected in meconium, while oxycodone was more commonly detected in umbilical cord tissue. Umbilical cord tissue toxicology testing yielded a similar detection rate compared to meconium testing. The use of umbilical cord tissue avoids detection of medications given to the neonate prior to meconium collection. Copyright © 2016 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The case-only test for gene-environment interaction is not uniformly powerful: an empirical example

PubMed Central

Wu, Chen; Chang, Jiang; Ma, Baoshan; Miao, Xiaoping; Zhou, Yifeng; Liu, Yu; Li, Yun; Wu, Tangchun; Hu, Zhibin; Shen, Hongbing; Jia, Weihua; Zeng, Yixin; Lin, Dongxin; Kraft, Peter

2016-01-01

The case-only test has been proposed as a more powerful approach to detect gene-environment (G×E) interactions. This approach assumes that the genetic and environmental factors are independent. While it is well known that Type I error rate will increase if this assumption is violated, it is less widely appreciated that gene-environment correlation can also lead to power loss. We illustrate this phenomenon by comparing the performance of the case-only test to other approaches to detect G×E interactions in a genome-wide association study of esophageal squamous carcinoma (ESCC) in Chinese populations. Some of these approaches do not use information on the correlation between exposure and genotype (standard logistic regression), while others seek to use this information in a robust fashion to boost power without increasing Type I error (two-step, empirical Bayes and cocktail methods). G×E interactions were identified involving drinking status and two regions containing genes in the alcohol metabolism pathway, 4q23 and 12q24. Although the case-only test yielded the most significant tests of G×E interaction in the 4q23 region, the case-only test failed to identify significant interactions in the 12q24 region which were readily identified using other approaches. The low power of the case-only test in the 12q24 region is likely due to the strong inverse association between the SNPs in this region and drinking status. This example underscores the need to consider multiple approaches to detect gene-environment interactions, as different tests are more or less sensitive to different alternative hypotheses and violations of the gene-environment independence assumption. PMID:23595356

A multinational randomised study comparing didactic lectures with case scenario in a severe sepsis medical simulation course.

PubMed

Li, Chih-Huang; Kuan, Win-Sen; Mahadevan, Malcolm; Daniel-Underwood, Lynda; Chiu, Te-Fa; Nguyen, H Bryant

2012-07-01

Medical simulation has been used to teach critical illness in a variety of settings. This study examined the effect of didactic lectures compared with simulated case scenario in a medical simulation course on the early management of severe sepsis. A prospective multicentre randomised study was performed enrolling resident physicians in emergency medicine from four hospitals in Asia. Participants were randomly assigned to a course that included didactic lectures followed by a skills workshop and simulated case scenario (lecture-first) or to a course that included a skills workshop and simulated case scenario followed by didactic lectures (simulation-first). A pre-test was given to the participants at the beginning of the course, post-test 1 was given after the didactic lectures or simulated case scenario depending on the study group assignment, then a final post-test 2 was given at the end of the course. Performance on the simulated case scenario was evaluated with a performance task checklist. 98 participants were enrolled in the study. Post-test 2 scores were significantly higher than pre-test scores in all participants (80.8 ± 12.0% vs 65.4 ± 12.2%, p<0.01). There was no difference in pre-test scores between the two study groups. The lecture-first group had significantly higher post-test 1 scores than the simulation-first group (78.8 ± 10.6% vs 71.6 ± 12.6%, p<0.01). There was no difference in post-test 2 scores between the two groups. The simulated case scenario task performance completion was 90.8% (95% CI 86.6% to 95.0%) in the lecture-first group compared with 83.8% (95% CI 79.5% to 88.1%) in the simulation-first group (p=0.02). A medical simulation course can improve resident physician knowledge in the early management of severe sepsis. Such a course should include a comprehensive curriculum that includes didactic lectures followed by simulation experience.

Mutational analysis using Sanger and next generation sequencing in sporadic spindle cell hemangiomas: A study of 19 cases.

PubMed

Ten Broek, Roel W; Bekers, Elise M; de Leng, Wendy W J; Strengman, Eric; Tops, Bastiaan B J; Kutzner, Heinz; Leeuwis, Jan Willem; van Gorp, Joost M; Creytens, David H; Mentzel, Thomas; van Diest, Paul J; Eijkelenboom, Astrid; Flucke, Uta

2017-12-01

Spindle cell hemangioma (SCH) is a distinct vascular soft-tissue lesion characterized by cavernous blood vessels and a spindle cell component mainly occurring in the distal extremities of young adults. The majority of cases harbor heterozygous mutations in IDH1/2 sporadically or rarely in association with Maffucci syndrome. However, based on mosaicism and accordingly a low percentage of lesional cells harboring a mutant allele, detection can be challenging. We tested 19 sporadic SCHs by Sanger sequencing, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), conventional next generation sequencing (NGS), and NGS using a single molecule molecular inversion probes (smMIP)-based library preparation to compare their diagnostic value. Out of 10 cases tested by Sanger sequencing and 2 analyzed using MLPA, 4 and 1, respectively, revealed a mutation in IDH1 (p.R132C). The 7 remaining negative cases and additional 6 cases were investigated using smMIP/NGS, showing hot spot mutations in IDH1 (p.R132C) (8 cases) and IDH2 (3 cases; twice p.R172S and once p.R172G, respectively). One case was negative. Owing to insufficient DNA quality and insufficient coverage, 2 cases were excluded. In total, in 16 out of 17 cases successfully tested, an IDH1/2 mutation was found. Given that IDH1/2 mutations were absent in 161 other vascular lesions tested by smMIP/NGS, the mutation can be considered as highly specific for SCH. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Avoiding pitfalls in molecular genetic testing: case studies of high-resolution array comparative genomic hybridization testing in the definitive diagnosis of Mowat-Wilson syndrome.

PubMed

Kluk, Michael Joseph; An, Yu; James, Philip; Coulter, David; Harris, David; Wu, Bai-Lin; Shen, Yiping

2011-05-01

The molecular testing options available for the diagnosis of genetic disorders are numerous and include a variety of different assay platforms. The consultative input of molecular pathologists and cytogeneticists, working closely with the ordering clinicians, is often important for definitive diagnosis. Herein, we describe two patients who had long histories of unexplained signs and symptoms with a high clinical suspicion of an underlying genetic etiology. Initial molecular testing in both cases was negative, but the application of high-resolution array comparative genomic hybridization technology lead to definitive diagnosis in both cases. We summarize the clinical findings and molecular testing in each case, discuss the differential diagnoses, and review the clinical and pathological findings of Mowat-Wilson syndrome. This report highlights the importance for those involved in molecular testing to know the nature of the underlying genetic abnormalities associated with the suspected diagnosis, to recognize the limitations of each testing platform, and to persistently pursue repeat testing using high-resolution technologies when indicated. This concept is applicable to both germline and somatic molecular genetic testing. Copyright © 2011 American Society for Investigative Pathology and the Association for Molecular Pathology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Riata silicone defibrillation lead with normal electrical measures at routine ambulatory check: The role of high-voltage shock testing

PubMed Central

De Maria, Elia; Borghi, Ambra; Bonetti, Lorenzo; Fontana, Pier Luigi; Cappelli, Stefano

2016-01-01

AIM To describe our experience with shock testing for the evaluation of patients with Riata™ leads. METHODS Among 51 patients with normal baseline electrical parameters, 20 died during follow-up. Of the remaining 31 patients, 15 underwent the test: In 10 cases a defibrillation testing with ventricular fibrillation (VF) induction and in 5 cases a R-wave-synchronized shock (> 20 J, without inducing VF). The test was performed under sedation with Midazolam. RESULTS Twelve patients (80%) had a normal behavior during shock testing: In 8 cases induced VF was correctly detected and treated; in 4 cases of R-wave-synchronized shock electrical parameters remained stable and normal. Three patients (20%) failed the test. One patient with externalized conductors showed a sudden drop of high-voltage impedance (< 10 Ohm) after a 25 J R-wave-synchronized shock. Two other patients with externalized conductors, undergoing defibrillation testing, showed a short-circuit during shock delivery and the implantable cardioverter defibrillator was unable to interrupt VF. CONCLUSION In Riata™ leads the delivery of a low current during routine measurement of high-voltage impedance may not reveal a small short circuit, that can only be evident by attempting to deliver a true shock, either for spontaneous arrhythmias or in the context of a shock testing. PMID:27957252

Testing Pneumonia Vaccines in the Elderly: Determining a Case Definition for Pneumococcal Pneumonia in the Absence of a Gold Standard.

PubMed

Jokinen, Jukka; Snellman, Marja; Palmu, Arto A; Saukkoriipi, Annika; Verlant, Vincent; Pascal, Thierry; Devaster, Jeanne-Marie; Hausdorff, William P; Kilpi, Terhi M

2018-06-01

Clinical assessments of vaccines to prevent pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) require sensitive and specific case definitions, but there is no gold standard diagnostic test. To develop a new case definition suitable for vaccine efficacy studies, we applied latent class analysis (LCA) to the results from 7 diagnostic tests for pneumococcal etiology on clinical specimens from 323 elderly persons with radiologically confirmed pneumonia enrolled in the Finnish Community-Acquired Pneumonia Epidemiology study during 2005-2007. Compared with the conventional use of LCA, which is mainly to determine sensitivities and specificities of different tests, we instead used LCA as an appropriate instrument to predict the probability of pneumococcal etiology for each CAP case based on individual test profiles, and we used the predictions to minimize the sample size that would be needed for a vaccine efficacy trial. When compared with the conventional laboratory criteria of encapsulated pneumococci in culture, in blood culture or high-quality sputum culture, or urine antigen positivity, our optimized case definition for pneumococcal CAP resulted in a trial sample size that was almost 20,000 subjects smaller. We believe that the novel application of LCA detailed here to determine a case definition for pneumococcal CAP could also be similarly applied to other diseases without a gold standard.

Clinical investigation of vestibular damage by antituberculous drugs.

PubMed

Nakayama, M; Natori, Y; Tachi, H; Yoshizawa, M; Takayama, S; Miura, H; Kanayama, M; Kamei, T

1986-01-01

Vestibular function testing was done regularly on the cases given streptomycin, kanamycin, or enviomycin and a method to detect the cases of vestibular dysfunction at an early stage was discussed, as well as the time these drugs should be discontinued. Subjects were 85 cases of tuberculosis treated with streptomycin, kanamycin, or enviomycin who were admitted to our hospital from December 1984 to May 1986. The method of equilibrium examination performed at regular intervals is as follows: standing test (Romberg test), stepping test, and Meyer zum Gottesberge's head-shaking test were done once a week for a month after starting antituberculous injections and they were re-examined once every 2 weeks for at least 3 months after beginning the injections. After the 3 months these tests were done once a month. Eight cases of vestibular damage due to streptomycin or enviomycin could be easily detected at an early stage by performing Meyer zum Gottesberge's head-shaking test, together with the standing test and the stepping test. Vestibular dysfunction is apt to occur after about 1 month or within a month from the start of daily injections especially with streptomycin. Therefore, the method of equilibrium examination, we suggest, is that the Meyer zum Gottesberge's head-shaking test, the standing test (Romberg test), and the stepping test should be performed once a week during the first month after the start of this drug. When the result of the Meyer zum Gottesberge's head-shaking test is less than 50% and swaying and/or rotation occur in the stepping test, the drugs being given should be discontinued.

[An evaluation of the effectiveness of laboratory diagnostic methods for brucellosis].

PubMed

Gandara, B; Zheludkov, M M; Chernysheva, M I

1994-01-01

The diagnostic value of bacteriological and serological methods for the laboratory diagnosis of brucellosis was studied. In the analysis of milk and cheese specimens Brucella cultures were isolated and differentiated as B.melitensis, biovar I, and B.abortus, biovar 4. In 25.6% of cases B.melitensis culture, biovar 1, was isolated from the blood of persons suspected for brucellosis. The isolation of B.melitensis culture from milk showed that this infective agent migrated from small animals to cattle, which was indicative of a high risk of human infection in the state of Zacatecas, Mexico. The comparative evaluation of serological diagnostic methods (the agglutination test in test tubes, Huddleson's slide test, the acidic rose bengal test and the 2-mercaptoethanol test) showed high sensitivity of rapid tests (Huddleson's test and the rose bengal test in 93.7% and 87.9% of cases respectively). The 2-mercaptoethanol test which gave positive results in 63.8% of cases provided additional information characterizing the course of infections process.

PubMed Central

Petithory, J. C.; Ambroise-Thomas, P.; De Loye, J.; Pelloux, H.; Goullier-Fleuret, A.; Milgram, M.; Buffard, C.; Garin, J. P.

1996-01-01

Reported are the results of a multicentre study involving 40 laboratories that was carried out in France to assess all the currently available methods used for the serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis. For this purpose 10 batches of control sera were prepared with titres in the range 0-260 IU per ml. These sera were tested in nine laboratories using immunofluorescence methods; in three laboratories using dye tests; in forty laboratories using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; in four laboratories using direct agglutination and haemagglutination; in seven laboratories using the high-sensitivity IgG agglutination test; and in three laboratories using the latex agglutination test. In this way, 70 series of titrations were carried out using seven procedures and the results were compared with those obtained using the WHO reference serum in 15 cases, with the French national E6 serum in 16 other cases, and in 39 cases using 15 reference sera supplied by the reagent manufacturers. Rigorous comparison of the tests was not possible in all cases because one aim of the study was to ensure that the tests were carried out under the usual working conditions that prevailed in the participating laboratories. The results obtained indicate that the serological tests currently available for toxoplasmosis are acceptable for its serodiagnosis. Presentation of the titres in IU has advantages; however, caution is required since the definition of IU varies according to the test and reagents used. It is therefore essential that the conditions and limits for a positive reaction be carefully defined in each case, especially for commercially available kits. PMID:8829878

The challenge of juvenile Huntington disease: to test or not to test.

PubMed

Koutsis, Georgios; Karadima, Georgia; Kladi, Athina; Panas, Marios

2013-03-12

In a cohort of patients with suspected juvenile-onset Huntington disease (HD), we compared HD expansion-positive and -negative cases in order to identify parameters that may allow differentiating between them and may act as a guide to clinicians contemplating genetic testing. We analyzed the clinical and genetic characteristics of 76 juvenile-onset patients referred consecutively for HD genetic testing over a 16-year period. In total, 24 patients were positive for the HD expansion (7.8% of our HD cohort). Mean age at onset of expanded cases was similar to unexpanded cases. All expanded cases had a family history of genetically confirmed HD compared to only 13.5% of unexpanded cases (p = 0.000). Clinical symptoms at onset or at presentation could not differentiate between expanded and unexpanded patients. Although criteria suggested by previous reports allowed statistical differentiation between the 2 groups, they were not sufficiently sensitive and specific to be used in clinical context and performed less satisfactorily than presence of a family history of HD alone. A diagnosis of juvenile HD should be primarily contemplated in symptomatic children with a family history of HD, although a proportion of these will test negative. With no family history of HD, juvenile HD is very unlikely and genetic testing should never delay searching for other causes. The specific nature of symptoms at onset or at presentation is of limited value in guiding the decision to test or not to test.

"The Hole in the Sky Causes Global Warming": A Case Study of Secondary School Students' Climate Change Alternative Conceptions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chang, Chew-Hung; Pascua, Liberty

2015-01-01

This study identified secondary school students' alternative conceptions (ACs) of climate change and their resistance to instruction. Using a case-based approach, a diagnostic test was administered to Secondary 3 male students in a pre-test and post-test. The ACs identified in the pre-test were on the causes of climate change, the natural…

Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy: two cases of difficult diagnosis.

PubMed

Beydoun, Said R; Cho, Justin

2013-09-01

Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) is an inherited autosomal dominant disorder that causes a polyneuropathy with predisposition for involvement at sites of compression and is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to its heterogeneity in clinical and electrophysiological presentation. We report 2 cases of HNPP, which were initially diagnosed and treated as either an acquired demyelinating disorder or alternative inherited demyelinating disorder. Thorough evaluation of repeat electrodiagnostic studies and genetic testing confirmed the diagnosis of HNPP in both cases. One case showed the classic peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) deletion and the other case showed a previously reported single base pair deletion at Leu145 causing a frameshift mutation at the PMP22 gene. These cases underscore the difficulty of diagnosing HNPP, because of the variations in clinical and electrophysiological findings and reinforce the importance of a combination high index of clinical suspicion, electrodiagnostic testing, and genetic testing to make the diagnosis.

Study on Chinese common allergens of contact dermatitis.

PubMed

Fan, W X; Zhao, B

1990-01-01

Patch tests were performed according to the European Standard Allergens (ESA) in 204 cases suspected of contact dermatitis. The reaction was positive in 58.33% of the cases. The common allergens were nickel (15.7%), fragrance mix (11.8%) p-phenylenediamine (8.8%), colophony (6.9%), benzocaine (6.4%), formaldehyde (5.9%), black rubber mix (4.9%), cobalt (4.4%), balsam of Peru (3.9%), potassium dichromate (3.4%), thiuram mix (2.9%) and mercapto mix (2.9%). In 85 cases of negative reaction to the European Standard Allergens, 36 were patch tested to suspected agents based on the individual case histories, of which 21 positively reacted. The common sensitizing agents were ampicillin and thiomersal. Of 204 cases, 107 were cases of facial contact dermatitis. Patch tests showed that the most common allergens were p-phenylenediamine (15.9%), nickel (13.1%) and fragrance mix (14.95%).

Clinical value of the Treponema pallidum haemagglutination test.

PubMed

Robertson, D H; McMillan, A

1975-04-01

In 1,129 patients attending the Department for Sexually Transmitted Diseases, the serum was examined by three screening tests (VDRL slide, RPCF, and TPHA) and twelve cases of syphilis (1 per cent. of patients attenting the clinic) were discovered. Six of these patients were considered to have latent syphilis (5 acquired, 1 congenital) and were detected only by the TPHA; all six cases were confirmed by the FTA-ABS, The TPHA failed to detect three of the remaining six cases (2 primary and 1 very early, the latter in a contact of a patient with primary syphilis). All six cases were, however, detected by the VDRL. In seven cases, the TPHA was positive in the absence of other evidence of present or previous syphilis. In these cases the FTA-ABS was also negative. The clinical application of the TPHA test in the detection of syphilis is discussed.

HDTS 2017.0 Testing and verification document

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

Whiteside, Tad S.

2017-08-01

This report is a continuation of the series of Hunter Dose Tracking System (HDTS) Quality Assurance documents including (Foley and Powell, 2010; Dixon, 2012). In this report we have created a suite of automated test cases and a system to analyze the results of those tests as well as documented the methodology to ensure the field system performs within specifications. The software test cases cover all of the functions and interactions of functions that are practical to test. With the developed framework, if software defects are discovered, it will be easy to create one or more test cases to reproducemore » the defect and ensure that code changes correct the defect. These tests con rm HDTS version 2017.0 performs according to its specifications and documentation and that its performance meets the needs of its users at the Savannah River Site.« less

Local bonding structure of tellurium and antimony in the phase change chalcogenides germanium-antimony-tellurium: A nuclear magnetic resonance study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bobela, David C.

Recent technological applications of some chalcogenide materials, compounds containing a group VI atom, have prompted studies of the local atomic structure of the amorphous phase. In the case of Ge2Sb2Te 5, metastability in the local bonding structure is responsible for its usefulness as a phase-change memory material. There is no consensus on the exact phase-change mechanism, which is partly due to the inadequacy of standard scattering techniques to probe the structure of the amorphous phase. Nuclear magnetic resonance methods, on the other hand, are well suited to study local structural order even in the absence of a periodic lattice. In this technique, structural information is encoded as an oscillating voltage caused by the nuclear spin. For the tellurium isotope, 125Te (spin = 1/2 in the ground state), the dominant interaction comes from the core and valence electrons that carry angular momentum. This interaction is helpful in identifying Te sites of different local coordination since the number of neighboring atoms should markedly change the local electronic structure. The antimony isotope 125Sb has a spin = 5/2 in the ground state and possesses an asymmetric nuclear charge. This quadrupole moment will interact with an electric field gradient at the nuclear site, which is provided by an asymmetric electron cloud surrounding the nucleus. The frequency-space spectra will reflect the strength of the interaction as well as the symmetry of the local electronic environment. This work investigates the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of 125Te and 125Sb in the crystalline and amorphous forms of several GexSbyTe 1-x-y compounds where 0 < (x, y) < 1. Results from the crystalline phase 125Te data show a trend in the spectral position that can be related to the tellurium bonded to three and six neighbors. In the amorphous phase, the same trend is observed, and the nuclear magnetic resonance fingerprint of two-fold and three-fold coordinated tellurium is obtained. It is concluded, based upon this comparison that the Te atoms see a dramatically different bonding environment depending on which phase the lattice has. The 125Sb data for the crystalline phase indicate electric field gradients that are consistent with similarly bonded quadrupolar nuclei, such as Sb atoms in crystalline Sb or five-fold coordinated Sb in crystalline MnSb. The NMR data exemplify the consequences of combinatorial disorder on the spectra via the absence of certain line-shape features. In the amorphous phase, the electric field gradients are approximately seven times larger, and the fingerprints of both highly-symmetric and asymmetric antimony sites emerge. Details of field gradient, i.e. the magnitude and symmetry, are remarkably similar to those found in Sb containing compounds where the Sb sites are three-fold pyramidal, such as in crystalline Sb2X3 where X = O, S, or Se. The observations from the NMR data provide a critical litmus test for recent structural models of the amorphous phase. In particular, the amorphous phase data provides clear evidence that the Te atoms are two-fold and three-fold coordinated while the Sb atoms are most likely bonded in three-fold pyramidal configurations. These observations imply a structural model of the amorphous phase that agrees best with a models based upon the "8 minus n", or "8-n" rule for chemical bonding in amorphous semiconductors. Thus, the lattice of these compounds is arranged such that the constituent elements have enough bonds, on average, to satisfy their valence requirement. The implications of the NMR data on theoretical modeling data are immediate. Theoretical models of these systems must possess some aspect of the "8-n" mentality. With this idea as a foundation for physically realistic representations of the amorphous phase, the origin of the phase-change mechanism may be unraveled, which will ultimately speed the process of compositional optimization of phase-change materials.

Mars Science Laboratory Flight Software Boot Robustness Testing Project Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roth, Brian

2011-01-01

On the surface of Mars, the Mars Science Laboratory will boot up its flight computers every morning, having charged the batteries through the night. This boot process is complicated, critical, and affected by numerous hardware states that can be difficult to test. The hardware test beds do not facilitate testing a long duration of back-to-back unmanned automated tests, and although the software simulation has provided the necessary functionality and fidelity for this boot testing, there has not been support for the full flexibility necessary for this task. Therefore to perform this testing a framework has been build around the software simulation that supports running automated tests loading a variety of starting configurations for software and hardware states. This implementation has been tested against the nominal cases to validate the methodology, and support for configuring off-nominal cases is ongoing. The implication of this testing is that the introduction of input configurations that have yet proved difficult to test may reveal boot scenarios worth higher fidelity investigation, and in other cases increase confidence in the robustness of the flight software boot process.

Nemesis Autonomous Test System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barltrop, Kevin J.; Lee, Cin-Young; Horvath, Gregory A,; Clement, Bradley J.

2012-01-01

A generalized framework has been developed for systems validation that can be applied to both traditional and autonomous systems. The framework consists of an automated test case generation and execution system called Nemesis that rapidly and thoroughly identifies flaws or vulnerabilities within a system. By applying genetic optimization and goal-seeking algorithms on the test equipment side, a "war game" is conducted between a system and its complementary nemesis. The end result of the war games is a collection of scenarios that reveals any undesirable behaviors of the system under test. The software provides a reusable framework to evolve test scenarios using genetic algorithms using an operation model of the system under test. It can automatically generate and execute test cases that reveal flaws in behaviorally complex systems. Genetic algorithms focus the exploration of tests on the set of test cases that most effectively reveals the flaws and vulnerabilities of the system under test. It leverages advances in state- and model-based engineering, which are essential in defining the behavior of autonomous systems. It also uses goal networks to describe test scenarios.

Model Based Analysis and Test Generation for Flight Software

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pasareanu, Corina S.; Schumann, Johann M.; Mehlitz, Peter C.; Lowry, Mike R.; Karsai, Gabor; Nine, Harmon; Neema, Sandeep

2009-01-01

We describe a framework for model-based analysis and test case generation in the context of a heterogeneous model-based development paradigm that uses and combines Math- Works and UML 2.0 models and the associated code generation tools. This paradigm poses novel challenges to analysis and test case generation that, to the best of our knowledge, have not been addressed before. The framework is based on a common intermediate representation for different modeling formalisms and leverages and extends model checking and symbolic execution tools for model analysis and test case generation, respectively. We discuss the application of our framework to software models for a NASA flight mission.

Electrical Evaluation of RCA MWS5001D Random Access Memory, Volume 4, Appendix C

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Klute, A.

1979-01-01

The electrical characterization and qualification test results are presented for the RCA MWS5001D random access memory. The tests included functional tests, AC and DC parametric tests, AC parametric worst-case pattern selection test, determination of worst-case transition for setup and hold times, and a series of schmoo plots. Statistical analysis data is supplied along with write pulse width, read cycle time, write cycle time, and chip enable time data.

Electrical Evaluation of RCA MWS5501D Random Access Memory, Volume 2, Appendix a

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Klute, A.

1979-01-01

The electrical characterization and qualification test results are presented for the RCA MWS5001D random access memory. The tests included functional tests, AC and DC parametric tests, AC parametric worst-case pattern selection test, determination of worst-case transition for setup and hold times, and a series of schmoo plots. The address access time, address readout time, the data hold time, and the data setup time are some of the results surveyed.

Diagnosis of penicillin allergy revisited: the value of case history, skin testing, specific IgE and prolonged challenge.

PubMed

Hjortlund, J; Mortz, C G; Skov, P S; Bindslev-Jensen, C

2013-08-01

Skin testing in duplicate, correlation between case history of immediate and nonimmediate reactions and challenge outcome and prolonged oral treatment with penicillin in the diagnostic evaluation of allergic reactions to β-lactam antibiotics, mimicking real-life situations, have only been addressed in few studies. A total of 342 patients suspected of having β-lactam allergy were investigated according to the European Network for Drug Allergy (ENDA) guidelines and patients found to be negative in the ENDA program were supplemented with a 7-day oral treatment with penicillin. Skin testing with penicillins was performed in duplicate. Patients with case histories of reactions to other β-lactams were also subsequently challenged with the culprit drug. Nineteen patients were IgE-sensitized to penicillin. Then, intracutaneous tests (ICTs) were performed, in which 35 patients tested positive for allergy, 21 with delayed and 14 with immediate reactions. Only three patients tested positive for the major (PPL) and/or minor (MDM) penicillin determinants, all being positive for penicillin G in ICT. The remaining 291 patients were challenged with penicillin: 10 tested positive in single-dose challenge and 23 tested positive in the 7-day challenge. A total of 17 of 78 patients with a negative penicillin challenge tested positive during challenges with other β-lactams. We found no correlation between case histories of immediate and nonimmediate reactions and reaction time during challenge. The data suggest that case history is often insufficient to discriminate between immediate reactors and nonimmediate reactors. A 7-day challenge with the culprit β-lactam may yield more positive reactions than the accepted one- or 2-day challenge. Interpretation of skin testing should be made with caution. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Comparision of Immunohistochemical Expression of CD10 in Odontogenic Cysts

PubMed Central

Munisekhar, M.S.; Suri, Charu; Rajalbandi, Santosh Kumar; M.R., Pradeep; Gothe, Pavan

2014-01-01

Background: Expression of CD10 has been documented in various tumors like nasopharyngeal carcinoma, gastric carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, odontogenic tumors. Aim: To evaluate and compare CD10 expression in odontogenic cysts like radicular cyst, dentigerous cyst and odontogenic keratocyst (OKC). Materials and Methods: Total 60 cases were included in the study, comprising 20 cases each of radicular, dentigerous and odontogenic keratocyst. Each case was evaluated and compared for immunohistochemical expression of CD10. Results obtained were statistically analysed using ANOVA test followed by post hoc test Tukey-Kramer Multiple Comparisons Test for continuous variable and Chi-square test for discrete variable. Results: More number of cases showing sub-epithelial stromal CD10 expression were found in OKC among the cysts. Conclusion: CD10 expression was more in OKC compared to radicular and dentigerous cysts. PMID:25584313

Case-control studies of the efficacy of cancer screening: overcoming bias from nonrandom patterns of screening.

PubMed

Weiss, Noel S; Dhillon, Preet K; Etzioni, Ruth

2004-07-01

A case-control study of the efficacy of cancer screening, like any other case-control study, must deal with potential confounding. There are 2 categories of confounding variables that pose special problems for studies of screening: (1) age and calendar time resulting from different temporal distributions of screening between cases and controls irrespective of whether the screening test leads to a reduction in mortality; and (2) the administration of other screening tests for the cancer in question when it is not clear whether the result of the other test had a bearing on the decision to order the test under study. We describe circumstances in which confounding from these sources can be dealt with satisfactorily by means of restriction or adjustment, and other circumstances in which it cannot. Copyright 2004 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins

High-resolution chromosomal microarrays in prenatal diagnosis significantly increase diagnostic power.

PubMed

Oneda, Beatrice; Baldinger, Rosa; Reissmann, Regina; Reshetnikova, Irina; Krejci, Pavel; Masood, Rahim; Ochsenbein-Kölble, Nicole; Bartholdi, Deborah; Steindl, Katharina; Morotti, Denise; Faranda, Marzia; Baumer, Alessandra; Asadollahi, Reza; Joset, Pascal; Niedrist, Dunja; Breymann, Christian; Hebisch, Gundula; Hüsler, Margaret; Mueller, René; Prentl, Elke; Wisser, Josef; Zimmermann, Roland; Rauch, Anita

2014-06-01

The objective of this study was to determine for the first time the reliability and the diagnostic power of high-resolution microarray testing in routine prenatal diagnostics. We applied high-resolution chromosomal microarray testing in 464 cytogenetically normal prenatal samples with any indication for invasive testing. High-resolution testing revealed a diagnostic yield of 6.9% and 1.6% in cases of fetal ultrasound anomalies and cases of advanced maternal age (AMA), respectively, which is similar to previous studies using low-resolution microarrays. In three (0.6%) additional cases with an indication of AMA, an aberration in susceptibility risk loci was detected. Moreover, one case (0.2%) showed an X-linked aberration in a female fetus, a finding relevant for future family planning. We found the rate of cases, in which the parents had to be tested for interpretation of unreported copy number variants (3.7%), and the rate of remaining variants of unknown significance (0.4%) acceptably low. Of note, these findings did not cause termination of pregnancy after expert genetic counseling. The 0.4% rate of confined placental mosaicism was similar to that observed by conventional karyotyping and notably involved a case of placental microdeletion. High-resolution prenatal microarray testing is a reliable technique that increases diagnostic yield by at least 17.3% when compared with conventional karyotyping, without an increase in the frequency of variants of uncertain significance. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Stratified Mucin-Producing Intraepithelial Lesion of the Cervix: Subtle Features Not to Be Missed.

PubMed

Schwock, Joerg; Ko, Hyang Mi; Dubé, Valérie; Rouzbahman, Marjan; Cesari, Matthew; Ghorab, Zeina; Geddie, William R

2016-01-01

Stratified mucin-producing intraepithelial lesion (SMILE) is an uncommon premalignant lesion of the uterine cervix. A detailed examination of preinvasive SMILE cases including a comparison of the cytologic features with usual-type adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) and human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping was performed. Excisions and preceding Papanicolaou (Pap) tests were retrieved from the files of 2 tertiary care centers. Histologic review estimated the lesional SMILE proportion. Pap tests were reviewed and assessed for architectural, cellular and background features. Cobas® HPV test was performed. 13 cases were identified. Mean/median patient age was 35/33 years (range 23-51 years). Concurrent high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion was found in 10/13 (77%) and AIS in 8/13 (62%) cases. In 6 cases, SMILE was dominant (≥50%) and represented in 5/6 corresponding Pap tests. Cytology interpretations differed more often in the SMILE-dominant group (p < 0.05). SMILE and AIS had overlapping features. Feathering and prominent nucleoli were absent in SMILE. HPV DNA was detected in all 12 cases tested. HPV 18 was most common (7/12). Excisions with positive/suspicious margins were reported in 5/6 SMILE-dominant versus 3/7 nondominant cases. SMILE is best considered as an AIS variant for cytologic, etiologic and management purposes. Cytologic features overlap with AIS, but are more subtle and easily missed. HPV testing may play a role in facilitating SMILE detection. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

30 CFR 250.520 - When do I have to perform a casing diagnostic test?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 2 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false When do I have to perform a casing diagnostic test? 250.520 Section 250.520 Mineral Resources BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT, REGULATION, AND... plus 100 psig measured at the subsea wellhead. (3) hybrid well, a riser or the production casing...

Mothers Who Kill Their Offspring: Testing Evolutionary Hypothesis in a 110-Case Italian Sample

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Camperio Ciani, Andrea S.; Fontanesi, Lilybeth

2012-01-01

Objectives: This research aimed to identify incidents of mothers in Italy killing their own children and to test an adaptive evolutionary hypothesis to explain their occurrence. Methods: 110 cases of mothers killing 123 of their own offspring from 1976 to 2010 were analyzed. Each case was classified using 13 dichotomic variables. Descriptive…

30 CFR 250.522 - When do I have to repeat casing diagnostic testing?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

..., previously on gas lift, has been shut-in or returned to flowing status without gas lift for more than 180... active gas lift are exempt from diagnostic testing. (c) your casing pressure request becomes invalid... percent of its minimum internal yield pressure (MIYP), except for production casings on active gas lift...

30 CFR 250.522 - When do I have to repeat casing diagnostic testing?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... term has expired, immediately. (b) your well, previously on gas lift, has been shut-in or returned to flowing status without gas lift for more than 180 days, immediately on the production casing (A annulus). The production casing (A annulus) of wells on active gas lift are exempt from diagnostic testing. (c...

False-negative syphilis treponemal enzyme immunoassay results in an HIV-infected case-patient.

PubMed

Katz, Alan R; Komeya, Alan Y; Tomas, Juval E

2017-06-01

We present a case report of a false-negative syphilis treponemal enzyme immunoassay test result in an HIV-infected male. While treponemal tests are widely considered to be more sensitive and specific than non-treponemal tests, our findings point to potential challenges using the reverse sequence syphilis screening algorithm.

Building research capacity in Botswana: a randomized trial comparing training methodologies in the Botswana ethics training initiative.

PubMed

Barchi, Francis H; Kasimatis-Singleton, Megan; Kasule, Mary; Khulumani, Pilate; Merz, Jon F

2013-02-01

Little empirical data are available on the extent to which capacity-building programs in research ethics prepare trainees to apply ethical reasoning skills to the design, conduct, or review of research. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in Botswana in 2010 to assess the effectiveness of a case-based intervention using email to augment in-person seminars. University faculty and current and prospective IRB/REC members took part in a semester-long training program in research ethics. Participants attended two 2-day seminars and were assigned at random to one of two on-line arms of the trial. Participants in both arms completed on-line international modules from the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative. Between seminars, intervention-arm participants were also emailed a weekly case to analyze in response to set questions; responses and individualized faculty feedback were exchanged via email. Tests assessing ethics knowledge were administered at the start of each seminar. The post-test included an additional section in which participants were asked to identify the ethical issues highlighted in five case studies from a list of multiple-choice responses. Results were analyzed using regression and ANOVA. Of the 71 participants (36 control, 35 intervention) enrolled at the first seminar, 41 (57.7%) attended the second seminar (19 control, 22 intervention). In the intervention arm, 19 (54.3%) participants fully completed and 8 (22.9%) partially completed all six weekly cases. The mean score was higher on the post-test (30.3/40) than on the pre-test (28.0/40), and individual post- and pre-test scores were highly correlated (r = 0.65, p < 0.0001). Group assignment alone did not have an effect on test scores (p > 0.84), but intervention-arm subjects who completed all assigned cases answered an average of 3.2 more questions correctly on the post-test than others, controlling for pre-test scores (p = 0.003). Completion of the case-based intervention improved respondents' test scores, with those who completed all six email cases scoring roughly 10% better than those who failed to complete this task and those in the control arm. There was only suggestive evidence that intensive case work improved ethical issue identification, although there was limited ability to assess this outcome due to a high drop-out rate.

Building research capacity in Botswana: a randomized trial comparing training methodologies in the Botswana ethics training initiative

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Little empirical data are available on the extent to which capacity-building programs in research ethics prepare trainees to apply ethical reasoning skills to the design, conduct, or review of research. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in Botswana in 2010 to assess the effectiveness of a case-based intervention using email to augment in-person seminars. Methods University faculty and current and prospective IRB/REC members took part in a semester-long training program in research ethics. Participants attended two 2-day seminars and were assigned at random to one of two on-line arms of the trial. Participants in both arms completed on-line international modules from the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative. Between seminars, intervention-arm participants were also emailed a weekly case to analyze in response to set questions; responses and individualized faculty feedback were exchanged via email. Tests assessing ethics knowledge were administered at the start of each seminar. The post-test included an additional section in which participants were asked to identify the ethical issues highlighted in five case studies from a list of multiple-choice responses. Results were analyzed using regression and ANOVA. Results Of the 71 participants (36 control, 35 intervention) enrolled at the first seminar, 41 (57.7%) attended the second seminar (19 control, 22 intervention). In the intervention arm, 19 (54.3%) participants fully completed and 8 (22.9%) partially completed all six weekly cases. The mean score was higher on the post-test (30.3/40) than on the pre-test (28.0/40), and individual post- and pre-test scores were highly correlated (r = 0.65, p < 0.0001). Group assignment alone did not have an effect on test scores (p > 0.84), but intervention-arm subjects who completed all assigned cases answered an average of 3.2 more questions correctly on the post-test than others, controlling for pre-test scores (p = 0.003). Conclusions Completion of the case-based intervention improved respondents’ test scores, with those who completed all six email cases scoring roughly 10% better than those who failed to complete this task and those in the control arm. There was only suggestive evidence that intensive case work improved ethical issue identification, although there was limited ability to assess this outcome due to a high drop-out rate. PMID:23368699

[CHALLENGES IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF CUSHING'S SYNDROME IN THE MODERN ERA].

PubMed

Saiegh, Leonard; Sheikh-Ahmad, Mohammad; Reut, Maria; Jubran, Yousef; Shechner, Carmela

2015-12-01

Cushing's syndrome results from prolonged and excessive exposure to medically prescribed corticosteroids, or from excess endogenous cortisol secretion. When endogenous cortisol secretion is suspected, several screening tests are conducted in order to confirm or to rule out the diagnosis. In recent years, as the cut-off point of cortisol concentration on the 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test was lowered, the prevalence of Cushing's syndrome has increased, and more cases of mild syndromes, with negative results on one or more screening tests, have increasingly been reported. In this paper, we will describe the various screening tests used for Cushing's syndrome, and will discuss their degree of sensitivity in the diagnosis of mild cases. We conclude that, in cases of mild syndromes, the sensitivity of some tests appears to be notably lower than has been reported. Until recently, the major challenge has been to distinguish between pseudo-Cushing's states and Cushing's syndrome. Today, however, the challenge has become to avoid misdiagnosis of mild cases, presenting with normal results on some screening tests. The sensitivity of urinary free cortisol seems to be lower than previously reported. Therefore, we recommend not to rely solely on this test in ruling out Cushing's syndrome.

[Ultrabraid SUTURE WITH FOOTPRINT RIVET FOR ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT TIBIAL EMINENCE AVULSION FRACTURE IN ADOLESCENTS UNDER ARTHROSCOPY].

PubMed

Liang, Jinying; Zheng, Jiapeng; Ll, Qiang; Zhong, Shuyu; Chen, Minzhen

2015-06-01

To investigate the clinical effects of the Ultrabraid suture with FOOTPRINT rivet by arthroscopic technique for the treatment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tibial eminence avulsion fracture. Between May 2011 and December 2013, 19 adolescent patients with ACL tibial eminence avulsion fracture were treated with arthroscopic reduction and fixation by Ultrabraid sutures with FOOTPRINT rivet. There were 13 males and 6 females with an average age of 15.8 years (range, 8-18 years). The left knees were involved in 10 cases and the right knees in 9 cases. The injury causes included traffic accident injury in 8 cases, sport injury in 6 cases, and sprain injury in 5 cases. Three patients had old fractures, and the others had fresh fractures. The results of Lachman test and anterior drawer test were both positive. The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subject score was 54.2 ± 4.0. Based on Meyers-McKeever classification, there were 3 cases of type II, 10 cases of type III, and 6 cases of type IV. The operation time was 50-60 minutes (mean, 55.2 minutes). X-ray film showed satisfactory fracture reduction at 1 day after operation. Primary healing of incision was obtained with no infection. Eighteen patients were followed up for 1-3 years (mean, 1.7 years). All fractures healed with smooth joint surface on the X-ray film at 3 months after operation. The results of Lachman test and anterior drawer test were both negative in 17 cases, and the results was negative for anterior drawer test and was weakly positive for Lachman test in 1 case. The IKDC subject score was significantly improved to 96.1 ± 2.1 at last follow-up (t = 34.600, P = 0.000). It could achieve early restoration of knee joint function to treat the ACL tibial eminence avulsion fracture by arthroscopic technique of the Ultrabraid suture with FOOTPRINT rivet because of satisfactory reduction, reliable fixation, small wound, and early rehabilitation.

Nurse case-manager vs multifaceted intervention to improve quality of osteoporosis care after wrist fracture: randomized controlled pilot study.

PubMed

Majumdar, S R; Johnson, J A; Bellerose, D; McAlister, F A; Russell, A S; Hanley, D A; Garg, S; Lier, D A; Maksymowych, W P; Morrish, D W; Rowe, B H

2011-01-01

Few outpatients with fractures are treated for osteoporosis in the years following fracture. In a randomized pilot study, we found a nurse case-manager could double rates of osteoporosis testing and treatment compared with a proven efficacious quality improvement strategy directed at patients and physicians (57% vs 28% rates of appropriate care). Few patients with fractures are treated for osteoporosis. An intervention directed at wrist fracture patients (education) and physicians (guidelines, reminders) tripled osteoporosis treatment rates compared to controls (22% vs 7% within 6 months of fracture). More effective strategies are needed. We undertook a pilot study that compared a nurse case-manager to the multifaceted intervention using a randomized trial design. The case-manager counseled patients, arranged bone mineral density (BMD) tests, and prescribed treatments. We included controls from our first trial who remained untreated for osteoporosis 1-year post-fracture. Primary outcome was bisphosphonate treatment and secondary outcomes were BMD testing, appropriate care (BMD test-treatment if bone mass low), and costs. Forty six patients untreated 1-year after wrist fracture were randomized to case-manager (n = 21) or multifaceted intervention (n = 25). Median age was 60 years and 68% were female. Six months post-randomization, 9 (43%) case-managed patients were treated with bisphosphonates compared with 3 (12%) multifaceted intervention patients (relative risk [RR] 3.6, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.1-11.5, p = 0.019). Case-managed patients were more likely than multifaceted intervention patients to undergo BMD tests (81% vs 52%, RR 1.6, 95%CI 1.1-2.4, p = 0.042) and receive appropriate care (57% vs 28%, RR 2.0, 95%CI 1.0-4.2, p = 0.048). Case-management cost was $44 (CDN) per patient vs $12 for the multifaceted intervention. A nurse case-manager substantially increased rates of appropriate testing and treatment for osteoporosis in patients at high-risk of future fracture when compared with a multifaceted quality improvement intervention aimed at patients and physicians. Even with case-management, nearly half of patients did not receive appropriate care. clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00152321.

Use of Patients With Diarrhea Who Test Negative for Rotavirus as Controls to Estimate Rotavirus Vaccine Effectiveness Through Case-Control Studies.

PubMed

Tate, Jacqueline E; Patel, Manish M; Cortese, Margaret M; Payne, Daniel C; Lopman, Benjamin A; Yen, Catherine; Parashar, Umesh D

2016-05-01

Case-control studies are often performed to estimate postlicensure vaccine effectiveness (VE), but the enrollment of controls can be challenging, time-consuming, and costly. We evaluated whether children enrolled in the same hospital-based diarrheal surveillance used to identify rotavirus cases but who test negative for rotavirus (test-negative controls) can be considered a suitable alternative to nondiarrheal hospital or community-based control groups (traditional controls). We compared calculated VE estimates as a function of varying values of true VE, attack rates of rotavirus and nonrotavirus diarrhea in the population, and sensitivity and specificity of the rotavirus enzyme immunoasssay. We also searched the literature to identify rotavirus VE studies that used traditional and test-negative control groups and compared VE estimates obtained using the different control groups. Assuming a 1% attack rate for severe rotavirus diarrhea, a 3% attack rate for severe nonrotavirus diarrhea in the population, a test sensitivity of 96%, and a specificity of 100%, the calculated VE estimates using both the traditional and test-negative control groups closely approximated the true VE for all values from 30% to 100%. As true VE decreased, the traditional case-control approach slightly overestimated the true VE and the test-negative case-control approach slightly underestimated this estimate, but the absolute difference was only ±0.2 percentage points. Field VE estimates from 10 evaluations that used both traditional and test-negative control groups were similar regardless of control group used. The use of rotavirus test-negative controls offers an efficient and cost-effective approach to estimating rotavirus VE through case-control studies. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America 2016. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US.

[The value of allergy survey in a retrospective series of 40 patients with burning-mouth syndrome (stomatodynia)].

PubMed

Machet, L; Le Dû, S; Bernez, A; Pillette-Delarue, M; Lelièvre, G; Hoarau, C; Hüttenberger, B; Vaillant, L

2008-02-01

By definition, stomatodynia or burning-mouth syndrome involves oral pain with no causes being found on history taking or examination. An allergic origin is often suspected by doctors and patients alike. In this study, we attempted to assess the value of epicutaneous tests in demonstrating allergic causes for patients presenting stomatodynia. This was a single-centre retrospective study of patients undergoing epicutaneous tests between 1996 and 2003 to screen for allergic causes of mouth pain not accounted for by any abnormalities seen during examination performed at consultations for mouth disease. Forty patients were included (11 male, 29 female; mean age: 58 years), and 39 were excluded. Sixteen patients presented at least one positive test, with a total of 35 positive tests in all. In decreasing order of frequency, the causes were metals, mercury derivatives (nickel salts: n=5; chrome salts: n=3; palladium salts: n=2; phenylmercuric acetate: n=2; thiomersal: n=2; cobalt salts: n=1; gold salts: n=1; mercury: n=1) and resins (acrylates: n=4). The relevance of these test results was considered probable in three cases and possible in five cases, associated with the existence of metals or resins in patients' mouths. The Peru balm test was positive in four cases but was not relevant. Tests for personal products were negative in all cases, with the exception of one case of resin from a prosthesis and one case of tixocortol pivalate. Type I stomatodynia (daily occurrence with gradually increase in discomfort throughout the day) and type II stomatodynia (permanent) are not normally attributable to allergies. However, for type III stomatodynia (non-permanent, with acute episodes followed by remission), an allergy survey guided by questioning may be undertaken to determine the cause, primarily prostheses or diet. The relevance of positive test results must be interpreted with caution in view of the incidence of positive epicutaneous tests for metals and Peru balm among the general population studied.

Preliminary assessment of the diagnostic performances of a new rapid diagnostic test for the serodiagnosis of human cystic echinococcosis.

PubMed

Vola, Ambra; Tamarozzi, Francesca; Noordin, Rahmah; Yunus, Muhammad Hafiznur; Khanbabaie, Sam; De Silvestri, Annalisa; Brunetti, Enrico; Mariconti, Mara

2018-04-14

Rapid diagnostic tests for cystic echinococcosis (CE) are convenient to support ultrasound diagnosis in uncertain cases, especially in resource-limited settings. We found comparable diagnostic performances of the experimental Hyd Rapid Test and the commercial VIRapid HYDATIDOSIS Test, used in our diagnostic laboratory, using samples from well-characterized hepatic CE cases. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Non-invasive, serum DNA pregnancy testing leading to incidental discovery of cancer: a good thing?

PubMed

Prasad, Vinay

2015-11-01

Cell-free DNA for perinatal screening is a growing industry. Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is based on the premise that foetal DNA is able to cross the placental barrier and enter the mother's circulation, where it can be examined for chromosomal abnormalities, such as trisomy 13, 18 or 21. Such tests are expected to be widely used by pregnant women, with the annual market expected to surpass $1 billion. Recently, a number of case reports have emerged in the haematology-oncology literature. The routine use of NIPT has led to the discovery of maternal neoplasms. Most writers have concluded that this is yet another benefit of the test; however, a closer examination of the cases reveals that this incidental detection may not improve patient outcomes. In some cases, early detection provides lead time bias, but does not change the ultimate clinical outcome, and in other cases, detection constitutes earlier knowledge of a cancer whose natural history cannot be altered. Here, we explore in detail cases where cancer was incidentally discovered among women undergoing routine non-invasive pregnancy testing, and investigate whether or not these women were benefitted by the discovery. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Natural history and clinical detection of undiagnosed coeliac disease in a North American community.

PubMed

Hujoel, I A; Van Dyke, C T; Brantner, T; Larson, J; King, K S; Sharma, A; Murray, J A; Rubio-Tapia, A

2018-05-01

Coeliac disease is a substantially underdiagnosed disorder, with clinical testing currently guided by case finding. To determine the presence of indications for diagnostic testing and frequency of clinical testing in undiagnosed coeliac disease. This was a case-control study of adults without prior diagnosis of coeliac disease. Undiagnosed cases were identified through sequential serology, and unaffected age- and gender-matched controls were selected. Medical records were systematically reviewed for indications for and evidence of clinical testing. Of 47 557 adults, 408 cases of undiagnosed coeliac disease were identified. 408 serology negative matched controls were selected. Eight-matched pairs were excluded, leading to 800 included individuals (61% female; median age 44.2 years). The odds of any indication for clinical testing were similar among undiagnosed coeliac disease and controls (odds ratio (OR) 1.18; 95% CI: 0.85-1.63, P = 0.32). Most individual indications were not associated with serologic status. Exceptions to this include hypothyroidism, which was more likely in cases of undiagnosed coeliac disease, and dyspepsia and chronic diarrhoea, which were less likely. Cases of undiagnosed coeliac disease were more likely to develop osteoporosis (P = 0.005), dermatitis herpetiformis (P = 0.006), chronic fatigue (P = 0.033), thyroiditis (P = 0.003), autoimmune diseases (P = 0.008), and have a family member diagnosed with coeliac disease (P = 0.001). This study strongly suggests that current case finding is not effective in detecting undiagnosed coeliac disease. Individuals with undiagnosed coeliac disease were more likely than controls to develop indications for testing overtime. A more effective method for detection of coeliac disease is needed. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd and Mayo Foundation.

Asthma Cases Attributable to Atopy: Results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

PubMed Central

Arbes, Samuel J.; Gergen, Peter J.; Vaughn, Ben; Zeldin, Darryl C.

2008-01-01

Background The percentage of asthma cases attributable to atopy is the subject of debate. Objectives The objectives were to estimate the percentage of asthma cases in the U.S. population attributable to atopy and to examine associations between allergen-specific skin tests and asthma. Methods Data were obtained from NHANES III in which subjects aged 6–59 years were skin tested with 10 allergens. Atopy was defined as at least one positive allergen-specific test. Doctor-diagnosed current asthma was assessed by questionnaire. Results In the U.S., 56.3% of the asthma cases were attributable to atopy, and that percentage was greater among males than females, among persons in the highest education category than in lower education categories, and among persons living in highly populated metropolitan areas than in all other areas. Each allergen-specific test was strongly associated with asthma before adjustment (odds ratios varied from 2.1 to 4.5); however, after adjustment by all the allergens, only tests to cat, Alternaria, white oak, and perennial rye were independently associated with asthma. Perennial rye was inversely associated with asthma. Of the 10 allergens, a positive response to cat accounted for the highest percentage of asthma cases (29.3%). Conclusions About half of the current asthma cases in the U.S. population represented by NHANES III were attributable to atopy. Some allergen-specific skin tests were not independently associated with asthma. Clinical Implications If atopy could be prevented or reversed, or its effect on asthma blocked, then a large percentage of asthma cases in the U.S. population could be prevented. PMID:17889931

Informed Choice in Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing for Alzheimer and Other Diseases: Lessons from Two Cases

PubMed Central

Messner, Donna A.

2011-01-01

Health-related direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing has been a controversial practice. Especially problematic is predictive testing for Alzheimer disease (AD), since the disease is incurable, prevention is inconclusive, and testing does not definitively predict an individual’s future disease status. In this paper, I examine two contrasting cases of subjects who learn through genetic testing that they have an elevated risk of developing AD later in life. In these cases, the subject’s emotional response to the result is related to how well prepared she was for the real-life personal implications of possible test results. Analysis leads to the conclusion that when groups of health-related genetic tests are offered as packages by DTC companies, informed consumer choice is rendered impossible. Moreover, I argue, this marketing approach contravenes U.S. Federal Trade Commission policies for non-deceptive commercial communications. I conclude by suggesting ways to improve the prospects for informed consumer choice in DTC testing. PMID:21603253

Challenges in Interpretation of Diagnostic Test Results in a Mumps Outbreak in a Highly Vaccinated Population.

PubMed

Trotz-Williams, L A; Mercer, N J; Paphitis, K; Walters, J M; Wallace, D; Kristjanson, E; Gubbay, J; Mazzulli, T

2017-02-01

In spite of a greatly reduced incidence rate due to vaccination, mumps outbreaks continue to occur in several areas of the world, sometimes in vaccinated populations. This article describes an outbreak in a highly vaccinated population in southwestern Ontario, Canada, and the challenges encountered in interpreting the results of diagnostic tests used in the outbreak. During the outbreak, patients were interviewed and classified according to the outbreak case definition, and specimens were collected for diagnostic testing according to Ontario guidelines. Twenty-seven individuals were classified as confirmed cases (n = 19) or suspect cases (n = 8) according to the case definition, only 9 of which were laboratory-confirmed cases: 7 confirmed by reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) and 2 by IgM serology. All 19 confirmed cases represented patients who were associated with secondary schools in the local area and had been vaccinated against mumps with one (n = 2) or two (n = 17) doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. This is the first published report of an outbreak of mumps in Ontario in which all confirmed cases had been vaccinated against the disease. It highlights the limitations of and difficulties in interpreting current mumps diagnostic tests when used in vaccinated individuals. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.

Challenges in Interpretation of Diagnostic Test Results in a Mumps Outbreak in a Highly Vaccinated Population

PubMed Central

Mercer, N. J.; Paphitis, K.; Walters, J. M.; Wallace, D.; Kristjanson, E.; Gubbay, J.; Mazzulli, T.

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT In spite of a greatly reduced incidence rate due to vaccination, mumps outbreaks continue to occur in several areas of the world, sometimes in vaccinated populations. This article describes an outbreak in a highly vaccinated population in southwestern Ontario, Canada, and the challenges encountered in interpreting the results of diagnostic tests used in the outbreak. During the outbreak, patients were interviewed and classified according to the outbreak case definition, and specimens were collected for diagnostic testing according to Ontario guidelines. Twenty-seven individuals were classified as confirmed cases (n = 19) or suspect cases (n = 8) according to the case definition, only 9 of which were laboratory-confirmed cases: 7 confirmed by reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) and 2 by IgM serology. All 19 confirmed cases represented patients who were associated with secondary schools in the local area and had been vaccinated against mumps with one (n = 2) or two (n = 17) doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. This is the first published report of an outbreak of mumps in Ontario in which all confirmed cases had been vaccinated against the disease. It highlights the limitations of and difficulties in interpreting current mumps diagnostic tests when used in vaccinated individuals. PMID:28003216

Tissue identity testing of cancer by short tandem repeat polymorphism: pitfalls of interpretation in the presence of microsatellite instability.

PubMed

Much, Melissa; Buza, Natalia; Hui, Pei

2014-03-01

Tissue identity testing by short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphism offers discriminating power in resolving tissue mix-up or contamination. However, one caveat is the presence of microsatellite unstable tumors, in which genetic alterations may drastically change the STR wild-type polymorphism leading to unexpected allelic discordance. We examined how tissue identity testing results can be altered by the presence of microsatellite instability (MSI). Eleven cases of MSI-unstable (9 intestinal and 2 endometrial adenocarcinomas) and 10 cases of MSI-stable tumors (all colorectal adenocarcinomas) were included. All had been previously tested by polymerase chain reaction testing at 5 National Cancer Institute (NCI) recommended MSI loci and/or immunohistochemistry for DNA mismatch repair proteins (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2). Tissue identity testing targeting 15 STR loci was performed using AmpF/STR Identifiler Amplification. Ten of 11 MSI-unstable tumors demonstrated novel alleles at 5 to 12 STR loci per case and frequently with 3 or more allelic peaks. However, all affected loci showed identifiable germline allele(s) in MSI-high tumors. A wild-type allelic profile was seen in 7 of 10 MSI-stable tumors. In the remaining 3 cases, isolated novel alleles were present at a unique single locus in addition to germline alleles. Loss of heterozygosity was observed frequently in both MSI-stable (6/11 cases) and MSI-unstable tumors (8/10 cases). In conclusion, MSI may significantly alter the wild-type allelic polymorphism, leading to potential interpretation errors of STR genotyping. Careful examination of the STR allelic pattern, high index of suspicion, and follow-up MSI testing are crucial to avoid erroneous conclusions and subsequent clinical and legal consequences. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Gunshot residue testing in suicides: Part I: Analysis by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray.

PubMed

Molina, D Kimberley; Martinez, Michael; Garcia, James; DiMaio, Vincent J M

2007-09-01

Several different methods can be employed to test for gunshot residue (GSR) on a deceased person's hands, including scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Each of these techniques has been extensively studied, especially on living individuals. The current studies (Part I and Part II) were designed to compare the use and utility of the different GSR testing techniques in a medical examiner setting. In Part I, the hands of deceased persons who died from undisputed suicidal handgun wounds were tested for GSR by SEM-EDX over a 4-year period. A total of 116 cases were studied and analyzed for caliber of weapon, proximity of wound, and results of GSR testing, including spatial deposition upon the hands. It was found that in only 50% of cases with a known self-inflicted gunshot wound was SEM-EDX positive for at least 1 specific particle for GSR. In 18% of the cases there was a discernible pattern (spatial distribution) of the particles on the hand such that the manner in which the weapon was held could be determined. Since only 50% of cases where the person is known to have fired a weapon immediately prior to death were positive for GSR by SEM-EDX, this test should not be relied upon to determine whether a deceased individual has discharged a firearm. Furthermore, in only 18% of cases was a discernible pattern present indicating how the firearm was held. The low sensitivity, along with the low percentage of cases with a discernible pattern, limits the usefulness of GSR test results by SEM-EDX in differentiating self-inflicted from non-self-inflicted wounds.

Excess cases of prostate cancer and estimated overdiagnosis associated with PSA testing in East Anglia

PubMed Central

Pashayan, N; Powles, J; Brown, C; Duffy, S W

2006-01-01

This study aimed to estimate the extent of ‘overdiagnosis' of prostate cancer attributable to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing in the Cambridge area between 1996 and 2002. Overdiagnosis was defined conceptually as detection of prostate cancer through PSA testing that otherwise would not have been diagnosed within the patient's lifetime. Records of PSA tests in Addenbrookes Hospital were linked to prostate cancer registrations by NHS number. Differences in prostate cancer registration rates between those receiving and not receiving prediagnosis PSA tests were calculated. The proportion of men aged 40 years or over with a prediagnosis PSA test increased from 1.4 to 5.2% from 1996 to 2002. The rate of diagnosis of prostate cancer was 45% higher (rate ratios (RR)=1.45, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.02–2.07) in men with a history of prediagnosis PSA testing. Assuming average lead times of 5 to 10 years, 40–64% of the PSA-detected cases were estimated to be overdiagnosed. In East Anglia, from 1996 to 2000, a 1.6% excess of cases was associated with PSA testing (around a quarter of the 5.3% excess incidence cases observed in East Anglia from 1996 to 2000). Further quantification of the overdiagnosis will result from continued surveillance and from linkage of incidence to testing in other hospitals. PMID:16832417

High School Economics, Cooperative Learning, and the End-of-Course-Test--A Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Beavers, Sharon

2011-01-01

The primary purpose of this twelve-week case study was to explore the use of a cooperative learning strategy with small groups of students in a 12th-grade economics class as diverse learners prepared for tests. The complete case study was based on observations of students, student surveys, focus group interviews, and interviews with educators at…

Proportion hyperglycosylated hCG: a new test for discriminating gestational trophoblastic diseases.

PubMed

Cole, Laurence A

2014-11-01

Hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a variant of hCG with large oligosaccharide side chains. Although hCG is produced by syncytiotrophoblast cells, hyperglycosylated hCG marks cytotrophoblast cell. Hyperglycosylated hCG signals placental implantation. Total hCG in serum and urine is measured by the Siemens Immulite hCG pregnancy test; the result is in milli-international unit per milliliter. Hyperglycosylated hCG is determined by the B152 microtiter plate assay; the result is in nanogram per milliliter. Hyperglycosylated hCG results can be converted to milli-international unit per milliliter equivalents by multiplying by 11. The test measures proportion hyperglycosylated hCG, hyperglycosylated hCG / total hCG. Proportion hyperglycosylated hCG marks cases intent on developing persistent hydatidiform mole (68% detection at 17% false detection). Proportion hyperglycosylated hCG also marks persistent hydatidiform mole (100% detection at 5.1% false detection). Proportion hyperglycosylated hCG distinguishes choriocarcinoma and gestational trophoblastic neoplasm cases, absolutely discriminating aggressive cases and minimally aggressive cases. Proportion hyperglycosylated hCG identifies quiescent gestational trophoblastic disease cases. It recognizes quiescent cases that become persistent disease (100% detection at 0% false positive). Proportion hyperglycosylated hCG is an invaluable test for discriminating gestational trophoblastic diseases.

Prospective, multicenter clinical trial to validate new products for skin tests in the diagnosis of allergy to penicillin.

PubMed

Fernández, J; Torres, M J; Campos, J; Arribas-Poves, F; Blanca, M

2013-01-01

Allergy to penicillin is the most commonly reported type of drug hypersensitivity. Diagnosis is currently confirmed using skin tests with benzylpenicillin reagents, ie, penicilloyl-polylysine (PPL) as the major determinant of benzylpenicillin and benzylpenicillin, benzylpenicilloate and benzylpenilloate as a minor determinant mixture (MDM). To synthesize and assess the diagnostic capacity of 2 new benzylpenicillin reagents in patients with immediate hypersensitivity reactions to B-lactams: benzylpenicilloyl octa-L-lysine (BP-OL) as the major determinant and benzylpenilloate (penilloate) as the minor determinant. Prospective multicenter clinical trial performed in 18 Spanish centers. Efficacy was assessed by detection of positive skin test results in an allergic population and negative skin test results in a nonallergic, drug-exposed population. Sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values were determined. The study sample comprised 94 allergic patients: 31 (35.23%) presented anaphylaxis, 4 (4.55%) anaphylactic shock, 51 (58.04%) urticaria, and 2 (2.27%) no specific condition. The culprit 8-lactams were amoxicillin in 63 cases (71.60%), benzypencillin in 14 cases (15.89%), cephalosporins in 2 cases (2.27%), other drugs in 3 cases (3.42%), and unidentified agents in 6 cases (6.82%). The results of testing with BP-OL were positive in 46 cases (52.3%); the results of testing with penilloate were positive in 33 cases (37.5%). When both reagents were taken into consideration, sensitivity reached 61.36% and specificity 100%. Skin testing with penilloate was significantly more often negative when the interval between the reaction and the study was longer. The sensitivity of BP-OL and penilloate was 61%. Considering that amoxicillin was the culprit drug in 71% of reactions, these results indicate that most patients were allergic to the whole group of penicillins. These data support the use of benzylpenicillin determinants in the diagnosis of allergy to beta-lactams, even in predominantly amoxicillin-allergic populations.

[Ethanol and other psychoactive substances in fatal road traffic accidents in the Czech Republic in 2008].

PubMed

Mravcík, Viktor; Zábranský, Tomás; Vorel, Frantisek

2010-01-01

To map the recent prevalence of alcohol and other psychoactive substances in deceased victims of traffic accidents in the Czech Republic. The studied sample consisted of individuals autopsied in the departments of forensic medicine who died during traffic accidents in 2008 and were toxicologically tested for one or more of the following substances: ethanol, volatile substances, cannabis, opiates, stimulants, cocaine, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates. Case definition involved alcohol cases with blood alcohol concentration (BAC) 0.2 g/kg and higher; with cannabis, detections of active THC metabolites only were taken into account; from cases where volatile substances (solvents) were detected we included into the positive cases only those where substances were not produced post mortem or in some physiological or pathological statuses. The sample consisted of 1,040 persons deceased in traffic accidents, of whom 582 (56.0%) were toxicologically tested for one or more of the substances listed above. The sample has been divided into two subsamples--one of 778 (74.8%) active participants of road traffic accidents (pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers) and other subsample consisting of 262 (25.4%) non-active participants. Ethanol was found in 38.3% of 381 tested and at least one of other psychoactive substances was found in 11.7% of 384 tested active participants--of those, stimulants (mostly methamphetamine) were found most frequently (6.5% of 337 tested), cannabis (5.9% of 203 tested) and benzodiazepines (3.9% of 363 tested active participants). Drivers were positive for ethanol in 29.2% cases, for one or more of other psychoactive substances except ethanol in 12.7% cases, most frequently for stimulants (9.2%) and cannabis (6.2%). Professional drivers were found negative for ethanol and other psychoactive substance except of one case of methamphetamine (6.7%). The study confirms high prevalence of alcohol and other psychoactive substances, especially stimulants (methamphetamine), cannabis and benzodiazepines, among deceased participants of road traffic accidents including drivers in the Czech Republic.

Courtside: The Supreme Court's View of Drug Testing High School Athletes.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carpenter, Linda J.

1996-01-01

The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard a case about mandatory drug tests for student athletes. This article discusses the case, in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the school district's right to conduct drug tests, noting its relevance to the 4th, 5th, and 14th Amendments. (SM)

Coccidioidomycosis among Scholarship Athletes and Other College Students, Arizona, USA1

PubMed Central

Stern, Nicole G.

2010-01-01

To compare coccidioidomycosis case rates among groups of young adults in a disease-endemic region, we reviewed medical charts for serologic testing and coding. Case rates were higher for scholarship athletes than for other students and paralleled 5× more serologic testing. Our findings underscore the need to routinely test patients for coccidioidomycosis. PMID:20113571

Mathematical Basis and Test Cases for Colloid-Facilitated Radionuclide Transport Modeling in GDSA-PFLOTRAN

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

Reimus, Paul William

This report provides documentation of the mathematical basis for a colloid-facilitated radionuclide transport modeling capability that can be incorporated into GDSA-PFLOTRAN. It also provides numerous test cases against which the modeling capability can be benchmarked once the model is implemented numerically in GDSA-PFLOTRAN. The test cases were run using a 1-D numerical model developed by the author, and the inputs and outputs from the 1-D model are provided in an electronic spreadsheet supplement to this report so that all cases can be reproduced in GDSA-PFLOTRAN, and the outputs can be directly compared with the 1-D model. The cases include examplesmore » of all potential scenarios in which colloid-facilitated transport could result in the accelerated transport of a radionuclide relative to its transport in the absence of colloids. Although it cannot be claimed that all the model features that are described in the mathematical basis were rigorously exercised in the test cases, the goal was to test the features that matter the most for colloid-facilitated transport; i.e., slow desorption of radionuclides from colloids, slow filtration of colloids, and equilibrium radionuclide partitioning to colloids that is strongly favored over partitioning to immobile surfaces, resulting in a substantial fraction of radionuclide mass being associated with mobile colloids.« less

A comparison of breath- and blood-alcohol test results from real-life policing situations: a one-year study of data from the Central Hessian police district in Germany.

PubMed

Roiu, Immanuel; Birngruber, Christoph G; Spencer, Victoria C; Wollersen, Heike; Dettmeyer, Reinhard; Verhoff, Marcel A

2013-10-10

So far, studies investigating the comparability of breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) with blood alcohol concentration (BAC) have focused on the accuracy of BrAC testing instruments. The presented study, conducted with cases from the district of the Middle Hessian Police Headquarters, is to the best of our knowledge the first to compare both methods under real-life conditions in normal policing situations. For a 1-year period, alcohol-impaired drunk-driving suspects, who were by criminal procedure required to give a blood sample, were offered a voluntary, additional BrAC test with a "Dräger Alcotest 7110 Evidential". The BrAC test was to be administered as soon as possible after the suspect had been apprehended, without, however, delaying the collection of the blood sample. Ninety-two cases could be included in our study. In 30 cases, a blood sample was not taken; in 11 cases, a BrAC test could not be performed. In the remaining 51 cases, we found the following pairings of BrAC and BAC results: BrAC≥0.55 mg/l and BAC≥1.1‰ (n=39); 0.25 mg/l≤BrAC<0.55 mg/l and 0.5‰≤BAC<1.1‰ (n=5); BrAC≥0.55 mg/l and BAC<1.1‰ (n=4); BrAC<0.55 mg/l and BAC≥1.1‰ (n=3). The mean value for the conversion factor, Q, was 2.12‰l/mg. In accord with numerous other studies, our study results would suggest a value of 2.1‰ l/mg to German legislature as a new statutory value for Q. In borderline cases, of which there were already 7 in our study with 51 cases, suspects could benefit both from a BrAC test or a BAC test, with the benefit lastly depending more on early testing time than on the test method used. Our results support the call for the earliest possible measurement of alcohol concentration values after a drunk driving offense was committed. In some situations, this can probably only be accomplished with BrAC testing. A supplementary blood sample and BAC testing could compensate for the known weaknesses of BrAC testing. Thus, the complementary use of both methods might be a viable option. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

30 CFR 250.524 - When am I required to take action from my casing diagnostic test?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

.../casing, tubing/riser, casing/casing, riser/casing, or riser/riser communication; (d) Any well that has... initial startup operations described in § 250.521; (e) Any hybrid well with casing or riser pressure...

A tailored approach to BRAF and MLH1 methylation testing in a universal screening program for Lynch syndrome.

PubMed

Adar, Tomer; Rodgers, Linda H; Shannon, Kristen M; Yoshida, Makoto; Ma, Tianle; Mattia, Anthony; Lauwers, Gregory Y; Iafrate, Anthony J; Chung, Daniel C

2017-03-01

To determine the correlation between BRAF genotype and MLH1 promoter methylation in a screening program for Lynch syndrome (LS), a universal screening program for LS was established in two medical centers. Tumors with abnormal MLH1 staining were evaluated for both BRAF V600E genotype and MLH1 promoter methylation. Tumors positive for both were considered sporadic, and genetic testing was recommended for all others. A total 1011 colorectal cancer cases were screened for Lynch syndrome, and 148 (14.6%) exhibited absent MLH1 immunostaining. Both BRAF and MLH1 methylation testing were completed in 126 cases. Concordant results (both positive or both negative) were obtained in 86 (68.3%) and 16 (12.7%) cases, respectively, with 81% concordance overall. The positive and negative predictive values for a BRAF mutation in predicting MLH1 promoter methylation were 98.9% and 41%, respectively, and the negative predictive value fell to 15% in patients ≥70 years old. Using BRAF genotyping as a sole test to evaluate cases with absent MLH1 staining would have increased referral rates for genetic testing by 2.3-fold compared with MLH1 methylation testing alone (31% vs 13.5%, respectively, P<0.01). However, a hybrid approach that reserves MLH1 methylation testing for BRAF wild-type cases only would significantly decrease the number of methylation assays performed and reduce the referral rate for genetic testing to 12.7%. A BRAF mutation has an excellent positive predictive value but poor negative predictive value in predicting MLH1 promoter methylation. A hybrid use of these tests may reduce the number of low-risk patients referred to genetic counseling and facilitate wider implementation of Lynch syndrome screening programs.

Influence of case-based e-learning on students' performance in point-of-care ultrasound courses: a randomized trial.

PubMed

Hempel, Dorothea; Sinnathurai, Sivajini; Haunhorst, Stephanie; Seibel, Armin; Michels, Guido; Heringer, Frank; Recker, Florian; Breitkreutz, Raoul

2016-08-01

Theoretical knowledge, visual perception, and sensorimotor skills are key elements in ultrasound education. Classroom-based presentations are used routinely to teach theoretical knowledge, whereas visual perception and sensorimotor skills typically require hands-on training (HT). We aimed to compare the effect of classroom-based lectures versus a case-based e-learning (based on clinical cases only) on the hands-on performance of trainees during an emergency ultrasound course. This is a randomized, controlled, parallel-group study. Sixty-two medical students were randomized into two groups [group 1 (G1) and group 2 (G2)]. G1 (n=29) was subjected to a precourse e-learning, based on 14 short screencasts (each 5 min), an on-site discussion (60 min), and a standardized HT session on the day of the course. G2 (n=31) received classroom-based presentations on the day of the course before an identical HT session. Both groups completed a multiple-choice (MC) pretest (test A), a practical postcourse test (objective structured clinical exam), and MC tests directly after the HT (test B) and 1 day after the course (test C). The Mann-Whitney U-test was used for statistical analysis. G1 performed markedly better in test A (median 84.2, 25%; 75% percentile: 68.5; 92.2) compared with G2 (65.8; 53.8; 80.4), who had not participated in case-based e-learning (P=0.0009). No differences were found in the objective structured clinical exam, test B, and test C. e-learning exclusively based on clinical cases is an effective method of education in preparation for HT sessions and can reduce attendance time in ultrasound courses.

Long-term trends in Chlamydia trachomatis infections and related outcomes in a U.S. managed care population.

PubMed

Scholes, Delia; Satterwhite, Catherine L; Yu, Onchee; Fine, David; Weinstock, Hillard; Berman, Stuart

2012-02-01

Given recent increasing case rates of Chlamydia trachomatis infection, we evaluated trends in chlamydia rates and related health outcomes in women and men aged 15 to 44 years who were enrolled in a Pacific Northwest health plan. We identified chlamydia, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, and male urethritis cases occurring annually during 1997-2007 using computerized health plan databases, calculating rates per 100,000 person-years (py) by gender and 5-year age groups. We also calculated annual chlamydia testing rates. In women, chlamydia testing rates increased by approximately 23% (220 tests per 1000 py in 1997 to 270 tests per 1000 in 2007). Chlamydia diagnosis rates rose from 449 cases/100,000 py in 1997 to 806/100,000 in 2007, a 79% increase (P = 0.01). Increases were greatest during 2005-2007, also the period of major conversion to nucleic acid amplification test. PID rates in this interval declined steadily from 823 cases/100,000 py to 473/100,000 (P < 0.01). Ectopic pregnancy rates remained unchanged. In men, chlamydia testing rates increased nearly 3.5-fold, from 12 to 42 tests per 1000 py. Chlamydia rates for men also rose significantly throughout the study interval (from 91 cases/100,000 py to 218/100,000; P < 0.01) as did urethritis diagnosis rates (P < 0.01). Between 1997 and 2007, annual health plan chlamydia rates increased significantly for both women and men. These trends may be due in part to increased testing rates and increased use of more sensitive tests, but they likely do not explain the increased urethritis rates. During this same interval, we observed steady declines in PID rates, consistent with other national data sources.

Congenital syphilis investigation processes and timing in Louisiana.

PubMed

Bradley, Heather; Gruber, DeAnn; Introcaso, Camille E; Foxhood, Joseph; Wendell, Debbie; Rahman, Mohammad; Ewell, Joy; Kirkcaldy, Robert D; Weinstock, Hillard S

2014-09-01

Congenital syphilis (CS) is a potentially life-threatening yet preventable infection. State and local public health jurisdictions conduct investigations of possible CS cases to determine case status and to inform public health prevention efforts. These investigations occur when jurisdictions receive positive syphilis test results from pregnant women or from infants. We extracted data from Louisiana's electronic case management system for 328 infants investigated as possible CS cases in 2010 to 2011. Using date stamps from the case management system, we described CS investigations in terms of processes and timing. Eighty-seven investigations were prompted by positive test results from women who were known to be pregnant by the health jurisdiction, and 241 investigations were prompted by positive syphilis test results from infants. Overall, investigations required a median of 101 days to complete, although 25% were complete within 36 days. Investigations prompted by positive test results from infants required a median of 135 days to complete, and those prompted by positive test results from pregnant women required a median of 41 days. Three times as many CS investigations began with reported positive syphilis test results from infants as from pregnant women, and these investigations required more time to complete. When CS investigations begin after an infant's birth, the opportunity to ensure that women are treated during pregnancy is missed, and surveillance data cannot inform prevention efforts on a timely basis. Consistently ascertaining pregnancy status among women whose positive syphilis test results are reported to public health jurisdictions could help to assure timely CS prevention efforts.

Revisiting the Rossby Haurwitz wave test case with contour advection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, Robert K.; Dritschel, David G.

2006-09-01

This paper re-examines a basic test case used for spherical shallow-water numerical models, and underscores the need for accurate, high resolution models of atmospheric and ocean dynamics. The Rossby-Haurwitz test case, first proposed by Williamson et al. [D.L. Williamson, J.B. Drake, J.J. Hack, R. Jakob, P.N. Swarztrauber, A standard test set for numerical approximations to the shallow-water equations on the sphere, J. Comput. Phys. (1992) 221-224], has been examined using a wide variety of shallow-water models in previous papers. Here, two contour-advective semi-Lagrangian (CASL) models are considered, and results are compared with previous test results. We go further by modifying this test case in a simple way to initiate a rapid breakdown of the basic wave state. This breakdown is accompanied by the formation of sharp potential vorticity gradients (fronts), placing far greater demands on the numerics than the original test case does. We also go further by examining other dynamical fields besides the height and potential vorticity, to assess how well the models deal with gravity waves. Such waves are sensitive to the presence or not of sharp potential vorticity gradients, as well as to numerical parameter settings. In particular, large time steps (convenient for semi-Lagrangian schemes) can seriously affect gravity waves but can also have an adverse impact on the primary fields of height and velocity. These problems are exacerbated by a poor resolution of potential vorticity gradients.

Memory and Learning: A Case Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Webster, Raymond E.

1986-01-01

The usefulness of the Learning Efficency Test (LET), an approach to assessing the learning efficiency and short-term memory recall capacity in children, is described via a case study demonstrating the test's use to develop instructional strategies. (CL)

Clinical and epidemiological features of typhoid fever in Pemba, Zanzibar: assessment of the performance of the WHO case definitions.

PubMed

Thriemer, Kamala; Ley, Benedikt; Ley, Benedikt B; Ame, Shaali S; Deen, Jaqueline L; Pak, Gi Deok; Chang, Na Yoon; Hashim, Ramadhan; Schmied, Wolfgang Hellmut; Busch, Clara Jana-Lui; Nixon, Shanette; Morrissey, Anne; Puri, Mahesh K; Ochiai, R Leon; Wierzba, Thomas; Clemens, John D; Ali, Mohammad; Jiddawi, Mohammad S; von Seidlein, Lorenz; Ali, Said M

2012-01-01

The gold standard for diagnosis of typhoid fever is blood culture (BC). Because blood culture is often not available in impoverished settings it would be helpful to have alternative diagnostic approaches. We therefore investigated the usefulness of clinical signs, WHO case definition and Widal test for the diagnosis of typhoid fever. Participants with a body temperature ≥37.5°C or a history of fever were enrolled over 17 to 22 months in three hospitals on Pemba Island, Tanzania. Clinical signs and symptoms of participants upon presentation as well as blood and serum for BC and Widal testing were collected. Clinical signs and symptoms of typhoid fever cases were compared to other cases of invasive bacterial diseases and BC negative participants. The relationship of typhoid fever cases with rainfall, temperature, and religious festivals was explored. The performance of the WHO case definitions for suspected and probable typhoid fever and a local cut off titre for the Widal test was assessed. 79 of 2209 participants had invasive bacterial disease. 46 isolates were identified as typhoid fever. Apart from a longer duration of fever prior to admission clinical signs and symptoms were not significantly different among patients with typhoid fever than from other febrile patients. We did not detect any significant seasonal patterns nor correlation with rainfall or festivals. The sensitivity and specificity of the WHO case definition for suspected and probable typhoid fever were 82.6% and 41.3% and 36.3 and 99.7% respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of the Widal test was 47.8% and 99.4 both forfor O-agglutinin and H- agglutinin at a cut-off titre of 1:80. Typhoid fever prevalence rates on Pemba are high and its clinical signs and symptoms are non-specific. The sensitivity of the Widal test is low and the WHO case definition performed better than the Widal test.

A prevalence-based association test for case-control studies.

PubMed

Ryckman, Kelli K; Jiang, Lan; Li, Chun; Bartlett, Jacquelaine; Haines, Jonathan L; Williams, Scott M

2008-11-01

Genetic association is often determined in case-control studies by the differential distribution of alleles or genotypes. Recent work has demonstrated that association can also be assessed by deviations from the expected distributions of alleles or genotypes. Specifically, multiple methods motivated by the principles of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) have been developed. However, these methods do not take into account many of the assumptions of HWE. Therefore, we have developed a prevalence-based association test (PRAT) as an alternative method for detecting association in case-control studies. This method, also motivated by the principles of HWE, uses an estimated population allele frequency to generate expected genotype frequencies instead of using the case and control frequencies separately. Our method often has greater power, under a wide variety of genetic models, to detect association than genotypic, allelic or Cochran-Armitage trend association tests. Therefore, we propose PRAT as a powerful alternative method of testing for association.

Six consecutive false positive cases from cell-free fetal DNA testing in a single referring centre

PubMed Central

Dugo, Nella; Padula, Francesco; Mobili, Luisa; Brizzi, Cristiana; D’Emidio, Laura; Cignini, Pietro; Mesoraca, Alvaro; Bizzoco, Domenico; Cima, Antonella; Giorlandino, Claudio

2014-01-01

Introduction recent studies have proposed the introduction of cell-free fetal DNA testing (NIPT-Non Invasive Prenatal Testing) in routine clinical practice emphasizing its high sensibility and specificity. In any case, false positive and false negative findings may result from placental mosaicism, because cell-free fetal DNA originates mainly from placenta. Case we report six cases of women who underwent chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis to confirm the results from NIPT: two Turner syndromes, two Triple X, one Patau syndrome, one Edward syndrome. Results using classic cytogenetic analysis and, also, Array - Comparative Genomic Hybridization (Array CGH) the karyotype of all 5 fetuses was found to be normal. Conclusion results from NIPT must always be confirmed by invasive prenatal diagnosis. It is mandatory to inform the patient that the CVS and amniocentesis still represent the only form of prenatal diagnostic test available. PMID:25332757

Directed Design of Experiments for Validating Probability of Detection Capability of a Testing System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Generazio, Edward R. (Inventor)

2012-01-01

A method of validating a probability of detection (POD) testing system using directed design of experiments (DOE) includes recording an input data set of observed hit and miss or analog data for sample components as a function of size of a flaw in the components. The method also includes processing the input data set to generate an output data set having an optimal class width, assigning a case number to the output data set, and generating validation instructions based on the assigned case number. An apparatus includes a host machine for receiving the input data set from the testing system and an algorithm for executing DOE to validate the test system. The algorithm applies DOE to the input data set to determine a data set having an optimal class width, assigns a case number to that data set, and generates validation instructions based on the case number.

Testing expert systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chang, C. L.; Stachowitz, R. A.

1988-01-01

Software quality is of primary concern in all large-scale expert system development efforts. Building appropriate validation and test tools for ensuring software reliability of expert systems is therefore required. The Expert Systems Validation Associate (EVA) is a validation system under development at the Lockheed Artificial Intelligence Center. EVA provides a wide range of validation and test tools to check correctness, consistency, and completeness of an expert system. Testing a major function of EVA. It means executing an expert system with test cases with the intent of finding errors. In this paper, we describe many different types of testing such as function-based testing, structure-based testing, and data-based testing. We describe how appropriate test cases may be selected in order to perform good and thorough testing of an expert system.

Cost-effectiveness of one-time genetic testing to minimize lifetime adverse drug reactions.

PubMed

Alagoz, O; Durham, D; Kasirajan, K

2016-04-01

We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of one-time pharmacogenomic testing for preventing adverse drug reactions (ADRs) over a patient's lifetime. We developed a Markov-based Monte Carlo microsimulation model to represent the ADR events in the lifetime of each patient. The base-case considered a 40-year-old patient. We measured health outcomes in life years (LYs) and quality-adjusted LYs (QALYs) and estimated costs using 2013 US$. In the base-case, one-time genetic testing had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $43,165 (95% confidence interval (CI) is ($42,769,$43,561)) per additional LY and $53,680 per additional QALY (95% CI is ($53,182,$54,179)), hence under the base-case one-time genetic testing is cost-effective. The ICER values were most sensitive to the average probability of death due to ADR, reduction in ADR rate due to genetic testing, mean ADR rate and cost of genetic testing.

Results from a large-scale epidemiologic look-back investigation of improperly reprocessed endoscopy equipment.

PubMed

Holodniy, Mark; Oda, Gina; Schirmer, Patricia L; Lucero, Cynthia A; Khudyakov, Yury E; Xia, Guoliang; Lin, Yulin; Valdiserri, Ronald; Duncan, William E; Davey, Victoria J; Cross, Gerald M

2012-07-01

To determine whether improper high-level disinfection practices during endoscopy procedures resulted in bloodborne viral infection transmission.  Retrospective cohort study.  Four Veterans Affairs medical centers (VAMCs).  Veterans who underwent colonoscopy and laryngoscopy (ear, nose, and throat [ENT]) procedures from 2003 to 2009.  Patients were identified through electronic health record searches and serotested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and hepatitis B virus (HBV). Newly discovered case patients were linked to a potential source with known identical infection, whose procedure occurred no more than 1 day prior to the case patient's procedure. Viral genetic testing was performed for case/proximate pairs to determine relatedness.  Of 10,737 veterans who underwent endoscopy at 4 VAMCs, 9,879 patients agreed to viral testing. Of these, 90 patients were newly diagnosed with 1 or more viral bloodborne pathogens (BBPs). There were no case/proximate pairings found for patients with either HIV or HBV; 24 HCV case/proximate pairings were found, of which 7 case patients and 8 proximate patients had sufficient viral load for further genetic testing. Only 2 of these cases, both of whom underwent laryngoscopy, and their 4 proximates agreed to further testing. None of the 4 remaining proximate patients who underwent colonoscopy agreed to further testing. Mean genetic distance between the 2 case patients and 4 proximate patients ranged from 13.5% to 19.1%.  Our investigation revealed that exposure to improperly reprocessed ENT endoscopes did not result in viral transmission in those patients who had viral genetic analysis performed. Any potential transmission of BBPs from colonoscopy remains unknown.

Ethical, Legal and Social Issues in Japan on the Determination of Blood Relationship via DNA Testing.

PubMed

Toya, Waki

2017-01-01

DNA paternity testing has recently become more widely available in Japan. The aim of this paper is to examine the issues surrounding (1) the implementing agency, whether the testing is conducted in a commercial direct-to-consumer (DTC) setting or a judicial non-DTC setting, and (2) the implementation conditions and more specifically the legal capacity of the proband (test subject). Literature research in Japanese and English was conducted. Some countries prohibit commercial DNA testing without the consent of the proband or her or his legally authorized representative. But as in some cases, the results of DTC paternity testing have proven to be unreliable. I propose a complete prohibition of DTC DNA paternity testing in Japan. In many cases of paternity testing, the proband is a minor. This has led to debate about whether proxy consent is sufficient for paternity testing or whether additional safeguards (such as a court order) are required. In cases where commercial DNA testing has been conducted and the test results are produced in court as evidence, the court must judge whether or not to admit these results as evidence. Another important issue is whether or not paternity testing should be legally mandated in certain cases. If we come to the conclusion that DNA test results are the only way to conclusively establish a parent-child relationship, then our society may prioritize even more genetic relatedness over other conceptions of a parent-child relationship. This prioritization could adversely affect families created through assisted reproductive technology (ART), especially in situations where children are not aware of their biological parentage. This paper argues for a complete prohibition of DTC DNA paternity testing in Japan, and highlights that broader ethical and legal deliberation on such genetic services is required.

New endemic foci of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) identified in districts where testing for TBE was not available before 2009 in Poland

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is found in limited endemic foci in Poland. Lack of diagnosis limits disease detection in non-endemic provinces. Methods In 2009, we enhanced TBE surveillance to confirm the location of endemic foci and inform vaccination policy. In 105 hospitals located in 11/16 provinces, we identified suspected TBE cases through admission ICD-10 codes indicating aseptic meningo-encephalitis or from specimens tested for TBE. The National Reference Laboratory confirmed cases at no cost, by testing serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid using ELISA method. We calculated TBE reported rates as the number of confirmed TBE cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Adjusting to neighbouring districts, we classified districts as non-endemic (<0.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), low endemic (> = 0.1 to <1), moderately endemic (> = 1 to <5) and highly endemic (> = 5). We compared surveillance data obtained in 2009 with 2004–2008 baseline data. Results Among 166,099 admissions, we identified 1,585 suspected TBE cases of which 256 were confirmed. Physicians reported more suspected cases among patients <40 years old (12 cases per 1,000 admissions) than among older patients (8 cases per 1,000 admissions). However, patients <40 years of age were confirmed less frequently (16%), than older patients (35%). Physicians reported more suspected cases in districts classed as endemic during 2004–2008 (12 cases per 1,000 admissions, 77% tested for TBE) than in districts classed as non-endemic (7 cases per 1,000 admissions, 59% tested). Of the 38 newly identified endemic districts, 31 were adjacent to 2004–2008 endemic districts and 7 were isolated. Conclusions Enhanced surveillance detected 38 new endemic districts to be considered for TBE vaccination. However, lack of consistent testing in districts believed to be TBE-free remained an obstacle for mapping TBE risk. Although the disease affects mostly older adults and the elderly, more attention is given to the diagnosis of TBE in young patients. Solutions need to be identified to sustain sensitive, acceptable and affordable TBE surveillance in all districts of Poland. Also, higher attention should be given to the diagnosis of TBE in the elderly. PMID:23777675

A case management tool for occupational health nurses: development, testing, and application.

PubMed

Mannon, J A; Conrad, K M; Blue, C L; Muran, S

1994-08-01

1. Case management is a process of coordinating an individual client's health care services to achieve optimal, quality care delivered in a cost effective manner. The case manager establishes a provider network, recommends treatment plans that assure quality and efficacy while controlling costs, monitors outcomes, and maintains a strong communication link among all the parties. 2. Through development of audit tools such as the one presented in this article, occupational health nurses can document case management activities and provide employers with measurable outcomes. 3. The Case Management Activity Checklist was tested using data from 61 firefighters' musculoskeletal injury cases. 4. The activities on the checklist are a step by step process: case identification/case disposition; assessment; return to work plan; resource identification; collaborative communication; and evaluation.

Interest in Genetic Testing in Ashkenazi Jewish Parkinson’s Disease Patients and Their Unaffected Relatives

PubMed Central

Gupte, Manisha; Alcalay, Roy N.; Mejia-Santana, Helen; Raymond, Deborah; Saunders-Pullman, Rachel; Roos, Ernest; Orbe-Reily, Martha; Tang, Ming-X; Mirelman, Anat; Ozelius, Laurie; Orr-Urtreger, Avi; Clark, Lorraine; Giladi, Nir; Bressman, Susan

2014-01-01

Our objective was to explore interest in genetic testing among Ashkenazi Jewish (AJ) Parkinson’s Disease (PD) cases and first-degree relatives, as genetic testing for LRRK2 G2019S is widely available. Approximately 18 % of AJ PD cases carry G2019S mutations; penetrance estimations vary between 24 and 100 % by age 80. A Genetic Attitude Questionnaire (GAQ) was administered at two New York sites to PD families unaware of LRRK2 G2019S mutation status. The association of G2019S, age, education, gender and family history of PD with desire for genetic testing (outcome) was modeled using logistic regression. One-hundred eleven PD cases and 77 relatives completed the GAQ. Both PD cases and relatives had excellent PD-specific genetic knowledge. Among PD, 32.6 % “definitely” and 41.1 % “probably” wanted testing, if offered “now.” Among relatives, 23.6 % “definitely” and 36.1 % “probably” wanted testing “now.” Desire for testing in relatives increased incrementally based on hypothetical risk of PD. The most important reasons for testing in probands and relatives were: if it influenced medication response, identifying no mutation, and early prevention and treatment. In logistic regression, older age was associated with less desire for testing in probands OR=0.921 95%CI 0.868–0.977, p=0.009. Both probands and relatives express interest in genetic testing, despite no link to current treatment or prevention. PMID:25127731

Qualification of the RSRM case membrane case-to-insulation bondline inspection using the Thiokol Corporation ultrasonic RSRM bondline inspection system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cook, M.

1990-01-01

Qualification testing of Combustion Engineering's AMDATA Intraspect/98 Data Acquisition and Imaging System that applies to the redesigned solid rocket motor (RSRM) case membrane case-to-insulation bondline inspection was performed. Testing was performed at M-67, the Thiokol Corp. RSRM Assembly Facility. The purpose of the inspection was to verify the integrity of the case membrane case-to-insulation bondline. The case membrane scanner was calibrated on the redesigned solid rocket motor case segment calibration standard, which had an intentional 1.0 by 1.0 in. case-to-insulation unbond. The case membrane scanner was then used to scan a 20 by 20 in. membrane area of the case segment. Calibration of the scanner was then rechecked on the calibration standard to ensure that the calibration settings did not change during the case membrane scan. This procedure was successfully performed five times to qualify the unbond detection capability of the case membrane scanner.

Pediatric Contact Dermatitis Registry Inaugural Case Data.

PubMed

Goldenberg, Alina; Mousdicas, Nico; Silverberg, Nanette; Powell, Douglas; Pelletier, Janice L; Silverberg, Jonathan I; Zippin, Jonathan; Fonacier, Luz; Tosti, Antonella; Lawley, Leslie; Wu Chang, Mary; Scheman, Andrew; Kleiner, Gary; Williams, Judith; Watsky, Kalman; Dunnick, Cory A; Frederickson, Rachel; Matiz, Catalina; Chaney, Keri; Estes, Tracy S; Botto, Nina; Draper, Michelle; Kircik, Leon; Lugo-Somolinos, Aida; Machler, Brian; Jacob, Sharon E

2016-01-01

Little is known about the epidemiology of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in US children. More widespread diagnostic confirmation through epicutaneous patch testing is needed. The aim was to quantify patch test results from providers evaluating US children. The study is a retrospective analysis of deidentified patch test results of children aged 18 years or younger, entered by participating providers in the Pediatric Contact Dermatitis Registry, during the first year of data collection (2015-2016). One thousand one hundred forty-two cases from 34 US states, entered by 84 providers, were analyzed. Sixty-five percent of cases had one or more positive patch test (PPT), with 48% of cases having 1 or more relevant positive patch test (RPPT). The most common PPT allergens were nickel (22%), fragrance mix I (11%), cobalt (9.1%), balsam of Peru (8.4%), neomycin (7.2%), propylene glycol (6.8%), cocamidopropyl betaine (6.4%), bacitracin (6.2%), formaldehyde (5.7%), and gold (5.7%). This US database provides multidisciplinary information on pediatric ACD, rates of PPT, and relevant RPPT reactions, validating the high rates of pediatric ACD previously reported in the literature. The registry database is the largest comprehensive collection of US-only pediatric patch test cases on which future research can be built. Continued collaboration between patients, health care providers, manufacturers, and policy makers is needed to decrease the most common allergens in pediatric consumer products.

The preparedness level of final year medical students for an adequate medical approach to emergency cases: computer-based medical education in emergency medicine

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background We aimed to observe the preparedness level of final year medical students in approaching emergencies by computer-based simulation training and evaluate the efficacy of the program. Methods A computer-based prototype simulation program (Lsim), designed by researchers from the medical education and computer science departments, was used to present virtual cases for medical learning. Fifty-four final year medical students from Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine attended an education program on June 20, 2012 and were trained with Lsim. Volunteer attendants completed a pre-test and post-test exam at the beginning and end of the course, respectively, on the same day. Results Twenty-nine of the 54 students who attended the course accepted to take the pre-test and post-test exams; 58.6% (n = 17) were female. In 10 emergency medical cases, an average of 3.9 correct medical approaches were performed in the pre-test and an average of 9.6 correct medical approaches were performed in the post-test (t = 17.18, P = 0.006). Conclusions This study’s results showed that the readiness level of students for an adequate medical approach to emergency cases was very low. Computer-based training could help in the adequate approach of students to various emergency cases. PMID:24386919

Case Study Approaches for Implementing the 2007 NRC Report “Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century: A Vision and A Strategy”

PubMed Central

Andersen, Melvin E.; Clewell, Harvey J.; Carmichael, Paul L.; Boekelheide, Kim

2013-01-01

The 2007 report “Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century: A Vision and A Strategy” argued for a change in toxicity testing for environmental agents and discussed federal funding mechanisms that could be used to support this transformation within the USA. The new approach would test for in vitro perturbations of toxicity pathways using human cells with high throughput testing platforms. The NRC report proposed a deliberate timeline, spanning about 20 years, to implement a wholesale replacement of current in-life toxicity test approaches focused on apical responses with in vitro assays. One approach to accelerating implementation is to focus on well-studied prototype compounds with known toxicity pathway targets. Through a series of carefully executed case studies with four or five pathway prototypes, the various steps required for implementation of an in vitro toxicity pathway approach to risk assessment could be developed and refined. In this article, we discuss alternative approaches for implementation and also outline advantages of a case study approach and the manner in which the cases studies could be pursued using current methodologies. A case study approach would be complementary to recently proposed efforts to map the human toxome, while representing a significant extension toward more formal risk assessment compared to the profiling and prioritization approaches offered by programs such as the EPA’s ToxCast effort. PMID:21993955

Brucellosis as a neglected disease in a neglected population: a seroepidemiological study of migratory nomads in the Fars province of Iran.

PubMed

Honarvar, B; Moghadami, M; Lankarani, K B; Davarpanah, M A; Ataolahi, M; Farbod, A; Eskandari, E; Panahi, M; Ghorbani, A; Zahiri, Z; Tabrizi, R; Pourjafar, M; Heidari, S M M

2017-02-01

This study assessed the seroprevalence of brucellosis and its risk factors in migratory nomads in the Fars province of Iran. Active brucellosis was defined as the combination of clinical symptoms, including fever, chills, night sweats, headache, low back pain, arthralgia, or myalgia, and positive laboratory testing, including either a serum agglutination test (SAT) ⩾1:80 with a 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) test ⩾1:40, or a SAT <1:80 combined with a positive Coombs Wright test (CWT) at a titre of at least threefold higher than SAT titre results. For the 536 participants, the female (316, 59%) to male (220, 41%) ratio was 1·4 and the participants' mean age was 32·4 ± 18·9 (range 1-96) years. Of all participants, 325 (60·6%) showed clinical symptoms; in symptomatic participants, the Rose Bengal plate test was positive in 33 (6·1%) cases, the SAT was positive in 18 (3·3%) cases, and the 2-ME test was positive in 30 (5·5%) cases. Positive SAT and 2-ME results were seen in 18 (3·3%) cases, but a negative SAT and a positive CWT were found in 36 (6·7%) cases. As a result, active brucellosis was detected in 54 cases, indicating a prevalence of 10% (95% confidence interval 8-12). In conclusion, we determined that brucellosis is a prevalent yet neglected disease in this nomadic population. Brucellosis control is not possible as long as these high-risk populations remain neglected.

Affirm VPIII microbial identification test can be used to detect gardnerella vaginalis, Candida albicans and trichomonas vaginalis microbial infections in Korean women.

PubMed

Byun, Seung Won; Park, Yeon Joon; Hur, Soo Young

2016-04-01

The aim of this study was to compare Affirm VPIII Microbial Identification Test results for Korean women to those obtained for Gardnerella vaginalis through Nugent score, Candida albicans based on vaginal culture and Trichomonas vaginalis based on wet smear diagnostic standards. Study participants included 195 women with symptomatic or asymptomatic vulvovaginitis under hospital obstetric or gynecologic care. A definite diagnosis was made based on Nugent score for Gardnerella, vaginal culture for Candida and wet prep for Trichomonas vaginalis. Affirm VPIII Microbial Identification Test results were then compared to diagnostic standard results. Of the 195 participants, 152 were symptomatic, while 43 were asymptomatic. Final diagnosis revealed 68 (37.87%) cases of Gardnerella, 29 (14.87%) cases of Candida, one (0.51%) case of Trichomonas, and 10 (5.10%) cases of mixed infections. The detection rates achieved by each detection method (Affirm assay vs diagnostic standard) for Gardnerella and Candida were not significantly different (33.33% vs 34.8% for Gardnerella, 13.33% vs 14.87% for Candida, respectively). The sensitivity and specificity of the Affirm test for Gardnerella compared to the diagnostic standard were 75.0% and 88.98%, respectively. For Candida, the sensitivity and specificity of the Affirm test compared to the diagnostic standard were 82.76% and 98.80%, respectively. The number of Trichomonas cases was too small (1 case) to be statistically analyzed. The Affirm test is a quick tool that can help physicians diagnose and treat patients with infectious vaginitis at the point of care. © 2016 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Progress towards implementation of ACT malaria case-management in public health facilities in the Republic of Sudan: a cluster-sample survey

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Effective malaria case-management based on artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) and parasitological diagnosis is a major pillar within the 2007-2012 National Malaria Strategic Plan in the Sudan. Three years after the launch of the strategy a health facility survey was undertaken to evaluate case-management practices and readiness of the health facilities and health workers to implement a new malaria case-management strategy. Methods A cross-sectional, cluster sample survey was undertaken at public health facilities in 15 states of Sudan. Data were collected using quality-of-care assessment methods. The main outcomes were the proportions of facilities with ACTs and malaria diagnostics; proportions of health workers exposed to malaria related health systems support activities; and composite and individual indicators of case-management practices for febrile outpatients stratified by age, availability of ACTs and diagnostics, use of malaria diagnostics, and test result. Results We evaluated 244 facilities, 294 health workers and 1,643 consultations for febrile outpatients (425 < 5 years and 1,218 ≥ 5 years). Health facility and health worker readiness was variable: chloroquine was available at only 5% of facilities, 73% stocked recommended artesunate and sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (AS+SP), 51% had the capacity to perform parasitological diagnosis, 53% of health workers had received in-service training on ACTs, 24% were trained in the use of malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests, and 19% had received a supervisory visit including malaria case-management. At all health facilities 46% of febrile patients were parasitologically tested and 35% of patients were both, tested and treated according to test result. At facilities where AS+SP and malaria diagnostics were available 66% of febrile patients were tested and 51% were both, tested and treated according to test result. Among test positive patients 64% were treated with AS+SP but 24% were treated with artemether monotherapy. Among test negative patients only 17% of patients were treated for malaria. The majority of ACT dispensing and counseling practices were suboptimal. Conclusions Five years following change of the policy from chloroquine to ACTs and 3 years before the end of the new malaria strategic plan chloroquine was successfully phased out from public facilities in Sudan, however, an important gap remained in the availability of ACTs, diagnostic capacities and coverage with malaria case-management activities. The national scale-up of diagnostics, using the findings of this survey as well as future qualitative research, should present an opportunity not only to expand existing testing capacities but also to implement effective support interventions to bridge the health systems gaps and support corrective case-management measures, including the discontinuation of artemether monotherapy treatment. PMID:22221821

Population-based surveillance for bacterial meningitis in China, September 2006-December 2009.

PubMed

Li, Yixing; Yin, Zundong; Shao, Zhujun; Li, Manshi; Liang, Xiaofeng; Sandhu, Hardeep S; Hadler, Stephen C; Li, Junhong; Sun, Yinqi; Li, Jing; Zou, Wenjing; Lin, Mei; Zuo, Shuyan; Mayer, Leonard W; Novak, Ryan T; Zhu, Bingqing; Xu, Li; Luo, Huiming

2014-01-01

During September 2006-December 2009, we conducted active population and sentinel laboratory-based surveillance for bacterial meningitis pathogens, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae type b, in 4 China prefectures. We identified 7,876 acute meningitis and encephalitis syndrome cases, including 6,388 among prefecture residents. A total of 833 resident cases from sentinel hospitals met the World Health Organization case definition for probable bacterial meningitis; 339 of these cases were among children <5 years of age. Laboratory testing confirmed bacterial meningitis in 74 of 3,391 tested cases. The estimated annual incidence (per 100,000 population) of probable bacterial meningitis ranged from 1.84 to 2.93 for the entire population and from 6.95 to 22.30 for children <5 years old. Active surveillance with laboratory confirmation has provided a population-based estimate of the number of probable bacterial meningitis cases in China, but more complete laboratory testing is needed to better define the epidemiology of the disease in this country.

Fatigue after stroke: the development and evaluation of a case definition.

PubMed

Lynch, Joanna; Mead, Gillian; Greig, Carolyn; Young, Archie; Lewis, Susan; Sharpe, Michael

2007-11-01

While fatigue after stroke is a common problem, it has no generally accepted definition. Our aim was to develop a case definition for post-stroke fatigue and to test its psychometric properties. A case definition with face validity and an associated structured interview was constructed. After initial piloting, the feasibility, reliability (test-retest and inter-rater) and concurrent validity (in relation to four fatigue severity scales) were determined in 55 patients with stroke. All participating patients provided satisfactory answers to all the case definition probe questions demonstrating its feasibility For test-retest reliability, kappa was 0.78 (95% CI, 0.57-0.94, P<.01) and for inter-rater reliability kappa was 0.80 (95% CI, 0.62-0.99, P<.01). Patients fulfilling the case definition also had substantially higher fatigue scores on four fatigue severity scales (P<.001) indicating concurrent validity. The proposed case definition is feasible to administer and reliable in practice, and there is evidence of concurrent validity. It requires further evaluation in different settings.

Population-based Surveillance for Bacterial Meningitis in China, September 2006–December 2009

PubMed Central

Li, Yixing; Yin, Zundong; Shao, Zhujun; Li, Manshi; Liang, Xiaofeng; Sandhu, Hardeep S.; Hadler, Stephen C.; Li, Junhong; Sun, Yinqi; Li, Jing; Zou, Wenjing; Lin, Mei; Zuo, Shuyan; Mayer, Leonard W.; Novak, Ryan T.; Zhu, Bingqing; Xu, Li

2014-01-01

During September 2006–December 2009, we conducted active population and sentinel laboratory–based surveillance for bacterial meningitis pathogens, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae type b, in 4 China prefectures. We identified 7,876 acute meningitis and encephalitis syndrome cases, including 6,388 among prefecture residents. A total of 833 resident cases from sentinel hospitals met the World Health Organization case definition for probable bacterial meningitis; 339 of these cases were among children <5 years of age. Laboratory testing confirmed bacterial meningitis in 74 of 3,391 tested cases. The estimated annual incidence (per 100,000 population) of probable bacterial meningitis ranged from 1.84 to 2.93 for the entire population and from 6.95 to 22.30 for children <5 years old. Active surveillance with laboratory confirmation has provided a population-based estimate of the number of probable bacterial meningitis cases in China, but more complete laboratory testing is needed to better define the epidemiology of the disease in this country. PMID:24377388

Predicate Argument Structure Analysis for Use Case Description Modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takeuchi, Hironori; Nakamura, Taiga; Yamaguchi, Takahira

In a large software system development project, many documents are prepared and updated frequently. In such a situation, support is needed for looking through these documents easily to identify inconsistencies and to maintain traceability. In this research, we focus on the requirements documents such as use cases and consider how to create models from the use case descriptions in unformatted text. In the model construction, we propose a few semantic constraints based on the features of the use cases and use them for a predicate argument structure analysis to assign semantic labels to actors and actions. With this approach, we show that we can assign semantic labels without enhancing any existing general lexical resources such as case frame dictionaries and design a less language-dependent model construction architecture. By using the constructed model, we consider a system for quality analysis of the use cases and automated test case generation to keep the traceability between document sets. We evaluated the reuse of the existing use cases and generated test case steps automatically with the proposed prototype system from real-world use cases in the development of a system using a packaged application. Based on the evaluation, we show how to construct models with high precision from English and Japanese use case data. Also, we could generate good test cases for about 90% of the real use cases through the manual improvement of the descriptions based on the feedback from the quality analysis system.

High-dose calcium stimulation test in a case of insulinoma masquerading as hysteria.

PubMed

Nakamura, Yoshio; Doi, Ryuichiro; Kohno, Yasuhiro; Shimono, Dai; Kuwamura, Naomitsu; Inoue, Koichi; Koshiyama, Hiroyuki; Imamura, Masayuki

2002-11-01

It is reported that some cases with insulinoma present with neuropsychiatric symptoms and are often misdiagnosed as psychosis. Here we report a case of insulinoma masquerading as hysteria, whose final diagnosis could be made using high-dose calcium stimulation test. A 28-yr-old woman was referred presenting with substupor, mutism, mannerism, restlessness, and incoherence. Laboratory examinations revealed hypoglycemia (33 mg/dL) and detectable insulin levels (9.7 microU/mL), suggesting the diagnosis of insulinoma. However, neither imaging studies nor selective arterial calcium injection (SACI) test with a conventional dose of calcium (0.025 mEq/kg) indicated the tumor. High-dose calcium injection (0.05 mEq/kg) evoked insulin secretion when injected into superior mesenteric artery. A solitary tumor in the head of the pancreas was resected, and her plasma glucose returned to normal. Postoperatively, iv injection of secretin resulted in a normal response of insulin, which was not found preoperatively. This case suggests the usefulness of the SACI test with high-dose of calcium in the case of insulinoma when the standard dose fails to detect such a tumor.

A comparison of fitness-case sampling methods for genetic programming

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martínez, Yuliana; Naredo, Enrique; Trujillo, Leonardo; Legrand, Pierrick; López, Uriel

2017-11-01

Genetic programming (GP) is an evolutionary computation paradigm for automatic program induction. GP has produced impressive results but it still needs to overcome some practical limitations, particularly its high computational cost, overfitting and excessive code growth. Recently, many researchers have proposed fitness-case sampling methods to overcome some of these problems, with mixed results in several limited tests. This paper presents an extensive comparative study of four fitness-case sampling methods, namely: Interleaved Sampling, Random Interleaved Sampling, Lexicase Selection and Keep-Worst Interleaved Sampling. The algorithms are compared on 11 symbolic regression problems and 11 supervised classification problems, using 10 synthetic benchmarks and 12 real-world data-sets. They are evaluated based on test performance, overfitting and average program size, comparing them with a standard GP search. Comparisons are carried out using non-parametric multigroup tests and post hoc pairwise statistical tests. The experimental results suggest that fitness-case sampling methods are particularly useful for difficult real-world symbolic regression problems, improving performance, reducing overfitting and limiting code growth. On the other hand, it seems that fitness-case sampling cannot improve upon GP performance when considering supervised binary classification.

Case-based debates: an innovative teaching tool in nephrology education.

PubMed

Jhaveri, Kenar D; Chawla, Arun; Shah, Hitesh H

2012-01-01

Medical educators have called for new teaching methods and materials that supplement the traditional lecture format, and education in a range of health professions, including medicine, nursing, and pharmacy, is using a game-based approach to teach learners. Here, we describe a novel teaching tool in a case-based debate using the game format. Two teams of first- and second-year nephrology fellows participated in a PowerPoint game-based debate about which tests to order to diagnose transplant-related case. Our pilot study assessed the participant acceptance of case-based debate sessions and rewards system, and participant perceptions of using this approach to teach fellows and residents the importance of each test ordered and its cost-effectiveness in medicine. Each test ordered requires an explanation and has a point value attached to it (based on relevance and cost of positive and negative test results). The team that comes up with the diagnosis with most points wins the game. A faculty member leads a short concluding discussion. Subjective evaluations found these case-based debates to be highly entertaining and thought-provoking and to enhance self-directed learning.

Valid statistical inference methods for a case-control study with missing data.

PubMed

Tian, Guo-Liang; Zhang, Chi; Jiang, Xuejun

2018-04-01

The main objective of this paper is to derive the valid sampling distribution of the observed counts in a case-control study with missing data under the assumption of missing at random by employing the conditional sampling method and the mechanism augmentation method. The proposed sampling distribution, called the case-control sampling distribution, can be used to calculate the standard errors of the maximum likelihood estimates of parameters via the Fisher information matrix and to generate independent samples for constructing small-sample bootstrap confidence intervals. Theoretical comparisons of the new case-control sampling distribution with two existing sampling distributions exhibit a large difference. Simulations are conducted to investigate the influence of the three different sampling distributions on statistical inferences. One finding is that the conclusion by the Wald test for testing independency under the two existing sampling distributions could be completely different (even contradictory) from the Wald test for testing the equality of the success probabilities in control/case groups under the proposed distribution. A real cervical cancer data set is used to illustrate the proposed statistical methods.

A rule-based software test data generator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Deason, William H.; Brown, David B.; Chang, Kai-Hsiung; Cross, James H., II

1991-01-01

Rule-based software test data generation is proposed as an alternative to either path/predicate analysis or random data generation. A prototype rule-based test data generator for Ada programs is constructed and compared to a random test data generator. Four Ada procedures are used in the comparison. Approximately 2000 rule-based test cases and 100,000 randomly generated test cases are automatically generated and executed. The success of the two methods is compared using standard coverage metrics. Simple statistical tests showing that even the primitive rule-based test data generation prototype is significantly better than random data generation are performed. This result demonstrates that rule-based test data generation is feasible and shows great promise in assisting test engineers, especially when the rule base is developed further.

Advanced Subsonic Technology (AST) Area of Interest (AOI) 6: Develop and Validate Aeroelastic Codes for Turbomachinery

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gardner, Kevin D.; Liu, Jong-Shang; Murthy, Durbha V.; Kruse, Marlin J.; James, Darrell

1999-01-01

AlliedSignal Engines, in cooperation with NASA GRC (National Aeronautics and Space Administration Glenn Research Center), completed an evaluation of recently-developed aeroelastic computer codes using test cases from the AlliedSignal Engines fan blisk and turbine databases. Test data included strain gage, performance, and steady-state pressure information obtained for conditions where synchronous or flutter vibratory conditions were found to occur. Aeroelastic codes evaluated included quasi 3-D UNSFLO (MIT Developed/AE Modified, Quasi 3-D Aeroelastic Computer Code), 2-D FREPS (NASA-Developed Forced Response Prediction System Aeroelastic Computer Code), and 3-D TURBO-AE (NASA/Mississippi State University Developed 3-D Aeroelastic Computer Code). Unsteady pressure predictions for the turbine test case were used to evaluate the forced response prediction capabilities of each of the three aeroelastic codes. Additionally, one of the fan flutter cases was evaluated using TURBO-AE. The UNSFLO and FREPS evaluation predictions showed good agreement with the experimental test data trends, but quantitative improvements are needed. UNSFLO over-predicted turbine blade response reductions, while FREPS under-predicted them. The inviscid TURBO-AE turbine analysis predicted no discernible blade response reduction, indicating the necessity of including viscous effects for this test case. For the TURBO-AE fan blisk test case, significant effort was expended getting the viscous version of the code to give converged steady flow solutions for the transonic flow conditions. Once converged, the steady solutions provided an excellent match with test data and the calibrated DAWES (AlliedSignal 3-D Viscous Steady Flow CFD Solver). However, efforts expended establishing quality steady-state solutions prevented exercising the unsteady portion of the TURBO-AE code during the present program. AlliedSignal recommends that unsteady pressure measurement data be obtained for both test cases examined for use in aeroelastic code validation.

Determining the optimal approach to identifying individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: The DOC study.

PubMed

Ronaldson, Sarah J; Dyson, Lisa; Clark, Laura; Hewitt, Catherine E; Torgerson, David J; Cooper, Brendan G; Kearney, Matt; Laughey, William; Raghunath, Raghu; Steele, Lisa; Rhodes, Rebecca; Adamson, Joy

2018-06-01

Early identification of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) results in patients receiving appropriate management for their condition at an earlier stage in their disease. The determining the optimal approach to identifying individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (DOC) study was a case-finding study to enhance early identification of COPD in primary care, which evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of a series of simple lung function tests and symptom-based case-finding questionnaires. Current smokers aged 35 or more were invited to undertake a series of case-finding tools, which comprised lung function tests (specifically, spirometry, microspirometry, peak flow meter, and WheezoMeter) and several case-finding questionnaires. The effectiveness of these tests, individually or in combination, to identify small airways obstruction was evaluated against the gold standard of spirometry, with the quality of spirometry tests assessed by independent overreaders. The study was conducted with general practices in the Yorkshire and Humberside area, in the UK. Six hundred eighty-one individuals met the inclusion criteria, with 444 participants completing their study appointments. A total of 216 (49%) with good-quality spirometry readings were included in the analysis. The most effective case-finding tools were found to be the peak flow meter alone, the peak flow meter plus WheezoMeter, and microspirometry alone. In addition to the main analysis, where the severity of airflow obstruction was based on fixed ratios and percent of predicted values, sensitivity analyses were conducted by using lower limit of normal values. This research informs the choice of test for COPD identification; case-finding by use of the peak flow meter or microspirometer could be used routinely in primary care for suspected COPD patients. Only those testing positive to these tests would move on to full spirometry, thereby reducing unnecessary spirometric testing. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Implementation of maternal blood cell-free DNA testing in early screening for aneuploidies.

PubMed

Gil, M M; Quezada, M S; Bregant, B; Ferraro, M; Nicolaides, K H

2013-07-01

To explore the feasibility of routine maternal blood cell-free (cf) DNA testing in screening for trisomies 21, 18 and 13 at 10 weeks' gestation. In this prospective study, women attending The Fetal Medicine Centre in London, UK, between October 2012 and April 2013, with singleton pregnancy and live fetus with CRL 32-45 mm, were screened for trisomies 21, 18 and 13 by cfDNA testing at 10 weeks and the combined test at 12 weeks. cfDNA testing was performed in 1005 singleton pregnancies with a median maternal age of 37 (range, 20-49) years. Risks for trisomies were provided for 957 (95.2%) cases and in 98.0% these were available within 14 days from sampling. In 48 (4.8%) cases no result was provided due to problems with delivery to the laboratory, low fetal fraction or assay failure. Repeat sampling was performed in 40 cases and a result obtained in 27 (67.5%) of these. In 11 cases the risk score for trisomy 21 and in five cases that for trisomy 18 was > 99%, in one the risk for trisomy 13 was 34% and in 968 the risk for each of the three trisomies was < 0.01%. The suspected trisomies were confirmed by karyotyping after chorionic villus sampling (CVS), except in one case of trisomy 18 in which the karyotype was normal. On the basis of the maternal age distribution of the study population, the expected and observed numbers for each of the three trisomies were similar. Both cfDNA and combined testing detected all trisomies, but the estimated false-positive rates (FPR) were 0.1% and 3.4%, respectively. Routine screening for trisomies 21, 18 and 13 by cfDNA testing at 10 weeks is feasible and has a lower FPR than does combined testing, but abnormal results require confirmation by CVS. Copyright © 2013 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Ground vibration tests of a high fidelity truss for verification of on orbit damage location techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kashangaki, Thomas A. L.

1992-01-01

This paper describes a series of modal tests that were performed on a cantilevered truss structure. The goal of the tests was to assemble a large database of high quality modal test data for use in verification of proposed methods for on orbit model verification and damage detection in flexible truss structures. A description of the hardware is provided along with details of the experimental setup and procedures for 16 damage cases. Results from selected cases are presented and discussed. Differences between ground vibration testing and on orbit modal testing are also described.

Prediction of clinical response to drugs in ovarian cancer using the chemotherapy resistance test (CTR-test).

PubMed

Kischkel, Frank Christian; Meyer, Carina; Eich, Julia; Nassir, Mani; Mentze, Monika; Braicu, Ioana; Kopp-Schneider, Annette; Sehouli, Jalid

2017-10-27

In order to validate if the test result of the Chemotherapy Resistance Test (CTR-Test) is able to predict the resistances or sensitivities of tumors in ovarian cancer patients to drugs, the CTR-Test result and the corresponding clinical response of individual patients were correlated retrospectively. Results were compared to previous recorded correlations. The CTR-Test was performed on tumor samples from 52 ovarian cancer patients for specific chemotherapeutic drugs. Patients were treated with monotherapies or drug combinations. Resistances were classified as extreme (ER), medium (MR) or slight (SR) resistance in the CTR-Test. Combination treatment resistances were transformed by a scoring system into these classifications. Accurate sensitivity prediction was accomplished in 79% of the cases and accurate prediction of resistance in 100% of the cases in the total data set. The data set of single agent treatment and drug combination treatment were analyzed individually. Single agent treatment lead to an accurate sensitivity in 44% of the cases and the drug combination to 95% accuracy. The detection of resistances was in both cases to 100% correct. ROC curve analysis indicates that the CTR-Test result correlates with the clinical response, at least for the combination chemotherapy. Those values are similar or better than the values from a publication from 1990. Chemotherapy resistance testing in vitro via the CTR-Test is able to accurately detect resistances in ovarian cancer patients. These numbers confirm and even exceed results published in 1990. Better sensitivity detection might be caused by a higher percentage of drug combinations tested in 2012 compared to 1990. Our study confirms the functionality of the CTR-Test to plan an efficient chemotherapeutic treatment for ovarian cancer patients.

What Different Kinds of Stratification Can Reveal about the Generalizability of Data-Mined Skill Assessment Models

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sao Pedro, Michael A.; Baker, Ryan S. J. d.; Gobert, Janice D.

2013-01-01

When validating assessment models built with data mining, generalization is typically tested at the student-level, where models are tested on new students. This approach, though, may fail to find cases where model performance suffers if other aspects of those cases relevant to prediction are not well represented. We explore this here by testing if…

A Case Study to Explore Rigorous Teaching and Testing Practices to Narrow the Achievement Gap

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Isler, Tesha

2012-01-01

The problem examined in this study: Does the majority of teachers use rigorous teaching and testing practices? The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to explore the classroom techniques of six effective teachers who use rigorous teaching and testing practices. The hypothesis for this study is that the examination of the…

Testing the Suitability of Mediation of Child Support Orders in Title IV-D Cases

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schraufnagel, Scot; Li, Quan

2010-01-01

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to test mediation versus a traditional court process for the establishment or modification of child support orders. The intention is to determine which dispute resolution process is associated with greater client satisfaction and compliance. An auxiliary objective is to test the type of cases which are most…

Occupational protein contact dermatitis in food handlers.

PubMed

Hjorth, N; Roed-Petersen, J

1976-02-01

The preparation of food in restaurant kitchens carries a high risk of occupational dermatoses. Analysis of 33 cases revealed four different etiological types. Simple irritant dermatitis was rare (2 cases), plain contact dermatitis was more common (6 cases). Fifteen patients had relevant patch tests and scratch tests; ten had positive scratch tests only to explain the cause of their dermatitis. The last type was termed protein contact dermatitis. The major type IV allergens incriminated were metals, onion and garlic. The major proteinaceous allergens indicated by history and test results were fish and shell-fish. Open patch tests with the incriminated foods may cause erythema or oedema on normal skin after 20 minutes. Previously eczematous, now normal looking, skin often responds with a crop of dyshidrotic vesicles preceded by erythema and itching 30 minutes after the application of an open test. Examination for specific IgE is not always positive in such cases. Inhalant allergy was rare. The results indicate that food handlers are sensitized by the protein they touch, and then react to later contact with the proteins. Protein contact dermatitis is similarly common among veterinary surgeons, while the importance in other occupational groups remains to be studied.

Serologic Tests of IgG and IgM Antibodies and IgG Avidity for Diagnosis of Ocular Toxoplasmosis.

PubMed

Rahimi-Esboei, Bahman; Zarei, Mohammad; Mohebali, Mehdi; Valian, Hossein Keshavarz; Shojaee, Saeedeh; Mahmoudzadeh, Raziyeh; Salabati, Mirataollah

2018-04-01

This prospective study was aimed to detect acute and chronic ocular toxoplasmosis by comparison of anti- Toxoplasma gondii IgM and IgG antibody levels and IgG avidity test. One hundred and seventeen patients with ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) who referred to the Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran were included in this study. Of the patients, 77 cases were positive for anti- T. gondii IgG, and 8 cases were positive for anti- T. gondii IgM. IgG avidity test revealed 11, 4, and 102 cases were low, intermediate, and high, respectively, and 6.8% and 9.4% of cases were positive for IgM and IgG avidity tests, respectively ( P =0.632). Agreement (Kappa value) between paired tests IgG-IgM, IgG-IgG avidity, and IgM-IgG avidity was 0.080, 0.099, and 0.721, respectively ( P <0.05). This study showed that conventional serologic tests (IgM and IgG levels) and IgG avidity correlate well each other and can be used to differentiate recent infections from old OT. It seems that reactivated old infections rather than recently acquired infections are majority of Iranian OT patients.

A genetic study of autism in Costa Rica: multiple variables affecting IQ scores observed in a preliminary sample of autistic cases.

PubMed

McInnes, L Alison; González, Patricia Jiménez; Manghi, Elina R; Esquivel, Marcela; Monge, Silvia; Delgado, Marietha Fallas; Fournier, Eduardo; Bondy, Pamela; Castelle, Kathryn

2005-03-21

Autism is a heritable developmental disorder of communication and socialization that has not been well studied in Hispanic populations. Therefore, we are collecting and evaluating all possible cases of autism from a population isolate in the Central Valley of Costa Rica (CVCR) for a clinical and genetic study. We are assessing all subjects and parents, as appropriate, using the newly translated Spanish versions of the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) as well as tests of intelligence and adaptive behavior. Detailed obstetric and family medical/psychiatric histories are taken. All cases are tested for Fragile X and will be extensively evaluated for cytogenetic abnormalities. To date we have obtained clinical evaluations on over 76 cases of possible autism referred to our study and report data for the initial 35 complete cases. The mean age of the probands is 6.7 years, and 31 of the 35 cases are male. Twenty-one of the cases have IQs <50 and only 6 cases have IQs > or = 70. Over half of the mothers had complications during pregnancy and/or delivery. No cases have tested positively for Fragile X or PKU. Chromosomal G-banding is not yet complete for all cases. Diagnostic data gathered on cases of autism in the CVCR using Spanish versions of the ADI-R and ADOS look similar to that generated by studies of English-speaking cases. However, only 17% of our cases have IQs within the normal range, compared to the figure of 25% seen in most studies. This result reflects an ascertainment bias in that only severe cases of autism come to treatment in the CVCR because there are no government-sponsored support programs or early intervention programs providing an incentive to diagnose autism. The severity of mental retardation seen in most of our cases may also be exaggerated by the lack of early intervention programs and the use of IQ tests without Costa Rican norms. Still, we must formally train healthcare providers and teachers to recognize and refer autistic cases with normal or near normal IQs that are not seen in treatment.

Teicoplanin allergy - an emerging problem in the anaesthetic allergy clinic.

PubMed

Savic, L C; Garcez, T; Hopkins, P M; Harper, N J N; Savic, S

2015-10-01

Anaphylaxis to teicoplanin appears to be extremely rare, with only one confirmed case report worldwide. Two anaesthetic allergy clinics in the UK have received a number of suspected cases referred for investigation, and we present here the first case series of teicoplanin allergy. We investigated 20 cases of suspected teicoplanin allergy, identified from the two clinics over a period of two years. We devised a set of five criteria to categorize the certainty of their diagnosis. These included: (1) reaction within 15 min of administration of teicoplanin, (2) ≥2 features of anaphylaxis present, (3) positive skin testing or challenge testing, (4) raised serum mast cell tryptase (MCT), (5) alternative diagnosis excluded. Based on these criteria we defined the likelihood of IgE-mediated allergy to teicoplanin as: definite-met all criteria; probable-met criteria 1.2 and 5, plus 3 or 4; uncertain-met criteria 1.2 and 5; excluded- any others. We identified 7 'definite', 7 'probable' and 2 'uncertain' cases of teicoplanin allergy. Four cases were excluded. IgE-mediated anaphylaxis to teicoplanin appears to be more common than previously thought. This is true even if only definitive cases are considered. Investigation of teicoplanin allergy is hampered by the lack of standardized skin test concentrations. In some cases, there was a severe clinical reaction, but without any skin test evidence of histamine release. The mechanism of reaction in these cases is not known and requires further study. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Journal of Anaesthesia. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Location tests for biomarker studies: a comparison using simulations for the two-sample case.

PubMed

Scheinhardt, M O; Ziegler, A

2013-01-01

Gene, protein, or metabolite expression levels are often non-normally distributed, heavy tailed and contain outliers. Standard statistical approaches may fail as location tests in this situation. In three Monte-Carlo simulation studies, we aimed at comparing the type I error levels and empirical power of standard location tests and three adaptive tests [O'Gorman, Can J Stat 1997; 25: 269 -279; Keselman et al., Brit J Math Stat Psychol 2007; 60: 267- 293; Szymczak et al., Stat Med 2013; 32: 524 - 537] for a wide range of distributions. We simulated two-sample scenarios using the g-and-k-distribution family to systematically vary tail length and skewness with identical and varying variability between groups. All tests kept the type I error level when groups did not vary in their variability. The standard non-parametric U-test performed well in all simulated scenarios. It was outperformed by the two non-parametric adaptive methods in case of heavy tails or large skewness. Most tests did not keep the type I error level for skewed data in the case of heterogeneous variances. The standard U-test was a powerful and robust location test for most of the simulated scenarios except for very heavy tailed or heavy skewed data, and it is thus to be recommended except for these cases. The non-parametric adaptive tests were powerful for both normal and non-normal distributions under sample variance homogeneity. But when sample variances differed, they did not keep the type I error level. The parametric adaptive test lacks power for skewed and heavy tailed distributions.

Detecting well casing leaks in Bangladesh using a salt spiking method

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stahl, M.O.; Ong, J.B.; Harvey, C.F.; Johnson, C.D.; Badruzzaman, A.B.M.; Tarek, M.H.; VanGeen, A.; Anderson, J.A.; Lane, J.W.

2014-01-01

We apply fluid-replacement logging in arsenic-contaminated regions of Bangladesh using a low-cost, down-well fluid conductivity logging tool to detect leaks in the cased section of wells. The fluid-conductivity tool is designed for the developing world: it is lightweight and easily transportable, operable by one person, and can be built for minimal cost. The fluid-replacement test identifies leaking casing by comparison of fluid conductivity logs collected before and after spiking the wellbore with a sodium chloride tracer. Here, we present results of fluid-replacement logging tests from both leaking and non-leaking casing from wells in Araihazar and Munshiganj, Bangladesh, and demonstrate that the low-cost tool produces measurements comparable to those obtained with a standard geophysical logging tool. Finally, we suggest well testing procedures and approaches for preventing casing leaks in Bangladesh and other developing countries.

Detecting well casing leaks in Bangladesh using a salt spiking method.

PubMed

Stahl, M O; Ong, J B; Harvey, C F; Johnson, C D; Badruzzaman, A B M; Tarek, M H; van Geen, A; Anderson, J A; Lane, J W

2014-09-01

We apply fluid-replacement logging in arsenic-contaminated regions of Bangladesh using a low-cost, down-well fluid conductivity logging tool to detect leaks in the cased section of wells. The fluid-conductivity tool is designed for the developing world: it is lightweight and easily transportable, operable by one person, and can be built for minimal cost. The fluid-replacement test identifies leaking casing by comparison of fluid conductivity logs collected before and after spiking the wellbore with a sodium chloride tracer. Here, we present results of fluid-replacement logging tests from both leaking and non-leaking casing from wells in Araihazar and Munshiganj, Bangladesh, and demonstrate that the low-cost tool produces measurements comparable to those obtained with a standard geophysical logging tool. Finally, we suggest well testing procedures and approaches for preventing casing leaks in Bangladesh and other developing countries. © 2014, National Ground Water Association.

[Diagnosis of psychogenic hearing disorders in childhood].

PubMed

Kothe, C; Fleischer, S; Breitfuss, A; Hess, M

2003-11-01

In comparison with organic hearing loss, which is commonly reported, non-organic hearing loss is under-represented in the literature. The audiological results for 20 patients, aged between 6 and 17 years (mean 11.3), with psychogenic hearing disturbances were analysed prospectively. In 17 cases, the disturbance was bilateral and in three cases unilateral. In no case was the result of an objective hearing test exceptional, while a hearing threshold of between 30 and 100 dB was reported in single ear, pure-tone audiograms. In 12 cases, single ear speech audiograms were unexceptional. Suprathreshold tests, such as the dichotic discrimination test or the speech audiogram with noise disturbance, could lead to a clearer diagnosis in cases of severe psychogenic auditory impairment. In half of the patients, a conflict situation in the school or family was evident. After treatment for this conflict, hearing ability returned to normal. There was no improvement for six patients.

World Trade Center human identification project: experiences with individual body identification cases.

PubMed

Budimlija, Zoran M; Prinz, Mechthild K; Zelson-Mundorff, Amy; Wiersema, Jason; Bartelink, Eric; MacKinnon, Gaille; Nazzaruolo, Bianca L; Estacio, Sheila M; Hennessey, Michael J; Shaler, Robert C

2003-06-01

To present individual body identification efforts, as part of the World Trade Center (WTC) mass disaster identification project. More than 500 samples were tested by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and short tandem repeat (STR) typing. The extent to which the remains were fragmented and affected by taphonomic factors complicated the identification project. Anthropologists reviewed 19,000 samples, and detected inconsistencies in 69, which were further split into 239 new cases and re-sampled by DNA specialists. The severity and nature of the disaster required an interdisciplinary effort. DNA profiling of 500 samples was successful in 75% of the cases. All discrepancies, which occurred between bone and tissue samples taken from the same body part, were resolved by re-sampling and re-testing of preferably bone tissue. Anthropologists detected inconsistencies in 69 cases, which were then split into 239 new cases. Out of 125 "split" cases, 65 were excluded from their original case. Of these 65 cases, 37 did not match any profiles in M-FISys, probably because profiles were incomplete or no exemplar for the victim was available. Out of the 60 remains not excluded from their original case, 30 were partial profiles and did not reach the statistical requirement to match their original case, because the population frequency of the DNA profile had to be

Follow-on cable coupling lightning test. Volume 2: Appendixes A, B, C, and D

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

The following information from the follow-on cable coupling lightning test of the Space Shuttle Booster is presented: (1) resistance measurements (cover-to-cover and cover-to-floor plate); (2) resistance measurements (external bond strap-to-case); (3) resistance measurements (internal bond strap-to-case) and; (4) follow-on cable coupling lightning test data plots. The bulk of the document comprises the follow-on cable coupling lightning test data plots.

Impact Testing and Analysis of Composites for Aircraft Engine Fan Cases

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roberts, Gary D.; Revilock, Duane M.; Binienda, Wieslaw K.; Nie, Walter Z.; Mackenzie, S. Ben; Todd, Kevin B.

2002-01-01

The fan case in a jet engine is a heavy structure because of its size and because of the requirement that it contain a blade released during engine operation. Composite materials offer the potential for reducing the weight of the case. Efficient design, test, and analysis methods are needed to efficiently evaluate the large number of potential composite materials and design concepts. The type of damage expected in a composite case under blade-out conditions was evaluated using a subscale test in which a glass/epoxy composite half-ring target was impacted with a wedge-shaped titanium projectile. Fiber shearing occurred near points of contact between the projectile and target. Delamination and tearing occurred on a larger scale. These damage modes were reproduced in a simpler test in which flat glass/epoxy composites were impacted with a blunt cylindrical projectile. A surface layer of ceramic eliminated fiber shear fracture but did not reduce delamination. Tests on 3D woven carbon/epoxy composites indicated that transverse reinforcement is effective in reducing delamination. A 91 cm (36 in.) diameter full-ring sub-component was proposed for larger scale testing of these and other composite concepts. Explicit, transient, finite element analyses indicated that a full-ring test is needed to simulate complete impact dynamics, but simpler tests using smaller ring sections are adequate when evaluation of initial impact damage is the primary concern.

Use of Xpert MTB/RIF in Decentralized Public Health Settings and Its Effect on Pulmonary TB and DR-TB Case Finding in India.

PubMed

Sachdeva, Kuldeep Singh; Raizada, Neeraj; Sreenivas, Achuthan; Van't Hoog, Anna H; van den Hof, Susan; Dewan, Puneet K; Thakur, Rahul; Gupta, R S; Kulsange, Shubhangi; Vadera, Bhavin; Babre, Ameet; Gray, Christen; Parmar, Malik; Ghedia, Mayank; Ramachandran, Ranjani; Alavadi, Umesh; Arinaminpathy, Nimalan; Denkinger, Claudia; Boehme, Catharina; Paramasivan, C N

2015-01-01

Xpert MTB/RIF, the first automated molecular test for tuberculosis, is transforming the diagnostic landscape in high-burden settings. This study assessed the impact of up-front Xpert MTB/RIF testing on detection of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and rifampicin-resistant PTB (DR-TB) cases in India. This demonstration study was implemented in 18 sub-district level TB programme units (TUs) in India in diverse geographic and demographic settings covering a population of 8.8 million. A baseline phase in 14 TUs captured programmatic baseline data, and an intervention phase in 18 TUs had Xpert MTB/RIF offered to all presumptive TB patients. We estimated changes in detection of TB and DR-TB, the former using binomial regression models to adjust for clustering and covariates. In the 14 study TUs, which participated in both phases, 10,675 and 70,556 presumptive TB patients were enrolled in the baseline and intervention phase, respectively, and 1,532 (14.4%) and 14,299 (20.3%) bacteriologically confirmed PTB cases were detected. The implementation of Xpert MTB/RIF was associated with increases in both notification rates of bacteriologically confirmed TB cases (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR] 1.39; CI 1.18-1.64), and proportion of bacteriological confirmed TB cases among presumptive TB cases (adjusted risk ratio (aRR) 1.33; CI 1.6-1.52). Compared with the baseline strategy of selective drug-susceptibility testing only for PTB cases at high risk of drug-resistant TB, Xpert MTB/RIF implementation increased rifampicin resistant TB case detection by over fivefold. Among, 2765 rifampicin resistance cases detected, 1055 were retested with conventional drug susceptibility testing (DST). Positive predictive value (PPV) of rifampicin resistance detected by Xpert MTB/RIF was 94.7% (CI 91.3-98.1), in comparison to conventional DST. Introduction of Xpert MTB/RIF as initial diagnostic test for TB in public health facilities significantly increased case-notification rates of all bacteriologically confirmed TB by 39% and rifampicin-resistant TB case notification by fivefold.

Use of Xpert MTB/RIF in Decentralized Public Health Settings and Its Effect on Pulmonary TB and DR-TB Case Finding in India

PubMed Central

Sachdeva, Kuldeep Singh; Raizada, Neeraj; Sreenivas, Achuthan; van't Hoog, Anna H.; van den Hof, Susan; Dewan, Puneet K.; Thakur, Rahul; Gupta, R. S.; Kulsange, Shubhangi; Vadera, Bhavin; Babre, Ameet; Gray, Christen; Parmar, Malik; Ghedia, Mayank; Ramachandran, Ranjani; Alavadi, Umesh; Arinaminpathy, Nimalan; Denkinger, Claudia; Boehme, Catharina; Paramasivan, C. N.

2015-01-01

Background Xpert MTB/RIF, the first automated molecular test for tuberculosis, is transforming the diagnostic landscape in high-burden settings. This study assessed the impact of up-front Xpert MTB/RIF testing on detection of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and rifampicin-resistant PTB (DR-TB) cases in India. Methods This demonstration study was implemented in 18 sub-district level TB programme units (TUs) in India in diverse geographic and demographic settings covering a population of 8.8 million. A baseline phase in 14 TUs captured programmatic baseline data, and an intervention phase in 18 TUs had Xpert MTB/RIF offered to all presumptive TB patients. We estimated changes in detection of TB and DR-TB, the former using binomial regression models to adjust for clustering and covariates. Results In the 14 study TUs, which participated in both phases, 10,675 and 70,556 presumptive TB patients were enrolled in the baseline and intervention phase, respectively, and 1,532 (14.4%) and 14,299 (20.3%) bacteriologically confirmed PTB cases were detected. The implementation of Xpert MTB/RIF was associated with increases in both notification rates of bacteriologically confirmed TB cases (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR] 1.39; CI 1.18-1.64), and proportion of bacteriological confirmed TB cases among presumptive TB cases (adjusted risk ratio (aRR) 1.33; CI 1.6-1.52). Compared with the baseline strategy of selective drug-susceptibility testing only for PTB cases at high risk of drug-resistant TB, Xpert MTB/RIF implementation increased rifampicin resistant TB case detection by over fivefold. Among, 2765 rifampicin resistance cases detected, 1055 were retested with conventional drug susceptibility testing (DST). Positive predictive value (PPV) of rifampicin resistance detected by Xpert MTB/RIF was 94.7% (CI 91.3-98.1), in comparison to conventional DST. Conclusion Introduction of Xpert MTB/RIF as initial diagnostic test for TB in public health facilities significantly increased case-notification rates of all bacteriologically confirmed TB by 39% and rifampicin-resistant TB case notification by fivefold. PMID:25996389

Epidemiology of Hepatitis C Virus in Pennsylvania State Prisons, 2004–2012: Limitations of 1945–1965 Birth Cohort Screening in Correctional Settings

PubMed Central

Mahowald, Madeline K.; Scharff, Nicholas; Flanigan, Timothy P.; Beckwith, Curt G.; Zaller, Nickolas D.

2014-01-01

Objectives. We described hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) prevalence in a state prison system and retrospectively evaluated the case-finding performance of targeted testing of the 1945 to 1965 birth cohort in this population. Methods. We used observational data from universal testing of Pennsylvania state prison entrants (June 2004–December 2012) to determine anti-HCV prevalence by birth cohort. We compared anti-HCV prevalence and the burden of anti-HCV in the 1945 to 1965 birth cohort with that in all other birth years. Results. Anti-HCV prevalence among 101 727 adults entering prison was 18.1%. Prevalence was highest among those born from 1945 to 1965, but most anti-HCV cases were in people born after 1965. Targeted testing of the 1945 to 1965 birth cohort would have identified a decreasing proportion of cases with time. Conclusions. HCV is endemic in correctional populations. Targeted testing of the 1945 to 1965 birth cohort would produce a high yield of positive test results but would identify only a minority of cases. We recommend universal anti-HCV screening in correctional settings to allow for maximum case identification, secondary prevention, and treatment of affected prisoners. PMID:24825235

Clinical significance of atypical glandular cells in Pap tests: An analysis of more than 3000 cases at a large academic women's center.

PubMed

Pradhan, Dinesh; Li, Zaibo; Ocque, Rebecca; Patadji, Stell; Zhao, Chengquan

2016-08-01

The interpretation of atypical glandular cells (AGC) in Papanicolaou (Pap) tests and screening for glandular neoplasia remain challenging. Pap tests with an AGC interpretation from January 2008 to December 2013 were retrieved from a pathology database, and cases with histologic follow-up within 1 year were included in the study. There were 589,830 Pap tests during the study period, and 3709 cases (0.6%) were reported as AGC, which included the following: AGC, not otherwise specified (52.0%); atypical endocervical cells (28.0%); and other categories. There were 3007 cases (81.1%) with histologic follow-up results within 1 year. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2/3 (CIN2/3), cervical adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS)/adenocarcinoma, and endometrial carcinoma were identified in 5.6%, 1.9%, and 5.5% of cases, respectively. Glandular neoplasia was more likely to be identified in cases with pure AGC subcategories than cases with AGC and squamous abnormalities. Endometrial neoplasia was more likely to be identified in cases with atypical endometrial cells than other categories. Overall, the most common severe abnormality on histologic follow-up was CIN2/3. Although CIN2/3 was the most common severe lesion in patients younger than 30 years (10.0%) and in patients aged 30 to 49 years (6.4%), endometrial carcinoma was the most common lesion in women who were 50 years old or older (13.7%). Endocervical glandular lesions (AIS and adenocarcinoma) occurred in only 1.9% of women. AGC subtypes and ages significantly affect histological follow-up results; 90.5% of cases with carcinoma on histologic follow-up were either endometrial or metastatic carcinoma. This study supports the recommendation that women with AGC Pap test results should be followed up with both endocervical and endometrial sampling. Cancer Cytopathol 2016;124:589-95. © 2016 American Cancer Society. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

A comparison of theory and experiment for coupled rotor body stability of a bearingless rotor model in hover and forward flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mirick, Paul H.

1988-01-01

Seven cases were selected for correlation from a 1/5.86 Froude-scale experiment that examined several rotor designs which were being considered for full-scale flight testing as part of the Bearingless Main Rotor (BMR) program. The model rotor hub used in these tests consisted of back-to-back C-beams as flexbeam elements with a torque tube for pitch control. The first four cases selected from the experiment were hover tests which examined the effects on rotor stability of variations in hub-to-flexbeam coning, hub-to-flexbeam pitch, flexbeam-to-blade coning, and flexbeam-to-blade pitch. The final three cases were selected from the forward flight tests of optimum rotor configuration as defined during the hover test. The selected cases examined the effects of variations in forward speed, rotor speed, and shaft angle. Analytical results from Bell Helicopter Textron, Boeing Vertol, Sikorsky Aircraft, and the U.S. Army Aeromechanics Laboratory were compared with the data and the correlations ranged from poor-to-fair to fair-to-good.

Clinical Signs and Blood Test Results Among Humans Infected With Zoonotic Simian Foamy Virus: A Case-Control Study.

PubMed

Buseyne, Florence; Betsem, Edouard; Montange, Thomas; Njouom, Richard; Bilounga Ndongo, Chanceline; Hermine, Olivier; Gessain, Antoine

2018-06-05

A spillover of simian foamy virus (SFV) to humans, following bites from infected nonhuman primates (NHPs), is ongoing in exposed populations. These retroviruses establish persistent infections of unknown physiological consequences to the human host. We performed a case-control study to compare 24 Cameroonian hunters infected with gorilla SFV and 24 controls matched for age and ethnicity. A complete physical examination and blood test were performed for all participants. Logistic regression and Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to compare cases and controls. The cases had significantly lower levels of hemoglobin than the controls (median, 12.7 vs 14.4 g/dL; P = .01). Basophil levels were also significantly lower in cases than controls, with no differences for other leukocyte subsets. Cases had significantly higher urea, creatinine, protein, creatinine phosphokinase, and lactate dehydrogenase levels and lower bilirubin levels than controls. Cases and controls had similar frequencies of general, cutaneous, gastrointestinal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory signs. The first case-control study of apparently healthy SFV-infected Cameroonian hunters showed the presence of hematological abnormalities. A thorough clinical and laboratory workup is now needed to establish the medical relevance of these observations because more than half of cases had mild or moderate anemia. NCT03225794.

Comparisons of fully automated syphilis tests with conventional VDRL and FTA-ABS tests.

PubMed

Choi, Seung Jun; Park, Yongjung; Lee, Eun Young; Kim, Sinyoung; Kim, Hyon-Suk

2013-06-01

Serologic tests are widely used for the diagnosis of syphilis. However, conventional methods require well-trained technicians to produce reliable results. We compared automated nontreponemal and treponemal tests with conventional methods. The HiSens Auto Rapid Plasma Reagin (AutoRPR) and Treponema Pallidum particle agglutination (AutoTPPA) tests, which utilize latex turbidimetric immunoassay, were assessed. A total of 504 sera were assayed by AutoRPR, AutoTPPA, conventional VDRL and FTA-ABS. Among them, 250 samples were also tested by conventional TPPA. The concordance rate between the results of VDRL and AutoRPR was 67.5%, and 164 discrepant cases were all VDRL reactive but AutoRPR negative. In the 164 cases, 133 showed FTA-ABS reactivity. Medical records of 106 among the 133 cases were reviewed, and 82 among 106 specimens were found to be collected from patients already treated for syphilis. The concordance rate between the results of AutoTPPA and FTA-ABS was 97.8%. The results of conventional TPPA and AutoTPPA for 250 samples were concordant in 241 cases (96.4%). AutoRPR showed higher specificity than that of VDRL, while VDRL demonstrated higher sensitivity than that of AutoRPR regardless of whether the patients had been already treated for syphilis or not. Both FTA-ABS and AutoTPPA showed high sensitivities and specificities greater than 98.0%. Automated RPR and TPPA tests could be alternatives to conventional syphilis tests, and AutoRPR would be particularly suitable in treatment monitoring, since results by AutoRPR in cases after treatment became negative more rapidly than by VDRL. Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Inc.

The suitability of small biopsy and cytology specimens for EGFR and other mutation testing in non-small cell lung cancer

PubMed Central

Wang, Shu; Yu, Bing; Ng, Chiu Chin; Mercorella, Belinda; Selinger, Christina I.; O’Toole, Sandra A.

2015-01-01

Background Patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) benefit from treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) when their tumor harbors an activating EGFR mutation. As the majority of NSCLC patients present with advanced disease, cytology and small biopsy specimens are frequently the only tissue available for mutation testing, but can pose challenges due to low tumor content. We aim to better define the suitability of these specimens for mutation testing. Methods NSCLC cases referred to our institution for mutation testing over a 15-month period were retrospectively reviewed. Specimens were tested for mutations including EGFR, KRAS, and BRAF, using a multiplex PCR assay (OncoCarta Panel v1.0) and analyzed on the Agena Bioscience MassARRAY platform. Results A total of 146 specimens were tested, comprising 53 (36.3%) resection specimens (including 28 lung resection specimens), 55 (37.7%) small biopsy specimens and 38 (26%) cytology specimens. Of 142 cases with sufficient DNA for mutation testing, EGFR mutations were detected in 31 specimens (21.8%), KRAS mutations in 31 specimens (21.8%) and BRAF mutations in three specimens (2.1%). There was no significant difference in the EGFR mutation rate between lung resection (10 of 28 cases; 35.7%), small biopsy (9 of 53 cases; 17%), and cytology specimens (8 of 36 cases; 22.2%). Conclusions Our results support the utility of small biopsy and cytology specimens for mutation testing. Careful evaluation of the adequacy of small specimens is required to minimize the risk of false negative or positive results. PMID:25870794

Pre-Test Assessment of the Use Envelope of the Normal Force of a Wind Tunnel Strain-Gage Balance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ulbrich, N.

2016-01-01

The relationship between the aerodynamic lift force generated by a wind tunnel model, the model weight, and the measured normal force of a strain-gage balance is investigated to better understand the expected use envelope of the normal force during a wind tunnel test. First, the fundamental relationship between normal force, model weight, lift curve slope, model reference area, dynamic pressure, and angle of attack is derived. Then, based on this fundamental relationship, the use envelope of a balance is examined for four typical wind tunnel test cases. The first case looks at the use envelope of the normal force during the test of a light wind tunnel model at high subsonic Mach numbers. The second case examines the use envelope of the normal force during the test of a heavy wind tunnel model in an atmospheric low-speed facility. The third case reviews the use envelope of the normal force during the test of a floor-mounted semi-span model. The fourth case discusses the normal force characteristics during the test of a rotated full-span model. The wind tunnel model's lift-to-weight ratio is introduced as a new parameter that may be used for a quick pre-test assessment of the use envelope of the normal force of a balance. The parameter is derived as a function of the lift coefficient, the dimensionless dynamic pressure, and the dimensionless model weight. Lower and upper bounds of the use envelope of a balance are defined using the model's lift-to-weight ratio. Finally, data from a pressurized wind tunnel is used to illustrate both application and interpretation of the model's lift-to-weight ratio.

MPT64 antigen detection test improves routine diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in a low-resource setting: A study from the tertiary care hospital in Zanzibar.

PubMed

Jørstad, Melissa Davidsen; Marijani, Msafiri; Dyrhol-Riise, Anne Ma; Sviland, Lisbet; Mustafa, Tehmina

2018-01-01

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) is a diagnostic challenge. An immunochemistry-based MPT64 antigen detection test (MPT64 test) has reported higher sensitivity in the diagnosis of EPTB compared with conventional methods. The objective of this study was to implement and evaluate the MPT64 test in routine diagnostics in a low-resource setting. Patients with presumptive EPTB were prospectively enrolled at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, Zanzibar, and followed to the end of treatment. Specimens collected were subjected to routine diagnostics, GeneXpert® MTB/RIF assay and the MPT64 test. The performance of the MPT64 test was assessed using a composite reference standard, defining the patients as tuberculosis (TB) cases or non-TB cases. Patients (n = 132) were classified as confirmed TB (n = 12), probable TB (n = 34), possible TB (n = 18), non-TB (n = 62) and uncategorized (n = 6) cases. Overall, in comparison to the composite reference standard for diagnosis, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of the MPT64 test was 69%, 95%, 94%, 75% and 82%, respectively. The MPT64 test performance was best in TB lymphadenitis cases (n = 67, sensitivity 79%, specificity 97%) and in paediatric TB (n = 41, sensitivity 100%, specificity 96%). We show that the MPT64 test can be implemented in routine diagnostics in a low-resource setting and improves the diagnosis of EPTB, especially in TB lymphadenitis and in children.

[Prevalence of extra-hepatic manifestations in infection with hepatitis C virus: study of 140 cases].

PubMed

Kahloun, A; Babba, T; Fathallah, B; Ghozzi, M; Ezzine, H; Said, Y; Azzouz, M M

2011-06-01

To determine the extrahepatic manifestations (EHM) in chronic hepatitis C and to correlate signs with age, sex, degree of fibrosis and genotype of hepatitis C virus. One hundred forty cases of chronic infection by hepatitis C virus were investigated in a period of 10 years. By interrogation, clinical examination and laboratory tests, the EHM were determined. Correlations with age, sex, viral genotype and degree of fibrosis were determined by the chi2 test. Mean age of our patients was 59 years (16-85 years). 74% were women. The genotype 1b was found in 75% of cases. The clinical EHM were found in 62% of cases: buccal dryness in 17.1% of cases, arthralgias in 33% of cases and fatigue in 65% of cases. 25% of patients had at least one biological EHM associated with chronic hepatitis C: proteinuria in 3 cases, cryoglobulinemia in 4 cases, dysthyroidism in 8 cases and more frequently a positive immunologie test. During the follow-up, we found one case of breast cancer, one case of rectal cancer, 2 cases of MALT lymphoma and one case pf splenic lymphoma. A positive correlation was found between the prevalence of EHM in chronic hepatitis C and the female sex. A degree of fibrosis ³ 2 in METAVIR classification was significantly associated with more important frequency of EHM. EHM should be screened systematically in chronic infection with HCV. Pathogenic mechanisms in a B lymph node proliferation or diabetes and outcome of these abnormalities under antiviral therapy should be further investigated.

Pitting and Bending Fatigue Evaluations of a New Case-Carburized Gear Steel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krantz, Timothy; Tufts, Brian

2007-01-01

The power density of a gearbox is an important consideration for many applications and is especially important for gearboxes used on aircraft. One approach to improving power density of gearing is to improve the steel properties by design of the alloy. The alloy tested in this work was designed to be case-carburized with surface hardness of Rockwell C66 after hardening. Test gear performance was evaluated using surface fatigue tests and single-tooth bending fatigue tests. The performance of gears made from the new alloy was compared to the performance of gears made from two alloys currently used for aviation gearing. The new alloy exhibited significantly better performance in surface fatigue testing, demonstrating the value of the improved properties in the case layer. However, the alloy exhibited lesser performance in single-tooth bending fatigue testing. The fracture toughness of the tested gears was insufficient for use in aircraft applications as judged by the behavior exhibited during the single tooth bending tests. This study quantified the performance of the new alloy and has provided guidance for the design and development of next generation gear steels.

[Serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis: a comparative multicenter study of a standard scale through various actual tests and expression of the results in international units. Groupe de travail toxoplasmose du Contrôle national de qualité en parasotologie. Syndicat des fabricants de réactifs de laboratoire. Groupe de travail standardisation des tests sérologiques du Réseau européen de lutte contre la toxoplasmose congénitale].

PubMed

Petithory, J C; Ambroise-Thomas, P; De Loye, J; Pelloux, H; Goullier-Fleuret, A; Milgram, M; Buffard, C; Garin, J P

1996-01-01

Reported are the results of a multicentre study involving 40 laboratories that was carried out in France to assess all the currently available methods used for the serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis. For this purpose 10 batches of control sera were prepared with titres in the range 0-260 IU per ml. These sera were tested in nine laboratories using immunofluorescence methods; in three laboratories using dye tests; in forty laboratories using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; in four laboratories using direct agglutination and haemagglutination; in seven laboratories using the high-sensitivity IgG agglutination test; and in three laboratories using the latex agglutination test. In this way, 70 series of titrations were carried out using seven procedures and the results were compared with those obtained using the WHO reference serum in 15 cases, with the French national E6 serum in 16 other cases, and in 39 cases using 15 reference sera supplied by the reagent manufacturers. Rigorous comparison of the tests was not possible in all cases because one aim of the study was to ensure that the tests were carried out under the usual working conditions that prevailed in the participating laboratories. The results obtained indicate that the serological tests currently available for toxoplasmosis are acceptable for its serodiagnosis. Presentation of the titres in IU has advantages; however, caution is required since the definition of IU varies according to the test and reagents used. It is therefore essential that the conditions and limits for a positive reaction be carefully defined in each case, especially for commercially available kits.

Paraneoplastic autoantibody panels: sensitivity and specificity, a retrospective cohort.

PubMed

Albadareen, Rawan; Gronseth, Gary; Goeden, Marcie; Sharrock, Matthew; Lechtenberg, Colleen; Wang, Yunxia

2017-06-01

Experts in the autoimmune paraneoplastic field recommend autoantibody testing as "panels" to improve the poor sensitivity of individual autoantibodies in detecting paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS). The sensitivity of those panels was not reported to date in a fashion devoid of incorporation bias. We aimed to assess the collective sensitivity and specificity of one of the commonly used panels in detecting PNS. A single-centered retrospective cohort of all patients tested for paraneoplastic evaluation panel (PAVAL; test ID: 83380) over one year for the suspicion of PNS. Case adjudication was based on newly proposed diagnostic criteria in line with previously published literature, but modified to exclude serological status to avoid incorporation bias. Measures of diagnostic accuracy were subsequently calculated. Cases that failed to show association with malignancy within the follow-up time studied, reflecting a possibly pure autoimmune process was considered paraneoplastic-like syndromes. Out of 321 patients tested, 51 patients tested positive. Thirty-two patients met diagnostic criteria for paraneoplastic/paraneoplastic-like syndromes. The calculated collective sensitivity was 34% (95% CI: 17-53), specificity was 86% (95% CI: 81-90), Youden's index 0.2 and a positive clinical utility index 0.07 suggesting poor utility for case-detection. This is the first reported diagnostic accuracy measures of paraneoplastic panels without incorporation bias. Despite recommended panel testing to improve detection of PNS, sensitivity remains low with poor utility for case-detection. The high-calculated specificity suggests a possible role in confirming the condition in difficult cases suspicious for PNS, when enough supportive evidence is lacking on ancillary testing.

Effects of a blended learning module on self-reported learning performances in baccalaureate nursing students.

PubMed

Hsu, Li-Ling; Hsieh, Suh-Ing

2011-11-01

This article is a report of a quasi-experimental study of the effects of blended modules on nursing students' learning of ethics course content. There is yet to be an empirically supported mix of strategies on which a working blended learning model can be built for nursing education. This was a two-group pretest and post-test quasi-experimental study in 2008 involving a total of 233 students. Two of the five clusters were designated the experimental group to experience a blended learning model, and the rest were designated the control group to be given classroom lectures only. The Case Analysis Attitude Scale, Case Analysis Self-Evaluation Scale, Blended Learning Satisfaction Scale, and Metacognition Scale were used in pretests and post-tests for the students to rate their own performance. In this study, the experimental group did not register significantly higher mean scores on the Case Analysis Attitude Scale at post-test and higher mean ranks on the Case Analysis Self-Evaluation Scale, the Blended Learning Satisfaction Scale, and the Metacognition Scale at post-test than the control group. Moreover, the experimental group registered significant progress in the mean ranks on the Case Analysis Self-Evaluation Scale and the Metacognition Scale from pretest to post-test. No between-subjects effects of four scales at post-test were found. Newly developed course modules, be it blended learning or a combination of traditional and innovative components, should be tested repeatedly for effectiveness and popularity for the purpose of facilitating the ultimate creation of a most effective course module for nursing education. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Multidrug-resistant typhoid fever with neurologic findings on the Malawi-Mozambique border.

PubMed

Lutterloh, Emily; Likaka, Andrew; Sejvar, James; Manda, Robert; Naiene, Jeremias; Monroe, Stephan S; Khaila, Tadala; Chilima, Benson; Mallewa, Macpherson; Kampondeni, Sam D; Lowther, Sara A; Capewell, Linda; Date, Kashmira; Townes, David; Redwood, Yanique; Schier, Joshua G; Nygren, Benjamin; Tippett Barr, Beth; Demby, Austin; Phiri, Abel; Lungu, Rudia; Kaphiyo, James; Humphrys, Michael; Talkington, Deborah; Joyce, Kevin; Stockman, Lauren J; Armstrong, Gregory L; Mintz, Eric

2012-04-01

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi causes an estimated 22 million cases of typhoid fever and 216 000 deaths annually worldwide. We investigated an outbreak of unexplained febrile illnesses with neurologic findings, determined to be typhoid fever, along the Malawi-Mozambique border. The investigation included active surveillance, interviews, examinations of ill and convalescent persons, medical chart reviews, and laboratory testing. Classification as a suspected case required fever and ≥1 other finding (eg, headache or abdominal pain); a probable case required fever and a positive rapid immunoglobulin M antibody test for typhoid (TUBEX TF); a confirmed case required isolation of Salmonella Typhi from blood or stool. Isolates underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing and subtyping by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). We identified 303 cases from 18 villages with onset during March-November 2009; 214 were suspected, 43 were probable, and 46 were confirmed cases. Forty patients presented with focal neurologic abnormalities, including a constellation of upper motor neuron signs (n = 19), ataxia (n = 22), and parkinsonism (n = 8). Eleven patients died. All 42 isolates tested were resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole; 4 were also resistant to nalidixic acid. Thirty-five of 42 isolates were indistinguishable by PFGE. The unusual neurologic manifestations posed a diagnostic challenge that was resolved through rapid typhoid antibody testing in the field and subsequent blood culture confirmation in the Malawi national reference laboratory. Extending laboratory diagnostic capacity, including blood culture, to populations at risk for typhoid fever in Africa will improve outbreak detection, response, and clinical treatment.

[Molecular diagnosis of two Chinese cystic fibrosis children and literature review].

PubMed

Xu, B P; Wang, H; Zhao, Y H; Liu, J; Yao, Y; Feng, X L; Shen, K L

2016-05-01

To investigate the clinical manifestations and molecular features of cystic fibrosis in Chinese children. A retrospective analysis of two pediatric cystic fibrosis cases diagnosed by gene test in Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University from 2010 to 2015, and Chinese cystic fibrosis reported patients searched of"cystic fibrosis, Chinese"on Chinese databases (CNKI, Wanfang Data) and PubMed from 1975 to 2015.The clinical manifestations and molecular features were analyzed. One of the two newly diagnosed cystic fibrosis cases was a 10-year old girl who suffered from reccurent cough with expectoration and associated with cirrhosis.Sweat tests showed increased chloride twice with the lower level of 306.82 mmol/L.The other was an 8-month old boy with reccurent pneumonia from neonate, failure to thrive and fatty diarrhea.Two children had various degrees of bronchiectasis and massive sticky secretion on the bronchoscopy.They had no family history and their parents had no consanguineous marriage.CFTR mutations of c. 595C>T and c. 2290C>T were found in gene tests.On the database, twenty-one reports involving thirty-six Chinese patients (16 males and 20 females) were retrieved.Together with this group of 2 cases, a total of 38 cases were involved.The age at diagnosis was 4 months to 28 years with a median age of 10 years.All patients had reccurent respiratory infections, twenty-seven cases (71%) had malnutrition, fifteen (39%)had chronic diarrhea, and 16 cases (42%) had other digestive manifestations, including jaundice (4 cases), hepatomegaly (11 cases), ascites (2 cases) and pancreatic atrophy (3 cases). Five cases had a positive family history and six cases had a suspicious family history.Consanguineous marriage was found in three families.Sweat test revealed elevated chloride (52-327 mmol/L) in 28 cases.Eight of the 16 patients who performed pancreatic exocrine function examination showed pancreatic insufficiency.Eighteen of the 20 patients described the image manifestation of bronchiectasis.The age at death of 13 patients(34%) was 4 months to 25 years with a median of 11 years.Twenty-nine rare CFTR mutations were found in 25 tested patients, and c. 1766+ 5G>T(5 cases), c.2083dupG and c. 2684G>A (3 cases) held the top three mutation patterns. Respiratory symptoms and bronchiectasis are the main manifestations of Chinese cystic fibrosis patients, although some of them may be associated with malnutrition, digestive symptoms and pancreatic insufficiency. CFTR mutations are various and rare in Caucasians.

Predictive value of autoantibody testing for validating self-reported diagnoses of rheumatoid arthritis in the Women's Health Initiative.

PubMed

Walitt, Brian; Mackey, Rachel; Kuller, Lewis; Deane, Kevin D; Robinson, William; Holers, V Michael; Chang, Yue-Fang; Moreland, Larry

2013-05-01

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) research using large databases is limited by insufficient case validity. Of 161,808 postmenopausal women in the Women's Health Initiative, 15,691 (10.2%) reported having RA, far higher than the expected 1% population prevalence. Since chart review for confirmation of an RA diagnosis is impractical in large cohort studies, the current study (2009-2011) tested the ability of baseline serum measurements of rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies, second-generation assay (anti-CCP2), to identify physician-validated RA among the chart-review study participants with self-reported RA (n = 286). Anti-CCP2 positivity had the highest positive predictive value (PPV) (80.0%), and rheumatoid factor positivity the lowest (44.6%). Together, use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and anti-CCP2 positivity increased PPV to 100% but excluded all seronegative cases (approximately 15% of all RA cases). Case definitions inclusive of seronegative cases had PPVs between 59.6% and 63.6%. False-negative results were minimized in these test definitions, as evidenced by negative predictive values of approximately 90%. Serological measurements, particularly measurement of anti-CCP2, improved the test characteristics of RA case definitions in the Women's Health Initiative.

A closed form slug test theory for high permeability aquifers.

PubMed

Ostendorf, David W; DeGroot, Don J; Dunaj, Philip J; Jakubowski, Joseph

2005-01-01

We incorporate a linear estimate of casing friction into the analytical slug test theory of Springer and Gelhar (1991) for high permeability aquifers. The modified theory elucidates the influence of inertia and casing friction on consistent, closed form equations for the free surface, pressure, and velocity fluctuations for overdamped and underdamped conditions. A consistent, but small, correction for kinetic energy is included as well. A characteristic velocity linearizes the turbulent casing shear stress so that an analytical solution for attenuated, phase shifted pressure fluctuations fits a single parameter (damping frequency) to transducer data from any depth in the casing. Underdamped slug tests of 0.3, 0.6, and 1 m amplitudes at five transducer depths in a 5.1 cm diameter PVC well 21 m deep in the Plymouth-Carver Aquifer yield a consistent hydraulic conductivity of 1.5 x 10(-3) m/s. The Springer and Gelhar (1991) model underestimates the hydraulic conductivity for these tests by as much as 25% by improperly ascribing smooth turbulent casing friction to the aquifer. The match point normalization of Butler (1998) agrees with our fitted hydraulic conductivity, however, when friction is included in the damping frequency. Zurbuchen et al. (2002) use a numerical model to establish a similar sensitivity of hydraulic conductivity to nonlinear casing friction.

Immediate Type Hypersensitivity to Heparins: Two Case Reports and a Review of the Literature.

PubMed

Cesana, Philipp; Scherer, Kathrin; Bircher, Andreas J

2016-01-01

Immediate type hypersensitivity reactions due to heparins are rare, and the exact immunologic pathomechanism has not been identified so far. In our 2 case reports, we describe first a 50-year-old female who received dalteparin (Fragmin®) and developed signs of an immediate type hypersensitivity reaction. The personal history revealed a previous application of dalteparin (Fragmin®). Evaluation with a skin prick test showed positive results for dalteparin. The second case deals with a 73-year-old female with a suspected immediate type reaction after the administration of dalteparin (Fragmin®). A skin prick test was negative but intracutaneous tests showed a positive reaction to the causative agent. Both cases indicated cross-reactivity reactions for low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) but not for unfractioned heparin (UFH) or fondaparinux. In conclusion, our case reports including a review of published cases of immediate type hypersensitivity reactions after the application of heparins illustrate this rare complication. Mostly, the causative agent can be identified with a skin test, which is highly suggestive of an IgE-mediated reaction. Therapeutic alternatives for patients with sensitization to an LMWH are UFH and fondaparinux. Both agents have a small risk of cross-reactivity compared to heparins of the same substance class. © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Genetic diagnosis from formalin-fixed fetal tissue using FISH: a new tool for genetic counseling in subsequent pregnancies.

PubMed

Fejgin, M D; Kidron, D; Kedar, I; Gaber, E; Tepper, R; Beyth, Y; Amiel, A

1996-02-01

We evaluated the feasibility of retrospective genetic testing for numerical chromosomal aberrations by applying the FISH technique to formalin-fixed fetal tissue. Fetal tissue from 10 old cases with known aneuploidy and from 13 cases with known fetal malformations, were tested with specific DNA probes for pericentromeric repeat regions of chromosomes 13/21, 18, X and Y. FISH diagnosis concurred with karyotype in all nine cases with sufficient cells. Numerical aberration was diagnosed in six out of 13 cases with fetal malformations.

ITS institutional and legal issues program : review of the Travelaid operational test

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1995-01-01

The TravelAid operational test was chosen by the Federal Highway Administration to be the subject of a case study. Several case studies were performed under the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Institutional and Legal Issues Program, which wa...

ITS institutional and legal issues program : review of the SmartTraveler operational test

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1994-12-01

The SmarTraveler operational test was chosen by the Federal Highway Administration to be the subject of a case study. Several case studies were performed under the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Institutional and Legal Issues Program, which...

Surveillance of Suicidal Behavior January through December 2013

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-06-01

primarily for cannabis and cocaine.  The prevalence of being screened for ASAP was: - 19%, suicide cases; of those, 57% enrolled in the program...year of their death. Positive tests were primarily for cannabis (50%), cocaine (35%), and amphetamines (18%). Of suicide cases from 2001...their death.  Drugs with Positive Tests: Positive tests were for cannabis (50%), oxycodone (33%) and cocaine (17%).  ASAP Screening

A Case Study of the Texas Teacher Study: Technical Report. Project: Effects of Testing Reforms and Standards.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shepard, Lorrie A.; And Others

The Texas Examination of Current Administrators and Teachers is a basic literacy test that was administered to 202,000 practicing educators in March 1986. An in-depth case study was undertaken to examine the effects of the test as an instrument of educational reform and policy making. The two-year study involved 10 separate data-collection phases…

Shifting the burden or expanding access to care? Assessing malaria trends following scale-up of community health worker malaria case management and reactive case detection.

PubMed

Larsen, David A; Winters, Anna; Cheelo, Sanford; Hamainza, Busiku; Kamuliwo, Mulakwa; Miller, John M; Bridges, Daniel J

2017-11-02

Malaria is a significant burden to health systems and is responsible for a large proportion of outpatient cases at health facilities in endemic regions. The scale-up of community management of malaria and reactive case detection likely affect both malaria cases and outpatient attendance at health facilities. Using health management information data from 2012 to 2013 this article examines health trends before and after the training of volunteer community health workers to test and treat malaria cases in Southern Province, Zambia. An estimated 50% increase in monthly reported malaria infections was found when community health workers were involved with malaria testing and treating in the community (incidence rate ratio 1.52, p < 0.001). Furthermore, an estimated 6% decrease in outpatient attendance at the health facility was found when community health workers were involved with malaria testing and treating in the community. These results suggest a large public health benefit to both community case management of malaria and reactive case detection. First, the capacity of the malaria surveillance system to identify malaria infections was increased by nearly one-third. Second, the outpatient attendance at health facilities was modestly decreased. Expanding the capacity of the malaria surveillance programme through systems such as community case management and reactive case detection is an important step toward malaria elimination.

Is it time to sound an alarm about false-positive cell-free DNA testing for fetal aneuploidy?

PubMed

Mennuti, Michael T; Cherry, Athena M; Morrissette, Jennifer J D; Dugoff, Lorraine

2013-11-01

Testing cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in maternal blood samples has been shown to have very high sensitivity for the detection of fetal aneuploidy with very low false-positive results in high-risk patients who undergo invasive prenatal diagnosis. Recent observation in clinical practice of several cases of positive cfDNA tests for trisomy 18 and trisomy 13, which were not confirmed by cytogenetic testing of the pregnancy, may reflect a limitation of the positive predictive value of this quantitative testing, particularly when it is used to detect rare aneuploidies. Analysis of a larger number of false-positive cases is needed to evaluate whether these observations reflect the positive predictive value that should be expected. Infrequently, mechanisms (such as low percentage mosaicism or confined placental mosaicism) might also lead to positive cfDNA testing that is not concordant with standard prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis. The need to explore these and other possible causes of false-positive cfDNA testing is exemplified by 2 of these cases. Additional evaluation of cfDNA testing in clinical practice and a mechanism for the systematic reporting of false-positive and false-negative cases will be important before this test is offered widely to the general population of low-risk obstetric patients. In the meantime, incorporating information about the positive predictive value in pretest counseling and in clinical laboratory reports is recommended. These experiences reinforce the importance of offering invasive testing to confirm cfDNA results before parental decision-making. Copyright © 2013 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

30 CFR 250.1608 - Well casing and cementing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... rock casing, (iv) Bobtail cap rock casing (required when the cap rock casing does not penetrate into the cap rock), (v) Second cap rock casing (brine wells), and (vi) Production liner. (2) The lessee... lessee shall initiate remedial action as approved by the District Manager. For cap rock casing, the test...

30 CFR 250.1608 - Well casing and cementing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... rock casing, (iv) Bobtail cap rock casing (required when the cap rock casing does not penetrate into the cap rock), (v) Second cap rock casing (brine wells), and (vi) Production liner. (2) The lessee... lessee shall initiate remedial action as approved by the District Manager. For cap rock casing, the test...

30 CFR 250.1608 - Well casing and cementing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... rock casing, (iv) Bobtail cap rock casing (required when the cap rock casing does not penetrate into the cap rock), (v) Second cap rock casing (brine wells), and (vi) Production liner. (2) The lessee... lessee shall initiate remedial action as approved by the District Manager. For cap rock casing, the test...

Fetal sex chromosome testing by maternal plasma DNA sequencing: clinical laboratory experience and biology.

PubMed

Bianchi, Diana W; Parsa, Saba; Bhatt, Sucheta; Halks-Miller, Meredith; Kurtzman, Kathryn; Sehnert, Amy J; Swanson, Amy

2015-02-01

To describe the clinical experience with noninvasive prenatal testing for fetal sex chromosomes using sequencing of maternal plasma cell-free DNA in a commercial laboratory. A noninvasive prenatal testing laboratory data set was examined for samples in which fetal sex chromosomes were reported. Available clinical outcomes were reviewed. Of 18,161 samples with sex chromosome results, no sex chromosome aneuploidy was detected in 98.9% and the fetal sex was reported as XY (9,236) or XX (8,721). In 4 of 32 cases in which the fetal sex was reportedly discordant between noninvasive prenatal testing and karyotype or ultrasonogram, a potential biological reason for the discordance exists, including two cases of documented co-twin demise, one case of a maternal kidney transplant from a male donor, and one case of fetal ambiguous genitalia. In the remaining 204 samples (1.1%), one of four sex chromosome aneuploidies (monosomy X, XXX, XXY, or XYY) was detected. The frequency of false positive results for sex chromosome aneuploidies is a minimum of 0.26% and a maximum of 1.05%. All but one of the discordant sex chromosome aneuploidy results involved the X chromosome. In two putative false-positive XXX cases, maternal XXX was confirmed by karyotype. For the false-positive cases, mean maternal age was significantly higher in monosomy X (P<.001) and lower in XXX (P=.008). Noninvasive prenatal testing results for sex chromosome aneuploidy can be confounded by maternal or fetal biological phenomena. When a discordant noninvasive prenatal testing result is encountered, resolution requires additional maternal history, detailed fetal ultrasonography, and determination of fetal and possibly maternal karyotypes.

Opt-out screening strategy for HIV infection among patients attending emergency departments: systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Henriquez-Camacho, C; Villafuerte-Gutierrez, P; Pérez-Molina, J A; Losa, J; Gotuzzo, E; Cheyne, N

2017-07-01

International health agencies have promoted nontargeted universal (opt-out) HIV screening tests in different settings, including emergency departments (EDs). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the testing uptake of strategies (opt-in targeted, opt-in nontargeted and opt-out) to detect new cases of HIV infection in EDs. We searched the Pubmed and Embase databases, from 1984 to April 2015, for opt-in and opt-out HIV diagnostic strategies used in EDs. Randomized controlled or quasi experimental studies were included. We assessed the percentage of positive individuals tested for HIV infection in each programme (opt-in and opt-out strategies). The mean percentage was estimated by combining studies in a random-effect meta-analysis. The percentages of individuals tested in the programmes were compared in a random-effect meta-regression model. Data were analysed using stata version 12. Quality assessments were performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Of the 90 papers identified, 28 were eligible for inclusion. Eight trials used opt-out, 18 trials used opt-in, and two trials used both to detect new cases of HIV infection. The test was accepted and taken by 75 155 of 172 237 patients (44%) in the opt-out strategy, and 73 581 of 382 992 patients (19%) in the opt-in strategy. The prevalence of HIV infection detected by the opt-out strategy was 0.40% (373 cases), that detected by the opt-in nontargeted strategy was 0.52% (419 cases), and that detected by the opt-in targeted strategy was 1.06% (52 cases). In this meta-analysis, the testing uptake of the opt-out strategy was not different from that of the opt-in strategy to detect new cases of HIV infection in EDs. © 2016 British HIV Association.

[Cost-effectiveness ratio of using rapid tests for malaria diagnosis in the Peruvian Amazon].

PubMed

Rosas Aguirre, Angel Martín; Llanos Zavalaga, Luis Fernando; Trelles de Belaunde, Miguel

2009-05-01

To determine the cost-effectiveness ratios of three options for diagnosing malaria at the local health provider in 50 communities near the Peruvian Amazon. Calculation of the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of three options for diagnosing malaria-not using rapid tests, using rapid tests, and accessing microscopy-in patients presenting with fever in 50 communities near Iquitos in the Peruvian Amazon, communities with limited access to microscopy that depend on a network of local health providers. The incremental costs and effects of the two latter options were calculated and compared with the first option (currently in use). By dividing the incremental costs among the incremental effects, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was calculated. Using rapid tests would save the Ministry of Health of Peru: US$191 for each new case of Plasmodium falciparum malaria treated promptly and appropriately; US$31 per new case of P. vivax malaria treated promptly and appropriately; US$1,051 per case of acute malaria averted; and US$17,655 for each death avoided. Access to microscopy by all the communities would generate an additional cost of: US$198 per new case of P. falciparum malaria treated promptly and appropriately; US$31 per new case of P. vivax malaria treated promptly and appropriately; US$1,086 per case of acute malaria averted; and US$18,255 for each death avoided. The use of rapid tests by local health providers can improve the effectiveness of malaria diagnosis in patients with fever in the 50 communities studied, at a cost lower than the current method. The recommendation is to expand the use of rapid tests among the health providers in communities similar to those studied.

Chikungunya from the Caribbean: the importance of appropriate laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis.

PubMed

Magurano, Fabio; Zammarchi, Lorenzo; Baggieri, Melissa; Fortuna, Claudia; Farese, Alberto; Benedetti, Eleonora; Fiorentini, Cristiano; Rezza, Giovanni; Nicoletti, Loredana; Bartoloni, Alessandro

2015-04-01

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) appeared for the first time in the Western Hemisphere--the French West Indies--in December of 2013. From there, the virus has spread to other Caribbean islands. Following the diagnosis of first autochthonous CHIKV cases in the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, a large outbreak is ongoing in the Americas. As of September 12, 2014, a total of 706,093 suspected and 9803 confirmed CHIKV cases have been reported in the Americas. This case study highlights the possibility of false-negative immunochromatographic CHIKV immunoglobulin M (IgM) tests and the need of confirmatory tests for suspected cases. Moreover, a greater spread of virus together with the presence of a mosquito vector (Aedes albopictus) enhances the risk of autochthonous transmission in Europe.

Is D-dimer used according to clinical algorithms in the diagnostic work-up of patients with suspicion of venous thromboembolism? A study in six European countries.

PubMed

Kristoffersen, Ann Helen; Ajzner, Eva; Rogic, Dunja; Sozmen, Eser Y; Carraro, Paolo; Faria, Ana Paula; Watine, Joseph; Meijer, Piet; Sandberg, Sverre

2016-06-01

Clinical algorithms consisting of pre-test probability estimation and D-dimer testing are recommended in diagnostic work-up for suspected venous thromboembolism (VTE). The aim of this study was to explore how physicians working in emergency departments investigated patients suspected to have VTE. A questionnaire with two case histories related to the diagnosis of suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) (Case A) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) (Case B) were sent to physicians in six European countries. The physicians were asked to estimate pre-test probability of VTE, and indicate their clinical actions. In total, 487 physicians were included. Sixty percent assessed pre-test probability of PE to be high in Case A, but 7% would still request only D-dimer and 11% would exclude PE if D-dimer was negative, which could be hazardous. Besides imaging, a D-dimer test was requested by 41%, which is a "waste of resources" (extra costs and efforts, no clinical benefit). For Case B, 92% assessed pre-test probability of DVT to be low. Correctly, only D-dimer was requested by 66% of the physicians, while 26% requested imaging, alone or in addition to D-dimer, which is a "waste of resources". These results should encourage scientific societies to improve the dissemination and knowledge of the current recommendations for the diagnosis of VTE. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Adverse reactions to suxamethonium and other muscle relaxants under general anesthesia

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

Vervloet, D.; Nizankowska, E.; Arnaud, A.

The mechanisms of anaphylactic reactions to muscle relaxants under general anesthesia are not completely understood. Extending an earlier study, we report 41 cases of anaphylactic shock investigated by intradermal skin tests with muscle relaxants (suxamethonium, pancuronium, gallamine, nortoxiferine), in vitro leukocyte histamine release, and Prausnitz-Kuestner tests. Intradermal tests were significantly positive at concentrations ranging from 10 to 10(5) times less than those in controls. Reproducibility tested for suxamethonium at a 1-year interval in five patients was good. Histamine release induced by muscle relaxants in Tris-albumin-Ca++-Mg++ buffer showed positive results in 8/25 instances and was inhibited by antigen excess in sevenmore » cases. Addition of 50% deuterium oxide (D2O) caused significant increase of histamine release in positive cases and induced release in all five negative cases studied. Muscle relaxant-induced histamine release was inhibited by in vitro anti-IgE leukocyte desensitization. The mean maximal histamine release dropped from 58.2% +/- 9.7 to 5.8% +/- 2 (p less than 0.01). Similarly, leukocyte desensitization also inhibited histamine release induced by anti-IgE but not by formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine or poly-L-arginine. Prausnitz-Kuestner tests were positive in five out of 21 cases studied and became negative after heat inactivation. These results confirm the usefulness of intradermal skin tests in diagnosis of patients' reaction to muscle relaxants and suggest an IgE-mediated rather than an idiosyncratic mechanism.« less

Is high pressure liquid chromatography an effective screening tool for characterization of molecular defects in hemoglobinopathies?

PubMed

Moorchung, Nikhil; Phillip, Joseph; Sarkar, Ravi Shankar; Prasad, Rupesh; Dutta, Vibha

2013-01-01

Hemoglobinopathies constitute entities that are generated by either abnormal hemoglobin or thalassemias. high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) is one of the best methods for screening and detection of various hemoglobinopathies but it has intrinsic interpretive problems. The study was designed to evaluate the different mutations seen in cases of hemoglobinopathies and compare the same with screening tests. 68 patients of hemoglobinopathies were screened by HPLC. Mutation studies in the beta globin gene was performed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based allele-specific Amplification Refractory Mutation System (ARMS). Molecular analysis for the sickle cell mutation was done by standard methods. The IVS 1/5 mutation was the commonest mutation seen and it was seen in 26 (38.23%) of the cases. This was followed by the IVS 1/1, codon 41/42, codon 8/9, del 22 mutation, codon 15 mutation and the -619 bp deletion. No mutation was seen in eight cases. There was a 100% concordance between the sickle cell trait as diagnosed by HPLC and genetic testing. Our study underlies the importance of molecular testing in all cases of hemoglobinopathies. Although HPLC is a useful screening tool, molecular testing is very useful in accurately diagnosing the mutations. Molecular testing is especially applicable in cases with an abnormal hemoglobin (HbD, HbE and HbS) because there may be a concomitant inheritance of a beta thalassemia mutation. Molecular testing is the gold standard when it comes to the diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies.

Socio-demographic, Clinical and Laboratory Features of Rotavirus Gastroenteritis in Children Treated in Pediatric Clinic

PubMed Central

Azemi, Mehmedali; Berisha, Majlinda; Ismaili-Jaha, Vlora; Kolgeci, Selim; Avdiu, Muharrem; Jakupi, Xhevat; Hoxha, Rina; Hoxha-Kamberi, Teuta

2013-01-01

Aim: The aim of work was presentation of several socio-demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics of gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus. The examinees and methods: The examinees were children under the age of five years treated at the Pediatric Clinic due to acute gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus. Rotavirus is isolated by method chromatographic immunoassay by Cer Test Biotec. Results: From the total number of patients (850) suffering from acute gastroenteritis, feces test on bacteria, viruses. protozoa and fungi was positive in 425 (49.76%) cases. From this number the test on bacteria was positive in 248 (58.62%) cases, on viruses it was positive in 165 (39.0%), on protozoa in 9 (2.12%) cases and on fungi only one case. Rotavirus was the most frequent one in viral test, it was isolated in 142 (86.06%) cases, adenoviruses were found in 9 (5.45%) cases and noroviruses in only one case. The same feces sample that contained rotavirus and adenoviruses were isolated in five cases, whereas rotavirus with bacteria was isolated in the same feces sample in five cases. The biggest number of cases 62 (43.66%) were of the age 6-12 months, whereas the smallest number 10 (7.04%) cases were of the age 37-60 months. There were 76 (53.52%) of cases of male gender, from rural areas there were 81 (57.04%) cases and there were 58 (40.80%) cases during the summer period. Among the clinical symptoms the most prominent were diarrhea, vomiting, high temperature, whereas the different degree of dehydration were present in all cases (the most common one was moderate dehydration). The most frequent one was isonatremic dehydration in 91 (64.08%) cases, less frequent one was hypernatremic dehydration in 14 (9.85%) cases. The majority of cases (97.89%) had lower blood pH values, whereas 67 (47.17%) cases had pH values that varied from 7.16 -7.20 (curve peak), normal values were registered in only 3 (2.11%) cases. Urea values were increased in 45 (31.07%) cases (the maximum value was 26.5 mmol/L), whereas creatinine value was increased in 41 (28.87%) cases (maximum value was 302 mmol/L). Conclusion: The results show the high frequency of rotavirus infections in children hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis. Rotavirus may cause different dehydration degree with electrolyte, acid-base and other biochemical disorders. Preventing the infection caused by rotavirus is of a great importance. PMID:23678334

Value of stress ultrasound for the diagnosis of chronic ankle instability compared to manual anterior drawer test, stress radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and arthroscopy.

PubMed

Cho, Jae Ho; Lee, Doo Hyung; Song, Hyung Keun; Bang, Joon Young; Lee, Kyung Tai; Park, Young Uk

2016-04-01

Clinicians frequently diagnose chronic ankle instability using the manual anterior drawer test and stress radiography. However, both examinations can yield incorrect results and do not reveal the extent of ankle instability. Stress ultrasound has been reported to be a new diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of chronic ankle instability. The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of stress ultrasound for chronic ankle instability compared to the manual anterior drawer test, stress radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and arthroscopy. Twenty-eight consecutive patients who underwent ankle arthroscopy and subsequent modified Broström repair for treatment of chronic ankle instability were included. The arthroscopic findings were used as the reference standard. A standardized physical examination (manual anterior drawer test), stress radiography, MRI, and stress ultrasound were performed to assess the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) prior to operation. Ultrasound images were taken in the resting position and the maximal anterior drawer position. Grade 3 lateral instability was verified arthroscopically in all 28 cases with a clinical diagnosis (100%). Twenty-two cases showed grade III instability on the manual anterior drawer test (78.6%). Twenty-four cases displayed anterior translation exceeding 5 mm on stress radiography (86%), and talar tilt angle exceeded 15° in three cases (11 %). Nineteen cases displayed a partial chronic tear (change in thickness or signal intensity), and nine cases displayed complete tear on MRI (100%). Lax and wavy ATFL was evident on stress ultrasound in all cases (100 %). The mean value of the ATFL length was 2.8 ± 0.3 cm for the stressed condition and 2.1 ± 0.2 cm for the resting condition (p < 0.001). Stress ultrasound may be useful for the diagnosis of chronic ankle instability in addition to the manual anterior drawer test and stress radiography. III.

Clinical Performance of Aspergillus PCR for Testing Serum and Plasma: a Study by the European Aspergillus PCR Initiative.

PubMed

White, P Lewis; Barnes, Rosemary A; Springer, Jan; Klingspor, Lena; Cuenca-Estrella, Manuel; Morton, C Oliver; Lagrou, Katrien; Bretagne, Stéphane; Melchers, Willem J G; Mengoli, Carlo; Donnelly, J Peter; Heinz, Werner J; Loeffler, Juergen

2015-09-01

Aspergillus PCR testing of serum provides technical simplicity but with potentially reduced sensitivity compared to whole-blood testing. With diseases for which screening to exclude disease represents an optimal strategy, sensitivity is paramount. The associated analytical study confirmed that DNA concentrations were greater in plasma than those in serum. The aim of the current investigation was to confirm analytical findings by comparing the performance of Aspergillus PCR testing of plasma and serum in the clinical setting. Standardized Aspergillus PCR was performed on plasma and serum samples concurrently obtained from hematology patients in a multicenter retrospective anonymous case-control study, with cases diagnosed according to European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Invasive Fungal Infections Cooperative Group and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Mycoses Study Group (EORTC/MSG) consensus definitions (19 proven/probable cases and 42 controls). Clinical performance and clinical utility (time to positivity) were calculated for both kinds of samples. The sensitivity and specificity for Aspergillus PCR when testing serum were 68.4% and 76.2%, respectively, and for plasma, they were 94.7% and 83.3%, respectively. Eighty-five percent of serum and plasma PCR results were concordant. On average, plasma PCR was positive 16.8 days before diagnosis and was the earliest indicator of infection in 13 cases, combined with other biomarkers in five cases. On average, serum PCR was positive 10.8 days before diagnosis and was the earliest indicator of infection in six cases, combined with other biomarkers in three cases. These results confirm the analytical finding that the sensitivity of Aspergillus PCR using plasma is superior to that using serum. PCR positivity occurs earlier when testing plasma and provides sufficient sensitivity for the screening of invasive aspergillosis while maintaining methodological simplicity. Copyright © 2015 White et al.

Diagnostic Strategy Used To Establish Etiologies of Encephalitis in a Prospective Cohort of Patients in England▿

PubMed Central

Ambrose, H. E.; Granerod, J.; Clewley, J. P.; Davies, N. W. S.; Keir, G.; Cunningham, R.; Zuckerman, M.; Mutton, K. J.; Ward, K. N.; Ijaz, S.; Crowcroft, N. S.; Brown, D. W. G.

2011-01-01

The laboratory diagnostic strategy used to determine the etiology of encephalitis in 203 patients is reported. An etiological diagnosis was made by first-line laboratory testing for 111 (55%) patients. Subsequent testing, based on individual case reviews, resulted in 17 (8%) further diagnoses, of which 12 (71%) were immune-mediated and 5 (29%) were due to infection. Seventy-five cases were of unknown etiology. Sixteen (8%) of 203 samples were found to be associated with either N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor or voltage-gated potassium channel complex antibodies. The most common viral causes identified were herpes simplex virus (HSV) (19%) and varicella-zoster virus (5%), while the most important bacterial cause was Mycobacterium tuberculosis (5%). The diagnostic value of testing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for antibody was assessed using 139 samples from 99 patients, and antibody was detected in 46 samples from 37 patients. Samples collected at 14 to 28 days were more likely to be positive than samples taken 0 to 6 days postadmission. Three PCR-negative HSV cases were diagnosed by the presence of virus-specific antibody in the central nervous system (CNS). It was not possible to make an etiological diagnosis for one-third of the cases; these were therefore considered to be due to unknown causes. Delayed sampling did not contribute to these cases. Twenty percent of the patients with infections with an unknown etiology showed evidence of localized immune activation within the CNS, but no novel viral DNA or RNA sequences were found. We conclude that a good standard of clinical investigation and thorough first-line laboratory testing allows the diagnosis of most cases of infectious encephalitis; testing for CSF antibodies allows further cases to be diagnosed. It is important that testing for immune-mediated causes also be included in a diagnostic algorithm. PMID:21865429